Want To Buy scope cheap/cheerful (or recommend)

[KevinB]

A major firearm vendor that is not a sponsor here has Vortex Viper hs 2.5-10x44 for $240. It isn’t the best glass I have seen but it has good eye relief and a good eye box for the price. I have one on my daughter’s 35 Whalen and it has held up well so far.

I won’t claim it is more durable than a Leupold but at that price might be worth trying.

 

[Ericedwinbates]

Just trashed a bottom tier german made scope practicing w/ .375HH.

While i figure out what’$$$ next, I need something.

Whatcha got?

How are those $300 Vortex LPVOs?

Hold up to boomers?

Leupold, Leupold, Leupold!!!!

 

[Ray B]

Just trashed a bottom tier german made scope practicing w/ .375HH.

I'm wondering what sort of practicing was done that trashed the scope. The recoil of a standard weight 375H&H usually won't damage a scope provided it was mechanically sound. What gets them are aids such as Lead-Sleds and similar things that modify the recoil.

 

[Luminous Ham]

I'm wondering what sort of practicing was done that trashed the scope. The recoil of a standard weight 375H&H usually won't damage a scope provided it was mechanically sound. What gets them are aids such as Lead-Sleds and similar things that modify the recoil.

Would also like to learn from this, thanks.

 

[ChooChoo404]

Totally normal bench and handheld. No weird aids. Some faster factory loads in the mix.

Shot the same stuff the same way out of a too-light for me M70 with a Swarovski and go figure it’s peachy.

So I’m blaming the scope. Finally heard back from the maker, Seeadler, and their desperately garbled note (hello, online translator?) seemed to be suggesting that I may have a counterfeit. Gotta dig up the box and papers, if I kept them that is.

Got a line on a Trijicon 1-4x24 must be early as there’s a lightpipe. Like new.

Any experience w these?

 

[ChooChoo404]

The Seeadler was on a bone stock CZ550.

 

[steve white]

Okay, everyone will throw eggs at me but I've done okay with a new Bushnell 1-4x30mm with plain Jane tapered crosshairs mounted on my 404J. So far so good. I use Warne QD rings mounted low. Very wide field of view and clear. Scope is mounted low enough to acquire instantly with me firmly on the gun. So low it barely clears the bolt handle. If it craps out, I'm not too worried. My rifle is only good for 100 yards and my right eye is still good enough to make the backup irons work at that range if necessary.
View attachment 710557

What is the eye relief on that Elite scope? The one I have on a .22 is 3.5 inches--which is why it's on a .22

+1 on the low mounting

 

[ChooChoo404]

Seeadler, but let’s give em the benefit of the doubt for now as they “seem” to be suggesting I may have a counterfeit. It’s 20yo so I’m skeptical.

 

[steve white]

Used Nikon Monarch will not fail on a heavy kicker, well known fact.

Leupold vx3i has same glass as the 3HD and is cheaper if you can find it.

 

[Uncontrolled_round_feed]

Vortex warranty is the strongest … because it gets so much exercise!!

 

[Ray B]

Vortex warranty is the strongest … because it gets so much exercise!!

Similarly, I've seen people who had so much respect for the truth that they NEVER used it.

 

[rookhawk]

The cheapest quality scope I know of is the Swaro z3 3-9x36mm at about $650. Those fit in low rings for a DG rifle and the quality is exceptional.

For good durability and cheaper, you can look at Leupold but the clarity isn’t even in the same stratosphere.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

What is the eye relief on that Elite scope? The one I have on a .22 is 3.5 inches--which is why it's on a .22

+1 on the low mounting

Factory advertises them at +4". Hard for me to confirm because my eys are so deep set (Neanderthal brow). The old Weaver 3x I brought out of retirement was hammering my eyebrow on the 404J so I picked up this Bushnell for a price that was hard to pass up. Figured I had nothing to lose giving it a try since I knew it would be a while before I would get back to Africa. I had time to see how it holds up at the range. So far perfect. It has touched me lightly a couple of times but not unexpected off the bench. The Weaver was cutting me standing up. And cutting me badly! My right eye is all I have left and both retinas have poor history so I needed something else. The clarity is good ... good enough for me anyway. The thicker tube was a big question mark. Fortunately, I discovered a discontinued Weaver 1-piece mount for Mauser that is very low. It has worked out perfectly.

The scope went back on warranty after first trip to the range. Took a while to get it back as plant was moving to Utah. Turns out it was a case of defective instructions in the box and operator unfamiliarity with modern turret technology. Nothing wrong with the scope. Very embarrassing. But at least I learned they stand behind their lifetime warranty.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

What is the eye relief on that Elite scope? The one I have on a .22 is 3.5 inches--which is why it's on a .22

+1 on the low mounting

Okay, using a ruler I was able to obtain the following approximate measurements for eye relief:

Rim of ocular bell to my eyebrow = 3 3/8"
Eyeball recessed from eyebrow = 1/2"
Scope's ocular lens recessed from rim of ocular bell = 1/8"

Therefore if "eye relief" is measured as distance between scope's ocular lens and lens of shooter's eye (and I assume that must be the formula), then for this scope it's ~4". I surmise this is the only way scope manufacturers can measure eye relief as they have no way of predicting or assessing the variable brow prominence of individual shooters.