Best Hunting Scope under $400

[J&T's 82]

I am in the market for a new hunting scope. My average shot will be 75 - 200 yards. The following are ones I have been looking at

- Nikon Prostaff / Monarch
- Vortex Diamondback / Viper
- Leupold VXII
- Zeiss Tierra

Out of these which one is the best for the money or should I be looking elsewhere?

[Craizie]

Holy shit, when did the viper vortex drop so much in price?

[J&T's 82]

Holy shit, when did the viper vortex drop so much in price?

SWFA has a 6-24 X 50 Viper HS on closeout for $399.

[YALE]

SWFA has a 6-24 X 50 Viper HS on closeout for $399.

Unless you're legally blind, and need that much magnification, you will really hate that scope for under 200yds.

[J&T's 82]

Unless you're legally blind, and need that much magnification, you will really hate that scope for under 200yds.

Yep. I don't need any more than a 3X9. Just letting the other guy know that the price on the Vipers are coming down.

[YALE]

Yep. I don't need any more than a 3X9. Just letting the other guy know that the price on the Vipers are coming down.

Ah, my bad then.

[Sleeper]

id buy the 6-24 and use it accordingly.

Juust because it goes up to 24x dont try and use it in a hunting situation. When i hunt i turn my scopes down to 4-6x and adjust up as needed. A 300 yard shot with 24x on a bipod would be nice tho.

[CJ]

You're confusing the Viper with the Viper PST, big difference.

From what you posted all of them are decent. The Nikon's have clear glass but lack internal adjustment. If you're shooting short range or flat shooting guns that doesn't really matter. Zeiss always has good glass. Viper's have a little CA in their glass, not quite a clear but they make up for it with adjustments/features. And the Leupolds have decent clarity, but lack features.

The Nikon isn't a bad choice, just get the BDC reticule and the app for your phone, super nifty little tool. All of them are good choices to be honest, but the Nikon stands out imho.

[Craizie]

I've been up for a while....

[CJ]

Their nomenclature is stupid.

[GrayStangGT]

I've got two of the Ziess Conquest and love them, they can be found in the $400s now for the older model.

http://www.redhawkrifles.com/products/conquest-scopes/zeiss-conquest-scope-3-9x50mm-matte-20-z-plex-reticle

[dee]

The Elite series by Bushnell is another one to consider. They are built well and have great glass. Imo Leupold is overpriced unless bought at a discount. Nikon is pretty good but has a sketchy warranty on their products.

[motoman]

The Elite series by Bushnell is another one to consider. They are built well and have great glass. Imo Leupold is overpriced unless bought at a discount. Nikon is pretty good but has a sketchy warranty on their products.

X2 on the Bushnell Elite.

If you really want to save some money, Primary Arms came out with a 4-14x40 FFP scope that's been getting great reviews.

https://www.primaryarms.com/Primary-Arms-4-14X44-FFP-Scope-p/pa4-14xffp.htm

[dee]

X2 on the Bushnell Elite.

If you really want to save some money, Primary Arms came out with a 4-14x40 FFP scope that's been getting great reviews.

https://www.primaryarms.com/Primary-...pa4-14xffp.htm

I've heard some hit or miss things on the glass in the primary arms scope. Some say it's pretty good others say it is not usable past certain magnifications. It does seem to offer a lot for the money spent besides elevation travel is pretty small.

[CJ]

Yes the Bushnell 4200 elite is a good piece of glass.