Scope question/ help troubleshooting

Prerylyon

Veteran member
Apr 25, 2016
1,334
511
52
Cedar Rapids, IA
Checkout Burris' scopes as well if looking for a solid scope at a milder price.

I bought a Burris Fullfield II with the ballistic plex reticle in 2014 for my .280 model 70 and I've really liked it. Long story short, I needed to cut some fat somewhere in the budget ahead of a hunting trip to make the finances work. I wanted a scope with a gold ring ( still do! ) but that will come in due time.

The Burris Fullfield II scopes (depending on aperture/model) are priced mostly under $300, with some deals if you watch the sales.

The scope and its ballistic plex reticle have worked well for me and have held up over the course of 2 seasons in typical mountain/plains weather conditions. I expect to be using it this fall to hunt some antlerless antelope, and maybe a cow elk if the stars align. 😉

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337Z using Tapatalk
 

JimP

Administrator
Mar 28, 2016
7,316
8,696
72
Gypsum, Co
Another suggestion, go shoot a target at both ranges and then send the target and scope back to Nikon and tell them what you think of their product and see what happens.
 

Tim McCoy

Veteran member
Dec 15, 2014
1,855
4
Oregon
Just got a new Natchez Shooters Supply catalogue, big scope sale. They have numerous Leupolds, rifleman and VX-1, for under $200. The VX has click adjustments and probably better glass coatings for low light. Then a whole page of refurbished Nikons for sale.

There are a couple Vortex and Burris offerings around 200 as well.
 

Musket Man

Veteran member
Jul 20, 2011
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colfax, wa
I wound not go hunting with a $150-200 scope. The 300WM has alot of recoil and alot of cheaper scopes cant take it. You put all the time and money into your hunt and then miss because a cheap scope didnt hold zero. I saw it happen to a friend 1 year. You can get a new Leupold VX-2 for $300 which would be a good scope and come through when you need it.
 

Tim McCoy

Veteran member
Dec 15, 2014
1,855
4
Oregon
MM, I agree for the most part, but as far as I know, the lower cost Leupolds are advertised to be just as rugged as the higher grades, lifetime guarantee etc. I believe the cost difference is in the added features, better glass & coating and the like. Not sure about the cheaper Vortex and Burris I mentioned earlier.

Essentially the rifleman is like a 30-40 year old Leupold in my mind, rugged as all get out, but optically ho humm with friction adjustments. The VX-1, adds clicks and better coatings for light transmission, the VX-2 adds more and on and on. I have a couple 70's and 80's Leupolds going strong, so I believe they might be the exception to the cheap scope rule as far as ruggedness is concerned.
 

Musket Man

Veteran member
Jul 20, 2011
6,457
0
colfax, wa
They could be. I have never had a rifleman or vx-1. I think the new redfield leupold makes is a good budget scope too. Still I would not put one on my main hunting rifle. $300-450 is a whole different class of scopes. IMO th vx-2 is the best bang for your buck.
 

Horsenhike

Very Active Member
Nov 11, 2015
668
0
Eastern SD
They could be. I have never had a rifleman or vx-1. I think the new redfield leupold makes is a good budget scope too. Still I would not put one on my main hunting rifle. $300-450 is a whole different class of scopes. IMO th vx-2 is the best bang for your buck.
My thoughts as well. I have had a bunch of VX2 scopes that I bought used and sold off for various reasons. No problems for me or the folks I sold them to. Lifetime piece of equipment for a great price.
 

Slugz

Veteran member
Oct 12, 2014
3,664
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Casper, Wyoming
As others have said....I'm also a Leupold guy. When the guts in the Redfield's changed my son gave them a try....we got a 4-12/40mm. Very rugged and half decent for the price. I messed around with it on a 7mm RUM to take some long pokes with it to see how she worked........actually worked well.......I left it on and took a cow with it 4th season last year at 378 yards. My only complaint was the reticle was just too wide as I prefer a fine duplex. Other than that it worked well.
 

CForest

New Member
Nov 8, 2015
45
0
Richland MT
I have the diamomdback and i think you would be much happier with the vx2. The new diamondback hp is supposed to be a little better. You cant go wrong with a luepold vx2 or better. I have used multiple brands in the 2-600 price range and always find myself going back to leupold. Check out the hunt talk forum. Predator optics is a sponsor and give out some great deals on leupolds if you message him. Good luck with your decision.
 

Gr8bawana

Veteran member
Aug 14, 2014
2,670
604
Nevada
I've had the same VX2 in 2x7 on my 7mm mag since 1980 and have never had a problem. You can't go wrong with a Leoupold scope.