Budget hunting scope recommendation

A friend of mine has an old NEF 30-06 that shoots just fine, but desperately needs new glass. He doesn't want to spend much. I suggested a 3-9 in the $150 range. New or used is fine .

I'm thinking - Nikon prostaff, Leupold VX I, Redfield revolution, maybe a deal on a used Zeiss Terra or Sig Whiskey

I don't know the lower end Vortex or Sightron models very well.

Any suggestions? Thanks

I have had pretty good luck with the sightron SI. Seemed to have decent glass. When sighting in the turrets moved accurately and scope held zero. Didn't use it to try and dial for range. Just sighted rifle in and left it. Rifle was a model 70 in a 7mm stw. Probably others on your list would be fine also. This is the one I have had experience with.

In that price range i have had good luck with nikon and Cabelas brand. I was told that the low end Cabelas was made by vortex. I think that's true because I had to look through 3or 4 to find one with good edge to edge clarity.

I'll chime in with Vortex. It's amazing how good $199 scopes have gotten. You almost can't go wrong at that price range AND you often can find them on sale for $149

Nikon prostaffs. Own several. Great, tough, little scopes. I have one that hasn't had to be rezeroed in 10 years.

What about the new Leupold VX freedom? They have a solid following with good reviews. Some are saying that they took some of the best features of VX-2 and at price of VX-1 I'm thinking about one for my 220 Swift in 4x12x 40 or 50. However they are around $220-250 at lowest I have seen

I have a few Prostaffs in that range which are nice little scopes. No issues with them. Got a couple Vortex Diamondbacks that seem decent as well for the money.

How about a weaver k4 or k6? Clear, simple, light.

I recently picked up a used vortex diamondback hp 4-16x42 for $175. It is an awesome scope. If you are willing to go used - which with vortex there is no risk imo because of their warranty, you can get a killer deal.

I have a Redfield 2-7X33 that I picked up for around $125 shipped on my Marlin 30-30 and am very impressed with it.

However I also have 4 Vortex Viper 2-7X32 scopes on 4 of my hunting rifles that can be had for $149 right now at camerlandny.com For $25 more I feel you got a few more creature comforts that make the Vortex superior to the Redfield. While they both are very bright and seem to track well there are a couple advantages to the Vortex.

1)Is the maglever. I have never seen a scope that is able to adjust the magnification so easily on a rifle scope. Beats Leupolds VX3s hands down in this regard even.

2)Is the finger click resettable turrets similar to what you would get on a Leupold VX3 for $399 only they reset back to zero without tools and super fast.

3)The Vortex if bought from camerlandny.com will through in a set of Vortex Weaver style rings on top of all that.

I am coming to a point where the little 2-7X33 scopes are my favorite for nearly all my hunting rifles except my predator hunting rifle as I just wanted a hubble on a rifle in my safe

Athlon might be worth a look. For a great deal, call Doug at Cameraland NY.

I have a used Nikon P223 3x9x40 with BDC reticle and also a Vortex Crossfire II 2x7x33 if you interested. $75 each shipped.

A friend of mine has a Wolverine 2 on which I have a Falcon Optical Systems M181 scope.

This is a 4-18x44. FFP model which retails for a shade

If you prefer a SFP model the M183 is it and retails a shade

You have a superb rifle in the Wolverine and either of these two scopes will do it justice. Buying the cheapest of scopes for a high-end rifle isn't a good idea IMO.

jrkotz said:

A friend of mine has an old NEF 30-06 that shoots just fine, but desperately needs new glass. He doesn't want to spend much. I suggested a 3-9 in the $150 range. New or used is fine .

I'm thinking - Nikon prostaff, Leupold VX I, Redfield revolution, maybe a deal on a used Zeiss Terra or Sig Whiskey

I don't know the lower end Vortex or Sightron models very well.

Any suggestions? Thanks

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I really do like the Nikon scopes, But I also am really beginning to like the vortex scopes too Check this site out https://www.hunterspulse.com/best-hunting-scope-5-best-hunting-scopes/