Budget scope

[AlHow]

Hi guys,

First up I must say I’m yet to receive my license that I have applied for mid Jan. I’ve taken the risk of purchasing a Howa 1500 stainless Sporter 22” in .308. Still at the dealer of course.

Now, I’m on a pretty tight budget, so I have considered a Vortex scope at the $400 mark. A Crossfire II 3-9 x 50 V-brite illuminated.

Are there any tested views on this scope? Any recommendations on a scope within this price range. Sorry guys but its pointless recommending that I spend more as my budget is tight as I’m out of work. Thanks for your help.

https://www.cleaverfirearms.com/Product ... G%20SCOPES

[JohnV]

Vortex make a good scope and it should serve you well . You can also go lower magnification on a 308 as it will get used as a walk about stalking rifle and say a 2 to 7 power is still quite useful . I have a 2 to 7 on my 308 and at 2 power you can swing onto running shots on pigs quite well and at 7 power take well aimed shots at 200 meters or more .

[Oldbloke]

Vortex make a good scope and it should serve you well . You can also go lower magnification on a 308 as it will get used as a walk about stalking rifle and say a 2 to 7 power is still quite useful . I have a 2 to 7 on my 308 and at 2 power you can swing onto running shots on pigs quite well and at 7 power take well aimed shots at 200 meters or more .

Agree.
I use 3-9×40 on all my rifles. But 2-7 will certainly improve field of view in thicker stuff.

Don't have one myself. But they have a good rep.

[JohnV]

I would add that if the gun has a very long barrel say 24 inch or longer then stay with the 3 to 9 power , because at two power I can just see a slight blur sometimes in the bottom of the sight picture which is the end of the 26 1/2 inch barrel . It does not harm anything but could be annoying to some . I know it's a bit strange to have a low power off hand shooting scope on a gun with a 26 1/2 inch barrel but it shot so well I was not game to cut it down any and I might screw it up .

[animalpest]

Just today got my Leupold 1.75 - 6x back from being repaired. Will be going back on a .308 Ruger.
The other .308 rifles all have 3-9x scopes

[northdude]

I'm real budget when it comes to scopes. I've always had a good run out of the nikko stirlings. Bought quite a few for my rifles with the intention of replacing them when they crapped out. 30+ years later I still haven't replaced one.....never win a bragging contest down at the range with one tho

[JohnV]

I'm real budget when it comes to scopes. I've always had a good run out of the nikko stirlings. Bought quite a few for my rifles with the intention of replacing them when they crapped out. 30+ years later I still haven't replaced one.....never win a bragging contest down at the range with one tho

The old ones were made in better places like Japan but the newer ones now would be made in China . However we use what we can afford at the time . I use a couple of Japanese made Tasco' s I bought in Singapore many moons ago and they have been good . One is on my Brno 22 and one is a backup scope .

[northdude]

Got a couple of japanese tascos as well. Nothing wrong with them. Just out of curiosity with your strict laws over there. Can you guys just walk into a shop and buy a rifle scope?

[JohnV]

Yes , scopes , mounts , stocks , and any accessories that is not a actual gun part .

[bladeracer]

Got a couple of japanese tascos as well. Nothing wrong with them. Just out of curiosity with your strict laws over there. Can you guys just walk into a shop and buy a rifle scope?

Generally yes, but each state is different. Victoria only restricts the action of the firearm, no restrictions on mags and barrels and such bits.

[Oldbloke]

Got a couple of japanese tascos as well. Nothing wrong with them. Just out of curiosity with your strict laws over there. Can you guys just walk into a shop and buy a rifle scope?

Generally yes, but each state is different. Victoria only restricts the action of the firearm, no restrictions on mags and barrels and such bits.

But unlike NZ suppressor are virtually impossible to have here. Only pros can get them.

[albat]

I'm real budget when it comes to scopes. I've always had a good run out of the nikko stirlings. Bought quite a few for my rifles with the intention of replacing them when they crapped out. 30+ years later I still haven't replaced one.....never win a bragging contest down at the range with one tho

I agree got 2 nikko sterling scopes both nikko sterling diamond's both 4-16 the one I got recently lives on my 308 and it's a first focal plane illuminated reticule for $299 for a ffp scope it's excellent value

[AlHow]

Sorry guys, I forgot I posted this.

Thanks heaps for all the replies. I get the low magnification. I wont be shooting out to too far a distance I’m sure. Would it be reasonable to think the later Nikko’s won’t be up to the standards of scopes from decades ago?

Cheers.

[JohnV]

Forget Nikko stick with Vortex . The lifetime warranty is great even if you buy one secondhand you can send it back and they fix it .

[northdude]

Ive got one of the late model long range nikkos on my 6.5 06. Only shot it to 380m so far. I can see stuff clearly and I can repeatedly hit stuff with it, thats all I need in a scope. The vortex over here didnt last long. Most scope failures ive seen of any brand here

[Oldbloke]

I've only had one experience with nikko Stirling and it was all bad. That was a lot of years ago.

IMO anything cheaper than a Vortex is getting risky.

[Lazarus]

Athlon are very good for the price.

[CRF]

When I was about 21 a bloke who did and does guide all over the world said that you should spend as much on your scope as your rifle. Took me a few years after that to realise what he said was bang on.

[Oldbloke]

When I was about 21 a bloke who did and does guide all over the world said that you should spend as much on your scope as your rifle. Took me a few years after that to realise what he said was bang on.

I have discovered the hard way he wasnt far wrong.

[JohnV]

Ive got one of the late model long range nikkos on my 6.5 06. Only shot it to 380m so far. I can see stuff clearly and I can repeatedly hit stuff with it, thats all I need in a scope. The vortex over here didnt last long. Most scope failures ive seen of any brand here

Strange I have had the opposite experience with Nikko Platinum and Vortex . If aVortex breaks down send it back they will fix it free except for your postage . I bought a new Vortex PST 6 to 24 and it had an almost frozen parallax knob . I sent it back they sent it back but the knob only turned easily for a while then froze again , they sent me a new scope , later model even and never asked for the old one back . I have since fixed the old scope . As far as I am concerned Vortex has a better warranty than Leupold .