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$300-ish Scope: Leupold, Nikon, Vortex?

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masonwinston View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote masonwinston Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: $300-ish Scope: Leupold, Nikon, Vortex?
    Posted: April/18/2010 at 17:24
Hi, new guy here - thanks for reading! Howdy

I'm looking for a good multi-purpose scope that will primarily sit on my CZ 452 Lux in .22LR, but may also pull occasional duty on my AR-15. Both rifles' main function will be target shooting outside, at distances from 50 to 100 yds, with occasional small game hunting and distance shooting thrown in for good measure. Mostly daytime, w/ some offhand shooting, some benchrest, and maybe a little night/dusk shooting as well. Let's say that the largest the objective can be is 40mm. Also, scope tube must be 1" - already bought the rings!

Semi-hard budget ceiling is $300. An extra $10 or $20 wont kill me, but nothing above that - including tax.

Of the scopes I looked at recently in-person, I liked the Leupold VX-I 3-9x40 the best, with the Nikon Pro-Staff 3-9x40 coming in second. Both were clear and eye relief was good. I also checked out the Bushnell Elite 3200 series, but found them to lose focus and clarity at the mid-to-higher magnifications.

I've read that the Vortex Diamondback scopes are quite good for the money, though nobody carries them in-store in my area (far west Chicago burbs). And if there's a better option out there, please tell me so. 3-9x40 is good, 4-12x40 (or higher) is great.

I'd prefer something with dots - something similar to the Vortex BDC or Leupold Long Range Duplex. Not a full mil-dot, just a few dots on the low 1/4 of the crosshair would be perfect.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ckk1106 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/18/2010 at 17:38
I don't know a lot about the Vortex, but I believe you can do better than the VX I or the Prostaff for 300 dollars.   I know the Bushnell 4200 and the Nikon Team Primos are well under 300 dollars and much better scopes, but I'm not sure if they would be the best because of the short distances you're planning on shooting.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pyro6999 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/18/2010 at 17:41
vortex viper is better yet and its in that $300 range for a 3x9
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote neilbilly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/18/2010 at 18:31

Nice on that CZ, don't know anyone who has one that doesn't love it.


Not trying to second guess ya, but you could actually scope both with decent scopes and stay in your budget range.

That way you would not have to swap scopes and re-zero.


If it were me on a $300 upper limit I'd do this.


For the CZ

http://swfa.com/Vortex-2-7x35-Diamondback-Rimfire-Rifle-Scope-P13288.aspx


For the AR

http://swfa.com/Vortex-6-24x50-Crossfire-Rifle-Scope-P43585.aspx


That crossfire is on backorder, but at $99 it's worth the wait.


If it's to be one scope. This is about the best scope for the dollar right now.

http://swfa.com/Bushnell-3-9x40-Elite-4200-Rifle-Scope-P6910.aspx


Might look to see if the quick detach rings will give you enough bolt clearance for the CZ before you decide on one scope and swapping them to and fro. 

Just my .02


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Folically Challenged Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/19/2010 at 07:26
Originally posted by masonwinston masonwinston wrote:


...

Of the scopes I looked at recently in-person, I liked the Leupold VX-I 3-9x40 the best, with the Nikon Pro-Staff 3-9x40 coming in second. Both were clear and eye relief was good. I also checked out the Bushnell Elite 3200 series, but found them to lose focus and clarity at the mid-to-higher magnifications.


Most folks would tell you that you'd get FAR more for your $$$ than these scopes by bumping up to VXII in the Leupold line, or Buckmasters (or especially Team Primos) in the Nikon line.  However... your eyes may not agree.  If your eyes can't tell any difference between these scopes, & ones costing more, then by all means, save the money!

Originally posted by masonwinston masonwinston wrote:

 ...

I've read that the Vortex Diamondback scopes are quite good for the money, though nobody carries them in-store in my area (far west Chicago burbs).

What with Vortex being based in WI, I'd imagine that if you called their 800 number, they could direct you to a dealer not very far away.  All accounts are that they're exceptional folks to deal with.


Originally posted by masonwinston masonwinston wrote:

 ...
 And if there's a better option out there, please tell me so. 


As mentioned, the Nikon Team Primos gets good press around here, as does the Bushnell Elite 4200.  I was able to pick up a 2-7 Vortex Viper for < $300, and I was thrilled with it.  They're all a lot of glass for the money, but again, it comes down to what your eyes tell you.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/19/2010 at 09:24
Leupold 6x42 FX-3 Competition Hunter Riflescope Target Dot Leupold 6x42 FX-3 Competition Hunter Riflescope
Stock # - LEU66825
  • Matte
  • Target Dot
  • 1"
  • Adjustable Objective
  • Xtended Twilight Lens System
$469.95
I know we are way over the price range but the big problem here is when you start talking about using it on a 22 you are talking fairly close distances typically under 50 yds so you have to either have adjustable parallax or you need a rimfire scope or special order scope with the parallax adjusted to about 50 yds where most centerfire scopes will have parallax adjusted at 100 yds or further.
Personally I would put a rimfire scope on the rimfire and leave it there this is the one I use on my 22
Weaver 2.5-7x28 Classic Rimfire Rifle Scope Dual-X Weaver 2.5-7x28 Classic Rimfire Rifle Scope
Stock # - 849431
Matte, Dual-X
$139.95 
Add Weaver 2.5-7x28 Classic Rimfire Rifle Scope to Cart 
The AR-15 is a more challenging issue as scopes for them are need - based.  My personal favorite for an AR-15 is a 1.5x Trijicon.  The Super Sniper scopes are popular on AR rifles and reasonably priced tactical type scopes.  For close range you may be better off with a fixed 4x or 6x though and there will be a 6x comming out this summer in the SS line.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SVT_Tactical Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/19/2010 at 09:34
I have a 452 Trainer and just put a 3x9 on it for a ammo test.  http://opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=23086
I think the 3x9 power was fine at 100yds and given the target in question would be fine to farther distances as well, like you mention you may do.  Better glass will be more beneficial than more power.  The Vortex's and Elite 4200's come to mind for what you're trying to get done.  The lux is a nice gun and deserves a nice scope, I would let the duel duty thing be the last thing on my mind. Good luck with it and make sure to post a picture of it all set up when you make your choice.

Edited by SVT_Tactical - April/19/2010 at 09:35
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 300 ultramag Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/19/2010 at 21:12
nikon buckmaster 265.00 4.5-14x40
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masonwinston View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote masonwinston Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/20/2010 at 11:47
Lots of good options and thoughts here, guys. Thank you very much! :)

Keeping my $300 +/- budget in mind, do any of the Vortex Viper scopes have adjustable objectives? I see the more expensive ($400+) Vipers have side focus. SWFA product page and Vortex product page dont mention AO capability, which leads me to believe that the less expensive Vipers do not have AO - am I thinking correctly?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cpwomack Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/20/2010 at 12:03

I believe that one of the 4-12 diamondbacks has AO?

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masonwinston View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote masonwinston Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/20/2010 at 12:10
Originally posted by cpwomack cpwomack wrote:

I believe that one of the 4-12 diamondbacks has AO?



Yessir, you are correct. I'm flip-flopping between that scope, a 3-9x40 Diamondback, and a 3-9x40 Viper. The Viper and Diamondback AO are the same price, and that's why I'm wondering if the Viper also has AO or not.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cpwomack Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/20/2010 at 12:17
The 3-9 viper does not, asked the question a while back.  I have not purchase a viper yet but had a diamondback (2-7) and for the money it was an excellent scope.
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