I need a quality, but low cost scope for a .270 do-it-all rifle.

So far, the best quality/performance I've seen for $200 or below is the Bushnell Elite 3-9x40 for $199.

Anyone have any suggestions for a better price scope that can compare to the 4200? Or a better scope for the same price?

Thanks,
Czech1022

Burris FFII is pretty decent at a reasonable price

The 3-9x40 Redfield is only $150 and its pretty good, lifetime warranty from Leupold too boot...

You can get the Minox from Doug on demo for about $250. Very nice glass for the dough. The elite 3200 line is very nice for that price point. The Nitrex line from Weaver is available at Natchez for less then $200 and is also very good glass.

[quote=Lorne]Burris FFII is pretty decent at a reasonable price [/quote

Big time the way to go!

Dober

I must be the only guy on the planet that doesn't like Burris.

The Conquest, IMO, has a bit more "Bang" than the 4200. However, with the price sliding < $200 on the 4200 these days, it's much further ahead on the "Buck". Redfield, Burris, & Diamondback may be less $ than a 4200, but they're going to be less glass, too.

Now, if you'd consider a 2-7 scope, the Vortex Viper has (again, IMO) the best bang/buck of any scope on the market today: "almost" Conquest glass, for $175. The Viper has a pretty significant size & weight advantage over the 4200, but either way you're getting really great glass. It's up to you whether or not 7x would cut it for your purposes, or if you'd really prefer a 9x on the top end.

FC

Im not crazy about them either.

For under $200 in a 3X-9X-40mm I would go with the Burris Fullfield II. The Bushnell Elite 3X-9X-40mm, is it the 3200 or 4200? If it is the 4200, that is a heck of a deal.

I picked up a slightly used Vari X 2 3x9 with duplex crosshairs for $150 + $9 tax the other day for my M700 270. Mounted it in Weavers,boresighted it with my eye and cutting the x at 50 yds with 6 rounds. I like Burris also but when I can find good, clean used Leupolds for less than 1/2 retail I don't think to long about it if I need it. Before anybody feels the need to give me a dose of chit for the Weavers I also have factory irons on this gun for a backup deal and the Weavers are pretty dang repeatable. Magnum Man

While the sub $200 3-9x40 4200 is probably going to be tough to find now that they have been closed out even at ~$240 these are still the best scopes you can buy in this price range.

The glass is on par with the VX-3 and perilously close to that in the Conquest (I've had both). In addition you get the superb, effective Rainguard coating, tough construction, and accurate tracking.

I'm a huge fan of Burris scopes and while the FFII doesn't reach the level of the 4200 they are a really great deal on a tough scope.

My vote goes to the Burris FF II. After about ten years of service I picked up a spare for $119.95 on sale in the Gloss.

Nope you are not.

Not on the Burris bandwagon here either-

I have and use scopes by Zeiss [3],Leupold [3], Baush and Lomb [3, my 4200's are labeled Baush and Lomb], Burris [2], steel tube Weavers, old Redfields, a Kollmorgan or two and several other less expensive scopes. I still like my old El Paso weavers, and find the better brands are all very serviceable, not so the Simmons, Tascos and such. My 3X9 Burris FFII is a very serviceable scope, my 4.5X14 FFII on my .204 I don't like as well, although its been a part of the untimely demise of a good number of song dogs and spotted cats. Keep in mind, I've been doing this a long time and don't trade, sell or throw too much away...I killed my first deer in 1949...with a .257 bob and a steel tube 4X Weaver.

+1 on the Weavers being repeatable. They don't weigh much either.

I've used and owned the 4200, 3200, Viper, Diamondback, FFII, Conquest, Nikon Monarch, VariX-III, VariX-II, etc, and I would rate the FFII as the best bang for the buck. It's not the best scope of the bunch, but it is the most for the least.

+1 Conquest. The best 3-9 on the market. They're in the $360+ range if you shop around. They'll stand tall, side by side, anything even near that cost range.

IMHO,

DF

I'm also looking for 2 scopes in this price range. I found new Nikon Monarch UCC 3-9x40's with the BDC reticle for $199 plus shipping. Have also been considering the new Burris Fullfield E1 3-9x40 (about $160) as well as the new Redfields. I like the look of Burris' new E1 reticle, but have never owned or used a Burris product. I can get a 4-12x40 Redfield for about $160 as well. I have Leupolds, Monarchs, and a 4200 on some of my other rifles. I just need some less expensive glass to put on a few other guns for awhile. What do you guys think about my situation. How does that Monarch UCC stack up to the rest? Thanks!

I also recently posted asking about the new Fullfield E1 w/Ballistic Plex. It would seem per the specs to be a heck of a nice scope for the pricepoint. I've never owned a Burris, always had Leupold but this one sure looks intriguing.

Nope, but I bet I am the only one on the planet that doesn't like Burris -or- Leupold.

If this is a 1st tier hunting rifle, I think that it is worth spending the extra $$ to buy a scope that you're not going to 2nd guess.

If this isn't a 1st tier hunting rifle, I think that a scope in the Nikon ProStaff, Redfield Revalution, or Leupold VX1 is the way to go. I know that many people not like the Nikon ProStaffs, but the 2-7x32s, 3-9x40s, and 4-12x40s that I own have all worked just fine. Not as bright and crisp as some, but at least 90% of the image quality of a Ziess Conquest for 1/3 the cost.

JEff

The cheaper FFII's blow away the VX-1's I've seen and the 4200 makes the VX-1 look like a cheap toy for nearly the same money.

Leupold VXII 3-9X40

how about the nikon prostaff 3-9x40 for 99.95 at cabelas originally 159.00 ?


gene

No sir, I dont care for Burris at all. I decided to buy one and give them a shot and the scope wont hold its position. I cant even get it sighted in. Sent the scope in for repairs and was told there was nothing wrong with it. Mounted the scope on a .30-06, but also changed the stock, and same problem, I couldnt get it to shoot in the same spot twice. I decided I hated the scope and I didnt like the Hogue stock, so I took it off too.

Local store had new Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40's for $299, hard to beat that.

Um - does that local store sell online? Give me their name because I am sure they ship right?

I just ordered a Zeiss 3X9X40 conquest. Shipped from PA to me total was $380. I would be curious to see who is selling brand new Zeiss conquests for $299

I think we would all like the name of that retailer.

No kidding.

As to the OP, I have a 4-12x40 Vortex Diamondback that I got for $185 shipped, and I have to say it looks as good, and in some ways better, than my Monarch UCC 3-9x. It has as wide of a field of view at 4x as the Nikon has at 3x. Go figure.

Best $200 scope I've purchased, without question.

If you can find the closeout Browning 3-9s they are supposed to be Bushnell 4200 glass in a 3200 body without Rainguard. I had one for a while on a rifle I sold but it was a great scope. Should have kept it.

redfield revolution. I cant see how it isnt just a rebadged leupold. I like the one I just picked up.

They are, a VX1 in a Redfield wrapper. I put one on my 8 year old son's WBY youth and he likes it. So do I...

Well, yeah, you have that on me. I do like my Leupys. But I've been going a little crazy with Conquests lately.

Couldn't have said it better myself..

I've had a few Nikon Monarch 4x and they are a damn near as good as a Leupold VXII but not quite when my buddy and I tested the two side by side at dusk. Just a hair behind the Leupie. We were looking at the grain on my neigbors roof shingles and the Leupie won, the Leupie 3.5-10 VXIII was clearer. Still my favorite.

The VariX 2 in the classifieds for $180 shipped is the best bang for the buck 3x9 Russ

Great price. The best prices I've seen are slightly North of $360. $399 is pretty standard.

As I've said and posted several times, that scope is about the most quality for the dollar, period.

DF

My last and only Burris has a date with Ebay.

I do like the new VX-3 Leupolds. I'm thinking about a VX.R 3-9x40 CDS. I was wanting to wait a while on the new illuminated dot and see how it held up. It has a 2 year warranty and the Leupold Rep told me today that it shouldn't be an expensive repair, even if the warranty was up. With Leupold's CS, I don't think it's a problem. I don't much like 30mm tubes, but this one doesn't look that bulky.

DF

Nikon Monarchs 3-9 are excellent scopes. I have 1 and wish I had more. I compared it to a VXIII 2.5-8 in a darkly lit Gander MT. The difference was quite evident. The Nikon was better. Not sure if the loopy had bad glass, but the difference was obvious.

The Nikon was also head and shoulders brighter and sharper than the new 2-8 and 3-12 Nikon Monarchs.

To MY EYES the Nikon doesn't lag behind the Zeiss Conquest by much.

Absolutely +1 on the Viper (I now have three). I've also had good results with two Burris FFII's: a 4-14x42 and a 3-9x40. I've gone toward irons and smaller scopes so the 4-14 is going bye-bye; however, the 3-9 is still on my Ruger 10/22 in .17 HM2. Definitely decent bang for the buck but I'd still go Viperm - a phenomenal value.

Turners have a chain of 15 or so stores out here and each week email out a "Wednesday off the hook special" all sales are one day in store only.

This weeks special is a CZ 455 American for $299

Well thanks for the reply, sounds like a great little store. I would probably be in there every Wednesday buying stuff I don't need.

For $200 or less I'd say an FFII. I own a couple and I'm very happy with them. I have a few Leupolds and until you get to VX-II, the FFII's are the way to go and better than the VX-I IMHO.

Used Leupold 6x42.

I put the Burris FF II 3x9x40 on my 257 wby as a temporary and that is where it has stayed for years. I used to have a conquest and they are great also. I just like the Burris and am used to it I guess. It ain't nothing fancy but it gets the job done for me. I have been amazed at how tough that scope is. If it dies tomorrow it won't owe me anything.

Art: this is your time!

My bang/buck leader is the 3-9 Conquest, especially on a long-action rifle. Just a killer scope. $350 ain't $200 though.......

Just a tip, a lot of shops that handle used guns can sell you a good brand of used scope very cheap. Many people buy the rifles and want it priced without the used scope that is on it.

no offense to either of you guys but the Vortex Viper ain't any where near "almost Conquest". I checked one out and the eye relief was terrible and the glass was not up to par with any of the mid range scopes that I have. To say that these scopes are anywhere near in the same ballpark as a Zeiss is a joke. But to each their own.

Hello! I have two of the 2x7x32 Vortex scopes. I also think that they may be the the best bang for the buck delivered for $175 scope out there.

Must... resist... starting... "How-to-focus-a-Vortex" thread...

Seriously, though, we're all different. A shooter's gotta use his or her own eyes. From a practical standpoint, the OP can't go wrong with any of the suggestions so far: there's not a dog in the bunch.

The only thing more subjective than asking, "which is best", is asking, "what's best for the $.

FC

For a sub $200 3-9 scope, there are many decent alternatives, I like the Nikon Buckmasters, Burris FFII, and the Weaver V9, and a used Leupold would be another viable option. I have had a pair of Burris FFII with Ballistic Plex reticle for about 6 years and both have served me well. I have no experience with the Bushnell 3200's that are being closed out. I guess the best one is the one you like the best, as it seems like personal preference is the real difference maker. I would certainly take a hard look at the Redfield Revolution as well. From what I have heard, they are quite comparable to the others listed and run about 20% less money. If you want to save even more, natchezss.com has the Burris 2-7x35 in realtree camo for just $109.95 plus shipping. I am trying to resist the temptation to order one "just to have on hand".

I assure you that it was focused properly. This ain't my first rodeo boss....

In any case like I said, I was unimpressed but we all have to get what makes us happy. I for one would never just order a scope that I hadn't checked out somewhere in person. Gotta go check em out so you know what you like....

For me... best 3-9X for $200 and under = Bushnell Elite 4200.

For $400 and under = Zeiss Conquest w/ Z-Plex reticle.

Both damn near impossible to beat at their respective price points.

3-9 4200s are very good. I picked up a couple in Browning trim on closeout and are a couple of my favorites.

I love Monarch quality glass and eye relief as much or better than VX-3
The 3-9x40 Nikon Monarch is top gun Monarch glass in trim and lightweight (12.5oz) Prostaff body and current sale price at a few places is now $199.00

$199 with free shipping too:
http://dealspl.us/product/nikon-monarch-ucc-3-9-x-40-mm-rifle-scope

That's a great post, FC.