Low power fix or variables scope options

[RU shooter]

My old weaver 2.5x is showing it's age and I haven't looked at scopes for decades so I'm way outa the loop on what's good and available these days . What I'm looking for is a low power 2.5x up to 4x fixed or vari that's light and fairly short to go on my model 600 Rem would like a straight tube like my weaver . I was looking around on the web but seems that market is dominated by "tactical" scopes with huge exposed turrets ect . Budget is 200 ish or less

Tim

[Petrol & Powder]

When it comes to optics I believe there is no way around, "You get what you pay for".

While it is possible for manufacturers to hit a low price point, it is impossible to hit that low price point without cutting corners somewhere.

Leupold is still a winner in my book.
Fixed power scopes are fine, in fact, the simplicity is a plus in my book. You're going to pay for it but I would rather cry once.

There are some other options but when it comes to grinding glass, coating lenes and other precision optical manufacturing, there aren't many cheap options that are good options. Some of the German makes are excellent but Leupold will still beat them in price.

[Petrol & Powder]

Check out Optics Planet, you can still get a fixed 4 power Leupold for $300. FX-II 4 x 33mm
Not a straight tube, it has a 33mm objective lens but it's a simple, high quality scope.

It will not make your $200 limit but I don't think you're going to get in under $200 and have a scope worth it.

[Petrol & Powder]

And I just saw that Amazon has a FX-II 2.5 x 20mm for $270 and that is a straight tube design.

[Elroy]

I don't know what range you anticipate your shots to be,but I assuming you use this 600 as a short range woods gun,I will throw out the fact that a shotgun scope may fill your needs. I bought a Japanese made Bushnell Trophy 1.75x-5x and I love it. It does have a pretty large occular, and is not straight tubed,but the objective is pretty small. It's super bright,and clear,and I know it is rugged.
I am a big Leupold fan as well,but I just figured I would throw the Bushnell out there.

[RU shooter]

I don't know what range you anticipate your shots to be,but I assuming you use this 600 as a short range woods gun,I will throw out the fact that a shotgun scope may fill your needs. I bought a Japanese made Bushnell Trophy 1.75x-5x and I love it. It does have a pretty large occular, and is not straight tubed,but the objective is pretty small. It's super bright,and clear,and I know it is rugged.
I am a big Leupold fan as well,but I just figured I would throw the Bushnell out there.
Thanks, yep short range I think my longest shot ever was 125 yds majority at 50 ish yds

[roysha]

LOTS of 4X Leupold used scopes in your price range on everyone's "favorite to make fun of" auction site. Don't forget, the lifetime warranty of Leupold scopes, goes with the scope. I have bought several Leupolds from vendors there and all have been exactly as described. I have over 20 Leupolds and have NEVER been let down by any of them.

[Tatume]

And I just saw that Amazon has a FX-II 2.5 x 20mm for $270 and that is a straight tube design.

This is the Leupold Ultralight, my favorite of all scopes. I just got another a few days ago.

[Tatume]

I don't know what range you anticipate your shots to be,but I assuming you use this 600 as a short range woods gun...

My Leupold 2.5x Ultralight scopes are perfectly adequate out to 200 yards. Any farther and I wouldn't shoot at game anyway.

[Petrol & Powder]

roysha - I forgot about the lifetime warranty but that's a good point. That significantly reduces the risk of getting a bad used scope.
Tatume - Also a good point. The OP stated with a criteria of 2.5 or 4 power and then said his typical shots are 125yds. or less - so that would certainly fit his stated needs.

[Elroy]

My Leupold 2.5x Ultralight scope are perfectly adequate out to 200 yards. Any farther and I wouldn't shoot at game anyway.

I have no doubt that your 2.5x scope would be able to be used at distance. I was just assuming that it as his woods gun,and that a shotgun scope with a parallax corrected at 50,or 75 yards may fit his needs.

[pietro]

.

I've found the Weaver V-3 1-3x20 variable hard to beat @ about $190: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1009768280

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/31NJ-6ipcFL._AC_SX466_.jpg

[Drm50]

I not paying $200 for Chinese scope and certainly not a variable. The scope trade now has the low power scopes listed as specialty scopes for premium money. I have several Weaver K low powers on rifles 4x and smaller. If one needs replaces I’m not paying crazy money for a replacement used Weaver. Any replacement these days will be Leupold. And for the money would be 4x or 2x7. No sense in paying half the money for half the scope. And as mentioned you can pick one up used and have the guarantee to back it.

[RU shooter]

.

I've found the Weaver V-3 1-3x20 variable hard to beat @ about $190: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1009768280

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/31NJ-6ipcFL._AC_SX466_.jpg

That's about what I was looking for but there discontinued I did also find a leupold that's similar and inthe budget , don't know anything about this new freedom line but says lifetime garuntee .
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1019637344

[M-Tecs]

Personally I find the 2x - 7x or 2.5x - 8x more versatile. This one is in your price range. https://www.amazon.com/Leupold-VX-Freedom-2-7x33mm-Riflescope-Reticle/dp/B078XGNNPN

[beshears]

Used Leupold M8 off ebay. Have several and have never had a problem.

[Mr Peabody]

I've used the Weaver Kaspa 1x4x24 to very good results.

[sharps4590]

Definitely fixed power for me. A Leupold 2.5X or 4X sounds like an absolutely perfect fit.

[besk]

Watch out for extra cheap Leupolds on that auction site. I am new to scopes and must not have have been using my brain.
Bought a new scope marked Leupold "VX-III 1.5-5x20" for less than $100. It arrived from China! It has got to be a copy. Came with warranty cards etc. Not a mention anywhere as to where it was manufactured.

[M-Tecs]

Watch out for extra cheap Leupolds on that auction site. I am new to scopes and must not have have been using my brain.
Bought a new scope marked Leupold "VX-III 1.5-5x20" for less than $100. It arrived from China! It has got to be a copy. Came with warranty cards etc. Not a mention anywhere as to where it was manufactured.

Unless know the person of the history I don't purchase used anymore. Same of most of the auction sites.

https://www.leupold.com/service-support/resources/counterfeit-warning

[MostlyLeverGuns]

I've used the Leupold 2.5-20 since the 80's. I think I have 3. They may be the toughest scopes available. My first choice for elk. One on Marlin 45-70, one on a Savage 99 358, one on a Marlin 444.

[Elroy]

Watch out for extra cheap Leupolds on that auction site. I am new to scopes and must not have have been using my brain.
Bought a new scope marked Leupold "VX-III 1.5-5x20" for less than $100. It arrived from China! It has got to be a copy. Came with warranty cards etc. Not a mention anywhere as to where it was manufactured.

Rooks rike you bought yourself a genuine imitation "Reupold" scope with grass so crear ,and rifetime warranty. ROR (Raugh out round)

[1hole]

Thanks, yep short range I think my longest shot ever was 125 yds majority at 50 ish yds

I have a 50s Balvar (Bosh&Lomb) 1.5-3x28 scope on my equally old Marlin 336/.35 Rem and my normal hunting sounds exactly like your's. That old scope still doesn't fog and the optics are quite good for distancies like our's; I wouldn't swap it, even up, for anything newer.

[M-Tecs]

Rooks rike you bought yourself a genuine imitation "Reupold" scope with grass so crear ,and rifetime warranty. ROR (Raugh out round)

:bigsmyl2::bigsmyl2::bigsmyl2::drinks::drinks:

[Beerd]

Elroy & M-Tecs nailed it.
Thank you both.:redneck:
..

[Lloyd Smale]

ive had a couple of them and they have held up fine and seem to have decent optics. Another favorite of mine too is the vx 1x4 leupolds. prices today make buying a fixed power scope not make sense. Variables are just as cheap and because they sell better many times have better glass for the same price to boot. good example is the leupold 4x. it uses the last generation technology glass and the 1x4 uses the latest. Don't know how much it matters though. But as far as durability. 1x4 and 1.5x5 leupolds have held up on African dangerous game rifles and guides trust there lives to them so I doubt your model 600 is going to break one.
.

I've found the Weaver V-3 1-3x20 variable hard to beat @ about $190: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1009768280

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/31NJ-6ipcFL._AC_SX466_.jpg

[roverboy]

Theres nothing at all wrong with a good 4x on most rifles. Unless of course your shooting past about 200 yards or so. I prefer 32mm objective lenses or less too. I've owned a few with 40 mm but, never cared that much for them.

[BAGTIC]

At those ranges I actually prefer a peep sight.

[1hole]

At those ranges I actually prefer a peep sight.

I used to, not now. Age hurts eyes more than scopes. But peeps have about died and that's a shame, they were very good sights and remain so today for most woods hunters.

The only rifle I have now with a peep is my old .54 caliber TC Renegade with set triggers and I'd be fried in hades before I'd put glass on a muzzle loader; that just isn't what muzzle loader hunting is all about. IMHO. :(

[megasupermagnum]

About the only good reason I can think to ever buy a fixed power scope would be something like a 2x pistol scope. Even then, price is the only real advantage over a 1.5-4x variable. On rifle scopes, why waste your time. It isn't weight. Lets compare Leupold. The fixed power FX-3 6x weighs 13.6 ounces. By comparison the 4-12x weights 13.1 ounces, and the 2-7 weights 11.1 ounces. It isn't price, you can buy the Leupold VX-Freedom for around $200, maybe less on ebay.


I've been pleased with the lower power 2x and 3x scopes. By 6x, I've always found myself wanting more or less.

Buy the variable, and especially look into that Leupold 1.5-4x. You will wonder why you stuck with a fixed for so long.

[tazman]

As my eyes deteriorate over the years, I have found myself wanting more power. WHile harder to hold steady, it does make it easier to see the target.

[RU shooter]

Yeah peeps are out . My eyes can't do it any more and our state has antler restrictions and counting and seeing enough points on that rack is important . Most bucks I see are borderline legal but I'm a meat hunter so barely legal is dinner . Sorta hate to break up this scope /gun combo my dad put that old 2.5x on that gun when he bought it in 1965 , gonna look weird with a new scope .

[fecmech]

Seems to me there is some fellow who refurbs old Weavers at reasonable prices. It might pay you to do a search as you like the combo you have. I'm a fan of those old 2.5X Weavers . I bought two from Flounderman on this site for $50.each about a year apart. I've got one on a Savage 340 30-30 and the other on a Henry .22 lever.

[725]

I have & love the Leupold 2 x 7's. Small, light & versatile.

[Meatpuppet]

I am in the "Old Eyes" club. My handguns are migrating to Dot Sights and my rifle boolets are more like me; heavy and slow. I have really grown to love the Trijicon AccuPoint 1-4x24 Riflescope with the Triangle Post sight. Out to 150yds it is easy shooting.
263384

[GhostHawk]

I have taken a slightly different track. I have some 3x9's and 4x12's on very accurate rifles.
But at least 5 of my shooters are sporting a Truglo 2x Red Dot sight.

Out to 75 yards it will hang right with a scope. Plus faster target acquisition. At 100 yards the increased power available gives it increased precision.

Even a good 2.5 moa dot means your bullets are going to land someplace in that 2.5" circle. Where a variable scope can dial up the power and stack them all up.

But for a rifle that is not so much a range toy, more of a woods walking gun it has IMO a lot of potential.
Also it won't break the bank.

Prices have been as low as 54$ to mid 60's.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000OICEUM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Drm50]

Two things, having a old Weaver repaired is a bad move. They were the thing at one time but by the time you ship and pay basic labor charge you are talking $100. For that you can find a good used one if you look. I had Weaver variables they didn’t hold up on 12g slug gun or 375H&H Sako.
You can find both of them south of the border, they are now being used as maracas.

[rintinglen]

https://www.amazon.com/LEUPOLD-VX-Freedom-2-7x33-Duplex-174178/dp/B079G13WJK/ref=pd_lpo_200_t_1/130-8371320-7246553?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B079G13WJK&pd_rd_r=287d5c26-233a-4b9d-bbb5-bc7270fa24d9&pd_rd_w=4t5nN&pd_rd_wg=LkDpU&pf_rd_p=7b36d496-f366-4631-94d3-61b87b52511b&pf_rd_r=S28ZW4W9THD9P73TWP0H&psc=1&refRID=S28ZW4W9THD9P73TWP0H
Leupold 2x7x33, VX-freedom, 199.99 from Amazon.
I have Redfield Revolutions of similar power and size mounted on a Savage 99 and a Ruger American 308. They Run a little less, have a limited life-time warranty and are made in America.
Optics planet has them for about 183 bucks.

[swheeler]

This should be right up your alley, bright and clear, super light and seems bullet proof. Leupold Freedom 1.5-4

https://i.imgur.com/1YHWEC7.jpg

[RU shooter]

Yep that's the one I plan on getting seems like it's about the best bang for the buck for what I'm looking for

[Texas by God]

This should be right up your alley, bright and clear, super light and seems bullet proof. Leupold Freedom 1.5-4

https://i.imgur.com/1YHWEC7.jpgThat's a nice rifle, too. Is it in a thumper cartridge?
Duh. I overlooked the fat neon green boolits.....

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[dverna]

Yeah peeps are out . My eyes can't do it any more and our state has antler restrictions and counting and seeing enough points on that rack is important . Most bucks I see are borderline legal but I'm a meat hunter so barely legal is dinner . Sorta hate to break up this scope /gun combo my dad put that old 2.5x on that gun when he bought it in 1965 , gonna look weird with a new scope .

Very good point about being able to count antler points. I hunt with a camp that has an 8 pt or better rule. I have never had great vision and I really appreciate a scope with good clarity but I need more than 4x.

My point is your eyes will not get any better. Give some thought to a 2-7 power. I have my scope set at maximum so I can count the points. I always take the shot at the max setting...but I am hunting from a blind or still hunting. If I need to track a deer I turn the magnification down.

I missed a 275 yard shot three years ago. I had dropped the rifle earlier in the week and could not verify POI. The scope was a cheaper Nikon and POI changed 5 MOA. I will never put an inexpensive scope on a hunting rifle. A well built solid scope will weigh more so there is a trade off.

[TNsailorman]

Buy the best, not necessarily most expensive scope. Do some reading on testing sites and you will find a good answer. Since antlers are not very tasty, I see your point. I have used Burris, Leupold and older Bausch & Lomb with great results. I even have a Simmons 3x9 Whitetail Classic that will hold its own with anything under $800.00; clear as a bell and holds zero better than some of the more expensive models of scopes. But IT IS unusual in that respect, as scopes in its price range usually come with limitations. It may even be a one of a kind as the Whitetail Classic does not fair very well in reviews. I just wish some of the scope makers would offer more fixed power scopes like the older ones as I usually use my scopes sighted in and they remain set on the highest power. I have a Leupold 6x38mm M8 scope that is about ideal for 200 yards and under. I have also found that any scope over 7 or 8 X really needs an adjustable objective to be able to adjust for different distances encountered. my experience anyway, james

[curioushooter]

Personally, I love low powered fixed scopes. I really like the old Leupold Ultralight 2.5x20 which is a very useful scope in so many applications. A 22LR? Yes. A little pistol caliber carbine? Yes. A 30-30 Lever gun? Yes. Most single shot rifles? Yes. A slug-gun? Yes. Even basically any big game rifle is a good fit for this scope. About the only application to which it is not suited is to shooting paper at long ranges or on a varmint rifle. I got mine for 200 bucks not too long ago.

Another scope I like is the Leupold VX-1 1-4x20 "shotgun" or "muzzloader scope." I got one of these for 180 not too long ago.

But the most impressive scope I've had lately is the Leupold VX-R Patrol 1-4x30mm scope with fire-dot ballistic reticle and eternally adjustable turrets (that are not under a cap). This thing is simply amazing. It is indeed more than what anyone would need for typical gun chores though. I believe it is intended for police marksmen. Midway was running an exclusive sale on these scopes not too long ago, selling them for approximately half of what their MSRP. Which completely explodes the idea that you get what you pay for with scopes. The truth is you get about half what you pay for if I am assuming that Midway was selling them at cost.

Another optical piece I've really come to appreciate are Ultradots. The basic 20 mm Ultradot with a 2MOA reticle is very useful for so many things, including handguns. There is no eye relief issue with red dots, which makes them incredibly flexible. Aim/Point and shoot!

[W.R.Buchanan]

A Leupold 1-4 x VX1 is <$200. I have one on my R1 Pellet gun which is a beast! no problem!

I have a Leupold VX3 1-5X on my Ruger Guide Gun .30-06. I paid $300 for it used and it came off a .416 Rigby Mauser Rifle. It has been perfect for 15+ years.

Randy

[Zingger]

I would like to echo some of the others with the Leupold M8, but in a 6x magnification. We have been changing out and getting away from the variable magnification and going to the M8 when we can find them. The last one I bought a friend of mine found at a gunshow. Even with his finder's fee it was under a $100 bill. That scope resides on the wife's 6.5x55 Tikka. The 9.3x62 wears a leupold freedom 1.75-4? Freedom with the pig plex on it. Great little scope. Any way you look at it, the scope is an investment that shouldn't be skimped on. I drank from the cool-aid that a "Scope is a scope" and boy was I wrong! Good luck on your search.

[444ttd]

i have two 2-7x Leopold Freedom on my tc encore in 500 linebaugh(23" MGM barrel) and my husky m46 in 9.3x57. i think it was $200 for each and a lifetime warranty. i'm going to get one for my youngest son in a 93 Spanish mauser in 7x57 in a green mountain barrel.