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I know I know, you get what you pay for but if you only had $100 to spend on a scope for a low recoiling rifle what would you go with???

Hawke Vantage

Dan

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I personally like the Bushnell AR Optics scopes for a budget scope. Can grab em on eBay for $100 if you are sharp.

For what purpose?

Hunting? Plinking?

Distance?

used Bushnell Elite 3200 3-9x40 or used Jap Sightron SII 3-9x42...

Ditto the Bushnell Elite 3200. I have 2 of them and they're fine scopes.

I've got one and am not terribly impressed.

Used Redfield Revolution, Leupold VX-1, older Nikon Buckmasters all can be had for around $100 if you keep your eyes open.

Burris FF, used even a Mueller depending on the use?

I've had good luck with Bushnell Trophy XLTs in 1.75-4, 3-9, and a 4-12 AO (okay, the 4-12 cost $131). CDNN sells the 3-9s for $70.
Hawke Endurance LER 2-7s are about $100 on closeout at EABCO and have been good scopes for me. Have one on my ML and one on a .243. Natchez SS has had Weaver V7s for $100 a couple of times lately, and likely will again.

Nikon, Burris, vortex Diamondback, (not cross fire)
Little more than 100.
But worth it

^^^This^^^

Mostly just plinking. Will probably take it on a deer hunt here and there with shots being inside 100 yards.
It will be going on a 223.

I'd agree that the Bushnell Trophy XLT 3-9x40 for $70 at CDNN is a good choice. CDNN also has B-Square 1" Weaver-style rings for between $5 and $8 per pair.

Another vote for diligently looking for a used Burris FFII, older Nikon, Bushnell 3200, etc.

Used Burris FFII or Redfield Revolution for $125 or so.

Here's a few options to consider:

Konus KonuShot 4X32mm - 30 30 Wire only $44.99

Simmons ProTarget 2.5-10x40 - Mil Dot reduced from $99.99 to only $49.99

Konus KonuShot 3x-9x32mm - 30 30 Wire only $59.99

Konus KonusPro 1.5-5x32mm .25 MOA - 30/30 reduced from $129.99 to only $49.99

Hawke Vantage 4x32 30/30 #14100 only $69.99

Athlon Neos 3-9x40 - Center X only $89.99

Konus KonusPro-M30 1.5x-6x44mm - Engraved 30 30 with Dual Illuminated Center Dot reduced from $234.99 to only $99.99

A used nicer name one at a gun show. You pay your money and take your chances. I'm reminded of the guy I use to work with who went the budget route on his deer rifle and could see the deer with his naked eyesight, but couldn't pick it out from the background through his budget scope. A hunting season is a terrible thing to waste with budget equipment. Amortize the scope over how many years that you are going to use it and reconsider the budget route.

I used a few Bushnell and Simmons budget scopes when I was younger, had a family to feed, and money was tight.
I can't recall ever not being able to pick out the target due to the background which sounds more like an eyesight problem or poor scope fit.
OP knows what he can afford and there are plenty of options that will serve him well.
I have and can afford nicer optics nowadays but I still have a $69 4x Simmons on a rifle because it works fine.