Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Cheap Hunting Scope

Okay, I've had many high end Nikon etc. rifle scopes. I hunted for years with a Ruger 77 .300 mag stainless synthetic which was a rare tack hammer. I'm 72 now and am going back to hunting but didn't want to carry a cannon so bought a .243 light weight single shot and just want to put something functional on for a scope, like a Tasco or Simmons. I won't get a long shot so not needing a fancy scope. What do you think in a 3-9 x 40? Thanks.

I like a burris FFII 3-9x40 can be had for $125. A very solid scope

Second for the Burris. A used Nikon Monarch in 3X9 shouldn't be that much either but a decent scope.

Hard to go wrong with a Varix II 3 - 9 x 40 Leupold. There are so many around you should be able to pick one up in the $125-$175 range at any gun show, gun shops, etc....

Used Bushnell Elite 3200 or Sightron SII for $100-$150...

Call Doug, the Hawke Vantage is a really good optic for the price.

Its going to be hard to beat the Burris FFII 3-9x40 with ballistic plex reticle

I’ve got almost new Burris 3-9 with C4 reticle, 270 dial and moa dial.
I bet 270 and 243 would be pretty close in drop In your limited range. Or just use the moa turret

Had one of these and should never have gotten rid of it. Thanks for all the suggestions. Have some time to think about it.

I’d go for the Burris and wouldn’t touch a Simmons or Tasco.

There was a time when Tasco had a Japanese lone that wasn’t bad, and I think that Simmons May have had reliable scopes too but that time is gone they’re all Chinese-made junk now.

If you’re looking for something under $100 I saw a Nikon UCC 4x40mm on fleabay a couple of weeks ago for $77. I have one of those on a muzzle loader and they’re excellent for the money.

If you can swing $150-ish I’d get the Burris Fullfield II 3-9x40mm ballistic plex which is a great value you won’t feel like you’re “settling” at all.

The FF-II is a very good deal at its price point. I just sold off three of them, but the reason was I don't care for the entire ocular turning to adjust magnification...a very subjective matter of taste. If that feature doesn't put you off, then you'll be happy with one.

You`re in SE Wis, I live 100 miles North of GB...woods. Field Of View is important to me. If you hunt in simuler country, I`d look through all before I got one. I have several Diamondback 3x9x40`s I really like.
Good Luck

I bought a used Leupold 4X fixed power scope for my Savage 99 in .243. I needed one with a constant generous eye relief and the fixed power did the trick. A 4X scope is all you need in the Eastern woods for deer or anything else. I bought mine for about 135 bucks. A compact fixed scope might be even better for you on a single shot. If that is still too much money, look for an older used Japanese made Tasco. I have one from about 1990 or so that has been solid. They were cheap scopes in their day, but they work. The newer ones are Chinese and aren't as reliable.

Here's a bunch of clearance scopes at Natchez that might be in your wheelhouse.
Natchez clearance scopes.

That second one, Bushnell Legend Ultra HD, looks like a deal. About half price.
https://www.natchezss.com/bushnell-...icle-35-12-fov-3-5-eye-relief-matte.html

Me thinks economy scopes would be a better value if a fixed power.

Warbirdlover, - please read -
can I ask when was the last time you looked through a scope? Reason being I have seen more than one hunter around your age lose the ability to use a standard duplex type reticle due to macular degeneration or some other vision deteriorating affect.. Cross-hairs look crooked or wavy and centering becomes difficult. If this is happening all is not yet lost though. To get around that we got Dad a scope with a lit dot center so that the cross hairs caused less of an issue- so something to consider.
BY FAR the most cost effective of this type is the Burris illuminated #4 that I turned many on to here when they went on sale at Natchez for $159. I would buy again and happily pay more however, I just looked for you and unfortunately and don't see them there now.

I have experience with three of the scopes recommended above . I own the Hawke, a Burris FF2 and bought \ mounted \\tested the Nikon Prostaff. Not a bad one in the lot. Modern scopes have become inexpensive but that doesn't mean they are 'cheap' - you get a LOT for the money.

My default go to for years was the FF2 and recommended them countless times but after having owned the Hawke and used the Prostaff I think I would recommend the Prostaff. Its adjustments are better than the Fullfield. I got to test it in low light and at some distances and was super impressed with it. For the money it was listed in this thread I think it the pick of the bunch. The Hawke has been stellar for me but believe the Prostaff likely brighter. If reticle isn't an issue - pick the best deal you could find on any of these. I would pick them over a Vari-x with friction adjustments any day.

The Diamond back would be my ultimate choice but right now I just want something to get me through this hunting season. Maybe next year. And yes, I bought a Tasco. (Cringe). Money is tight right now.

I almost bit on a 4.5-14X Burris Droptine.

Thought about one of those and the 1.5-6X illum dot model Doug has.

Glad to hear that you are getting back after it. Good luck.
Doug has this Burris on sale: Burris Droptine 4.5-14x42mm

Those are both really good, especially at that price.

I have a 3-9x40 Tasco with the pronghorn on the side, that came on a 30-30 I bought. I put a smaller scope on it, but I'm sure the Tasco would've worked fine. They just have cheaper/lesser coatings on the glass than the next step up.
I'm probably going to mount it on a Marlin 60 22lr.

I sure agree strongly with the folks who are recommending Burris or Nikon for reliability and decent quality on their lower priced line of scopes.

Between the two, in today's times, I would choose Burris over Nikon because of Nikon making the decision to exit the scope-building business.... (future year warranty issues)

Good luck!!

Original Nikon Buckmaster can be found for under $100.Pretty good scope for the money...

I have an ORIGINAL Nikon Pro-Staff 3-9 on one of my A-Bolts and also TC In-line and they just work. $100 and under used on eBay all day long.

Weaver 40/44 s are good if you can find them. I have a couple of them that I paid less than $100 for that have given me good service.

I have two Simmons aetec scopes, and have used tasco scopes. The new Simmons scopes have amazing eye relief, have very clear glass, and I feel are better than the 50 year old best scopes you buy back then.

Would you have any interest in a nice hardly used Leupold knockoff? lol

Amen to that!
And, at 100 bucks, it doesn't make any difference if the warranty won't apply as Nikon phases things out.