Scope for .243 under $400?

[megastink]

I am purchasing a Savage Model 11 in .243 as my carrying rifle/varmint gun. Here in NE pa, long shots are rare, with shots at deer and coyotes at less than 100 the standard. But, I want a light rifle capable of taking a clean shot at a deer up to MAYBE 400 yards (rifle will need some tinkering).

Now I need a scope. I do not want to spend a lot. I am sure with all of the advances in scope technology, there is something suitable to my needs.

Here are my desires:
- low end power between 2-3
- high end between 9-12
- good glass
- adjustable turrets, either capped or exposed, short or tall.
- mil/mil or moa/moa preferred. I hate plex reticles.
- 1" or 30mm tube (I prefer 30mm, but not too picky here).
- needs to be reliable, repeatable, accurate, and take some abuse. It's rough country out here.
- warranty

Anything you can do to help, I appreciate it.

I've been looking at NikOn Monarchs, Weaver super and Grand Slam, and Vortex Vipers. Not sure what to buy!!!!!!

If you can suggest rings and bases too, you'd be my heros!

 

[emn83]

I have a Nikon Buckmasters 4.5-14x40 that works well for me. it has 1" tube. The only problem is it has a MIL reticule and 1/4MOA knobs. a 3-9, maybe with the BDC reticule should work out for what you need

 

[baranx4]

If you want adjust turrets look at the vortex viper line cameraland just had the 6.5-20 x 44 for less than 300

 

[Jordan Smith]

Either a Burris FFII Tactical 3-9x40 or a Vortex Viper 3-9x40 would fit the bill. A Sightron SIIB 3-9x42 would also work well. I wouldn't be afraid of a Weaver, either. I've personally owned the first two models, and they both have great glass, track nicely, and are a great bang for your buck. You can get either model with an MOA-based BDC reticle that both companies offer.

You're going to have to make some compromises with your lists of "wants", since a scope that fulfilled all of those criteria perfectly would cost closer to $1000, but you can get a very serviceable scope that fills all of those criteria fairly well, for somewhere in your price range.

 

[green 788]

Practical Riflery Forums... techniques and equipment of the practical rifleman... :: View topic - Dialing for long range shots on a budget...

Weaver Grand Slam in 3.5 to 10x... you'll love it... see my article above.

300 dollars at midway

Sturdy, great glass... turret adjustment/tracking second to NONE at any price (it's the Micro-Trac system)...

Choose wisely...

Dan

 

[42769vette]

If you want adjust turrets look at the vortex viper line cameraland just had the 6.5-20 x 44 for less than 300

i do not think that zoom range will fit his needs. but i do agree that strong consideration should be given to the 1 inch viper line. it has capped resetable finger turrets and can be had in 3-9x40 with a bdc reticle

 

[vegas steve]

+1 on the weaver super slam. great scope for the dollar.

 

[chemist1]

The Viper HS 2.5-10 might fit your needs well and can be had with the BDC ret. for about 400. You could also look for a used mil/mil or moa/moa pst 2.5-10.

 

[Longbullet]

-1 for vortex

 

[Jordan Smith]

+1 for Vortex in the under $1k range

But you have to realize that it ain't no March...

 

[huffmanite]

You might want to visit Natchez Shooters Supply site and check on the remaining Nitrex TR1 scopes available. Just do a search on their website for nitrex TR1 to find them. These are Japanese made scopes that are basically Weaver Grand Slams. Nitrex warranty is handled by Weaver. The Nitrex price is less than 1/2 the cost of equivalent Weaver Grand Slam. Should be around $140 in price. Have a couple of the Nitrex scopes....wish I'd bought more but the higher power ones that I prefer are all gone.