Just purchased a T3 Hunter in Swede from shortactionsmoker and looking to scope it. Wanted some opinions on best deals going on a variable in 3-9 or 2-10 with objective at 44mm or smaller. Hunting some wooded areas, open fields, power lines etc. out to 500yds in Northcentral PA.

What are your thoughts and why? Last scope I purchased was a Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 about 3yrs ago and was happy with it. I know Euro Optics is having a closeout on the Conquest, but with tax and shipping I'll be over $330.

Thanks for any insight!

Bill

Best buy/value is Leupold VX-2, 3-9 X 40mm.

I just picked up this Elite 3-9 with the discontinued Firefly reticle. IMO, this is one heck of a scope for the dollars.

I picked up three of these for $249 each with free shipping from Cabelas. Not sure if that sale is still going but there were a couple for sale in the classifieds for near that same price. Heck of a deal for a VX-2 3-9.

drover

3 Leupold's for $249 is a great deal.......

My whoops - corrected to clarify $249 each.

drover

With a hard budget of $300 the VX-2 is the winner by a mile. But if you can get a 3-9X40 Conquest for only $30 more I'd find a way to get the $30.

http://www.eurooptic.com/zeiss-conquest-3-9x40-riflescopes.aspx

There's a Bushnell 4200 2.5-10 on Sample List for $300. That little extra on both ends is nice. Buddy has been using one for years without a hickup.

http://www.samplelist.com/Bushnell-25-10x40-Elite-4200-Rifle-Scope-DEMO-B-P84893.aspx

Get a TRUGLO 3x9 by 40 from Natchez Shooter's Supply for 120 bucks. You get an illuminated red/green BDC reticle and a clearer image than the Luepold I took off my 375 H&H. I have the 3x9 on my .223 Mod. 70, and put one on a Marlin 45-70 for a friend of mine. I put a 3x12 on the long action Mauser 375 because the 3x9 wasn't quite long enough to fit. The 3x12 by 40 costs a whopping $140.

These three scopes Are clear, sharp, and track and hold their zero. The 375 has well over 200 rounds on it, and the 45-70 in excess of 300. I don't know how many rounds have gone through the .223. The durability is there, you get a lighted BDC reticle with brightness control and you can change it from red to green by turning the brightness knob. At less than a hundred fifty bucks, what's not to like? One of you guys needs to twist off and try one of these scopes. I did, and was hooked when I found out how good they are.

Weaver Super Slam 2-10x42 etched glass EBX for $279 from Natchez.

The VX-2 is now $299 at Cabelas and would cost me $330 OTD, same as the Conquest, as I'm in PA.

How would the Cameraland Meopro 3.5-10x44 at $299 compare to the VX-2 and Conquest?

Also was looking at the Weaver SS 2.5-10x42 at Natchez for $279, but think both scopes above are better and I really don't need the dials or extra weight.

Thanks,

Bill

You should be able to readily beat that Cabela's price and get a VX-2 to your door for under $300. Not suggesting it's better than the Meopta or Zeiss, just they have it currently priced at typical full price.

Sample List has gotten pretty pricey. I remember back in the day, there were some great deal there. Not so much any more.

A used 4200 Elite 3-9x40 can be picked up a lot cheaper than three bills. Just gotta be looking.

Often, I'll find a deal when I don't need a scope. If it's a good enough deal, I pick it up for later. If you wait until you're in a bind, you'll pay.

DF

A 4200 2.5-10 is a step up....

Some good suggestions on where to find better prices in this thread. Seems I located a VX-2 3-9x40 LRD for under $290 shipped...

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/9280392/Searchpage/1/Main/647861/Words/leupold/Search/true/Re:_Best_Price_on_Leupold_VX-6#Post9280392

I put a VX2 3-9 w/ CDS from the Cabelas sale on my Tikka Forest 6.5 Swede.

Tim,

How do these super slams compare in glass quality, tracking, etc etc to the Conquest or Meopro? I know that they are built tough and a little heavier(maybe 3-4oz)than both Conquest and Meopro.

Thanks gents, appreciate the insight, suggestions, and feedback.

Bill

I would say they are every bit as sharp and clear as far as glass goes, VERY good in low light...I would also say that the Meopta is a LITTLE brighter, but the Weaver does have a 5x mag range vs 3x on the Meopta and Conquest. I don't think any of them would be a wrong choice...I'd go with the Weaver personally. I have never had a problem with any LOW manufactured Weaver scope(an a couple of them have been beat to hell).

IMO, that's the cat's arse of the Elite line as far as hunting scopes go anyway. I had 6 of those at one time. Only down to 3 now and a 3-9 w/Firefly reticle. I'll put (take) an Elite over any Leupold VX-1,2 or 3 for durability and tracking and zero retention.

Grice's sale flyer has 3-9 Bushnell Elites for $199.99.

I'm headed that way for the weekend, trying hard to talk myself out of buying one since I already one in use and a spare.

Dale

The 4200 Elite 3-9 x 40's were on sale, awhile back, for under $200. That's hard to beat.

If you want something with turrets I kind of like the midway weaver 3-9x40 tactical mil/mil. I've considered picking up a few more. I'm running a lot of the 30mm ss scopes but sometimes I don't need all the adjustment range and the lighter weight 1"!midway weaver works well. I'm pretty sure it's built by LOW and I like the plain old mil dot reticle that's not too busy.

Bb

Yep, not too unlike the 3-9x40 Conquests on close out a while back for around $250.

DF

Hit the optics go back button and grab some 4200 3-9s for $150 shipped when Cabela's cleared them out. Hope this helps the OP. (-:

Get out of here...you're drunk.

No, I'm not drunk. I don't drink at all, in fact. But thanks for the chuckle. However your post points up the fact that a lot of you are in a serious rut and you are apparently stuck on stupid.

Tell you what. Get a TRUGLO 3x9. Put it on a rifle and try it, and if you don't think it is a hell of a good scope, I'll buy it from you.

Where are they made ?

Camera land had the 3.5-10 Meopro for $300. Check the deal of the day section to see if it's still active.

That's a no brainer...

They are made in China. I know that is a negative to a lot of people, but the criteria under discussion was what is a good cheap scope, not a good cheap scope not made in China.

A man needs a cheap scope for less than $300. Here is one that is a 3x9 or a 3x12 with a BDC reticle that is lighted, gives a choice of red or green, and has a rheostat to vary brightness. It is clear, bright, and has stood the recoil of a 375 H&H and a 45-70 lever gun. It costs 120 to 140 bucks, depending on model. I am simply saying it is a LOT of scope, not just a lot of scope for the money.

The other day at work someone said: "If you had half a brain you'd do it my way!"

Now THAT is funny!

20/20 hind sight...

I posted before that I like to pick up stuff like that when the deal is right, even before I need it.

If you wait, you pay...

DF

Yup, this is an easy choice.

I'm not familiar with those scopes. The Elite is made in Japan by one of if not the best OEM. This OEM makes some scopes for Nightforce. Used to make all of their scopes. The Elite is a great scope that happens to be "cheap" in cost right now.

TRUGLO makes a lot of archery sighting equipment. They also make holographic sighting equipment for shotguns that are used for turkey hunting.

I don't know much else about them. All I really do know is that I have put three of their scopes on three rifles and they are giving way better service than you would expect for not much money. A lot of folks are spending considerably more and not getting as much scope.

I have a Burris FFII 3-9 on my T3 .243 and it has given yeoman service. They can be had new in the 200.00 range.

Well, I not much on brains the older I get so I guess I'll give the Meopro from Cameraland a shot. It is still $299 while supplies last.

Thankyou gentlemen for your insight and suggestions!


Bill

If I had a nickel for every time I head "This Chinese scope is as good as any name brand, for a lot less!," well...I would have an ass ton of nickels. I have yet to see it pan out, however.

I have a Tru-Glo (Apex) on my bow, and its not a bad piece of gear, for a cheap sight. I have looked at, and through, Tru-Glo optics, both red dot and magnified. To me, they are nothing more than another relabeled mass produced Chinese optic.

Meopro arrived from Cameraland and mounted on my T3 Hunter. If the Meopro had not been available, I more than likely would have went with the Elite from Grice's at $199. Did look hard at the Weaver SS and VX2 though, so thanks again gentlemen for your thoughts.

Bill

That ought to be a helluva setup there SD. Let us know how it shoots, tracks, etc will you?

Will do JGR, but I won't have any range time until mid October.

SD

Not to thread jack but how do the new Elites compare optically to the 3200 and 4200?

I wouldn't pay a 3rd of that for a TruGlo. You must have NEVER looked through decent glass.

Nice rig. Good choice.

I got one of the $199 Elites from Grice's over Labor Day weekend, if I can find some time, I'll compare with one of my 4200's. Maybe this weekend.

Dale

Take a look at the Vortex Diamondback HP models. I see them on sale for $200.00 to $300.00, depending on power range. I have a 2-8x32 and a 4-16x42, and they are really nice for the price. I think they are the real "sleepers" in the Vortex lineup.