I have two rifles which have relatively cheap scopes on them. One is a Nikon Buckmaster 3x9x40 and the other is a Bushnell Banner Dusk till Dark 4x12x40. I have made two recent trips to an indoor range to tinker with my rifles since I'm fixing to go deer hunting. There is no comparison between these two scopes. The Nikon is twice the scope that the Bushnell is for about $50 more. The Nikon is very clear, crisp, and really provides a great sight picture for the money. The Bushnell is not as clear and your sight picture is no where near as vibrant. It is much more difficult to acquire a decent sight picture with the Bushnell than it is with the Nikon. I have to add, I am no expert rifleman or trophy hunter. Just your average guy who hunts with buddies a couple times a season. I do not own any high dollar scopes, I typically use Nikon and Leupold so I can't compaire anything to the Zeiss and Swaro offeerings. Anyway, I see lots of people asking for suggestions on inexpensive scopes. I will whole heartedly endorse Nikon as being a great scope for the money. The Bushnells are cheap, but you get what you pay for. I'm not saying that I hate the scope, its just no where near the Nikon in quality.

I forgot to mention, even though the Bushnell is a 4x12x40, I shot it on 3x9 so that I could compare them at the same magnification. I'm sure the Bushnell will be okay in decent light, but it sure struggles to transmit light like the Nikon does. Anyway, hope this helps some of ya'll looking for cheaper alternatives.

Nicely done.
However I have one small thing to add.
When writing about optics.
The magnification decription is 3-9x40.
But great job on the write up for suggestion.

The non-Elite lineup, yes, you are correct. Bausch&Lomb made Elite's on the other hand are quite comparable to Nikon's. Cabela's had the Elite 4200 on sale for about the same as that Nikon Buckmaster. 4200 is more in line with Nikon's Monarch lineup.

I agree the Elite's are very nice I have a few and have been very pleased. The Nikon is a pretty decent scope for the money, I traded into one that was on a rifle and liked it enough to keep it.

My next scope will probably be another Nikon or an Elite 3200. Academy had them a while back in 3-9x40 for $139 or something like that. Wish I would have bought one. I've heard great things about the Elite series.

Rocky, The Banner is KNOWN for going tinker bells with the cross
hairs...I installed them at the gun club on rifles...and seen them break the first shot...The BSA is a good little cheap scope.

Good rule of thum, plan on spending as much on the scope as the
rifle...I really like the Mark 4 Leupold...but pricey...I have
a couple of higher grade Burris Scopes and they are excellent.

Most good scopes start at least at $450 up..Good luck Don

I recently ordered 2 Elite 4200's from Cabela's for $149 plus tax. I'm hope their as good as the Burris FF II, reviews are really good for the money.

IMO there is a bigger difference in a 100 to a 250 scope than a 250 to a 1000 scope.