So what would be a good scope to top my newlyaquired 308 encore barrel(shopuld be shipped soon). I know you get what you pay for and lots of threads on such, but what would be good lower price scope for such? and what variable range would you think?

Gotta 2x7 Burris on mine...love it...KRal

2x on the 2-7 burris

Got one on the 308 & 358

If there was ever an oxymoron ;-)

Naw, really there are some good scopes for not too much money. My top budget scope is the Weaver Classic 2.5-8 at about $190, next is the Bushnell Trophy 2-6 at about $155, I have a Simmons 2-6 that is a nice scope for $130. There are cheaper ones but I can't comment on them.

I'm a Burris fan, their scopes have never let me down. I have also been impressed with the Bushnell Elite 3200s which can be picked up for around $250 from Midsouth and Bear Basin. I've heard good things about Weavers but have not tried them yet.

Funny you should ask. My son gave me an Encore at X-mas. Two days a go I put a 3-9 Burris on it. I'll have it at the range in a few day to sight it in.

Bill in OR

I have pondered this topic before. I got a 308 barrel in trade a few years ago. It has a fixed 4X TC rail mount scope on it. I'm not sure the 4X is what is going to saty on it. I was thinking a 2~6 Bushnell or a 2~7 TC, both of which are sitting in the safe. The 308 is capable of 300 yard shots and a little more magnifacation would be good for that, but around here I don't think I will be shooting much past 200 yards. The 2~7 Burris would be a good choice also, and a 3~9 would be just about optimum, but I'd have to buy one and the 3~9 is not offered new anymore so you would have to find one used.

Agree 110%

I really like Burris

I have a 2-7X Burris on my Encore .308, and on my XP .308. Both have performed well.

Not a .308, but I use a Bushnell 2x6 on my .260 and have not had any problems.

I've had not problems with Simmons or Bushnell variables. I have a Simmons 2x6 on my 308 and it has not failed after many 100 shots. BUT-I don't remember the last time I had a scope failure. I only carry Leupolds or Burris in teh harsh Colorado environemnt.

Leupold is still the best but you'll pay more for it and it seems like Burris has had a wave of failures which to this point Leupold hasn't had.

2-7 Burris with the ballistic plex reticle!

LEUPOLD!

OK Rod you talked me into it--- I had a 2.5-8 Leupold on my old 30-30 Contender and I loved it! I am going to upgrade all my EER scopes to Leupold 2.5-8's.

Please send $1,236.76 to the following adress to make up the cost differance.

Water Bug Scope Upgrage Fund
1234 Get me a Lupy Dr.
Bendare WI 12345

Thanks in advance for the help

Tigger, the 308 is capable of 4-500 yard shots with a 2x6 or 7!! I was hanging right in there with the guys at the SWPA. Dan was shooting a 30-30 AI and were very competetive. We were outclassing the 22's at those ranges. Hit a water bottle or 1/2gallon jug with a 22 at that range they were just bobbling and draining. Hit with a 308 and they were still blowing up like ripe melons on Bob Milek's gun range!! I agree with you and think a 2x6 or 7 on a 'normal' hunting range gun is more than enough unless the target is gophers and such; then the extra magnification is needed.

The FOV gets so small over 7X that it just seems to hard to find the target unless you are in open country and the target is way out.

I hunt with mine on 2 and dial in if I need to once I have the target in frame.

Alright bug, so they are a few bucks but your and engineer that's just pocket change

I've run the Burris but I don't like the weight or length of them, if I had to go to another brand it would be Nikon or Bushnell especially since like I said earlier there seems to be a rash of broken Burris scopes all of a sudden and from what another member said it sounds like some of their stuff is being outsourced which in fairness I think Leupold is doing on their low line stuff like the Rifleman but I'm not sure. The best thing to do is pick them up and first see if it is going to be aestheticlly pleasing and 2 look through it and see if you like the glass. But I really think with a 308 you could get by with just about any of the major scopes on the market from the simmons up but I like having as close to absolute reliability as I can and so far Leupold over the years has had alot fewer problems than any of the others.

I almost forgot, one exception is the 3-12 Burris, while it is still quite large and heavy the one I had was a quality scope and worked well for what I needed, but then again if Leupold starts building a high power EER scope I'll buy there's.

I had a 3-12X Burris on my XP .300 Savage...it was an awesome set up. After hunting season I snagged a 2-7X Burris and installed it since I'll likely limit the range to sub-300yd shooting for deer. After some range and field time I'll know if this was the right decision or not.

If I do decide to keep it, I'll likely get it upgraded w/ a BP reticle. If not, I'll go back to the 3-12X w/ BP reticle.

I have Burris scopes on the harder recoiling guns such as the 35 Whelen and the 500 S&W. I do have three barrels that have 2-6X Bushnells on them. One of the Bushnells is on a 7mm-08 still in the break in process so not many round thru it. Another of the Bushnells is on a 10" 30-30 barrel with about 400 rounds thru it with no problems. I personally would not go any cheaper that the Bushnell 2-6X. Once go below the Bushnell price range it seems you lose eye relief and end up with a scout scope passed off as a HG scope.