Shopping for riflescopes can seem complicated, and part of the reason is the wild variations in budgets. One of the most common questions shooters ask goes something like, “Is this $4,000 scope really 20 times better than this $200 scope? What’s the difference that causes such a swing in price?”
Well, higher-end scopes really are better quality. They’re likely to be more durable—less prone to fog up or fail in bad weather, and less likely to get knocked off zero if you drop them—and certainly the quality of the glass and the lens coatings is better, as well. Better glass leads to better resolution and clarity, giving you brighter, clearer images, especially in those crucial low-light moments right after sunrise and before sunset. And higher-end scopes tend to have more reliable tracking, which means when you dial the adjustment turrets, they’re more likely to be precisely ¼ MOA or whatever they’re supposed to be, as opposed to “somewhere close.”
So yes, spending more money on a riflescope really does buy you a better product; sometimes substantially better. But here’s the thing: Some of us just plain old don’t need that. If you’re the kind of hunter who keeps your gun in a case, drives it close to your stand, walks around a nice level greenfield to get to your hunting spot, and shoots deer at 200 yards and under, you’re probably not banging your rifle around a lot knocking your scope off. You might not even get it wet if you’re hunting in a covered blind, and you’re likely never dialing your turrets once you get it dialed in. If you shoot the gun at the beginning of each season to make sure it’s still zeroed, you’re probably set.
This kind of hunter does not need extreme durability, precise adjustability on a frequent basis, and high-end glass that lets her see bright, clear images at 800 yards at dusk. She might lose some brightness toward the end of legal shooting light, but that’s the major drawback of using an inexpensive scope. And for a whole lot of hunters, a very basic bottom-shelf scope from a reliable manufacturer is going to fit their needs without spending a lot of money.
If that’s you, check out these basic models from manufacturers with a good reputation for quality. Just…don’t go on Amazon and buy a $50 no-name scope. Stick with a brand name you recognize. And be realistic about what you’re getting vs. what your needs are. These are not top-quality scopes, but they should suit the 200-yard treestand hunter just fine for $300 and under.
Simmons Pro Hunter, $100
Bushnell owns Simmons, and a basic Simmons Pro Hunter 3-9x40 sells for right at $100. It’s got a 1-inch tube, fully coated lenses, and a waterproof/fogproof rating with shockproof construction. Everything you need, nothing you don’t—literally, it comes with the rings you’ll need to mount it. I’ve had a basic Simmons scope on my 7mm 08 whitetail rifle for 10 years now and have been very happy with it for normal-range treestand hunting.
SIG Buckmasters BDC, $110
If you think of SIG as a firearms company, you’re missing out on their optics (and ammo and suppressors). The Buckmaster Riflescope 3-9x40 BDC is a simple second-focal-plane scope that comes with Sig’s “Infinite Guarantee.” It’s got a 1-inch tube and features a custom bullet drop compensator reticle with holdover dots out to 500 yards.
Hawke Vantage, $145
Hawke is a British company with a wide variety of scopes in different price points, but the Vantage is its budget line. They are all nitrogen-purged, shockproof, waterproof, fogproof and feature a no-fault lifetime warranty, and some are even customized to particular chamberings. The standard 3-9x40 with the mil-dot reticle gives you holdover points and fixed parallax.
Burris Fullfield E1, $192
The Burris Fullfield E1 3-9x40 uses what Burris calls “high-grade optical glass” and Hi Lume multi-coating for improved low-light performance. It’s designed for durability, with a double spring internal system that helps it hold zero through rough handling. It’s got a 1-inch tube, and Burris says it’s waterproof, fogproof (nitrogen-purged) and guaranteed by the company’s Forever Warranty. And it includes the quick, simple, accurate Ballistic Plex reticle.
Riton 1 Primal, $220
Riton has been making a name for itself, and the 1 Primal 3-9x40 is one of the brand’s most basic models, focused on functional performance without bells and whistles. It uses a fully multi-coated optical system for clear, bright images and is nitrogen purged for durability in all weather. It features the simple RHR reticle and utilized Riton Rugged Construction with aircraft-grade aluminum.
Vortex Crossfire II, $239
Advertised as “clear, tough and bright,” the Crossfire II from Vortex has long eye relief, a fast-focus eyepiece, fully multi-coated lenses and resettable MOA turrets. It uses the company’s DeadHold BDC reticle with holdover hashmarks, and it’s waterproof, fogproof and shockproof with aircraft-grade aluminum construction. And it’s backed by Vortex’s “unlimited, unconditional lifetime warranty.”
Leupold VX-Freedom, $299.99
Squeaking in just under our $300 budget is Leupold’s VX-Freedom 3-9x40, with the company’s famous dependability and an advanced optical system for better light transmission and glare reduction. It’s waterproof, fogproof and shockproof and backed by a lifetime warranty. It features Leupold’s Hunt-Plex reticle with taped pickets and an easy-to-find aiming point.
