best scope for $400

[treeslayer460]

New here love reading all the posts im looking for a scope for a vanguard 2 in 257 weatherby I recentky bought I have a burris 4.5-14-44mm on my target mini 14 and a mueller 3.5-10-44mm on my howa 1500 243 I love both scope and are my primary hunting rifles for coyote and whitetail looking for a 4-16-50 or maybe 6-20-50mm I bought this gun to shoot out to 700 on coyotes 400 on whitetails shots will mostly be 200 + budget is $500 for the scope and mounts thanks for all the input

 

[Sako7STW]

Hands down, right now Nikon has a huge offer on their scopes that is impossible to beat. $100 off on the Monarch scopes. So you can get a scope that normaly sales for $399 for $299. I bought one for my sons gun last year in the 4-16x42 and I am super impressed with the scope. I only wish I could have got it for this price! I am going to order a new scope for my wifes 25-06 tomorrow I think. 5-20x44 BDC Monarch for $319.00!!! That would be a perfect match for .257. Sweet rifle BTW!!!

 

[CA48]

Best scopes in that price range that I have had experience with
are the Nikon monarchs and wonder optics Wotac 4x14x50.

Pros Nikon
better glass, lighter, more magnification options with monarchs

Pros Wotac
More adjust 80 MOAvs around 55, matching Moa reticle, target turrets

Cons Nikon
Capped turrets, not as much adjustment, smaller numbering on turrets

Cons Wotac
Heavy, glass is not as good as Nikon, only option is 4x14x50

They both have good customer service and I never did test the
Tracking on either but both always return to zero even after maxing
The turrets out. And I have never tested to see if they are true MOA
Adjustments.

 

[treeslayer460]

Ive been looking at nikon and vortex. Vortex has a 30mm tube which I love on my brothers millet but nikon has the reputation ive talked to two local shops and they have 100% faith in both I guess ill just make the trip friday look them over any suggestion on mounts? I think both scopes I looking at are around 20-22oz

 

[Sako7STW]

Talley one piece light weight's are a fantastic mount all around. Great price too!

 

[7stw]

I'm going to back up by " brother" Sako STW, and say that for the money, the Nikon Monarchs are tough to beat. I have two of them, and may purchase another for a rifle I am building right now. I have a 6.5-20 Monarch w/ target turrets on one of my STW's. If you could legally shoot as long as you can see, you would be WAY after legal time. This scope is sharp, it tracks beautifully, and the parallax is accurate, as labeled. The crosshair on my model is perfect for hunting. I ran into another one recently that had a fine crosshair. I passed on it at the time, but I wish I had bought it now.
My vote goes to the Nikon Monarch series.
One other thought is the Nikon M223, and M308 models! Another good value!

 

[7stw]

Hands down, right now Nikon has a huge offer on their scopes that is impossible to beat. $100 off on the Monarch scopes. So you can get a scope that normaly sales for $399 for $299. I bought one for my sons gun last year in the 4-16x42 and I am super impressed with the scope. I only wish I could have got it for this price! I am going to order a new scope for my wifes 25-06 tomorrow I think. 5-20x44 BDC Monarch for $319.00!!! That would be a perfect match for .257. Sweet rifle BTW!!!

Sako, where did you see that 5-20x 44 at? That is a great buy!!! I'm interested .

 

[treeslayer460]

Picked up a vortex 6.5-20x50mm v plex and tied it down with Leopold medium rings and a talley rail. Zeroed at 100yds today in 8 shots. Moa 3 shot groups with nosler custom 110gr accu bonds. Recoils less than my howa 243 . Love it cant wait to punch holes in something besides paper!!

 

[chainsaw]

Not tying to steal the thread but how are the Nikon buckmasters?

 

[treeslayer460]

For the money I thought redfield was a little better clarity wise. That said my cousin had the oppisite opinion. He does not like the eye relief of my vortex vs the simmons on his 270 win, but if you saw his cheek weld and position youd understand. Guess it depends on your eye sight ?

 

[FEENIX]

For the money I thought redfield was a little better clarity wise. That said my cousin had the oppisite opinion. He does not like the eye relief of my vortex vs the simmons on his 270 win, but if you saw his cheek weld and position youd understand. Guess it depends on your eye sight ?

That depends on which Vortex model you have. For instance, the earlier Vortex Crossfire had 3.1-3.3" eye relief at nest, the newer Crossfire II 6-18x44 AO (Reviews for Vortex Crossfire II 6-18x44 AO Rifle Scope, Dead-Hold BDC Reticle CF2-31033 - View or add your review!) has an eye Relief: 6x - 3.7"; 18x - 4.3". Having said that, it meets your criteria for your consideration. I too am considering getting the BDC for my wife's RRA.

Good luck!

 

[MudRunner2005]

For under $400, it's hard to beat the Konus M-30 scopes. I have had mine on for over a year, and other than it being a bit touchy to clarify at full magnification, it is an excellent scope for the money, and packed full of features you find on scopes that cost atleast 5x as much.