Best optic for a .308 for $200 or less?

[Ace762]

I'm planning on getting a Remington 700 SPS Varmint in .308 as a long range hunting rifle (up to 800 yards), and I was wondering what the best optic would be for $200 or less. I might be willing to go a little higher, bit I'm on a bit of a budget. Also, I would definitely like something with a Mil Dot reticle, to make longer range shots a bit easier. Also, I'm really only getting a cheaper scope for now as a starter scope, and then as my budget allows I'll advance to something a bit better. I've been considering getting the Center Point 4-16X40mm with the illuminated mil dot reticle (a $70 scope from Wal-Mart), but I usually don't buy from Wal-Mart since they don't really treat their stuff all that well usually. Anyways, if anyone has any scopes that they like or would recommend, you help would be greatly appreciated. Sincerely- Ace762.

 

[JeffP40]

Go online to cameralandny and buy a Vortex of your choosing.

 

[jehu]

Keep saving your $ until you have enough to buy a decent scope, $200 won't get you much and you have a good rifle, just my opinion.

 

[bruce_ventura]

Bushnell 4200 10X40 mil/mil. On sale now at MidwayUSA for $200.

 

[D.ID]

Bushnell 4200 10X40 mil/mil. On sale now at MidwayUSA for $200.

+1 for the bushnell at $200, if you get up to about $300 you have the swfa ss 10x42 with parallax adjustment. other than those two fixed power scopes keep saving and waiting.

 

[SidecarFlip]

Cruise the 'for sale' ads on here.... Seems as though everyone is selling their stuff. Today, 200 bucks won't buy a bag of groceries, let alone something with decent glass.

 

[kc]

You can buy a BURRIS E1 3X9X40 for $200.00 I have beat the crap out of them and they have
stayed dead on. Take a good look at them also.
Every Bushnell Banner I have had or my friends have owned they died at the wrong place and time. They are good on a .22MAG.

 

[42769vette]

are you sure you should be hunting at 800 yards without a scope capible of such? at 300 bucks its doable, at 200 thats asking alot.;

dont take this post as "anti long range hunting"

 

[D.ID]

you would be surprised how well the 3200 elite mil dot bushnell will do. I had one on my 338 edge until I decided I wanted more magnification. In that price range it is the ONLY one I know of with enough adjustment and reliable tracking suitable for long range and you need to make sure you rifle fits you very well because there is no parallax adjustment so repeatable cheek weld is a must..

 

[str8shoot]

I would come up with a little more money. There are a few options you may not have to upgrade at all in the $300 range. Cameraland sometimes has the Vortex Viper 6.5-20X44 for $279. Nikon Buckmaster and Bushnell elite are other good options. That Wallyworld scope will be money lost for nothing. It will only make that scope cost that much more.
Optics are key in this long range game. I think 300 bucks is closer to the bare minimum to get anywhere near 800 yards.

 

[Ace762]

are you sure you should be hunting at 800 yards without a scope capible of such? at 300 bucks its doable, at 200 thats asking alot.;

dont take this post as "anti long range hunting"

Yea, originally I was under the impression that the scope that I was looking at was a good scope for a good price, but after further examination it was one of those "too good to be true" scopes. After a few shots, according to several sources, it tends to lost its zero. So instead of that I've increased my price range to about $300 to $350, and I'm looking at Bushnells scopes.

 

[Ace762]

I would come up with a little more money. There are a few options you may not have to upgrade at all in the $300 range. Cameraland sometimes has the Vortex Viper 6.5-20X44 for $279. Nikon Buckmaster and Bushnell elite are other good options. That Wallyworld scope will be money lost for nothing. It will only make that scope cost that much more.
Optics are key in this long range game. I think 300 bucks is closer to the bare minimum to get anywhere near 800 yards.

Yea, after further examination the scope I was looking at turned out to be too good to be true. I think I've decided on a Bushnell, but then again I've still got a bit more research to do before hand.

 

[D.ID]

If you do decide on the bushnell make sure you buy one of the elite series. Now at 3-350 the options start to open up a little, Take a look at the swfa ss 10x42 and keep tour eyes open for a deal on a vortex viper. There are a lot of to good to be true junk out there in almost every price range so be careful, research thoroughly and choose wisely. Repeatability is the key to long range, every thing else is window dressing.

 

[LouBoyd]

The Bushnell 10x40 mil-dot mil/mil that's on sale at Midway is the model 3200. It does not have a parallax adjustment. That's not a problem if the shooter understands how to center their eye in the exit pupil.