Author Topic: Best scope under $500 ?  (Read 1594 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Marlin444

  • Trade Count: (49)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 247
  • Gender: Male
Best scope under $500 ?
« on: September 24, 2012, 07:04:12 AM »
Looking for a scope for around $300 - $500 for my son's 30-06.I currently have2  leupold vx-11's, ziess conquest & nikon buckmaster . He used my Rem. 700 bdl with a 3-9 conquest on our youth hunt this year, now he wants one.I have used monarchs, leupold vx'111's and sightron s11's in the past also.I think the conquest is the best in low light and clarity.

Offline Ladobe

  • Trade Count: (91)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3193
Re: Best scope under $500 ?
« Reply #1 on: September 24, 2012, 08:44:08 AM »
"Best" questions are always just speculative opinions.   What I consider "best" doesn't mean it would be for you or your uses.   Cost was never my guide, what worked for me from expereince was.   Sounds like you've had plenty of scope models to form your own "opinion" from.   You know what has worked best for your usues - trust it and you won't be disappointed. 
That's my "best" opinion.   ;)
Evolution at work. Over two million years ago the genus Homo had small cranial capacity and thick skin to protect them from their environment. One species has evolved into obese cranial fatheads with thin skin in comparison that whines about anything and everything as their shield against their environment. Meus

Offline wmdron

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 41
Re: Best scope under $500 ?
« Reply #2 on: September 24, 2012, 10:40:09 AM »
Right now you can get another Zeiss Conquest 3x9x40 for $399. I have one and think it is hard to beat for that price. All the other scopes you mentioned would be fine, but I personally like the Conquest. Mount her up with a pair of Burris signature Zee rings and you get change back from your fiver. :) .

Offline SHOOTALL

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 23836
Re: Best scope under $500 ?
« Reply #3 on: September 24, 2012, 10:46:55 AM »
Leo's are always good .
If ya can see it ya can hit it !

Offline Graybeard

  • Administrator
  • Trade Count: (69)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 26942
  • Gender: Male
Re: Best scope under $500 ?
« Reply #4 on: September 24, 2012, 11:30:51 AM »
I don't reckon there is a "best" anything really. I'd get him a Leupold VX-2 3-9 or 2-7 depending on the terrain. That should do him the rest of his life and he can pass it down to his kids or grandkids.

I have one Mueller and all the rest are either Leupold or Bushnell Elites. Since Bushnell played games with their line up I mostly only buy Leupold now.


Bill aka the Graybeard
President, Graybeard Outdoor Enterprises
256-435-1125

I am not a lawyer and do not give legal advice.

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life anyone who believes in Him will have everlasting life!

Offline jjas

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 275
Re: Best scope under $500 ?
« Reply #5 on: September 25, 2012, 01:25:02 PM »
marlin444
Quote
I think the conquest is the best in low light and clarity.

I think you answered your own question......It fits your price range, you're happy with the one you own....so....
BTW, I own a Conquest as well and I think it's a wonderful riflescope.  It's bright, clear, holds zero and over the several years I've owned mine I have zero complaints about it (and I don't say that about many purchases)........
 
 
 

Offline Ranger99

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 9581
Re: Best scope under $500 ?
« Reply #6 on: September 25, 2012, 05:00:05 PM »
ditto what mr. g.b. said. . . . . .
18 MINUTES.  . . . . . .

Offline cudatruck

  • Trade Count: (25)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 680
  • Gender: Male
Re: Best scope under $500 ?
« Reply #7 on: September 25, 2012, 05:27:32 PM »
conquest. no doubt.

Online Lloyd Smale

  • Moderators
  • Trade Count: (32)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18257
Re: Best scope under $500 ?
« Reply #8 on: September 26, 2012, 02:07:23 AM »
In that price range id take a vxIII over about anything.
blue lives matter

Offline Dave in WV

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2162
Re: Best scope under $500 ?
« Reply #9 on: September 26, 2012, 02:18:16 AM »
What keeps taking me back to Leupold is I can pickup the phone and call the custom shop and order what I want. Only my 6x42mm with the heavy duplex didn't come from the custom shop.
Setting an example is not the main means of influencing others; it is the only means
--Albert Einstein

Offline Savage .250

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1714
Re: Best scope under $500 ?
« Reply #10 on: September 26, 2012, 03:38:53 AM »
I have not had the opportunity to try every scope in your suggested range. So I`ll go with the Nikon Pro-Staff.    I looked at a bunch before making that decision.  Never looked back. 
" The best part of the hunt is not the harvest but in the experience."

Offline SHOOTALL

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 23836
Re: Best scope under $500 ?
« Reply #11 on: September 26, 2012, 06:57:46 AM »
I got a Nikon scope and it has been a good scope. It seems clearer than similar priced Leo's no distortion around the edges. Not sure how much abuse it will take but it's been on a 300 WM for 6-7 years now. I like it.
If ya can see it ya can hit it !

Offline Marlin444

  • Trade Count: (49)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 247
  • Gender: Male
Re: Best scope under $500 ?
« Reply #12 on: September 29, 2012, 02:52:22 PM »
I just spent $450 on a Rem. 700 adl 30-06 for him to use, so I might hold off on a conquest for a while.

Offline Swampman

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (44)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 16518
  • Gender: Male
Re: Best scope under $500 ?
« Reply #13 on: September 29, 2012, 03:01:32 PM »
Leupold VX-3 3.5-10X40.........The Conquest is very big and heavy.....
"Brother, you say there is but one way to worship and serve the Great Spirit. If there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it? Why not all agreed, as you can all read the Book?" Sogoyewapha, "Red Jacket" - Senaca

1st Special Operations Wing 1975-1983
919th Special Operations Wing  1983-1985 1993-1994

"Manus haec inimica tyrannis / Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem" ~Algernon Sidney~

Online Lloyd Smale

  • Moderators
  • Trade Count: (32)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18257
Re: Best scope under $500 ?
« Reply #14 on: September 29, 2012, 11:12:30 PM »
and in my opinion the optics on a vx3 are better. The conquest are more closely compared to the vx2s
Leupold VX-3 3.5-10X40.........The Conquest is very big and heavy.....
blue lives matter

Offline Marlin444

  • Trade Count: (49)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 247
  • Gender: Male
Re: Best scope under $500 ?
« Reply #15 on: October 01, 2012, 01:35:30 PM »
 I have a VX-11 3-9x40 on my .243, to my the conquest has a sharper picture.I had a vx-111 6-7 yrs. ago, wasn't real impressed with it. Have they made any changes to them (vx-111) recently? Now that I'm almost 50  , I need all the help I can get.

Offline Swampman

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (44)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 16518
  • Gender: Male
Re: Best scope under $500 ?
« Reply #16 on: October 01, 2012, 02:11:13 PM »
A VX-II is nothing like a VX-2.  A VX-III is nothing like a VX-3.  The difference is enormous.
 
"Brother, you say there is but one way to worship and serve the Great Spirit. If there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it? Why not all agreed, as you can all read the Book?" Sogoyewapha, "Red Jacket" - Senaca

1st Special Operations Wing 1975-1983
919th Special Operations Wing  1983-1985 1993-1994

"Manus haec inimica tyrannis / Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem" ~Algernon Sidney~

Online Lloyd Smale

  • Moderators
  • Trade Count: (32)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18257
Re: Best scope under $500 ?
« Reply #17 on: October 02, 2012, 12:14:56 AM »
Ill second that.
A VX-II is nothing like a VX-2.  A VX-III is nothing like a VX-3.  The difference is enormous.
blue lives matter

Offline Marlin444

  • Trade Count: (49)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 247
  • Gender: Male
Re: Best scope under $500 ?
« Reply #18 on: October 03, 2012, 03:12:49 AM »
Whats different  between the vx 11's &vx2's ?

Offline Swampman

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (44)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 16518
  • Gender: Male
Re: Best scope under $500 ?
« Reply #19 on: October 03, 2012, 03:45:53 AM »
Weight, coatings, and older VX-IIs do not have click adjustments.
"Brother, you say there is but one way to worship and serve the Great Spirit. If there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it? Why not all agreed, as you can all read the Book?" Sogoyewapha, "Red Jacket" - Senaca

1st Special Operations Wing 1975-1983
919th Special Operations Wing  1983-1985 1993-1994

"Manus haec inimica tyrannis / Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem" ~Algernon Sidney~

Online Lloyd Smale

  • Moderators
  • Trade Count: (32)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18257
Re: Best scope under $500 ?
« Reply #20 on: October 04, 2012, 12:11:13 AM »
like swampy said. the main differnce is the click ajustments on the vx2 line and they use the same glass that the older varixIII used. Twice the scope in my opinion
blue lives matter

Offline yooper77

  • Trade Count: (33)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1746
  • Gender: Male
Re: Best scope under $500 ?
« Reply #21 on: October 08, 2012, 04:21:44 PM »
Leupold only I willnot consider another brand.

yooper77

Offline Drilling Man

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3635
Re: Best scope under $500 ?
« Reply #22 on: October 13, 2012, 06:41:28 AM »
  I have a pile of Leupolds, good scopes.  That's all i bought UNTIL i looked through a Conquest!
 
  Make mine the Conquest pleeease...
 
  DM

Offline Huffmanite

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 365
Re: Best scope under $500 ?
« Reply #23 on: October 14, 2012, 03:14:46 AM »
One of our board of directors of our shooting range always seemed to have a Zeiss Conquest scope on whatever rifle he brought to range to shoot.  One day I commented to him about his Zeiss scopes.  He replied that he'd once only put Leupold scopes on his rifles.  However, over a period of time he got irritated with looking thru optics of other brand scopes on our range members rifles that cost a heck of a lot less than Leupold.  To him, the optics in too many of the cheaper scopes seemed just as good, if not better than his Leupolds.  He shopped around, checked out other scopes for a brand to replace his Leupolds.  He owns one Swavorski, would have loved buying them, but no way could afford it. This will lead him to end up trading in around a dozen Leupold scopes to be able to afford the number of Zeiss Conquest scopes he needed for his better rifles.