Looking for a new scope

[Bullseyetony]

Looking for a new scope for the Grendel. My primary use will be hunting deer, coyotes, and hogs. I do like to shoot targets and would like to stretch it out to the 600 yard range. The things I want on it would be big objective, no more than 14x power, no mil dot but bdc would work, exposed turrets, and etched reticle. One more thing is keeping it under $200. I know it's a stretch but they are out there. I have a Monstum 4-16×50 with all the bells and whistles but it has the mil-dot reticle and its HEAVY. Cool scope but not really a good hunting scope.

What are you guys recommendations?

[VASCAR2]

AA Optics sell refurbished Vortex scopes that still maintain the no questions ask guarantee. A Friend just bought a Viper HS from them and upon receipt it looked brand new. His scope was closer to $300 but the only scope in that price I would trust might be a discontinued Nikon.

The scope my Friend bought was a Viper HS 4-16x44 with Drop Dead BDC reticle with 30 mm tube for $325 but they must be sold out as no longer listed. They do list a 4-16x50 BDC but neither model has target turrets. On Vortex optics capped turrets usually come on hunting orientated scopes whereas Target scopes with mildot or VMR reticles have Target Turrets.

https://aaoptics.com/REFURBISHED--VIPER-...p_532.html

I have a Vortex Diamondback Tactical 4-12-40 with VMR MOA reticle with Target turrets but still doesn’t offer everything you want. If your interested in a 30 MM tube the Vortex Viper scope which is manufactured in the Philipines are very good scopes. Vortex make the Viper with BDC and mildot reticles with target turrets. They make this scope in 44 mm objective and 50 mm objective. The Diamondback HP and Viper scopes are manufactured Philipines and I have been satisfied with mine.

https://aaoptics.com/REFURBISHED--VIPER-...p_542.html

[mdram]

thats a tall order for that price range
the primary arms 4-14 is @ 280,
maybe an athlon argos.

or watch for a sale/closeout that pop up on occasion
check out natchezss, i recall a couple of emails with sales on nikons and bushnells

[Bullseyetony]

thats a tall order for that price range
the primary arms 4-14 is @ 280,
maybe an athlon argos.

or watch for a sale/closeout that pop up on occasion
check out natchezss, i recall a couple of emails with sales on nikons and bushnells

Definitely a tall order but I know they can be had. I just don't want my reticle to be too busy and I want to get on target with as much ease and quickness as possible.

[am4966]

The Bushnell Nitro, Bushnell AR, Leupold AR, Athlon, Burris Fullfield or Droptine something from these might fit your budget. Shop around

[mdram]

Definitely a tall order but I know they can be had. I just don't want my reticle to be too busy and I want to get on target with as much ease and quickness as possible.

i would be patient and wait for a good sale
watch https://www.reddit.com/r/gundeals/

[VASCAR2]

Another option is to watch the equipment exchange where forum members sell optics. AR15.com and Sniper’s Hide have good deals on used optics sold by forum members.

[Bullseyetony]

I'm gonna take the 6.5 out this weekend and try the Monstrum 4-16×50 out one more time before I decide to tank it. I'll try to use it on the lower power and see if that helps. It is a ffp scope..

[drewthebrave]

If you can save up a bit to extend your budget, it sounds like the SWFA ultralight would be ideal for you. It's currently $380 with an Aero Precision mount, but it might drop lower if they do a 4th of July or Black Friday sale. SWFA makes great utilitarian scopes that are very reliable, durable, and affordable.
https://www.swfa.com/swfa-ss-2-5-10x32-u...mount.html

[PVBoom]

With his (unrealistic) price limitations he would be better off trying to find a used SS SWFA 10x42 for ~250. At least he gets a bigger objective.

I would up the budget to $250, in an attempt to get some optical quality.

In that range, here are the options at Natchez.
https://outdoors.natchezss.com/products/...5-$250

Here are the used ones at SWFA (Samplelist).
https://www.samplelist.com/entire-sample...ale=49,250

[FLshooter]

$200 doesn’t get you much the optics world. You could try a vortex diamondback 4-12 X 40, they go for $200 on Amazon. But if you’re shooting up to 600 where you need to make a lot of adjustments, the turrets on the diamondback suck.Personally when it comes to Vortex Optics, I wouldn’t go lower than the Viper line. But that’s me.

[Bullseyetony]

With his (unrealistic) price limitations he would be better off trying to find a used SS SWFA 10x42 for ~250. At least he gets a bigger objective.

I would up the budget to $250, in an attempt to get some optical quality.

In that range, here are the options at Natchez.
https://outdoors.natchezss.com/products/...5-$250

Here are the used ones at SWFA (Samplelist).
https://www.samplelist.com/entire-sample...ale=49,250

Not really unrealistic. Theres alot of guys using inexpensive budget optics out to 1000 yards.

[Klem]

Not really unrealistic. Theres alot of guys using inexpensive budget optics out to 1000 yards.

Where have you seen a lot of guys using budget optics for LR shooting?

I have been shooting 1K yds for over a decade and most scopes are worth more than the gun, in the thousands. Some beginners turn up with hunting scopes but quickly realise the money they saved on the scope is wasted in ammunition. Made in China Coke bottles with a new zero every time the gun recoils is a recipe for disappointment.

[Mustangfreek]

^^

Where’s the 1000 yard ranges in wa?

I’d like to have some ranges around that have more then At least 200 yards. That’s boring after sight in..lol

[Klem]

^^

Where’s the 1000 yard ranges in wa?

/

Built ranges: Pinjar, Albany, Kalgoorlie, Capel (900M), Swanbourne (mil only), Widji Bandi (2km) and a few others. Outside gazetted ranges no civilian shooting unless on private property. Plenty of extended range on farms and stations. Drive in a straight line for a couple of days and you are in the middle of nowhere.

[PVBoom]

Not really unrealistic. Theres alot of guys using inexpensive budget optics out to 1000 yards.

Yes it is, if you want good glass, consistent turrets, good performance hunting up to 200 yards and suitability for 600 yards for $200, all with the reticle of your choice.
IF you want something to do all that well, you need to increase your budget or maybe pray to find a good Sightron SIII used, or something on closeout that's been overlooked for 4 years.

There is a difference between finding that great bargain and seeking a unicorn.
Otherwise you end up settling for new mediocrity because of a too low budget. Maybe it works fine for a while, then you discover the turrets aren't precise anymore, or the erector starts slipping.

You aren't asking for inexpensive with your budget and feature list, you are asking for cheap.

Which optics are these guys using at 1K? Lets see some examples instead of talk. And what are they hitting besides the backstop?

[Bullseyetony]

Ok guys I'm not trying to start an argument. This is primarily a hunting gun with the option to shoot out to 600 yard targets. I don't need the magnification for 1000 yards. The options I listed in the original post are set in stone, those would be the options in a perfect world. The quality of optics have improved leaps and bounds in the last few years. Budget friendly optics are out there to be had. The reasons for my options are to be able to dial in a specific distance or use the bdc reticle for the known distance. I'm a hunter not a long distance shooter but shooting out past normal Oklahoma hunting distance is great fun. I'll gather a few optics I've looked at and get you guys opinions on them. I really don't need anything past the 16x and as far as the objective lens size it doesn't matter as long as it works well in low light conditions. Most of my knowledge is honestly from reviews on the almighty YouTube and yes I know most of those guys get paid for the reviews. I've had a few scopes in the past that worked very well including a super cheap Tasco on a 7mm mag that was beat to death in the woods and never lost zero. A couple of others were a Burris a a couple Swift and those worked very good.

[Bullseyetony]

Athlon Optics Neos 4-12x40 Second Focal Plane

Simmons 4-14X44 Aetec "5A41444TI"

Vortex Optics Copperhead 4-12x44 Second Focal Plane

Sig Sauer SOW34204 Whiskey3 Riflescope, 4-12X40mm, 1 in, Sfp

Athlon Optics Talos 4-16x40 Second Focal Plane Riflescopes

[Red*Lion]

I would not recommend anything Simmons. Athlon has started to build some fairly decent optics. Sig is pretty good. I like Vortex quite a bit. I would suggest to look at Natchez as they regularly have scopes at reduced cost. These include refurbished scopes.
Nikon makes quality optics. Maybe this could work for you? https://www.natchezss.com/nikon-prostaff...matte.html

Take a look around the site and you may find something that will work for you.

https://outdoors.natchezss.com/products/...fle-scopes

[am4966]

If you have 4 optics in your price range then why ask fir recommendations? You asked for suggestions and people gave you there thoughts and suggestions. If you don’t like them just ignore and buy one of the 4 you like in your price range.

Optics are important and the ability to see your prey in low light or in challenging conditions. Usually leads you to more than $200 but that’s what’s great we have lots of options, CDNN might have something in your price range too.