Need affordable scope recommendation

IMO you can't beat the Burris E1 for the money.
I have three with the Ballistic Plex on rifles. Very dependable, reasonable glass and great warranty... though I have been shooting them for years and have never used the warranty.
If I could not afford my higher end scopes, I wouldn't feel handicapped with the Burris. Have killed multiple animals 400+ to nearly 600 yards with the Ballistiplex reticle. They seem pretty rugged too. With that being said, I wonder why in the world I buy more expensive scopes!
Some of my more expensive scopes are a bit sharper and brighter, but I doubt enough to make or break a hunt.

I would have vote for the VX3 also.

The leupold vx-3i is a good choice

Yes, I have VX3i too and it seems to be a nice scope. I have not dialed it a lot, but ran it through the box this morning and it went right back to zero. Pretty nice glass also. I have maybe 100 rounds under this scope with zero issues as of now.

gohring3006 said:

Natchez has the Weaver tactical 3-15 FFP for 499$.
That scope is worth twice as much.

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****. I paid about $750 seven or eight years ago for this scope. I still love this scope a lot, great glass even in low light tracks perfect.

Also you may want to look at the ziess conquest 3x9x40 they are pretty nice scopes that can be bought for 499.00

The leupold vx3i 3x9x40 sf can be bought for 499.00 also both of these scopes preform very well. Good luck on your choice

Check into vortex hslr 4-16x44. They have these on sale and are discontinued as far as I know but you can pick them up for 400 frim cabelas when they run them. They have a exposed elevation turret and caped wind turret. They also have a zero stop. I've got one on a 300 win and have over 500 rnds with it on. Tracks great and ive made hits out to 1178 yards with it. It's a solid scope. The glass isn't great but it's ok. For the price youll be very hard to beat it. If you want great glass go with a leopold vx1 3-9 with the lr duplex for sub $200. No thrills, no need to spend more and will work for 4-500

Vortex has always done well for me. I have 5 of them.

Not to be rude but I have little use for vortex

Sinko said:

Not to be rude but I have little use for vortex

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Same here. The Vortex bug bit me a few years ago based off of recommendations largely off of this site.

3 out of 5 would not zero or hold zero right out of the box, a fourth failed with less that 50 rounds down the tube.

Their customer service was great, had each of them back in under two weeks and promptly sold all five at a loss and replaced them with VX6's and Trijicon.

Won't be going back.

FEENIX said:

Check out https://www.primaryarms.com/ offerings.

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I bought two of Primary's 4-14 FFP with 30mm tubes. They have been very good for the $. And they have sunshades and switchview levers. What about rings

I have to second looking for a used/clearance Zeiss HD5. However, off the shelf, VX3i or Vortex Viper series.

Leupold VX3i hands down, the ones with 1" tubes are all in the 400-499 range and MidwayUSA is running 10% off qualifying optics (includes the VX3i) right now.