Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Scope Recommendations under $500

Hello all,

I am looking to get a scope recommendation. I am using a mid 1980's Burris 3x-9x currently. Bench shooting with the 7mm Rem Mag, the eye relief is just not enough. On occasion it pops me in the face but I have yet to get cut, thank God. I don't have $1000 to spend on a scope. I have been looking at Leupold VX-2 and 3, but are there some other options I should consider?

Just a side note, I hunt a lot of open country in southern Idaho, and I have taken long shots of 600 yds or so successfully.

Meopta Meopro, Zeiss Conquest (they're still around), Vortex Viper, Minox ZA5 HD, Sightron SII Big Sky.

I'd get a VX II 3X9 with the long range duplex. Longer eye relief, simple, and under budget.

You're already on the right path looking at the VX2 & VX3 line of scopes.

I have a VX3 4.5-14x40 on my 7mm Mag.

It's as fine of glass as you'll need. But having used Meopta and Vortex, I'm not convinced Leupold is worth the premium price.

meopta meopro 3-9x42. can be found for 399 or less at a couple places. better glass than the leupolds. leupold is a good choice but if u dont mind a slightly heavier scope with a larger eyebox get the meopta u will like it

Cant go wrong with a leupold vx3

Yep....

VX-3 2.5-8x36 with a custom shop TMR reticle and M1 elevation turret.

What about one of Doug's super deal Meopro 3.5-10x44's for under $400? Never used one but I've looked through a couple and was plenty impressed with the glass.

^ i have one. stunning glass

Me too! NO regrets or buyers remorse

Tell me more about this "Doug" person.

Vortex Viper HS is a whole lot of scope for the coin. Compare it to a VX-3 in the same conditions and I think you'll be a bit surprised.

Doug is one of the owners of CameralandNY, one of the sponsers of this site. Great guys to deal with. I think you get an extra discount as a member of this site.

Also, another vote for Meopta. Fantastic glass.

Sounds like a good deal.

I recently bought a Conquest 3-9x40 from Europtic for $329.

I'm impressed with the new VX-2 series. Don't have one, just mounted a VX-2 3-9x40 CDS on a buddy's .300 WM. I have several VX-3's and this scope was pretty close to those in overall quality.

For light weight, sleek profile, the VX-2 is hard to beat, especially for a turret twister. The CDS is the best elevation turret deal out there, IMO.

If weight and size aren't critical, the Conquest or Meopta are good choices. Both have great optics.

DF

Can't believe I actually agree with something he said. Huh.

if you want eye relief go with a Vx3

The VX2 3-9 would be the most scope for the money, given the parameters.

The VX3 3.5-10 would be the best choice for the money, given the parameters.

Have you measured the eye relief on a VX3? My remaining VX3 (1.5-5) has 4 1/8" at 1.5x and 3 1/4" at 5x. Both of my Conquests measure right at 4" across the range of magnification.

Everyone goes on about the eye relief of Leupolds but it has been my experience that the eye relief dwindles to average/ below average when you crank up the magnification.

I honestly think that big eye relief numbers are a little over rated for most situations. IIRC, my 35 Whelen weighs in at around 7lbs 12 oz scoped. Shooting both 225's and 250's just under 2600 fps has not been an issue even with the 3 1/4" eye relief of the VX3. Sure, there are lighter rifles with heavier recoiling rounds but that isn't really the norm.