$400-$700 Hunting scope that is great quality?

[Rmchap]

I have a tikka T3X that needs a hunting scope. I currently have a Viper HS-T but I don’t like that the elevation turret does not have a zero stop and also does not have a locking mechanism to prevent the dial from being turned if bumped.

Looking to hunt out to 500 max.
Looking for something that dials accurate and is reliable/durable for field use and abuse.

Any recommendations? Thinking 40-44 mm objective lens, don’t need crazy high zoom. Was thinking Arlen, Burris, or Athlon….just wondering people’s thoughts.

Thanks

 

[Rmchap]

Meant to say ARKEN, Burris, or Athlon

 

[MuleyFever]

You may have to wait or find one used but in that price range - https://swfa.com/collections/rifles...d-mil-quad-reticle-30mm-tube-1-mil-clicks-ffp

Or bump up to the 3-15 model as it will go on sale or find one used.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

I have a tikka T3X that needs a hunting scope. I currently have a Viper HS-T but I don’t like that the elevation turret does not have a zero stop and also does not have a locking mechanism to prevent the dial from being turned if bumped.

Looking to hunt out to 500 max.
Looking for something that dials accurate and is reliable/durable for field use and abuse.

Any recommendations? Thinking 40-44 mm objective lens, don’t need crazy high zoom. Was thinking Arlen, Burris, or Athlon….just wondering people’s thoughts.

Thanks

The SWFA gen2 fixed 6x or 10x is comfortably within that budget. The 6x is currently sold out, but they come up on the classifieds quite often. I used a 6x and a 10x through most of this past hunting season and was very pleased with useability and performance.

The SWFA 3-9x is at the higher end of that budget (but requires a $20 aftermarket kit if you want a zero stop). I just picked up one of those on the Black Friday sale.

The SWFA 3-15x is just outside that budget, but an excellent scope.

I would pick one of those SWFAs over anything you have listed.

 

[MuleyFever]

If you can bump your budget up a little I am a huge fan of the Trijicon Credo.

 

[Pistolpete28]

The SWFA gen2 fixed 6x or 10x is comfortably within that budget. The 6x is currently sold out, but they come up on the classifieds quite often. I used a 6x and a 10x through most of this past hunting season and was very pleased with useability and performance.

The SWFA 3-9x is at the higher end of that budget (but requires a $20 aftermarket kit if you want a zero stop). I just picked up one of those on the Black Friday sale.

The SWFA 3-15x is just outside that budget, but an excellent scope.

I would pick one of those SWFAs over anything you have listed.

I agree SWFA is a solid option at the OPs price point

 

[ResearchinStuff]

Swfa is the be all end all of affordable performance

 

[Flack]

PSA has Trijicon Credos on sale right now with the 2.5-10x56 with a top turret coming in at $630-650.

 

[Subs]

I just ordered a 3-9 Credo and I should have it in hand tomorrow. I have a new 3-9 SWFA that I've not mounted. I'm going to compare the two and likely put the SWFA up sale or on a 223 range gun I have. I'm on the east coast, won't rifle hunt out west that much so I think a set it and forget it optic might be better for my purposes.

 

[mtwarden]

The Tiricon Accupoint 3-9 can be found for under $700; pretty good bang for the buck

 

[nm.otter]

I'm on the east coast, won't rifle hunt out west that much so I think a set it and forget it optic might be better for my purposes.

SWFA 6x MQ Gen2 is pretty close to the ultimate set and forget optic IME -- and entirely capable in low light.

 

[JGRaider]

Arken EPL 4-16 is a great choice. Unlike the SWFA 3-9x, it has a zero stop, and excellent illumination. The Athlon Helos 2-12x does as well.

 

[Megastink]

I just ordered a 3-9 Credo and I should have it in hand tomorrow. I have a new 3-9 SWFA that I've not mounted. I'm going to compare the two and likely put the SWFA up sale or on a 223 range gun I have. I'm on the east coast, won't rifle hunt out west that much so I think a set it and forget it optic might be better for my purposes.

Please do a side by side of those two scopes looking through the tubes. I’m considering both as well.

 

[Ajsomp]

SWFA 6x MQ Gen2 is pretty close to the ultimate set and forget optic IME -- and entirely capable in low light.

Killed three deer and a hog with that scope this year. All on the east coast. Deer as close as 60 yards out to 240. It’s hard to beat

 

[Q_Sertorius]

The Tiricon Accupoint 3-9 can be found for under $700; pretty good bang for the buck

Yes, at $600-650, it’s probably the best set-it-and-forget-it scope on the market. I love the illuminated reticle, crisp and accurate dials, easy resetting to zero, quality glass, and light weight (13.4 ounces). The only thing I don’t like about it is that it is MOA with a MIL reticle.

My friend John carried it on my CZ this past season and really liked it. He was telling me how great it was looking at a coyote through it (he didn’t know I wanted him to shoot coyotes ).

 

[nm.otter]

I took my 6x to an LR shooting class and had zero issues ringing steel out to 900 yards. The instructors were somewhat surprised.

The misses were 100% mine -- I either forgot to dial or missed a wind call.