I'm looking for a budget scope under $300 that can handle elk hunting. Durability is key, and I need something that won't lose zero after a couple of rough trips. What do you all recommend based on your experiences?
Top Budget Scope Options Under $300 for Elk Hunting
- Thread starter Alan
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Montana Cowboy
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- Jun 29, 2025
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Hi Alan
I'm not telling you what to do but if I were you, I would save my money and then get a good quality scope such as Leupold. I have had excellent luck and excellent quality customer service from Leupold. That said I have a scope on my shotgun for hunting white tail deer in Ohio, I bought it at Cabela's 15 years ago for $100.00 bux and it has been an excellent scope, always held zero, hunted with it in rain, freezing rain, snow and below freezing temperatures with no problems at all. The name of the scope is " Pine Ridge " but I haven't seen that brand of scope at Cabela's for a few years. Both of my brothers have one on their shotguns and haven't had any problems with it. The reason I mentioned this is maybe if you come across one at a gun show or online for sale it would be worth looking at. The only thing I don't like about it is it was made in China; I try to buy made in America. You could take a look at what Cabela's has to offer and find a good scope under $300.00. I try to go by that old saying "Pay Once Cry Once"
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I'm not telling you what to do but if I were you, I would save my money and then get a good quality scope such as Leupold. I have had excellent luck and excellent quality customer service from Leupold. That said I have a scope on my shotgun for hunting white tail deer in Ohio, I bought it at Cabela's 15 years ago for $100.00 bux and it has been an excellent scope, always held zero, hunted with it in rain, freezing rain, snow and below freezing temperatures with no problems at all. The name of the scope is " Pine Ridge " but I haven't seen that brand of scope at Cabela's for a few years. Both of my brothers have one on their shotguns and haven't had any problems with it. The reason I mentioned this is maybe if you come across one at a gun show or online for sale it would be worth looking at. The only thing I don't like about it is it was made in China; I try to buy made in America. You could take a look at what Cabela's has to offer and find a good scope under $300.00. I try to go by that old saying "Pay Once Cry Once"
.I've got a 6x SWFA "super sniper" scope on a hard use rifle. It was under $300 when purchased, but I think they're about $350 now for the improved Gen 2 version. SWFA scopes are well known for their durability. Yes, it's just a 6x,
I do most of my hunting with 6x scopes and am disappointed that Leupold has discontinued both of their 6x scopes. They were made with a 36mm objective lens and a 42mm objective lens, both with one-inch tubes.
Fewer moving parts. Excellent optics. Great durability for either of the 6x Leupold scopes. You can probably find a good used one, maybe for around $250 or so. I'm quite fond of fixed power scopes but with Leupold not making the 6x anymore, they're getting tougher to find.
Spring of 2024 I took an Idaho black bear at about 65 yards. A year earlier I took an Oregon elk at 405 yards, both with the same 30-06 rifle and the same 6x Leupold. A good fixed power scope is not a problem.
Regards, Guy
I do most of my hunting with 6x scopes and am disappointed that Leupold has discontinued both of their 6x scopes. They were made with a 36mm objective lens and a 42mm objective lens, both with one-inch tubes.
Fewer moving parts. Excellent optics. Great durability for either of the 6x Leupold scopes. You can probably find a good used one, maybe for around $250 or so. I'm quite fond of fixed power scopes but with Leupold not making the 6x anymore, they're getting tougher to find.
Spring of 2024 I took an Idaho black bear at about 65 yards. A year earlier I took an Oregon elk at 405 yards, both with the same 30-06 rifle and the same 6x Leupold. A good fixed power scope is not a problem.
Regards, Guy
Any quality scope should suffice. I've hunted with Leupold, Burris, Nikon, etc. My preferences are for Leupold or Burris. My old Leupold 3-9 has been on my 300 Win Mag for 30+ years, held zero, taken elk and mule deer at up to 400-450 yards, in Wyoming winters and Mojave desert summers. Same for the one on my 338 Win Mag (although more like 25 years).
I had a buddy who missed out on a great trophy boar because he had his 3-9 scope set to 9 power at very early dawn and couldn't find it in the scope! I always have my scope set to 3 or 4x, then adjust it upwards for longer shots.
I had a buddy who missed out on a great trophy boar because he had his 3-9 scope set to 9 power at very early dawn and couldn't find it in the scope! I always have my scope set to 3 or 4x, then adjust it upwards for longer shots.
CoyoteHunter
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Good advice given on the scopes.!
I have been a Leupold man since 1972 when I bought a Sako 22-250 HB and attached a 8x Leupold. Now all my rifles are adorn with Leupold 4x14 x 50mm AO. I do have one Hawk variable on my FX air rile which is very nice.
I have to say tho - the Zeiss Conquest series scopes are really super scopes. Excellent light factor! If I ever wanted to get another variable, I would then go for the Zeiss!
Vortex scopes? No thanks...........!!
I have been a Leupold man since 1972 when I bought a Sako 22-250 HB and attached a 8x Leupold. Now all my rifles are adorn with Leupold 4x14 x 50mm AO. I do have one Hawk variable on my FX air rile which is very nice.
I have to say tho - the Zeiss Conquest series scopes are really super scopes. Excellent light factor! If I ever wanted to get another variable, I would then go for the Zeiss!
Vortex scopes? No thanks...........!!
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