Rifle and scope reviews wanted

After seeing the other thread looking for a hunting rifle I need info. I am looking for a rifle for my dad. He is looking in the $500 and under price "mainly"! He would like a 243, or 25-06 as first choices. I have not shot any of these so I am looking for any info on these. Here are the rifles I am interested in after looking at rifles for 2 days.

Weatherby Vanguard, my favorite so far.
Howa 1500 with Hogue stock, second favorite.
Savage edge, looks pretty cheap?
Marlin, the $300 ones?
Mossberg $300 Mava or? The only place I seen them was Rocky mountain shooters supply.
Stevens, hard to find couldnt find any in calibers I wanted. I have had one of these and they were a good solid cheap rifle.

Nikon coyote special
Nikon with normal BDC reticle
Bushnell Elite 3200 10X40

Those scopes are in the $175-$200 range and have performed well for friends of mine, I have never had either. Thoughts? Any other good ones in that range?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/PENTAX+-...5513&st=pentax scope&cp=1&lp=1


vangaurds might still be on sale for 399.00
best of all your choices

Quote:

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Originally Posted by henpecked

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/PENTAX+-...5513&st=pentax scope&cp=1&lp=1


vangaurds might still be on sale for 399.00
best of all your choices

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He is looking for BDC or mil dot reticle style. But those are nice.

that scope has BDC

And this one comes with a nice set of binos.
I have this scope on several rifles and they work well. It also has BDC
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/PENTAX+-...5648&st=pentax scope&cp=1&lp=2

I could be wrong on the 4.5 x 14 it may not be the penta plex BDC

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bowhunter

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Savage edge, looks pretty cheap?
....
Stevens, hard to find couldn't find any in calibers I wanted. I have had one of these and they were a good solid cheap rifle.

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The Stevens 200 has been discontinued replaced by the Savage Edge. There won't be any more 200's made. The Stevens 200 was the same as the older Savage rifles (Pre-accutrigger with higher quality stocks than the Stevens)

I just got a 3-9x40 Nikon Prostaff with BDC. I am very happy with it so far but have only had it out mid-day, not in low light yet. The image is very clear and crisp. Dick's has them for $150 and Nikon is offering a $30 mail in rebate. The only thing I don't Like about it is the BDC reticle. The drop for each circle in the reticle changes as you change the magnification. I have used other much more expensive scopes that the drop indicated by the reticle points is always the same no matter what magnification you're set on. That's much more useful.

Sports Authority has the Vanguard for $350 (if it's still on sale). I was planning on getting one but wasn't very happy with the trigger. Not very smooth.