I am looking to purchase a better scope for my rifle. Currently it has a junky Bushnell Banner 3-9x40 and looking to upgrade. Please let me know what you have! Thanks all

Are you planning to hunt with this rifle or is it a range toy?
How far do you plan on shooting?
Any idea on budget?

Thanks for your response. I do plan to hunt with this rifle so illumination will be nice if possible. I will practice at the range but don't really plan to be a competition range shooter. I'd like to have one rifle that I'm proficient with. I am taking the Rifles Only course in Kingsville and they say we will shoot up to 500 yds. My budget is around $500 but I could splurge more on a good deal on a scope that will last.

I am big fan of Leupold for hunting scopes.

https://www.academy.com/p/leupold-vx-3hd-duplex-45-14-x-50-riflescope?sku=black-4-5-14x-50mm

https://www.academy.com/p/leupold-vx-3hd-cds-zl-wplx-45-14-x-40-riflescope?sku=black-4-5-14x-40mm

The CDS version might be appealing to you because you can get a custom scope turret for elevation that matches your ballistic profile and allow you to shift to yardage on the fly. This eliminates the need for holdover/Kentucky wind age and you can just aim at the target after yardage has been set. It does not provide the same level of accuracy as manually making these adjustments on proper scope but it's probably sufficient for a kill shot inside of 500yards. That is not a substitute for actually practicing at that distance…

https://www.academy.com/p/leupold-vx-freedom-6-18-x-40-riflescope?sku=black-6-18x-40mm
Doesn't have the bells and whistles the others have but better magnification

While I have shot through Vortex scopes, I'm not intimately familiar with them. They seem just fine but some models are cheaper Chinese glass and I think leave a little to be desired. The viper series, I think, are Japanese glass and a good option:

https://www.academy.com/p/vortex-viper-hst-6-24-x-50-riflescope-120383595?sku=black-6-24x-50mm

https://www.academy.com/p/vortex-viper-hs-4-16-x-44-riflescope?sku=black-matte-4-16x-44mm

I know nothing of Riton Scopes but I am pretty sure you can get one in this price range with all of the same bells and whistles as the above. Someone else can chime in on that.

I think a Leupold VX5 HD is about the best scope on the market combining quality and affordability.

If that price point is too high, then the VX3-HD is a great scope as well.

44mAG said:

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I think a Leupold VX5 HD is about the best scope on the market combining quality and affordability.

If that price point is too high, then the VX3-HD is a great scope as well.

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Concur.

Bushnell Match Pro ($399) and Match Pro ED ($749)

I have both. One is on a 22LR Tikka T1X that my son shoots in NRL and PRS competition. It's a good scope for the money, but only MIL's, no MOA version.

The Match Pro ED is much better glass (still China) is going on a RimX 22LR.. I've got a Vortex VIper PST G2 and the Match Pro ED is every bit as good out to 500 yards but $350 cheaper. It is a bit above your budget, but you can find them on sale for $650 (Bushnell occasionally has flash sales so you just have to watch for them). Has illumination and an MIL and MOA versions.

Call EyeGuy and get his suggestions and see if he has any deals.

Anything with jap glass!

Everything they said about Leupold.

I was at scheels last night and saw they had the Swarovski Z3 3-10x42 on sale for $750. The Z3 will prob be my next optic purchase

I'm not sure what Rifles Only course you're taking that only goes out to 500 yards. Not totally familiar with what they offer. But I do know that if I was spending money on a long range shooting class I certainly wouldn't want to show up with a scope that had just a duplex reticle, cds dial or not.

If you're looking for 99% hunting scope, then sure get the leupolds mentioned and completely ignore the rest of this post. If you're looking for more of a hybrid type then I think these are the feature I would recommend:
3-18 or 6-24 power
FFP
reticle with subtensions (like a TMR)
exposed elevation turret w/zero stop

You're probably looking at a 30mm tube and 50mm objective also. They won't be light in your price range either.

Agree with meggy. In your price range I'd be looking at something like this. Not sure if Rifles Only teaches more geared toward moa or mrad but for me mrad seems to be an easier system to use.

https://vortexoptics.com/vortex-diamondback-tactical-4-16x44-ffp-riflescope+reticle-EBR-2C~MOA

That's prob the precision rifle part1 course. I've looked at it myself. Can't decide if I wanna do part 1 only or just bite the bullet and do 1 and 2 combined.