My son's best buddy borrowed my loaner Savage 243 with a Pentax Pioneer scope last deer season and shot a nice buck for his first year actually hunting - but he didn't like the scope at all.

He now has his own 30-06 that came with a cheapy Bushnell package scope - it lasted about 25 shots at the range and then lost it's zero.

He's asked for my advice on what he should pucrchase but our eyes are clearly quite different - he loves the new 10x42 Redfield Binoculars and I wasn't impressed with the glass at all.

Any suggestions appreciated.

There are a couple of options in the $200 range.

Burris FFII comes to mind. I have two of them and they are great.

One of the New Redfield's also come to mind. I just mounted a 3-9X40 with the Plex reticle on a 30-30AI Contender. Shot it at 200 yesterday. Resolution was good and sharp.

Just a few ideas.

Vortex Crossfire 3x9 by 40. Plus, it's illuminated. I have them on both of my bolt guns.

Thanks - I love the Burris FF II but I believe it is pretty much the same as the Pentax Pioneer that he didn't like.

Redfield might be a good idea since he likes the binoculars. I haven't looked though a Vortex yet...had one on a rifle next to me at the range last week and didn't take the opportunity but have read good things.

Please keep the ideas coming.

The close out Busnell Elite 4200 in 3-9x40 is another very good option. This scope design was inherited from Bausch & Lomb when Bushnell bought out the optics division several years ago. At $229 it is probably a "best buy" currently. The Optic Zone still has them in stock: http://theopticzone.com/defaul...ro&opt=detail&id=375

You can get a Leupold Rifleman 3-9 for about $200 and it is very nice scope (much better than I expected). The optics are clear, the eye relief excellent and the (friction, not click) adjustments are accurate and repeatable.

These are outstanding scopes.
http://theopticzone.com/defaul...pro&opt=detail&id=18

quote:

I love the Burris FF II but I believe it is pretty much the same as the Pentax Pioneer that he didn't like.

That is 100% correct, they are the exact same scope, Burris made them for Pentax. As Bob said, check out the Bushnell Elite 4200, they are great scopes, in my opinion much better than a FFII for about the same or a bit more $$$. I have also heard good things about the new Redfields.

Bushnell 4200 3-9......

Nikon pro-staff

Nikon and the new Redfields seem to be good products for the money. I've tried two of the Redfields and one Nikon.. So far so good.

quote:

The close out Busnell Elite 4200 in 3-9x40 is another very good option. This scope design was inherited from Bausch & Lomb when Bushnell bought out the optics division several years ago.

Actually, it's the other way around. Bushnell "rented" the Bausch & Lomb name and sold its products under that brand for several years. When the use-of-name agreement expired, Bushnell substituted their own name for that of B&L on the products. Bushnell only had the rights to use the name for riflescopes and binoculars. The B&L name was licensed to other companies for things like contact lenses and other optical products. But the bottom line is that there is no "genetic" connection between the scopes produced in the old Rochester, NY, facility by B&L and those bearing the B&L name produced in Asia by/for Bushnell.

The Burris is made in the Phillipines and has a spotty reputation for quality.

You can probably get the highest level of performance for the least dollars in one of the Leupold-produced Redfields. They are too new to know how their resale value will hold up, but if resale is important to you then one of the lower-priced Leupolds (VX-I) will likely come out on top for value.

Thanks stonecreek! I didn't realize they had bought out B&L's sport optics all the way back in 1973.

Learned something new today!

Stonecreek,

You think that the new Redfield is going to be a better performer than than the proven Bushnell 4200? I have a 25 year old bad taste in my mouth from an old Banner having the reticle literally drop off the lens right before I shot at a deer so I am generally anti- Bushnell ...... but I thought the 4200 was quite a good scope.

My son's freind likes name brands so I expect it would be easy to recommend a VX1 but I was hoping to give him the best bang for the buck. Any suggestinons on Sightron, Weaver, etc. or are their better products above the price point.

The weaver Nitrex scopes are still on sale with a rebate over at Natchez Shooters Supply.

For solid, reliable performance in that price range with pretty good glass to boot, go Nikon.

LWD

Definitely have him take a look at one of the new Redfield Revolutions... I believe the 3-9X40 can be had new for around $150. Excellent optics for the money.

Earlier reply suggested a Nitrex by Weaver scope at Natchez. Agree with this suggestion....very good prices on the models Natchez has left to sell. However, the rebate on them has expired, but dispite this still a bargain. Have a couple of the Nitrex scopes, very good glass in them. Look at the Nitrex TR1 scopes.

Nikon Buckmaster

General advice on a cheap scope in the uk is to go for a 2nd fixed 6x42 zeiss, Schmidt & bender etc. Or have a look at a Meopta. Don't know if this holds true for the US. Mcleods of Tain normally have a good selection.

This is a very good deal on a quality scope. A bit of beer money left over as well from the $200.
http://www.cameralandny.com/op...ge=vortexviper3-9x40

I've got a LNIB Leupold VX-II 3x9 matte----I'll sell for $235 plus postage. PM me if interested. Bob

Used Leupold.

My experience with Bushnell has ran me off FOREVER. I am a big fan of Rochester NY Bausch&Lomb optics. Buying new, I'd go Luepold.

I recently purchased a new model Redfield 3-9x50 for less than $190.00.

It has exceeded every expectation so far.

It's only been on a rifle for 2 months but I've shot it a bit and also hunted with it.

Fantastic Value.

quote:

Originally posted by huffmanite:
Earlier reply suggested a Nitrex by Weaver scope at Natchez. Agree with this suggestion....very good prices on the models Natchez has left to sell. However, the rebate on them has expired, but dispite this still a bargain. Have a couple of the Nitrex scopes, very good glass in them. Look at the Nitrex TR1 scopes.

The rebates were extended, Check the weaver web page. Also the rebate notice will appear in the shopping cart when ordering. It's a great deal.

I like the leupold vx-I for less than $200. pricepoint. The vx-II for a bit over it.

quote:

Originally posted by johnfox:
This is a very good deal on a quality scope. A bit of beer money left over as well from the $200.
http://www.cameralandny.com/op...ge=vortexviper3-9x40

As an entry level scope this is a great buy. The Redfield is also good value for money but who knows where they get the lenses from to keep the cost down.

quote:

Originally posted by Code4:

quote:

Originally posted by johnfox:
This is a very good deal on a quality scope. A bit of beer money left over as well from the $200.
http://www.cameralandny.com/op...ge=vortexviper3-9x40

As an entry level scope this is a great buy. The Redfield is also good value for money but who knows where they get the lenses from to keep the cost down.

Redfield lenses come from the same Japanese supplier as Leupold lenses, though they have less expensive coatings on internal surfaces.

Interesting & fairly informative article on the scopes here:
Redfield review.

Here's my cheap side showing itself again...

I buy a lot of scopes at gunshows, second hand stores, garage sales, etc. But the only ones I will bother to get that way are minty-appearing B&L ones from the Rochester plant, original Lyman Alaskans, or Leupolds. Or the not very often found Unertls.

Usually I buy Leupolds because there are so many of them out there that for 3x9s I never have to pay more than $125 if I look around just a little bit. Sometimes a lot less. Then I ship them off to Leupold in Beaverton OR if they do not work perfectly, and let their life-time warranty take over.

I have bought a couple of new scopes in the last year...both Redfields built by Leupold in that same American-owned and American-operated Beaverton plant (and with the same lifetime warranty).

quote:

Originally posted
Redfield lenses come from the same Japanese supplier as Leupold lenses, though they have less expensive coatings on internal surfaces.
]

Just curious - - -

Do you mean that the Redfield/Leupold lenses come fully finish-ground and coated from Japan? Or that the GLASS in rough lens-blank form comes from Japan to the Leupold factory for grinding and coating?

Whichever way it is, what is your source for that info?

As to glass, there are very few top optical glass suppliers in the world. One is Japan. There are several countries in eastern Europe which supply the top lens grinders in Germany and other ECM countries with their glass.

I just bought a used, very good condition, 3x9 Leupold Vari-X II on Gunbroker for $150.