Scope Decision

Big joe · #1 01-15-2006, 09:04 PM

Well I just got the call from Walmart... My Stevens model 200 .223 just arrived. I've been trying to decide on a scope. Maybe you can help! I could spend $300 but would like to spend less if it wouldn't matter TOO much. I plan to use it for coyote hunting, target shooting and just plinking. my two major questions are ...(1)... 3X9 or greater magnification. and (2)... what brand -- or best bang for the buck in other words. So if you were me... What would you do and why?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts...

skeet · #2 01-16-2006, 12:19 AM

Nikon Buckmaster 4.5-14X40 Probably under 300 bucks and will do anything you could probably want...side focus too.

BILLY D. · #3 01-16-2006, 12:37 AM

i agree with skeet. i purchased one last march. sighted it in on my 458 winnie, shot the square with it , took it off and put it on my 22-250ai and it is approaching 500 rds. the only time i've changed anything is when load parameters are changed.

when i purchased it i compared it to two other scopes by going outside and looking into trees and bushes etc. i was very pleased with what i saw.

i bought the buckmaster and never looked back. just so you don't fall into a trap, make sure you get the one with side focus.

4,5x14x40's are going for around $280 from midway and the other mailorder houses.

good luck.

rainydays · #4 01-16-2006, 03:05 PM

Check out http://www.muelleroptics.com/ these are pretty decent scopes for the money. I have the 4-16 mil-dot on my .223 and its been great. Would like to check out the 8.5-25x44 mil-dot offered here also. Just my recommendation for something that's pretty decent and under 300 bucks--tr

Ak_Red · #5 01-16-2006, 07:59 PM

Well.. given a choice I would rather put a $300 scope on a $100 rifle, than put a $100 scope on a $300 rifle. Buy as much scope as you can.

I looked at the Mueller website.. looks interesting. I might try one out. Anyone have any experience with them?

Good luck.

rainydays · #6 01-16-2006, 09:01 PM

I've had my Mueller 4-16 mil-dot on my Savage .223 since last spring. All my shooting is 300 yd. plus at prairie dogs. Probably put 600 rds. thru it so far without any problems with the scope. No problem see prairie dogs at 500 yds, the rest is mostly up to the rifle and the shooter. What I like about Mueller is that you can actually call them up and talk with someone knowledgeable about long range shooting and scopes. They reply quickly by e-mail also. Granted, get a luppy or zeis if you can, if you can't, Mueller is a very good value. Just my opinion--tr

Ak_Red · #7 01-16-2006, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rainydays
Granted, get a luppy or zeis if you can, if you can't, Mueller is a very good value. Just my opinion--tr

Thanks for the info. I love my Leupold scopes, but can't afford one on each rifle (wish I could). I have a Remington 5mm that is being converted to centerfire. I think I will try a Mueller on it and see how it goes.

HANDGUNNER · #8 01-17-2006, 04:12 PM

I just bought a NEF varmint rifle in .223 and my cheap Bushnell 3X9 sucked. I ended up putting a Leupold on it. So I guess my advice is don't go cheap, you'll end up paying more in the end.

Catfish · #9 01-17-2006, 08:56 PM

Go with a 3x9 Leupold. I have had trouble with avery brand of scope I`ve ever owned except Leupold. I have about 30 Leupold scopes at present and still have afew of the other brands, but Leupolds are all that are on any of my rifles or handguns, includeing .22 rimfires, that I hunt with. If you don`t want to lay out the money for the VX11, get a VX1 or a Rfileman, but go with Leupold.

hnter · #10 01-28-2006, 05:15 PM

I personally like the Swift rifle scopes. A super great warantee and great value.
E. A. Brown CO, outta St Cloud, Minnisota has what I've found to be the best prices. www.eabco.com

However, after lookin at the Mueller site?
Hmmmm, looks enteresting!

I wonder how one would work on my 50 BMG?

Hnter

JimHnSTL · #11 01-30-2006, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ak_Red
Well.. given a choice I would rather put a $300 scope on a $100 rifle, than put a $100 scope on a $300 rifle. Buy as much scope as you can.

I looked at the Mueller website.. looks interesting. I might try one out. Anyone have any experience with them?

Good luck.

yes i have had one now for two years. i was part of a small group of guys over on the rimfirecentral forum that got Mueller to send us a scope to try out. i sent it to several folks who evaluated it myself included. the very scope we used is now sitting on top of my 12bvss .223, i just couldn't give it up so rich sold it to me. it has been on everything from a 7mm rem mag and 30.06 down to a .22 rimfire and everthing in between. there are better scopes out there but in that price range you will be hard pressed to find one as good much less better. i have the 8.5x25x50 eradicator and i compared it against my bushnell 3200 elite 4x10x40 AO for clarity and sharpness at the same power settins. it edged the elite out. i have quick detachable rings on my savage and this past summer when i had some work done on the rifle i removed the scope. weeks later when i put it back on i didn't have to touch a thing. as i said it is now two years and i have had good luck. this is my personal experiance tto date. feel free to look at rimfirecentral and read what others have said also check out savageshooters several guys there are using them too.