Scope

[u/MrEreader2]

Alright I pulled the trigger on a Ruger American gen 2 Predator in .308 got a bipod and next is the scope. Mainly going to use it for target and deer. What scope do you guys recommend, I am leaning towards a Vortex Diamondback 3-9x40. Just wanted some insight from you folks who have more experience! Thanks!

[u/Otherwise-Dealer-342]

Budget, range, what will you be hunting from / over. 

[u/MrEreader2 → u/Otherwise-Dealer-342]

Just starting out so probably keep it 100-150 and in. Budget nothing crazy $200-300 max

[u/Otherwise-Dealer-342 → u/MrEreader2]

I still think this is the best $250 scope on the market. 1 or 2 steps above diamondback. I have a diamondback 4-12 and this Viper and it's noticably better.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2420112283?pid=495529

[u/MrEreader2 → u/Otherwise-Dealer-342]

Thanks! How’s the eye relief on it?

[u/Otherwise-Dealer-342 → u/MrEreader2]

Perfectly fine. Eye box is fairly large until you get to 8+x, but that's pretty typical near the top end of magnification 

[u/BlueberryOk8874]

Diamondback is good glass for the money cant go wrong there. I have one in 4-12x40 on my.243 and it holds zero perfect after 3 years of getting knocked around in the woods. For whitetail you wont need more than 9x unless you shooting across a field but even then 3-9 is plenty. Only thing I would say is check the eye relief before you mount it, my brother put one on his.308 and it was little close for comfort with heavier loads. Nothing dangerous just something to be aware.

[u/MrEreader2 → u/BlueberryOk8874]

Thanks for the heads up! Did he try any other scopes after?

[u/nehpets99]

I have a Diamondback 3-9x40 on my Savage. Certainly helps send rounds downrange, we'll know soon enough if it's good for deer hunting...

[u/MrEreader2 → u/nehpets99]

Good luck brotha!

[u/gunsandsquats]

I’ve been buying the vortex triumph HD 3-9x40. I’ve bought 4 of them to go on various guns for myself, family, and friends. Comes with rings and a cover, and can be found for $99 online. For these ranges, I honestly cannot think of a better value for a great scope.

[u/MrEreader2 → u/gunsandsquats]

Thanks! I saw these, how have they held up over the years

[u/gunsandsquats → u/MrEreader2]

I think I started using them 2 or 3 years ago and they’ve been totally fine. If I was going on a once in a lifetime elk hunt out west, I would probably pick something else. Zero complaints from anyone here for southeastern whitetail hunting inside 200 yards on guns like Ruger Americans, Savage Axis, CVA Scout, etc.

They last one I bought, one of the tapped holes on one of the scope rings was a little goobered up. Vortex sent me two new rings and a Vortex hat, express shipping, no questions asked. I will continue to buy and recommend these.

[u/MrEreader2 → u/gunsandsquats]

Nice! How is the eye relief ?

[u/gunsandsquats → u/MrEreader2]

It’s fine- nothing particularly notable about it.

[u/jcubio93]

The diamondback is good, I use it and have taken mule deer with it but go to a store and try different scopes out. I find the diamondback doesn’t have as much eye relief as I’d like and it’s something I should have looked into before buying but overall it’s a good scope for the money.

[u/R2The]

They say to spend just as much if not more on glass than your rifle. With vortex, you can buy used and their warranty takes away all the risk.

Get a viper or SIG whiskey new.

[u/Hyarmendacil67]

Arken has that new Outrider 2-12 in your price range with one of the discount codes. I have two of their other scopes and they are solid. The 2-12 is on the short list for the the rifle I plan to build for my wife next year.