what scope?

[fishy]

I have a Ruger M77 Hawkeye right now that I would like to put a different scope on. Right now I have it topped with a leupold rifleman 4-12x40. Not exactly sure what I want yet, but I do want to get something a little more powerful. Another requirement is I would like to keep it in the $350 range. Any of your thoughts are appreciated.

Thanks

[Hotshot]

My first choice is Leupold, but you won't step up much in that budget unless you find a killer deal on a used one.
Check out Burris Fullfield II, that's a good product for the money.

[Trent]

You could take a look through the SWFA used/demo website.
http://www.samplelist.com/ViewProducts.aspx

Sightron
Nikon (not the current Monarchs though, evidently they aren't up to par)
Burris
Bushnell
Weaver
Vortex
SWFA

Just some ideas.

[acloco]

Contact RIO. He might still have a 6-18x40 Leupold for sale.

[Rick in Oregon]

acloco: Thanks for the referral buddy, but it's sold and down the road. No used Leupold's available from here at present.

P.S. In the scope Dept., you've certainly been a busy boy yourself!

[RowdyYates]

Midway has a special model Nikon Buckmaster 6-18X40mm with mil-dot reticle for $309. Side-focus, 1/8" clicks, extra set of target knobs and sunshade included; glass not quite as good as a Monarch, but as good or better than most other in that $ range. I have one and after getting used to the bit of "tunnel vision", it's become one of my favorites. Also, some places like Natchez have Bushnell 3500 Elites on closeout: <$300 for a 7-21X (might be out of stock) or 250 bucks or so for a 5-15X40; were formerly (arguably) overpriced, but if one prefers AO, they are now in the running. I have the 7-21, and prefer the Nikon, but that's mainly because the Bushnell's not SF, and not for performance/reliability issues of the Elite.

[NESHOOTER]

fishy,
Alot of good advice already, but my father bought a Alaskan Guide from cabelas , its power was 4.5x12 and anyhow it was not power enough for his uses on a .223 varmint, so was going to return it after it was unmounted came over to my house and was sharing with me and what I found out was very pleasing so much so I put it on my 30-06 customized long range shooter. The optics to look through was crystal clear edge to edge and the EBX drop reticle was the ticket for the long range shooting the crosshairs did not block the target at my shooting distances. Anyhow on to what he did get was a 6x18 with the same reticle and now has enough power for varmint shooting and it is SF/ 50MM objective lens and the optics are as nice and it has a life time warranty and is around 315.00 you may want to consider this, I have never owned a Millett but the reviews are in favor for those as well.

[No Quarter]

Weaver V24

[fishy]

Thanks for all the advice fella's. I haven't done much research as of yet, but intend on doing some this weekend. All I have ever owned is leupold and would really like to stick with another one, but after recently switching jobs with a substantial cut in pay, I figured I would try and give another brand a try.

[ryutzy]

I would check out Vortex, but after owning Leopolds, be careful what you buy because you just might be disappointed.

[fishy]

after owning Leopolds, be careful what you buy because you just might be disappointed.

That's kinda what I am worried about. My problem is that I really dont know anything but Leupold. I did get a chance last weekend to shoot my cousins AR with a Nikon Buckmaster on it (not sure what model) and was surprised by the clarity. At this point I think I will find a couple in the price range I am shooting for and head to the local Cabela's and take a look at them. Once again , thanks for the advice.

[Trent]

after owning Leopolds, be careful what you buy because you just might be disappointed.

That's kinda what I am worried about. My problem is that I really dont know anything but Leupold. I did get a chance last weekend to shoot my cousins AR with a Nikon Buckmaster on it (not sure what model) and was surprised by the clarity. At this point I think I will find a couple in the price range I am shooting for and head to the local Cabela's and take a look at them. Once again , thanks for the advice.

All my competition rifles wear Leupold scopes. I also have a Nikon Buckmaster in 4.5-14x with BDC. I ame extremely happy with the clarity of that particular scope. Very crisp and clear. I wish I had bumped up to the 6-18x Buckmaster, but the 4.5-14x is a fantastic coyote and big game scope. Great bang for the buck.

Speaking of competitions... I gotta get to bed. I have to get up at 2:30am and head to Arizona for the high power silhouette state championships this weekend. I have no idea what I am thinking about screwing around here on the internet! Cheers!

[Glen]

FWIW-- i have 2 Swift Premier 4-12X40AO's. One on a 5MM RF & the other on my 221 FireBall. I just paid $169 shipped for the latest Swift.

[ryutzy]

Fishy- I have a new Nikon Monarch 4X16X50 with the BDC reticle and I was disappointed with the clarity on it. It looked pretty good in the store until I got out in the real world and I wish my money would have gone on another scope. I think most Nikons are decent, but this one is not worth the money that I forked out. The scope works well other than the clarity issue.

[fishy]

Well, I did make it to Cabela's yesterday in Mitchell SD, but didn't get much time to look as I was Up there for work and was limited on time. I did take a look at the Nikon Buckmaster series briefly and think I will give them a second look. I am also thinking about looking at the Pine Ridge series that Cabelas offers, but am also thinking I might hold off till I can afford what I really want. The latter might be the best option as I dont want to be disappointed.
Heres a photo of me with the AR mentioned above