What do you think is the best budget scope?

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Raden1943

Raden1943

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Feb 1, 2022
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CA, United States
So to start off I have my own opinions on what is the best budget scope. I usually go with the hawk vantage in either 4x fixed or 2x7. My purposes are general airgun hunting inside of a maximum of 50 yards but most often under 35. The purpose of this thread is to see if there have been any new developments in optics that might change my mind. I need a new scope for a 20 cal airforce talon p for my kid so a small scope like the vantage would be my preferred choice but any of your favorite scopes would be welcome. Let's cap the price at 200 dollars as this is my idea of budget. I found that at 130 dollars the vantage is durable enough even for a springer and clear enough for my purposes but looking forward to seeing if there is a cheaper alternative or clearer glass for a bit more. Thanks fellas. - Raden
 
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I like the SFP Athlon Talos 4-16x40 with Mildot because the turrets are capped and in .1 mil increments, also mils are correct at 10x. It has acceptable glass and there's nothing I can complain about for the price.
There's a 3-12 version too.

Mine was $160 when I bought it 3 years ago. Might have to shop around to get one for under $200 nowadays.
 
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Athlon Talos or Vector Veyron are solid choices. I use both and I believe the image is slightly better on the Talos but I like the features and size of the Veyron more. I have a Hawke Vantage too and although it does nothing wrong I would place it behind these two. It comes down to what you like. If FFP is important to you, than it's the Veyron, which I think is the only one of these three that you can get in either FFP or SFP. I'm not sure of that though because I haven't checked lately.
 
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Vector Veyron is unbeatable for the money 3-12x44, 4-16x44 and 6-24x44 in standard or ir versions. 10.5 inches, 18oz, clear, FFP and nice looking.
Edgun West keeps them in stock if you don't mind shopping there.

opplanet-vector-optics-veyron-riflescope-6-24x44mm-first-focal-plane-mil-cm-mpr-4-etched-glass...jpg

opplanet-vector-optics-veyron-riflescope-6-24x44mm-first-focal-plane-mil-cm-mpr-4-etched-glass...jpg
 
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steve123 said:
I like the SFP Athlon Talos 4-16x40 with Mildot because the turrets are capped and in .1 mil increments, also mils are correct at 10x. It has acceptable glass and there's nothing I can complain about for the price.
There's a 3-12 version too.

Mine was $160 when I bought it 3 years ago. Might have to shop around to get one for under $200 nowadays.
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Only thing i dislike with mine is its weight.. its a tank and kinda makes a lighter gun feel top heavy to me ..lol. outside that cant complain. There neos may be fine as well for a tad less. + Athlon has that no ? Asked warranty. ( Well they do ask one and thats the return address)..
 
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Mo-Ron said:
Only thing i dislike with mine is its weight.. its a tank and kinda makes a lighter gun feel top heavy to me ..lol. outside that cant complain. There neos may be fine as well for a tad less. + Athlon has that no ? Asked warranty. ( Well they do ask one and thats the return address)..
Click to expand...

Just wondering, are you sure your scope is the SFP 1" tubed 4-16x40??? This one is a pretty light scope for what it is at 1.04 lbs and the 3-12 is less than that. There's the 30mm tubed Talos 4-14x44 which is FFP and heavier but still I wouldn't consider it heavy.
 
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I just guess on/at my stuff blindly..😜 my Talos is the heaviest. Here's one of mine the fay i got it maybe 2-3 years ago .. maybe they revamped them and now make them lighter ? Honestly its a nit pic negative but noticed right off. Would i buy again , probably. It's been a good scope and been hammered on springers ,so...

IMG_20210625_173301500.jpg
 
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rc4fun said:
Has the AIM Sports Inc Alpha 6 4.5-27X50 gone out of fashion. The only bad thing is that the focus can be difficult but a wheel fixes that.
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My Alpha 6 has been pretty good, I use it to check ammo choices at 100 yards, but I find scopes this size to be too big/heavy for carry. The OP asked about a scope for his kid to use, which it would be awful for, but I do believe it is a good 100y bench scope for the money.
 
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Good to know guys. I noticed that alot of these scopes are higher magnification than I really want. A 3x9 would be good but I like less than that for hunting. I also want a smaller scope. The bug buster seems to be an OK option at the bottom of the budget spectrum but when I went to get one cyclops Joes video made me decide to go with the vantage. I have 2 swfa SS 10x and they are great but I'm really looking for a smaller scope for my daughter's tiny gun. I would however consider the vector or some of the other options you guys mentioned for one of my rifles. Thanks fellas.
 
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badger5th said:
I like my UTG BugBuster 3-12x32AO. Despite the smaller objective size clearer glass than any other cheaper 40/44mm I own. Accurate mildot ranging when set at 10x. Also can't beat the compactness and weight.
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I agree, I was shooting at 100y yesterday and just held off 3 dots low for a 1.44" group. JUST enough magnification to see hits clearly.

A little too much refraction facing toward the sun, shade helps.
 
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www.opticsplanet.com

Hawke Sport Optics Vantage 4x32mm Rifle Scope, Color: Black, Tube Diameter: 1 in, Up to 19% Off and After Mail-in Rebate w/ Free Shipping — 3 models

Shop Hawke Sport Optics Vantage 4x32mm Rifle Scope | Up to 19% Off Highly Rated on 9 Reviews for Hawke Sport Optics Vantage 4x32mm Rifle Scope After Mail-in Rebate + Free Shipping over...
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You can get the 4x Mil-dot AO Hawke Vantage right now for $85 at Optics Planet, weighing 13 ounces, it's lighter than most. Kids really like red dots or reflex sights a lot too and there is no eye relief or alignment issues, just fun. They weigh as little as 2 ounces.
 
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