I am looking for a relatively inexpensive scope for my Savage 93R17TR.  It currently has a cheap BSA 3-9x40 Sweet 17 scope mounted with some decent rings...but I want a better scope and more magnification.  I will only be using this for target shooting [paper] at ranges of 100(+?) yards.  9x is pretty much worthless for seeing a .17" hole on anything other than a pure white background, though I'm guessing my BSA's optics quality is also a small factor in this. 

 

I have to admit I prefer side focus scopes, not sure why, but I do.  I also don't want anything smaller than a 40mm objective.  The rings I have put my 40mm scope bell about 2-3mm above the barrel, so I'm hoping to avoid buying new rings.  Lastly, I cannot spend more than $300-325 for this scope.

 

I've narrowed my choices to these:

 

Nikon Buckmasters 4.5-14x40 BDC Side Focus - http://www.opticsplanet.com/nikon-riflescope-buckmasters-4-14x40.html

My first choice, most similar to Nikon 6-18x40 I have and love, good zoom range, has side focus, priced on higher side

 

Bushnell Elite 10x40 Mildot - http://www.opticsplanet.com/bushnell-elite-10x40-mildot-target-turrets-argon-fixed-riflescope.html

Shortest range, but no zoom should mean cleaner image and better quality, plus second cheapest.  I just don't think 10x is enough for 100yds and .17" holes.  That said, still my second choice.

 

Leupold VX-1 4-12x40 ? Duplex, matte - http://www.opticsplanet.com/leupold-vari-x-i-4-12x40mm-rifle-scope-with-gloss-black-finish-and-duplex-reticle.html

Leupold quality, shorter range, potentially most expensive in my list, no side focus, my third choice

 

Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 4.5-14x44 Mildot - http://www.opticsplanet.com/bushnell-legend-ultra-hd-4-5-14x44mm-rifle-scope.html

Decent zoom, side focus, will likely require new rings, higher end of pricing

 

Nikon Prostaff 4-12x40 Mildot - http://www.opticsplanet.com/nikon-prosaff-4-12x40-mildot.html

Nikon glass, decent zoom, lowest priced, no side focus

 

Redfield Revenge 6-18x44 Accu Ranger - http://www.opticsplanet.com/redfield-revenge-6-18x44mm-rifle-scope.html

Don't know much about the company, longest zoom, middle of price ranges I'm looking at, no side focus, likely need additional rings

 

Vortex Diamondback 4-12x40 AO Dead Hold - http://www.opticsplanet.com/vortex-diamondback-4-12x40-ao-rifle-scopes.html

Heard good things about some Vortex scopes, not sure if this is one of them, no side focus, higher side of pricing, shorter range

 

Burris 4.5-14x42 Ballistic Plex -  http://www.opticsplanet.com/burris-45-14x42mm-fullfield-ii-rifle-scope.html

Again, don't know much about the company, only that I know of the name, longer zoom, no side focus, higher side of pricing, might need new rings

 

 

Anyone have thoughts on my choices?  Of course, I'm also open to other quality scopes.  Any suggestions and comments are always welcomed.  Thanks in advance!

I have the Bushnell Elite Tactical 10x on my precision AR and have been pretty happy with it. Due to a desire to hunt coyote/fox with the rifle I have been looking to switch it up to a scope with adjustable magnification(10x doesn't offer enough FOV when picking off critters). If you'd like to take a look through the scope and send a few rounds downrange with it shoot me a PM. I will say that I am unable to see .224 holes @ 100yds with it though.

Take a look at the Mueller. Great glass for the money. I had one on a .22 and it worked like a charm. Optics Planet is doing free shipping and 10% off for the remainder of December.

 

http://www.opticsplanet.com/mueller-optics-4-5-14x40mm-ao-apv-rifle-scope.html

 

C

Take a look at the Mueller. Great glass for the money. I had one on a .22 and it worked like a charm. Optics Planet is doing free shipping and 10% off for the remainder of December.

 

http://www.opticsplanet.com/mueller-optics-4-5-14x40mm-ao-apv-rifle-scope.html

 

C

+1. Mueller APV is an excellent scope.

vortex....

Vortex and Sightron are my best bang-for-the-buck scope companies these days. 

 

That said, I have a two or three of those Mueller APVs mentioned above and they fight WAY above their weight class.  They are as good or better than many $3-400 scopes.  In fact, one of mine resides on my Savage .17 HMR.  

 

Check reviews around the web.  It's almost universally loved.