Define decent?

What do you need from it?

What power level do you need?

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I would suggest spending at least a little more than $100 for a “decent” scope. Leupold’s Freedom line of scopes can be had for about $200-250 for a model appropriate for your little Ranch rifle: https://www.leupold.com/product-series/vx-freedom

Depending on how you expect to use your rifle, the 1.5-4x or 2-7x model are both small and light and would balance well with the short barrel.

Good luck.

 

I have a Bushnell Banner model that works fine for me & falls into my budget of under $100. I don't hunt, nothing against, just not my thing. I don't camp either. My idea of camping is a bed, a/c & cable tv.

 

I'm also a Leupold man.

I would first look for a used older Leupold. they carry a LIFETIME warranty and if any issues found with your new/used scope they will fix it for the cost of one way shipping.

having said that... last fall I bought two scopes on friend recommendations. BOTH where very good and BOTH will be bought form again!

The first was a HAWKE Vantage RF. This one was a Rimfire scope with a 22LR SUB reticule. It works PERFECTLY and allows shots to 125 SPOT on with 1050fps ammo. its etched and lighted. Im not a fan of lighted and 99.9% wont use them. but thios one is very nice. 180$ retail. I paid 130.

The second is a Bushnell trophy EXTREAM. 2.5x10x44 in 30MM. Now couple years ago I never saw a 30MM and when I did it was usually very costly. Let me tell you, it makes a big difference as the light fades. This one was a 259 retail, but I bought on sale for 179. Now its been seen for 129 in plain duplex reticule.
WOW, clean on order of my VXIII Leuopold's compared to absolute dark side by side. I WILL BUY MORE OF THESE!!

Good luck in your search, If you have a chance to look at either of these I feel you will be impressed for the costs. I know I have been.

CW

 

I would first look for a used older Leupold. they carry a LIFETIME warranty and if any issues found with your new/used scope they will fix it for the cost of one way shipping.

CW

+1 on what cwlongshot said. If you check online classifieds, you may be able to find a used Leupold VX-1, or possibly an older VX-I or VX-II in the $100-150 price range. Just make sure there aren't scratches on the lenses, or too much damage to the maintube and you should be good to go with Leupold's warranty.


I agree with what others have said - I generally stay away from the stuff below $150-200. I'd recommend looking for something with a good warranty. Leupold and Vortex are my go-tos for this reason - and many options available for $200 or less. I prefer the Vortex Diamondback over the Crossfire. You may still be able to find a new VX-1 somewhere, otherwise the VX-Freedom is a very nice entry scope. A 2-7x33 should be a good size for your intended plans, but if you want to see holes on paper at 100, a step up to a 3-9x40 would also be alright.

 

I don't hunt (nothing against it I just have never gotten into it). I target shoot. So I am looking for a scope that will compliment the rifle and hold its zero. For the time being I have a short scope that I used on my AR 15, but the eye relief doesn't work. The scope needs to be moved to the rear beyond the edge of the rail. I think I might try some offset rings to move it closer to my eye while checking our your suggestions for a better scope.

 

What distance do you plan to shoot?
I'm not one of those guys who automatically says you need to spend $1000 on a scope but I do think $100 is a little too little. Below $100 they all seem like junk but above that they start to get tolerable glass and heavier construction.

In the less-than-$200 category I like Nikon, Leupold Freedom, Vortex Crossfire ll and Diamondback, Burris, all the really good brands have their entry-level scopes in this range.

And the best thing is just go to a big store and look through them.

 

I have been very happy with Nikon in the $100 $250 range.

 

Another none hunter here and another vote for the Bushnell Banner.

I put one on my American Ranch in 5.56 and for shooting 100 yard targets at the range (max distance we have) that is plenty.

If all you are doing is target shooting, absolutely nothing wrong with an inexpensive scope. And if it breaks, no big deal to buy another.

Now, if you decide to take up hunting or get into long-range competition shooting, that's a whole different ballgame.

 

All good comments. I doubt that I will shoot beyond 300 meters/yards. 100 is more like it. I will check out everything but the Banner sounds promising.

 

Nikon Buckmaster II is a great scope I’ve seen them on sale for $109.99

 

They have gone up in price since I bought my last one in January, 2015, but for shooting a hundred yards at the range, I find my classic Weaver K4 4X38 to be adequate for just about any caliber. I paid only $121.00 for it back then and I think they are now about $245 on Amazon, where I bought mine. So maybe a little over your budget. It weighs only 9.9 ounces and looks good on any rifle, to me anyway. You may want a variable power, though. Most young shooters do.

 

Oh thank you for implying that I might be a young shooter. And if you didn't, don't correct me.

 

Actually the buckmaster looks like it's exactly what I want: simple and uncomplicated and made by a top notch manufacturer.

 

OP, I target shoot at a range that goes out to 100 yards. I shoot a .22 with a Leupold 2-7 scope. I have several 3-9 scopes from Leupold, Nikon and Vortex and Bushnell. They all work just fine. Other shooters at the range bring fancier, more powerful scopes, and I’ve tried them. But in daylight out to 100 yards, my inexpensive scopes work just as well.

Do you live near stores that have a good selection of scopes? If so, spend some time looking through various scopes to see if you like what you see. Do you like the way the reticle looks? Do things look sharp and pleasing to your eye? Play with the controls. Do you like the feel of the adjusting knobs?

The scopes I own all work well. But looking through them gives very different results. It’s easy to form likes and dislikes. Find what you like and buy it.

 

I bought a Bushnell Banner 4-16x40 for my AR Ranch 5.56.
I was not impressed but it was $30 after rebate.
If less than 100 yds, you want an adjustable objective.

 

I recommend that you go to optics planet or euro Optics and get yourself a vortex crossfire II 3-9x40 or 4-12x44 w bdc recticle - excellent value for money and no question asked lifetime replacement warranty. Best glass for that price range. Great scopes and great customer service.

 

I have optics across the spectrum of price but on a couple of my hunting rifles and an AR15 I have Burris scopes that you can find on sale for less than $200 that have worked well for me. They are clear, seem durable and have a lifetime warranty.

 

Thanks to all. I got a Vortex Crossfire II 3-9 X 40 with a Vplex reticle. I seriously considered the bdc, but finally concluded that the Vplex was best for my needs.

 

I like the bushnell ar 3-12x40mm decent glass, decent reticle if you enjoy no thrills bullet drop reticles I'd prefer mildots but it holds pretty close for 55gr pills tho. Has turrets and is only $160 right now on bushnell's website you might find it cheaper somewhere else. Now if you hunt I'd look for a 50mm bell. The 40mm is okay just not great for those last minute shots. This is what I'd get If you can't find a vortex in your price range that you like.

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