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Old 04-21-2012, 11:40 PM
featherpen featherpen is offline
 
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Default Best $500 scope for .243

This kind of question has probably been asked a million times but what is the best $500 scope for a .243? A cheap 3+9-40 $150 Bushnell was on here before but last fall it fell apart. This new scope needs to be usable out to 300 yards or so. I have a 3200 elite 4+12-40 on a 30-06; I really like it but it could be better in low light conditions. I have heard good things about a Burris fullfield 2. Any other thoughts? Thanks in advance.
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Old 04-21-2012, 11:43 PM
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Some models of the newer "Elite" series from Bushnell can be had for under $500

LC
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Old 04-21-2012, 11:50 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by featherpen View Post
This kind of question has probably been asked a million times but what is the best $500 scope for a .243? A cheap 3+9-40 $150 Bushnell was on here before but last fall it fell apart. This new scope needs to be usable out to 300 yards or so. I have a 3200 elite 4+12-40 on a 30-06; I really like it but it could be better in low light conditions. I have heard good things about a Burris fullfield 2. Any other thoughts? Thanks in advance.


I have a Redfield 4-12 x40 on mine and I like it... $230.
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Old 04-22-2012, 12:03 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by featherpen View Post
This kind of question has probably been asked a million times but what is the best $500 scope for a .243? A cheap 3+9-40 $150 Bushnell was on here before but last fall it fell apart. This new scope needs to be usable out to 300 yards or so. I have a 3200 elite 4+12-40 on a 30-06; I really like it but it could be better in low light conditions. I have heard good things about a Burris fullfield 2. Any other thoughts? Thanks in advance.
For exactly $500.00 The best scope is the zeiss conquest 3x9x40.
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Old 04-22-2012, 12:41 AM
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Originally Posted by whitetail Junkie View Post
For exactly $500.00 The best scope is the zeiss conquest 3x9x40.
x2
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Old 04-22-2012, 01:19 AM
A303 A303 is offline
 
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Buy used and get a quality scope for 1/2 price or less. Leupold, Zeiss, and Kahles are a few names to look for.
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Old 04-22-2012, 01:40 AM
jimbo1 jimbo1 is offline
 
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x2 on buying used quality scope, for that money i could get a hold of a used schmidt and bender 6 x 42 excellent glass and bombproof i had one on my sako 243 and it really was the best scope ive ever used, i prefer schmidt glass but as the others said you woulddnt be dissapointed by zeiss kahles etc.

Last edited by jimbo1; 04-22-2012 at 01:56 AM.
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Old 04-22-2012, 03:24 AM
Dadirk Dadirk is offline
 
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Default Vortex

We have really been sending alot of Vortex out the door. The glass is good the cost is great. The thing that sells alot of these is Warranty if it is a manufacturer defect all you do is bring it back to us and we give you another one. Try that with Bushnell or another comparable scope.
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Old 04-22-2012, 07:18 AM
elkhunter11 elkhunter11 is online now
 
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Quote:
For exactly $500.00 The best scope is the zeiss conquest 3x9x40.
For $500, it is as good as it gets.
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Old 04-22-2012, 07:33 AM
Pathfinder76 Pathfinder76 is offline
 
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Unless it's a Leupold FX II 6X36.
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Old 04-22-2012, 07:35 AM
jimbo1 jimbo1 is offline
 
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or a 6 x 42 schmidt lol
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Old 04-22-2012, 07:46 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chuck View Post
Unless it's a Leupold FX II 6X36.
Boom! You got it right chuck.
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Old 04-22-2012, 10:51 AM
wolf308 wolf308 is offline
 
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check out nikons coyote special or buckmaster bdc scopes, seem awesome.and hold zero well. has a bdc out to bout 450-500 yards or so. 9x or 14 x power models
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Old 04-22-2012, 11:07 AM
jack88 jack88 is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cowtown guy View Post
x2
X3 Great Glass.
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Old 04-22-2012, 11:42 AM
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I am pretty happy with my vortex, for the price. Good bang for a guys buck, I have a 6.5x24x44pa. The 2.5x10-44 viper HS model sounds like something you may like, Natures Corner store in edmonton stocks them at $390. They also have some Nikon products not listed on the website,for a better price than wholesale or Cabelas.

http://www.naturescornerstore.com/hu...g_catalog.html
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Old 04-22-2012, 08:34 PM
NoKlu NoKlu is offline
 
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There is a Nikon Monarch 5x20x44 sf for sale in the buy and sell right now.
http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=130630
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Old 04-22-2012, 08:37 PM
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Put a 3-9x40 Leupold vx2 on mine and it's doing a great job...
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Old 04-25-2012, 07:51 AM
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How about Hawke? I don't have one personally, but my hunting buddy has one on his 6.5. I got to try it out last fall, I was really impressed with the quality of the optics, how smooth the turrets opperated, paralax adjustment was easily accomplished and it came with an illuminated reticle that lights up both red and green.

This is the scope he has...
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Old 04-25-2012, 08:11 AM
NoKlu NoKlu is offline
 
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I just put that Hawke on a Brno .223 but have not got it out in the field yet. I figured for 250 with a lifetime over the counter warranty how can you lose.
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Old 04-25-2012, 09:24 AM
elkhunter11 elkhunter11 is online now
 
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Quote:
I figured for 250 with a lifetime over the counter warranty how can you lose.
Of course a good warranty is always a positive, but I would never trust a scope with an unknown history on a big game hunt. Getting a replacement scope would be little consolation if the scope had failed and ruined a hunt that I had travelled a long distance for, and used up precious vacation on, or had waited several years to draw a tag.
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Old 04-25-2012, 05:21 PM
NoKlu NoKlu is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by elkhunter11 View Post
Of course a good warranty is always a positive, but I would never trust a scope with an unknown history on a big game hunt. Getting a replacement scope would be little consolation if the scope had failed and ruined a hunt that I had travelled a long distance for, and used up precious vacation on, or had waited several years to draw a tag.
It would be nice if we could drop the cash for a Swaro or other top of the line scope on all of our rifles. The OP is looking for a good $500 scope to drop on a .243 to use out to 300yds. I talked to 3 Hawke retailers before I rolled the dice and bought one. They all said they have had zero returns on the Hawke scopes. For $250,the clarity,warranty, and the features can't be beat so it's on my 2-300 yd gopher and coyote getter. I think that Monarch would fit in the OP's specs quite nicely and give him a better view at 300 than a good 3x9. Nobody mentioned a trip to a far away land for a hunt of a lifetime.
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Old 04-25-2012, 05:35 PM
elkhunter11 elkhunter11 is online now
 
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Quote:
It would be nice if we could drop the cash for a Swaro or other top of the line scope on all of our rifles. The OP is looking for a good $500 scope to drop on a .243 to use out to 300yds.
And several proven scopes that cost $500 or less have been suggested.

Quote:
Nobody mentioned a trip to a far away land for a hunt of a lifetime.
It doesn't have to be to a far off land. I would hate to wait years to draw a tag, even if it was close to home, then have the hunt ruined by a scope failure. It might even be a general tag, where you lose the opportunity to take the buck or bull of a lifetime. Unless you are hunting antlerless, or non trophy animals, you could come across that once in a lifetime animal quite unexpectedly.
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Old 04-25-2012, 06:31 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by whitetail Junkie View Post
For exactly $500.00 The best scope is the zeiss conquest 3x9x40.
x4 or 5 by now,

hands down the best in that range
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Old 04-26-2012, 08:55 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by whitetail Junkie View Post
For exactly $500.00 The best scope is the zeiss conquest 3x9x40.
I agree 100 %
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  #25  
Old 04-27-2012, 11:06 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by whitetail Junkie View Post
For exactly $500.00 The best scope is the zeiss conquest 3x9x40.
Agreed!!

If you are looking for other good options and maybe spending a little less the Bushnell 4200 and 6500 will be good choices!!

Also Leupold VX2 and VX3 are great choices.

Of course all but one of my rifles have Leuplold VX3's (4.5x14x40) on them so I maybe bias!! I have done the side by side with VX3's and Zeiss Conquests and find it hard to tell a difference. To be honest what kept be from buying zeiss on my last rifle was that leuplold makes great high quality lens covers and Zeiss doesnt.



And as mentioned don't be affraid to buy used as the top brands are high quality and all have great warrantys.

Last edited by Mike_W; 04-27-2012 at 11:15 AM.
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