I am admittedly new to the world of shooting, having purchased the majority (3) of my guns in the last 6 months. I own a mauser 98 vz-24 .30-06 and would like to put a scope on it (tired of just looking through the rings). However, I am decidedly poor (college student). I'd like something functional for under 200 dollars. It occurred to me however that perhaps an expensive scope would be somewhat less practical on this rifle. I am aware that this isn't much to work with, but I know next to nothing about scopes and guns in general. Could someone please give me some advice on what scope to consider?

If you are willing to get a used scope you could easily get a nice Leupold or Bushnell for about that price on ebay or even your gun shop.

i would do one of two things:

1) put all the money i could muster into a fixed 4Xor 6X and plan on leaving it on the gun for good or

2)buy a inexpensive scope for under $50 or so and plan on replacing it down the road.

the only scopes i can reccomend are Leupold. there are many other brands that are worthy of consideration, but leupold is the only brand i've used without any failures, so therefore the only brand i'll reccomend.
the Mightypirate has a good idea about ebay. i'd check that out. just make sure is says "no damage" in the description.

monty

From one college student to another...

I was in the same situation last year. I was persuaded to get a Simmons Aetec 3.8-12x scope. I have to say it is a really nice scope for the price. If I remember correctly I paid $150 for it. I mounted it on my Remington 700 6mm VLS and it has consistently allowed me to shoot 3 shots at 100 yards into the same hole (covered by a dime, not bad considering the hole is .243 wide). When I purchased it I had my doubts because I'm a firm believer in "you get what you pay for", but it's never let me down. My longest shot was a groundhog at 272yards and hit'em dead center. Go with the Simmons Aetec.

Go Mountaineers!

If you have the opportunity to visit some gun shops or gun shows in your area it may be possible to pick up a good used Leupold, Burris or Weaver Grand Slam scope for your price range.

The Simmons line of scope seem OK for their costs. Recently had an Atec 2.5x10 fail while on a 30-06. Sent it in to them and was replaced with a new one for the cost of shipping. The only Leupold and Burris scopes that were damaged through my own fault were repaired by the respective companys at no cost to me. Can't say the same for a Redfield - they charged $80 for repair, back in the early 70's! Last Redfield ever bought.

Only other company that gave me a tough time on warranty work was Bushnell - they aren't rated too high in my book anymore, either!

Yeah I've found that bushnell is a little stingy when it comes to warranties. "No sir, when we say 3 year warranty we mean 3 Venus years, not 3 Earth years. You silly american"

You can buy a brand new Leupold for less than $200 (2x7 VX-I). Check around....

I am admittedly new to the world of shooting, having purchased the majority (3) of my guns in the last 6 months. I own a mauser 98 vz-24 .30-06 and would like to put a scope on it (tired of just looking through the rings). However, I am decidedly poor (college student). I'd like something functional for under 200 dollars. It occurred to me however that perhaps an expensive scope would be somewhat less practical on this rifle. I am aware that this isn't much to work with, but I know next to nothing about scopes and guns in general. Could someone please give me some advice on what scope to consider?
I'd buy the Leupold Rifleman Series at www.midsouthshooters.com. They've got a 3x9 40mm for $199.99 cat # 024-56160, 1-800-272-3000.

Yeah I've found that bushnell is a little stingy when it comes to warranties. "No sir, when we say 3 year warranty we mean 3 Venus years, not 3 Earth years. You silly american"
I've also gotten poor customer service from Bushnell. Bought a Scopechief in the 80's and the reticle broke. Sent it back to Bushnell and got it back in 3-4 months. The only problem was when I got it back it was fuzzy and couldn't get it tofocus ever again. Got frustrated and finally threw it in the garbage can.

Pirate & Hunter,

Your stories are quite different than a friend of mine who had problems with a scope that was over 15 years old. He couldn't get the recticles to move anymore so sent it back to Bushnell and was issued a new scope. The whole process took only 2 weeks. Considering all the hassles with anything firearms related here in Canada we thought the service had been great.

I think it was me and kdub that had problems. Anyways, I've only known one other person who had a bushnell scope and had trouble. So I'm sure theres probably thousands of other people who are quite happy.

You didn't mention what your going to do with this combo one the marriage is complete. Are you hunting or target shooting. Each will require a different type of scope. Hunting would dictate something in the range of 3-9 or 1.5/2-7 power variable with the lower power setting used for most situations and if a longer shot were taken and the power needed then crank it up to the higher power. If target shooting only then the higher powers would be needed. There are dozens of scopes that would fit your pocket book, do what you want and still have money left to buy good rings and mounts. Don't fall for all the hype out there as all manufacturers make good dependable scopes. If you buy there bottom line scopes that's what you get. If top of the line then better quality. Kind of like Sears good, better, best way of marketing. I've used Leupold, Bushnell, Nikon and various other makes who I wouldn't mention but have had good service from the mentioned brands. All were on hunting rifles and with the exception of a few high power variables for varmit hunting all are 3x9's. I learned the hard way this hunting season to use the lower power settings for hunting on the 3x9's. Only advice I can give is stay away from scopes under sixty dollars and then be very cautious on scopes up to the 130 dollar range and if they are over 130 dollars are they new/used, from a reputable manufacture and is it there bottom line, middle line or top of the line? Of course the acid test is what works for you!

Well for big game hunting the 2x7 will serve you well! Varmint hunting opt for a 4 x 12........Make it a Leupold and your set to go without a breakdown. :D

P. S. Buy the scope NEW and get a lifetime warranty!

I never see anybody mention anything like layaway (or whatever they call it where you are). IMO its a good deal, you can pay on your scope (or whatever else it is you're after) as your budget allows, and then its yours. Am i the only one that does that?

I never see anybody mention anything like layaway (or whatever they call it where you are). IMO its a good deal, you can pay on your scope (or whatever else it is you're after) as your budget allows, and then its yours. Am i the only one that does that?
excuse me for going off thread...but....My wife and I use to have a policy of always having something in lay-away. You don't miss the few dollars the payments usually amount to and your gaining the things you want to own without going into debt or having finance charges. Several of my guns have been purchased with layaway, and knowing your slowly buying a new gun is kinda like waiting for Christmas morning to come!

First of all, thanks to everyone for the advice; I'm very impressd with the rapid responses. All the help is very much appreciated. I intend to use the scoped rifle for hunting if that's any assistance. Thanks again.

My intent wasn't to go off-thread, but i do think that layaway is a good way to buy things that one couldn't otherwise afford, or not afford all at one time. Wal-mart used to carry the Leupold Vari-x II 3x9 for $245 (and may still), several of my rifles wear this scope, and almost always used at 5x or less, even for fairly long shots. Turning the power ring up increases the size of the image (and the apparent shake of the shooter), not the ability of the rifle to shoot further.......

i would suggest a bushnell 6-18x56mm dusk&dawn i own two one on a ruger 7 mag the other on a ruger 280 ive had one of them for the last 6 years and have had no problems thats why i decided to get another for the 280 about 4 months ago they are in your price range and a darn good scope for the money about $140.00 will get you going

I'll recommend Leupold. How good are they? I've had a fixed power 24x for 26 years on my Remington 700 Varmint Special.

Montanahonky...

I'm a Bushnell fan and have 5 of the Banner Series on my rifles. The oldest being a little over 35 years old. I favor the 1.5 X 4.5. It might just be my experience, but I've never had a problem with any of them despite continous use. Even have a 1.5 X 4.5 on my Marlin 444P.

I understand the lack of funds so here is some help...

Bushnell Banner web site (http://www.bushnell.com/productinfo/riflescopes/banner.html) and the best prices I've ever found is at D&R Sports (https://www.dnrsports.net/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=DSC&Category_Code=scopesbsn). These folks aren't allowed to list their prices on Range Finders anymore because of the complaints that Bushnell has received from their other dealers. I've got kin that is a Bushnell Dealer and his prices are higher then D&R retails for.

Good luck in all your shooting and hunting.

This vendor has some good prices on leupold glass.


http://www.bullseyesupplies.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PLST&Store_Code=bullseyesupplies


I haven't purchased anything from them, just found them surfin' on the web. Check out the vx1 3x9...lowest price I have seen anywhere.

I just got a Burris Fullfield II 3-9x40 off of ebay for $178.
Good scope, forever warantee, and made in USA (lenses too!). This is my first scope...now I just have to get a gun to put it on :rolleyes:. I am trying to find a Savage 11F with the accutrigger in .308 but I don't think they have shipped them out of the factory yet.