Author Topic: Best inexpensive scope (Read 18980 times)

Jim n Iowa · « **Reply #30 on:** August 08, 2007, 02:38:29 PM »

In varmint hunting, or long range. I think you should buy a scope at least equal to the value of the rifle at first purchase price. Meaning a Rem 700 vsl cost me $600 at sheels, mounted a Leupold 6x20 close to the same cost. This for me is a 1000yd rifle after considerable work by a long range smith. I also have a Savage 10 tacticle that wears a Simmons 8x32 that cost 1/2 the price of the Savage. I use this in 100-200 yd shooting.
Its is really up to the person in what they will accept in performance.
A old guide told me about binocs, "most will let you see the woods from a distant point, but a good binoc will let you see in the woods"
Jim

7x57mm · « **Reply #31 on:** August 15, 2007, 10:16:30 AM »

I too will vote for the Simmons Whitetail Classic in 6.5x20x50. I mounted one on my CZ 527 Lux/American in .223 Remington. It served me well while shooting p-dogs and coyotes in New Mexico. Even though a cheap scope, it held up well for me and was clear enough to shoot as far as I wanted to shoot, out to 450 yards or so. After six years of use I finally replaced it with a Bushnell Elite 3200 in 7x21x40. The only reason I replaced the scope was for my own vanity, which can be a really dumb reason to do something. The 50mm objective diameter on the Simmons looked funny on top of the petite little CZ 527. The Bushnell looked a lot better. Also, I don't like the crinkle cut finish on the Whitetail Classic. Other than those, the scope is a darn good serviceable scope for someone wanting to bust varmits or targets at extended ranges and has a limited budget to do it. I got mine from SWFA for $99 plus $10 shipping and handling. As far as scopes go, it was probably the best $100 scope I have ever owned. I still have the thing. Good Luck ... Tom Purdom

torpedoman · « **Reply #32 on:** April 01, 2008, 05:19:34 PM »

the simmons praire master from nachez shooters supply is a very good inexpensive scope under 100 to your door. the next is nikko sterling nighteater right at 200 but excellent and has side focus

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #33 on:** April 02, 2008, 03:26:13 AM »

My .22-250 has a Simmons 44 MAG varmint scope on it. (Actually the second one because I got a chance to pick up a used one with illuminated mil-dot reticle for $100 and the original scope had a simple duplex reticle.) This is my 4th Simmons scope and I've been very happy with all of them.

BIG Dog454 · « **Reply #34 on:** April 02, 2008, 04:15:08 AM »

another vote for Simmons. My red dot multi recticle is holding up well on my SRH 454 casull, after I busted up 3 other brands.

Inrut24/7 · « **Reply #35 on:** April 03, 2008, 11:11:54 AM »

when it comes to cheaper varmint scopes I have tried these brands, tasco, mueller, bsa, barska, bushnell and simmons. I have liked mueller the best so far, Barska IS CHEAP, but i have had better luck with them than tasco or bsa, I never had a bushnell that held zero likewise with simmons, but i havnt owned either for years, In fact I might try one of these simmons in the near future, pretty good reviews so far, http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=593055&t=11082005

mjbgalt · « **Reply #36 on:** April 03, 2008, 12:30:32 PM »

actually, with the bushnell banner line, i am 4 for 4 for getting awesome products! i could not be happier with the way they hold zero and have performed. i bought a nikon in between just to try them out, and it wasn't as clear as my bushnells. i know where i am going to go when i need another scope!

-Matt

rifleman · « **Reply #37 on:** April 03, 2008, 05:57:22 PM »

Swift, Swift, Swift!!!

Inrut24/7 · « **Reply #38 on:** April 04, 2008, 02:28:31 AM »

The bushnells i had bad luck with were the sportviews.

rickt300 · « **Reply #39 on:** April 05, 2008, 05:37:22 PM »

I bought 3 3x9 Banners on a closeout for $28. each. Zero problems and plenty good enough glass. They are mounted on a 22 rimfire Contender barrel, a 204 Ruger Contender barrel and a 7MM Remington Magnum that I had to take a 3x9 Prostaff off of due to it's inability to hold zero and will send it back to Nikon for the second time. The Nikon does have good glass though. I am thinking about getting an APV for the 204, what a shooter but the center crosshairs on the Banner are a bit thick. For what I do, hunt coyotes and regular vermin (coons, skunks, etc.) the Banner is fine.

kenjs1 · « **Reply #40 on:** April 09, 2008, 11:38:10 AM »

try a Pentax Gameseeker.

rbergum95 · « **Reply #41 on:** April 09, 2008, 02:46:11 PM »

konus pro series

SingleShotShorty · « **Reply #42 on:** April 18, 2008, 02:08:16 PM »

I have had good results with the Tasco World Class, I have on it 3.5X10X50 that has not given me any trouble since I bought it back in 1994.

30-06man · « **Reply #43 on:** April 18, 2008, 02:16:45 PM »

Mueller APV 4.5-14X40!!!

Cabin4 · « **Reply #44 on:** April 18, 2008, 02:52:13 PM »

Bushnell Elite 3200 ... can be purchased for around $160ish
Nikon Buckmaster $170ish
Swift...... $110ish -- This one might be the real sleeper in the low cost pack. I don't own one but have seen them and they have great optics. Guys say they hold up without issue to heavy recoil. Swift does almost no advertising that I have seen. They have actually been around for years but use to make really cheap junk. Not the case anymore.
Leupold VX1-- $170ish

Lone Star · « **Reply #45 on:** April 18, 2008, 05:06:42 PM »

Sorry, but to me asking "what is the best inexpensive scope to get" is a lot like asking "what is the best VD to catch"?

.

pastorp · « **Reply #46 on:** May 28, 2008, 05:25:30 AM »

With so many different replies, I must wonder how many scopes some of you guys have tried. Many just mount a scope that looks good in the store and if it works for them then it's the best.

A friend once had a pair of bushnell boncs on a hunting trip. I picked them up and looked threw them. They were terrible. Of course I had a pair of Zeiss so they should look terrible.
What I believe is your just going to need to do the leg work and look through as many scopes as possible and decide which looks the best to you in your price range. As far as durability only time will tell.

Questions like this usually leave me really confused with so many opinions. Byron

charles p · « **Reply #47 on:** May 28, 2008, 02:54:41 PM »

You get what you pay for. Lot's of people have come up the same ladder, and few go back down. Save until you can get a real good scope, and you'll never regret it or have to replace it. Been there / done that.

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #48 on:** June 12, 2008, 04:10:36 PM »

I have red-dots, shotgun, fixed, variable, run from Ziess to Nikon, Sightron II, Simmons, (new+old), Weaver, (new+old), Brunton,Bushnell, Barska and a couple of others I can't remember. To be honest, The Ziess is great, but not worth the multiple price from the new Simmons or new Weavers. Nikons and Sightron are also very good. Friend of mine has a Burris and has offered to trade me straight up for a Simmons Pro-Hunter! His was 3X the price of mine! I like good glass, but it pains me greatly to pay as much for glass as the damn rifle. Really am satisfied with the new Simmons line and the new Weavers. Both are made by Meade I believe. All but the Barskas give good enough vision to see to shoot till the end of legal hunting time, don't really need much else. DP.

30-06man · « **Reply #49 on:** June 15, 2008, 06:41:55 AM »

Quote from: pastorp on May 28, 2008, 05:25:30 AM

With so many different replies, I must wonder how many scopes some of you guys have tried. Many just mount a scope that looks good in the store and if it works for them then it's the best.

A friend once had a pair of bushnell boncs on a hunting trip. I picked them up and looked threw them. They were terrible. Of course I had a pair of Zeiss so they should look terrible.
What I believe is your just going to need to do the leg work and look through as many scopes as possible and decide which looks the best to you in your price range. As far as durability only time will tell.

Questions like this usually leave me really confused with so many opinions. Byron

That's like comparing a Corvette to a pinto it doesn't work. The Bushnell has good glass for its price range. The Zeiss is good but you are paying a bunch for a name.

beemanbeme · « **Reply #50 on:** June 16, 2008, 07:18:52 AM »

Bull. I've got a 36x Leuy over there right now that I've got to send in. Granted they'll fix it for me and fix it free but its still got to be sent in. And the price I paid for it didn't keep it from going south during a match. Ain't nothing mechanical foolproof. And those scopes that have had a little bravarian sweat rubbed on them ain't no different.

Brithunter · « **Reply #51 on:** June 17, 2008, 12:19:08 AM »

Quote from: rbergum95 on April 09, 2008, 02:46:11 PM

konus pro series

OK tell me about these scopes

as I am considering buying one. A 6-24x44AO with 30/30 reticle to be exact. Before this thread I ahd not heard of them but did a little searching on the net and found a vendor/importer here int he UK and the price is not too bad. more than they ar ein the US but less than some of the other "Budget" scopes. They are cheaper than the Burris and about the same price as the Nikko Sterling Gold Crown scopes.

rbergum95 · « **Reply #52 on:** June 17, 2008, 02:41:10 PM »

i like them a lot. ive put them on 14 rifles so far with more to come. glass is gin clear all the way to the edges, adjustments are positive and accurate. i have experienced no change in POI at any power with the variables. the 6-24x44 AO is real nice, i have one on one of my varmint rigs. for the price they cant be beat. to me the value/quality is good enough that i have switched out a few leupolds and a nikon for them. hopefully they will start offering pistol scopes soon so i can switch out a few of those as well.

Brithunter · « **Reply #53 on:** June 17, 2008, 08:33:33 PM »

Thank you for your comment

rickt300 · « **Reply #54 on:** June 26, 2008, 03:29:32 AM »

Could someone post a link to Konus Pro series scopes?

quickdtoo · « **Reply #55 on:** June 26, 2008, 04:44:20 AM »

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGIH_enUS235US236&q=konus+optics

http://www.konususa.com/

http://www.konusscopes.com/

poncaguy · « **Reply #56 on:** June 27, 2008, 01:00:25 PM »

Lately, I have found an excellent low priced scope, have bought 2 so far, one on my AR15. Simmons Whitetail 3.5x10x40.............less than $70..............excellent glass, very clear. I have Muellers, Leupold, Nikon, Bushnell, Burris, and it ranks with the best of them!

jro45 · « **Reply #57 on:** June 28, 2008, 06:46:40 AM »

I have a Tasco 6X24X50 on my 22-250. It works very well for me with ground hogs.

deltecs · « **Reply #58 on:** June 29, 2008, 09:40:41 AM »

Anybody use or tried the TufForce scopes? I'm thinking of buying a straight four power for a Handi in .223.

saltydog · « **Reply #59 on:** July 14, 2008, 02:08:01 AM »

Optics have improved in the last decade to keep pace with bullet development and we now have some usable inexpensive scopes with decent glass and durability - we also still have alot of "cheap" scopes which exhibit neither quality. Looking for an inexpensive scope means different levels to individuals - while I may consider inexpensive meaning an under $300 scope you might be looking at a hundred dollar level. At the low low end the Simmons Whitetail Classic in 6-20X works great at lower and midmagnification levels - you also get AO with it. For a bit more you can get a Pentax Gameseeker - clear bright glass but no AO. Then as mentioned you have the Nikon Buckmasters, Bushnell Legends and Mueller's to chose from. I don't see how you could go wrong with any of the choices.