Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics So this rifle happened, what now

So I’ve fallen backwards into a rifle that will, at least at this point, be primarily a back up/loaner. It’s a budget rifle but with a lot of people saying (at least many examples) they can shoot way better than their price point. Obviously that’s my hope but I’m not going to invest a ton of money in glass out of the gate.

So the gist is this is ostensibly a secondary hunting rig but might actually end up shooting much more paper than meat but in any case won’t be getting a scope with a cost out of balance with that of the rifle and it’s purpose. Short of there being some Golden Child that bends the laws of performance for cost at $600 I really, really intend to spend no more than $500. Basically a “What scope is the best hunting/ target hybrid that lives at the intersection of ‘cost matters’ road and ‘you get what you pay for’ lane?” question.

I am aware we’re roughly a month out from SWFA’s Black Friday thing so that might be something to wait for and evaluate.

We've got a bunch of SFP and FFP options for you in Athlon, Meopta, Steiner and Burris in both capped and exposed turrets. Give a call, 516-217-1000, to discuss what would be best for you

You’ll spend a long time and wasted money, going any other way than SWFA 6x.

I just scoped an old rifle of mine with a 6x SWFA, intending it to be a backup/loaner. As budget allows I'll probably upgrade to a 3-9 SWFA. I wanted something a bit more classic for this rifle, but since using SWFA, I would have a hard time putting anything else on my rifles. The fact that they fit almost every budget is a bonus.

There is a lot of love for the Burris Fullfield ll on the 'fire, for a back-up/loaner rifle it seems as though it would be a good choice. They seem to be available for sub-$200 which leaves a lot of money to spend on other things.

drover

That’s what I was going to say. Get two under 500 bucks when they go on sale and really treat yourself.

Meopta 4.5-14x44 open box from Doug.

SWFA 3-9

I bought an SWFA 3-15 FFP with $500 plus shipping. It would probably be about that on a Black Friday sale. We use them with range finder as long range scopes shooting our FX PCPs. Long range meaning up to 200 yards with 25 cal pellets. Be Well, RZ.

SWFA SS 6x or 3-9x. For primarily targets I'd lean 6x with parallax adjustment, and if the focus is on hunting the 3-9x is how I'd go. Both are within your budget during the BF sale.

I bought an SWFA 3-15x42mm SFP Demo B for $399. off the sample list about a month ago. That included BC scope covers, sunshade, and a bubble level. Hard to go wrong at that price, or a even a fixed 6x SWFA at almost $150. bucks less......Mounted it on my sub $500 Howa 1500 Mini Action HB Rifle in 6.5 Grendel. Added Warne 20 MOA base and some Ken Farrell Standard 30mm 0.835" high Rings I had lying around, to make up into a nice light (considering it's a 20" Heavy Barrel measuring 0.730" ) weight rig.

Y' know, it depends on which target / paper cartridge and rifle and the distance you want to shoot. Then it depends on whether you want to twist knobs, have a hold-over reticle of some sort, or not. Do you prefer fixed magnificaiton or adjustable? Do you want an adjustable objective or not? The words you chose to describe the situation leave a lot open to interpretation, a lot that we can read our own preferences into that might not match yours.

As I interpret your question, here's one I'd look real hard at: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1017014250 It's a 30mm tube / 40mm objective Leupold 4.5-14x side focus CDS wind-plex .. right now on sale for $487.49.

Tom

SWFA 6 if paper or open country is really the primary end-use. SWFA 2-10 if hunting is seriously on the menu and you want to keep weight or size down a bit.

No use spending more than a couple bills at most for something less than robust. Plenty of toy scopes out there for $100.

Or, try it out with one you have, then drop the bucks for something that will live up to its potential when you can.

Can recommend a scope, can you tell us about the rifle?

OK, first off appreciate all the input. My immediate inclination is to hang out and see if the serendipity will continue and some great deal will pop up locally. Otherwise it would seem prudent to await what deals may come available for BF from any number of sources. (Including Doug, thanks for chiming in)

TOM. While not wed to the idea of a variable (there's obviously lots of love for the SWFA 6x) I rather like the idea of a variable. (perhaps as much from familiarity as anything) Likewise the idea of parallax adjustment is nice it's only worth it if it's "worth" it...if that makes sense to you.

For those interested in the platform it's a Ruger Predator.

10x SWFA for the win.