While many people are in the mindset that you should spend as much on a rifle scope as you did on your rifle itself. Not everyone can afford to double the cost of a rifle. Which means either you buy a cheaper rifle and higher dollar scope. Or you save money by buying the best $200 dollar or less rifle scope. Finding the best rifle scope for under $200 can sometimes be a problem.
There are lots of cheap rifle scopes on the market. In fact, there is no shortage of really cheap rifle scopes on Amazon. The problem becomes knowing what makes a good rifle scope and how to know you are buying the best rifle scope for under $200.
What To Look For in a Rifle Scope
Before you can find the best rifle scopes under $200 you need to understand what to look for in a rifle scope. Normally when looking for a scope you want to look for features like parallax adjustment and BBC reticles. When it comes to an inexpensive scope many times the manufacture throws in cheap features that don’t really matter to you, just so you’ll buy their scope over others. Don’t be tricked by this. If you don’t need the feature don’t buy it.
Another thing to look at is the objective size. Many times cheap scope makers will give you a bigger objective lens to cover up poor quality lenses. A bad quality scope won’t look as clear as a good quality one if the objective size is the same. Bigger objectives make a scope look clearer and brighter when if fact they are of poor quality and not nearly as clear as a smaller higher quality scope.
Normally when looking for something inexpensive the best idea is to stay away from Name brands. However, when dealing with scopes this isn’t the case. It’s actually better to buy from a trusted name brand scope manufacturer. Scope manufacturers that have made a good name for themselves want to keep that name. Thus when they offer a lower-priced scope they make sure that it lives up to their name. They way they normally save money is by adding fewer extras, and sometimes using lenses that don’t meet their standards for the high dollar scopes but are very close.
Best Rifle Scope For Under $200
#1 Vortex Diamondback
Vortex has been making high-quality budget-friendly scopes for almost 2 decades. Not only are they known for clear glass, but they also have one of the best warranties in the business. Their policy of replacing just about any scope as long as you have the pieces is unheard of from other companies. They even have stories of replacing a set of binoculars there were in a house fire and melted to the point there were almost indistinguishable as binoculars. Although that’s not what puts the Vortex Diamondback on the top of the list.
What puts the Vortex Diamondback on the top of the list is its multi-coated lenses, argon purged airtight tube. This allows you to have a clear sight picture for years of service. Add the hard-anodized finish and you have a durable scope that can handle not only the shock of firing your rifle but drops and other abuse.
When you combine this with an adjustable eyepiece, metal on metal precision turrets. You get one of the best rifle scopes for just under $200 that you can buy for your rifle. This is a scope that you can mount on your. Ruger 10/22 or precision long-range rifle and be happy.
#2 Leupold VX-Freedom
Second, on this list is the Leopold VX-Freedom scope. Leopold has been making high-end glass for over a century. They are a truly American company. For decades they have been known for producing amazing quality scoped that you pay good money for. It’s been recently that they have gotten into producing more budget-friendly glass, without compromising quality.
The VX-Freedom is 100% waterproof, fog proof and shockproof with a nitrogen-filled tube. Add in the multi-coated, scratch-resistant lenses and you have a scope that will last as long as your rifle does. All for a price just under $200.
#3 Nikon Prostaff P3
Nikon is another of the well-known names in the making of lenses. From cameras to binoculars, to scopes they make quality lenses. Their scopes are no different.
The Nikon Prostaff P3 is a budget-friendly quality rifle scope for any rifle. Like most scopes, it has multicoated optics with anti-reflective coatings. With generous eye relief, you can mount this scope on any rifle and not have to worry about being too close for recoil.
The thing that truly sets Nikon Scope apart from others is the BDC reticle. Nikon offers a free app that allows you to find out exactly what each dot means in your reticle based on zero distance, bullet weight, and caliber and a bunch of other factors. This allows you to mount their scopes on any rifle and know instantly your bullet drop compensation for your scope.
Conclusion
While there is plenty of rifle scope for under $200 on the market, these are arguably the best for the price. With Vortex having the best warranty, Leupold having the best reputation, and Nikon having an amazing app, they all have something that makes them a standout amongst the crowd. What you decide is the best for you is personal choice whoever you can’t go wrong buying any of these scopes for your next rifle.