I still cant decide between these 3 for my 6.5
Bushnell xlt 3-9x40 @ £119
Nikon prostaff 3-9x40 @ £149
Burris fullfield 3-9x40 @ £169
Or should i spend the extra and get a leupold 3-9x40 @ £249
Several points for you.
Firstly, I wouldn't have a Bushnell product given to me. Strike it off your list. You will be disappointed with it. Also, I paid £100 equivalent in US $ for a top end fixed power 4x40 Nikon in 1987. It's a pretty good scope: I've still got it. I can't imagine that a Nikon
variable costing £149 today is going to be of the same optical quality. Like Leupold, Burris make severl grades of scope. I would only consider their top end scopes (same as I would Leupold).0
Secondly, if you're ona tight budget, buy a fixed power scope. For the same money you will get a better scope (because no money is going into the mechanics of a variable). And buying a second hand fixed power scope (presuming it's in good condition) will be an even better buy. Look at the classifieds on this forum.
Thirdly, you only get what you pay for. If you buy a German/Austrian scope it will outperform those from the US or the Far East especially as the light fades at dusk. For deer stalking, that's what counts. A fixed power Hungarian made S&B has got to be one of the best value buys. That said, Leupold are over priced for what they are. In terms of optical quality, in my opinion, Burris equal Leupold but cost less because they do less marketing. Leupold has worked hard at being a 'name'. That doesn't mean it's a better product.
Fourthly, you will never regret buying a quality optic. You will regret buying a cheap scope - immediately after you return to your cheap scope having spent ten minutes looking through your mate's [S&B / Khales / Zeiss / Swarovski / Nikon / Burris / ...] scope.
Buy th every best you can afford.
-JMS