best scope under $500

I ordered a Handi rifle in 270 for deer/boar. Will be used in brush mainly, but possible shots as far as 200 yards.   I am looking for a good quality scope for under 500. I am looking for something 2-7x. 1-6 or 2-8 would be ok. Looking at Burris, Nikon, Fullfield. I have a set of Burris signature zee rings I figure those will work well with whatever scope I get. Any recommendations towards a scope?

for $500 or less the 3-9x40 Bushnell Elite 4200 is a great scope. You will have a $200 left for ammo! I have a couple of these mounted on my rifles and they are great, clear with rainguard and they track well.

the 4200 elite is great, if it werent for the rainguard feature zeiss conquest would easily be the best choice. i have a 4200 on my .375H&H magnum and that scope can handle that sorta of recoil with ease.

I would like to keep the lower power range. The ones I am mainly interested in:
Burris Fullfield 2-7x35mm.                               $175
Leupold VXII 2-7x33                                       $299
Leupold VX3 2.5-8x36mm                               $429
Nikon Monarch 2-8x32mm                               $259

Nikon Monarch 2-8x32

Edited by bagderRed - December/05/2009 at 16:12

11302

Zeiss 1.8-5.5x38 Conquest

5214359920, Matte finish, Z-Plex reticle, 1" tube, fast focus eye piece, close to new condition, lifetime transferable warranty

$615.00

$299.95

10936

Burris 1.75-5x32 Signature Safari

200707, Matte finish, taper plex reticle, 1" tube, hunter knobs, fast focus eye piece, ring marks

$425.00

$299.95

10551

Nikon 1.5-6x42 Monarch Gold

6616, Matte finish, plex reticle, 30mm tube, fast focus eye piece, ring marks

$715.00

$459.95

bagderRed wrote: Nikon Monarch 2-8x32 Zeiss Conquest 2.5-8x32 Leupold VX-3 2.5-8x36 Vortex Viper 2-7x33   you beat me with your post stork.  I had a VX3 2.5-8 and it is a great scope.  I'm partial to conquests though and am gonna have one of these soon.  I like the Z plex reticle of the Zeiss.  Maybe check out a Vortex.

vortex has a $50 rebate right now too. they make a nice scope.

Wow  I will really look into the Zeiss. I had never really looked at them due to the the fact I just assumed they were out of my price range.

JUMP ON THE ZEISS... YOU WILL LOVE IT AND IT WILL BE A GREAT INVESTMENT...

Roger that...

Zeiss or the VX-3 for me.

I agree on the Zeiss.  I just bought my first conquest and am blown away at how well it works both in tracking and low light performance.  The reticle is very easy to see with just their plex reticle. 

I looked around for the 2.5-8 Zeiss but it seems that model is discontinued. I think for a Zeiss I could make an exception and get a 3-9. A little higher power range than I wanted but for a Zeiss. I hope to make a decesion and order after christmas. Does anyone have any other recommendations pro/cons Leupold, Zeiss, anything else? Also I am not trying get off the scope subject but cause the scope, it is my main interest, but does anyone have any comments on the Handi rifles? Any input. This will be my first deer rifle. I am mainly shoot small game. What can I expect out of the handi in 270?

1. Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40
2.  Elite 4200 3-9x40 is superb

338LAPUASLAP wrote: JUMP ON THE ZEISS... YOU WILL LOVE IT AND IT WILL BE A GREAT INVESTMENT...

I starting to get the feeling that I should get the Zeiss or just never shoot gun.....

i just wish that they would put loutec on all zeiss scopes, rainguard is a very valuable feature i think.

as for the 4200 i wish it had the zeiss's eye relief. other than that the 4200 is a damn fine scope considering its cost.

The discontinued Weaver Classic Extreme was by far the best scope deal selling just under $300 last year.I would say the Sightron Big Sky is the best bang for your money than a Zeiss Conquest.  

You're right Zeiss just discontinued the 2.5-8.  Although I will say that you can get one at some shops yet.  No harm meant to SWFA.  Good luck in whatever you choose.

I think that of the tweener scopes Vortex Viper 2-7x32 with C3 reticle is probably the best bang for the buck currently, since there is a $50 rebate until the end of the month.

GOOD NEWS. Since its discontinued I had to look elsewhere(nothing against SWFA). Just bought a  the Zeiss 2.5-8 for $375. I feel very happy. I will update everyone once I receive it.

you wont be disappointed great scope!

Does anyone have a handi rifle? Recommend a ring height. I purchased a hammer extentsion. I know there are some complications cause the scope has to be mounted higher due to the exposed hammer.