Good cheap scope for RAR

[Escape Pod]

Well well, Christmas came early. After telling me I wasn’t allowed to buy any more toys for myself this year, my wife surprised me with my number 1 wish… A Ruger American Ranch in, you guessed it, 450 Bushmaster.

Now I need a good but affordable scope for it. I don’t imagine doing any shooting passed 200 yards, mostly hunting and target practice closer to 100y. Is something like a 3-9x good for 50-200 yards? A Leupold is probably out if my price range, but would a Vortex hold up to the recoil of a 450b? Would a red dot be out of the question if I wanted to be able to hunt beyond 100 yards?

[Al in Mi]

Vortex or Hawke would get my blessing.

[MOOSE EARS]

Cheap scopes are not a good idea for mounting on a 450BM. Leupold has some models priced around $200 when on sale. You may even find a used higher quality Leupold for $250. Spend the extra and don't look back but don't buy a cheap scope. Used Leupold's retain the lifetime warranty.

[SAWMAN]

"Good,cheap" - -> LOVE IT !!
Anything hanging on a wall display at Save a Buck Eds,in shrink wrap will do.
The added bonus will be,you will have something to complain about after your first range session.
Burris,Nikon,Leupold/Redfield should be considered. ---- SAWMAN

[Smokinbubba]

I'm a nikon buckmaster series guy myself but since they made the boneheaded move to stop making rifle scopes, they can be hard to find.

[coyote wacker]

Burris don't waste your money or time....they have cost me dearly when they should have counted....Leupold take your chances OK for small calibers start getting into the larger there going to be taking a trip back for repairs I would wait until I got 5-6 before sending back several times a year ....Nikon's I've just not been able to brake one and they have been on some super heavy recoiling calibers....Trijcons been running them for 8 years + have yet to bust one I really like there crosshairs....
Pick-up any other brand and take your chances....

The recoil of 450 Bushmaster is considerable if you start hand loading it can be very heavy in a light rifle like a Ruger American and destroy cheap scopes....

[Escape Pod]

Thanks for the feedback, all.

So far it sounds like a couple of the best bets, Nikon and Redfield, aren't manufactured anymore. And even a Leupold is a dicey bet.

How far out can I reliably aim with a red dot?

[s4s4u]

How far out can I reliably aim with a red dot?

Put a flip to side 3x magnifier behind it and you can reach out as far as the bullet will fly.

[Hoot]

I have several Redfield Widefield 3-9x40 scopes that were my dad's. He only bought Redfields. Unfortunately, he had a bad habit of plastering his scopes with camo tape. So, I have several with old. ornery camo tape residue on them that needs to be removed. It was on my winter to do list along with three Savage 24V combo guns suffering from the same fate, that I need to get after with the Goo Gone and a lot of elbow grease. If you're willing to spend some time and energy removing the camo tape residue from an otherwise great scope, I can make you a good deal on one and help ensure domestic tranquility.

Hoot

[plant_one]

How far out can I reliably aim with a red dot?

Put a flip to side 3x magnifier behind it and you can reach out as far as the bullet will fly.

thats also gonna depend on how big the red dot is

if its got a 12 MOA dot, at 200 yds your aiming point is gonna be 24" across.



if you get a sight with a 2 moa dot... at the same distance your aiming point is gonna be 4"


just somethign to consider.