What is the best budget telephoto lens for Nikon cameras?

So i have spent a lot of time with these lenses and honestly, u have some solid choices. For ur budget, the Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR is really the king of value. The AF-P motor is actually faster than most people realize... it is basically instant. If u want a quick comparison:

• Nikon AF-P: Crazy fast AF, super light, very sharp.
• Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD: Better build quality, feels more substantial, but AF is slightly slower. I think the Nikon is the better bet for wildlife cuz of that focus speed. I used one for years and it took some killer bird shots. One thing tho... just double check ur DSLR body supports AF-P glass cuz some older F-mount bodies wont work with them. If it does, definitely go for it. Its easily the best bang for ur buck. cheers!

Ok so, coming back to this after seeing your question... i have been shooting with Nikon F-mount gear for over fifteen years and i have seen these budget telephotos go through many iterations. For a 400 dollar budget, you are actually in a really good spot to get something that performs well. While the AF-P lens is great, I would suggest looking at the Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD as a serious alternative. I have used that Tamron for years and I am still very satisfied with how it handles. The VC or Vibration Compensation is highkey incredible and it basically locks the image in place when you are at the long end. I have had no complaints with the sharpness even when shooting wide open at 300mm. It is a bit heavier than the Nikon AF-P DX version, but the build quality is much more substantial and it works well on full-frame sensors too. Technically speaking, the AF-P motor is faster, but the Tamron provides better weather sealing and a physical focus scale which is helpful for wildlife. Another solid choice is the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR. This was a high-end consumer lens for a long time and the optics are very consistent. But yeah, if you decide on the Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR, just make sure ur camera firmware is updated... some older DSLRs dont support the AF-P focus motor at all and literally wont focus. Anyway, hope this technical breakdown helps you decide. Cheers!

So basically the consensus is the Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR is the king of value as the others said. Honestly, i once tried a cheap Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro and it was sooo slow, i missed every shot. Totally disappointing...

• Stick to Nikon glass for AF reliability.
• Check compatibility cuz older bodies wont work.
• Buy used to stretch youre budget. Lesson: dont cheap out on old tech!!