Best or top rated $500 range scopes.

[farmerjoe99]

So there may not be an obvious winner as everyone has different needs and tastes but
What scope would you pick as highest quality that can be found on sale or on deals or used for under for under $400
(which includes hawke sidewinder and many other ~$500 scopes)

Doesn't need to be springer rated,
preferably a variable power scope (I was thinking in the 3-12 through 8-32 power range) but open to thoughts on fixed as well...
would want a minimum 10x if going with a fixed power scope.


So I'm looking for
Clear, high quality glass
Good range finding ability
Reliable turret adjustments
And I would expect such a scope would probably have a good warranty back up as well.

I see a lot of people with hawke sidewinders and SWFA some with MTC and Optisan.
I'm sure there are many I haven't heard or seen before,

so what would you suggest or rate as best options?
Uses would be for plinking and hunting up to 100yd target competitions and FT.

Interested to here from all lines whether your a FT competitor, avid hunter, BR, as well as our vendors and dealers
would value any and all input. And would love any input on comparison between scope or scopes you wouldn't recommend and your reason for that.

And my apologies if one needs more specific guidelines to suggest scope feel free to add to or ask questions.

[Motorhead]

OPTISAN VIPER .... Like it much better than the more expensive Hawke Sidewinders.

BUT they are a large 30mm tube scope, fairly heavy too.  They Parallax range extremely well, Solid turret system,  Great glass.  The 4-16x50 is the one for Air rifle use IMO.

[Booger]

OPTISAN VIPER .... Like it much better than the more expensive Hawke Sidewinders.

BUT they are a large 30mm tube scope, fairly heavy too.  They Parallax range extremely well, Solid turret system,  Great glass.  The 4-16x50 is the one for Air rifle use IMO.

+1 I like mine as well as my Hawke 8-32X56 & it is cheaper to boot.

[nced]

OPTISAN VIPER .... Like it much better than the more expensive Hawke Sidewinders.

BUT they are a large 30mm tube scope, fairly heavy too.  They Parallax range extremely well, Solid turret system,  Great glass.  The 4-16x50 is the one for Air rifle use IMO.

Same here and at about $350 my 3-12x44 Viper is just about perfect 'cept for the size and weight. I'm currently messing with a cheap by comparison 3-12x44 UTG Compact scope (about $130 including optional side wheel) and it's actually working out pretty good. The optics are a tad less crisp that the Viper but the "cheapo" does snap in and out of focus well making scope rangefinding almost as good as the Viper. After mounting the UTG I found that the couple ounces lighter weight sitting more rearward on the receiver does seem to make my hold a bit steadier for the offhand shots. For "pure functioning" the Viper works well at it's "$150 less than $500" price range!

Anywhoo....I had considered the 4-16x44 but the 3-12x44 is already too large and heavy for my HW95!..........
Uploaded at Snapagogo.com

For "pure functioning" the Viper works well at it's "$150 less than $500" price range!

[farmerjoe99]

Well that simplifies that! thanks for each of your's input,
have to say I was a little surprised, I was expecting to get a lot of different suggestions
but it just makes it that much better that you all agree

Joseph

[Methuselah]

SWFA...

[Booger]

SWFA...

Triener has better prices I think. SWFA is 20 miles from me & charges tax to boot.

[chiro972b]

I like the sidewinder. Yes the turrets are mushy, but they're reliable and I don't spend that much time clicking. The sr pro reticle is my all time favorite.it ranges well and I've been very happy with its performance at hunter field target.

[Methuselah]

Oops, more than $500...

[farmerjoe99]

I had thought about the SWFA fixed 10x scope,
but I am not sure how I would like being stuck at 10x...

Hawke seem like a good option but I do really like the look/idea of the MTC SCB reticle
and I like to try and support small business like trenier when possible.

Looks like I'm personally going to try and get a optisan viper 4-16x50 if I can
sell a few things or find one used.

Feel free to add you input though I'm sure I'm not the only one interested in this subject.

[Technical Ted]

Hawke seem like a good option but I do really like the look/idea of the MTC SCB reticle
and I like to try and support small business like trenier when possible.

Feel free to add you input though I'm sure I'm not the only one interested in this subject.

If you like the looks of the MTC SCB reticle, check out the SR Pro reticle on the Hawke Sidewinder... I get my Hawke scopes from Dave at Wyvern Creations, another small business. Give him a call for pricing. You'll probably have to leave a message, but he calls right back. He's great to deal with.


I love my Hawke Sidewinders!


Ted

[drumie]

Take a look at the new Athlon scopes.  https://sportsgearoptics.com/5-rifle-scopes
I have 2 of the Midas now and a Cronus coming.  The glass is very good, much better than the Hawke.  Most of them will focus down to 10 yards.  It is hard to beat the features they offer at the price them come in at.

[Methuselah]

I had thought about the SWFA fixed 10x scope,
but I am not sure how I would like being stuck at 10x...

Hawke seem like a good option but I do really like the look/idea of the MTC SCB reticle
and I like to try and support small business like trenier when possible.

Looks like I'm personally going to try and get a optisan viper 4-16x50 if I can
sell a few things or find one used.

Feel free to add you input though I'm sure I'm not the only one interested in this subject.

Looks like you are making a well-informed decision!

[farmerjoe99]

If you like the looks of the MTC SCB reticle, check out the SR Pro reticle on the Hawke Sidewinder... I get my Hawke scopes from Dave at Wyvern Creations, another small business. Give him a call for pricing. You'll probably have to leave a message, but he calls right back. He's great to deal with.


I love my Hawke Sidewinders!


Ted

Thanks for sharing that hadn't looked at hawke reticles in a while and didn't
remember that one. Dave is the reason hawke are on my list have talked to him in the past
seems like a great guy and his prices excellent!  in fact I was kind of expecting the hawke would be the top
choice, and I'm very thankful for everyone's input so far, which makes my choice a tricky one...
and to add to that trenier has a coupon going as well...
I might just have to try my first "high end"(in my eyes ) scope... still having a little trouble deciding to
spend that much on a scope when I could get another rifle for that

[farmerjoe99]

Take a look at the new Athlon scopes.  https://sportsgearoptics.com/5-rifle-scopes
I have 2 of the Midas now and a Cronus coming.  The glass is very good, much better than the Hawke.  Most of them will focus down to 10 yards.  It is hard to beat the features they offer at the price them come in at.

Well those are new to me, looks like a pretty nice scope,
one of these days we'll have to set up a NY fun shoot so I can try out I mean meet all you guys

Edit: I like the looks of their warranty to I'll have to check on that for optisan...
has anyone had to dealt with their customer service or warranty?

[farmerjoe99]

I had thought about the SWFA fixed 10x scope,
but I am not sure how I would like being stuck at 10x...

Hawke seem like a good option but I do really like the look/idea of the MTC SCB reticle
and I like to try and support small business like trenier when possible.

Looks like I'm personally going to try and get a optisan viper 4-16x50 if I can
sell a few things or find one used.

Feel free to add you input though I'm sure I'm not the only one interested in this subject.

Looks like you are making a well-informed decision!

I always try to learn everything I can before I buy something
and I find that alot of the time during my research I'll come across better deals
and I'm more knowledgeable on how to use it or what to looks for.

[chiro972b]

I haven't looked at one, but the Athlon scopes are drawing rave reviews.

[farmerjoe99]

I haven't looked at one, but the Athlon scopes are drawing rave reviews.

I'll have to check them out in the near future,
depending on how things go I might be in the market for another in a bit.

[farmerjoe99]

Many thanks to all who shared their experience and suggestions,
I ended going with the Optisan viper 4-16x50 from trenieroutdoors
Jeff wass great to talk to and gave me some good input as well plus I was able to get in on
the deal they were having, and the things are warming back up here
so hopefully I'll be able to get some good shooting time in with it.