Budget optics

[archiebald98]

Hi what’s everyone’s opinions on the bottom end options?

Would be on a stalking rifle in 308

Currently looking at the

MINOX ZL3 3-9X40​

For £120 from sgc

Or the vector optics veyron 3-12 both around the same price


Are these the right scopes to be looking at or better off with something else? It’s just a stop gap optic until I buy something decent

 

[User00056]

At that price point I would avoid variable mag' as I just don't think you'll get the quality you need for a centrefire like the .308. I'd instead loot something like an older Zeiss Diatal 6 * 42 or similar. Having said that, if you can get a used Hawke Endurance or similar you might well find you like it well enough to keep it

 

[8x57]

I've got the ZL3 4-12x40 which I bought for about the same money you mention (I think) though the box is marked as £199.99
I've owned it for about four years and it's mounted on a .308 rifle and shot a few deer with it plus put just over 100 rounds through the rifle zeroing and practise.
It's an O.K. scope and has been fault free but it's not in the same class as say a Meopta. Unlike my old fixed power Meopta and Schmidt & Bender scopes which I can never see me getting rid of, I can't see me ever having any real attachment to this Minox. but it serves the purpose and is an inexpensive scope. Plus there was a guarantee with the Minox so for the money it's a good starter scope and probably good value for money.

However, I would also consider what Quixote said about considering an older better make second hand scope.

 

[Cranborne]

I recommend speaking to Steve Beatty at Ivythorn Sporting near Street in Somerset. He has plenty of fixed power Schmidt & Benders and Swarovskis which would be a good option. An 8x56 S&B is an excellent scope for stalking.

 

[HonestJohn]

@Edinburgh Rifles also has plenty of good high end scopes 2nd hand at very attractive prices. Far better investment than buying budget new scopes. Schmidt, swaro, Zeiss are the three you want, and nothing wrong with a fixed 6, 7, or 8x.

 

[GBR66]

I borrowed a rifle with a Minox scope on a .308 at a small competition on Sunday. Shot at 100m and 200m and I came 4th/17, without being able to check zero, so does the job but no idea about light gathering ability. For budget however I would back up 8x57 and suggest a Meopta 7x50 which was my old scope before I went variable....great bit of glass for the money.

 

[Loki]

Hi

Many of the Minox had the 'Comfort' warranty, as in if registered no worries (leastways as I understood it so 2no. registered

So cannot be more specific............Schott glass so for the price point one cannot expect a platinum standard.......

L

 

[Cogswell & Harrison]

Hi what’s everyone’s opinions on the bottom end options?

Would be on a stalking rifle in 308

Currently looking at the

MINOX ZL3 3-9X40​

For £120 from sgc

Or the vector optics veyron 3-12 both around the same price


Are these the right scopes to be looking at or better off with something else? It’s just a stop gap optic until I buy something decent

I have the very same scope but with the ballistic drop reticle along with a couple from the same model range in 2-7x35. All I can say is that I was not disappointed with my purchases, from SGC by the way a few years ago. Made in the Philippines, nice and bright with a wide image, well put together and holds zero without issue. My 3-9 sits on a .243 and the 2-7's sit on a .22 CZ455 and a BSA Ultra respectively, both the 2-7's were very easy to re-parallax to rimfire and air rifle ranges. Would I upgrade I don't feel a need really