What scope would you buy for $100?

[kingston73]

I currently have a Hawke vantage 4x16 side focus scope mounted on my hw97 .22. My max distance with this will be about 30 yards and I feel this scope is over kill for these distances.

I’d like to get something smaller and lighter and easier to focus at shorter distances (my current scope only focuses to about 15 yards), I’m thinking maybe 2x7 or 3x9.

If I can find a quality scope I’d like illumination.

I want to keep the budget low, around the $100 to $150 mark.

Obviously it should be able to manage the recoil from the 97.

Right now I’m considering a Hawke panorama 2x7 (about $120) or a Discovery 3x12 vt2 (about $150]

So spend my money, what would your choice be?

 

[JoeWayneRhea]

Bushnell AR 2-7 is a Really tough one to beat in that price range . Focuses down to 10 yards but isn't Illuminated . It's my go to budget Springer scope . There's a lot of choices out there . Finding one that'll hold up and work well is the trick . 

 

[socaloldman]

I recently bought used 2x7 Hawke Airmax off AGN and it is stellar. Great hunting scope for my .177 out to 80+ yards. We used it on a 25 meter match last week and liked it a lot. Sure handles nice and the reticle is SUPER! Killed 6 squirrels and two starlings Friday and found their sneaky little heads hiding in the brush piles. It's on the high end price wise because of the reticle but used it was right in your budget. JWR lists it as a top pick in his videos. Advertise WTB on AGN and see what pops up .

 

[kingston73]

To narrow the options and expand the price I think I've gotten it down to 3 models. What would you pick between a Vortex crossfire 4x12 AO, a Discovery same power but with side focus or an Athlon Talos? Seems like the Athlon is the lightest but Vortex has the best warranty and Discovery is cheapest. So for a Max of $200 now what would you pick?