scopes under 5 bills?

[slickest]

well im in the process off buying a ruger m77 hawkeye .300wm and im going to need a scope. I want to keep it under or around 500 bucks so im wondering what would you suggest?

Intended use is going to be a little of everything. I would like to target shoot and and hunt with it so im looking for a multi-purpose scope to handle my needs. I want something like a 2.5 to 10 power or something in that range atleast dropping down to 2.5

I would like something with a BDC recticle or mil dot and ajustable target turrets.

I have realllly thought about a sheperd but I dont know anyone who has one and would like to give it a try before I fork out the money.

[Graybeard]

Were it me I'd get a Bushnell Elite 6500 2.5-16. I'm really wanting one badly for my .257 Whby. Mag but rat now can't see my way clear to spend that much on a scope. Someone posted awhile back they got theirs for around that price I think.

[Dave in WV]

I looked at a few optics sites and you can check the Leupold Varix III 2.5x10x40 scopes with the B&C reticle. I saw one place had them for $503.

[slickest]

do you think all the way up to 16x is needed? I plan on using the scope for paper punching out to 1000yds but for hunting my situations are normally 25yds out to 300yds on typical shots. will the scope only going to down to 4x make a big difference for me or do I need one that drops down to 2.5x?

[Swampman]

Bushnell 4200 Elite 2.5-10 or a Leupold 3-9X40 VX-II.

Ebay is the cheapest place to buy a new scope.

[JimFromTN]

Nikon Monarch 2.5-10x42. - There is a guy who has one for sale in the optics classified section for $275.  You can get them on ebay for about $300.
Bushnell Elite 4200 2.5-10x40.  You can get them on ebay for about $350 on ebay.
Weaver Classic Extreme 2.5-10x50 - Natchez Shooting Supply has them on sale for $279.  Normally sell for anywhere from $500 to $700.

[hogrdr]

I just picked up a VXIII 3.5X10X50 matt black with target dot recticle on ebay for $340.00 including shipping. It was listed used but box paper work and not a mark on it could have sold for new. I have VXII 3X9X40 on all 4 of my Encore barrels this being the first VXIII and 50mm seems to be better in twilight and evening hours. Since Leupold is changing the VXIII and VL last year models are going between $450.00 and $550.00 NIB on ebay.

Hog

[Graybeard]

do you think all the way up to 16x is needed? I plan on using the scope for paper punching out to 1000yds but for hunting my situations are normally 25yds out to 300yds on typical shots. will the scope only going to down to 4x make a big difference for me or do I need one that drops down to 2.5x?

If you plan on shooting to 1000 yards yes you need as much magnification as you can get. The new Bushnell Elite 6500 scopes have a spread of 6.5X between high and low power unlike most others at 3X or 4X spread. That's why I recommended it to you. You have 2.5X at the bottom end with a wide FOV for close up shots and 16X on the top end to really reach out and touch them at long range. It has side focus adjustment for parallax as well. I don't know any other scope on the market that more closely fits your needs. It is what I'd have on my .257 Whby. Mag if I had the money to spend right now and is what I will eventually put on it.

[wareagleguy]

Look ate the Monarch 4.5 x 16 x 42 with the Mil-dot.  I have it on my VTR and it IS the scope for under 5 bills!!!

[JimFromTN]

I saw an Elite 6500 2.5-16 for $529 with free shipping.

http://cgi.ebay.com/BUSHNELL-ELITE-6500-RIFLE-SCOPE-2-5-16X42-NEW-65-2164M_W0QQitemZ220349260767QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item220349260767&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50