claketyclak,

You are posting some useful advice here. Most people won't take until later. Unfortunately that included me too.

Good cheap scope is an oxymoron.

There are good scopes and cheap scopes. But they are two different things.

 

This is a deep subject.... I think there are scopes that are a good value. The Bushnell Banner line comes to mind. There are others, but I have experience with the Bushnell line.

Of course there are cheaper scopes (less money) but are they a value? I see that Simmons is very popular here, too. I hear they are a good vaule also, but I had not so good experiences with them.... so I rate them as a cheap scope (poor quality).

steve

 

I use two Simmons M1048 scopes. I've had them for years, use them only on 20x for target shooting, and they've done me well. Do I expect Leupold-like performance from them, not hardly. On the other hand, I don't have to re-zero very often either. The only two "good" scopes I own are a Weaver T20 and Weaver T36. Maybe I lucked out and got a couple of good ones.......bout time sumpin went right.

Jay

 

Cheap is a term that shouldn't be used when it comes to scopes. Low cost scopes can be either good quality or junk. Optics are something where you get what you pay for, the more you pay generally the better the glass. I have been blessed with quite good vision and have been fortunate with lower cost scopes. I do suggest that if you want a scope that performs like a Weaver T-36, get your checkbook out and be prepared to buy a T-36 (where it says T-36 insert Leupold or Kahles or whatever your preference is in higher quality scopes).

Dave Z.

 

I believe Warren Buffet said "Price is what you pay, value is what you get". I like that pair of definitions.

Based on that "cheap" means value>price and "expensive" is value<price. Given the often poor performance and DOA instances of low-priced scopes you might say that value ~= 0 so at any price they would be expensive because the value is less than the asking price.

Cheap scopes where value is greater than price:

- Bushnell Scopchief models on clearance (4-14x50AO & 6-20x40AO) at Natchezss.com.
- Weaver GrandSlam models

I'd love to hear what you think is a cheap scope.

 

Claketyclak:

Welcome to the club. The dues were expensive, but the lessons learned were invaluable. Now, if I can only live long enough to use them........

 

lol , thanks OldSwede , true words . Brookie my definition of a cheap scope is 50-125 dollar range and yes i agree if it's a worthless scope , any price is too much .

 

I guess I still like the polar opposites of cheap and dear relative to value rather than price. I'll continue to call them low price scopes but I knew what you meant when you said "cheap". The problem I see is that you then are limited to terms like "good value" to describe scopes with value greater than price.

 

Cheap scopes " list starts here " --------->
----------------------->------------------------my entries
-----Jason , Ultralux , and BEC-INC. -- GUARANTEED TRASH.

----------> your entry ---------->

 

ChiefDave,

How about gracing us with your list of "good value" scopes, scopes that will perform better than their price?

 

ChiefDave,

How about gracing us with your list of "good value" scopes, scopes that will perform better than their price?

I don't know about the Chief, but I'm of the opinion that as far as good value Weaver ranks very high on the list. V16s and 24s along with the KT-15 are excelent values. And of course when compared to other scopes of the same configuration the T-36 is tough to beat.

On the lower end of the cost scale and still being a good value was the japanese built Tasco world class TS scopes in both fixed and variable. But once again those are not the same as the less than desirable stuff that is currently sold with the Tasco name on it.

As far as high cost scopes, well I don't have the funds for most of those. I've had a few in the past but not nearly as many of them as I did the low cost stuff. I must say that I think the lower cost Leupolds I have tried are good values in my opinion. But then again I also had a Nikon Monarch that was less money than the Vari-X II I compared it to and didn't seem as bright or clear. But once again that was in comparasion to a Vari-X II not a Vari-X III

Dave Z.

 

"good value" scopes

A wise decision to go ahead and spend money on a good scope. I had a poster compare my Bushnells to a Chevrolet but the scopes you listed were probably closer to a Hugo.

Follow the advice and recommendations of this forums users and they will recommend many "good value" scopes.
A few I have had excellent experiences with are, Bushnell Trophy and Scopechief, Simmons M1048 and M1048 44 Mag, and Simmons Whitetail Classic WTC18.

Of course we have all heard of the excellent quality of Leupolds or so called Mercedes of scopes but everyone must remember we all live on different budgets. Some of us just can not spend close to $400 dollars when a scope one third of that price will give hours upon hours of enjoyment.

Do your research on this web site and you won't go wrong.

Hawkeye

 

Had Em, no thanks.

Weaver KT15 NG, Simmons 8-32x44 8000116, ok but large , Bushnell Scopechief 6-20 looked almost as good as Bushnell 4200 and better than Weaver T24. I use Leupold and Redfield Target as the standard. My 2cents, dont go below Simmons WTC or the Scopechief, even if you have to save up.

 

rich56,

I'm just curious, I've had a Weaver KT-15 for a number of years and it has performed extremely well. It is quite clear and bright and the AO is quite accurate, it does not require constant adjustment. I was wondering why you felt they are no good? Might give me something to watch out for but as I said mine has performed quite well.

Dave Z.

 

Chief Says : I know lately ,I have pushed the Bushnell ScopeChief
alot. I am not saying it is the best low priced scope around.

But , Bushnell discontinued it for some reason. Now why ?
I dont know. Maybe to bring it back later with a different name
and higher price. If so I'll catch it and raise cane.

Look at Tasco ( duhh ) for years they made some good low
cost scopes. The TS target series with 1/8 moa adjustments.
These were O.K.
At the time of TASCO going under , I ordered a 6x24x44 TD
series scope. Suprised when I opened the box, scope looked
different than the TS series. At close up look = the 44 mm as
claimed was actually 42 mm : duhh: !
The adjustable " target turrets" were sloppy and adjustments
became unstable when checked and rechecked.
I would not reccomend the 6x24x44 TD to anyone = they are
definately one to be avoided.

So not all Tascos or Bushnell models are worth the price =
just a few. " too many brands = too many models "
" big gamble "

 

chief: I think you have a tasco 10-40 power on the rifle you have the world record don't you? I can't remember how big the obj. is. How do you feel about these scopes? Are they any good all the way up there on 40 power?

TONY

 

Weaver KT15

GMFIXER The problem with the kt15 was clarity. Not as in focus but like as in looking through a slight haze. I also owned the last edition of the T24 and it had less of that problem but it was there too. My Simmons 8000116 is about equal for $140, the Scopechief, $179 is better. The good things about the scopes were the Micro-Trac adjustments, the compactness of the Kt and AO focus down to 15yd. If you own these scopes compare them to a Leupold, Burris, Nikon, Baush and Lomb, Redfieldand see what I mean. PS I'm always glad to hear everyones experience. That why I'm here. Thanks

 

The cost of a scope VS the cost of a rifle???

I was wondering about spending $$$$ on the scopes you have just mentioned on this subject. I believe spending a good amount for your rifle, especially if it is tuned to perfection and probably costing 5 to 10 times more than what you paid for stock. I myself am getting into this and do need a scope, but how much should I spend and what type of scope should I get? It would be crazy to spend $400 on a scope when my rifle only cost me $200, wouldn't you agree?

I have just ordered the Bushnell sportview 4x12-40 from swfa for my .17 ruger.

Any suggestions on my 10/22 Volq? and my Professional Ordnance Type 22 with picatinny rails? These are for target only.

 

Ronin,

I don't think there is anything wrong with spending more on the scope than the cost of the rifle. I recently bought a CZ Varmint and immediately proceeded to spend slightly more on the scope than the rifle cost me (Bushnell Elite 4200 6-24 x 40 mm). Why? Well, the first time I started collecting guns I bought a bunch of cheapo guns and went for cheapo optics. I thought I was saving money, but I was actually just collecting junk. It didn't take long for me to realize my mistake, but it was too late. Because I had cheapo equipment, my interest waned, and the guns started to collect dust. Finally, I got rid of the lot.

After a few years of having no guns, I decided to start fresh. This time, I decided to make better choices. I now believe it is preferable to have one .22/scope combo that makes me happy and will last a lifetime rather than a bunch of cheap junk that pisses me off.

Now I have a nice tack driver that even without any fiddling around is shooting tight groups and a scope that is super bright and crystal clear. As a bonus, because I ponied-up for an Elite 4200 if anything EVER goes wrong with the scope, Bushnell will fix it (no warranty card, no receipt, no BS). I can even return the scope within the first year and get my money back if I'm not happy. However, I doubt that will happen since the scope is awesome! I certainly spent more money than I had to, but for me value comes from having rifle/scope combo that will do me proud for many years to come.

 

Omni:

Very well said. It's hard to improve on the facts. I've always said that we all end up with "the good stuff" sooner or later. It's a lot less expensive in the long run to start out that way!

 

kinda falls back to the old saying , "if i only knew then what i know now" . so let me say when i started this post i wasn't trying to say this is a richmans sport , but if you continue to invest in things that are unsatisfactory , it becomes a richmans sport . meaning if i had been patient , and waited till i had the money to buy a good scope instead of rushing out and buying what i could afford at the time , i could have saved myself a lot of grief . yes , some of the lower priced scopes did turn out ok , but a lot more were disapointments . also the amount spent , depends a lot on what your fancies are , squerill hunters and plinkers can achieve thier gouls with less money invested , but if you are serious about competition shooting , then you have to be patient and wait till you have the money for your gear . maybe i'm a little more gun nuttier than some , but i have at times picked up extra work on weekends , wiring someones garage , home , or painting roofs to obtain the extra cash needed for the toy of my fancy at the time . so believe me , i am not rich , just pointing out if you want it bad enough , you can get it .

 

I'm most certainly not rich, either, just old. I've simply learned ( the hard way, took me a LONG time ) to try to avoid instant gratification and save up for what I really want. I've had a few rifles sit for up to a year without optics, but when I do mount the scope, it's on for good, and I never have to put up with inferior products. I don't have many guns, but those I have qualify as "nice stuff" and I am sure my son and grandson will continue to enjoy them for many years.

 

Which scope??

I do agree with what you all are saying, especially after a good night sleep Now, do you have any suggestions on a scope which will be on a tack driver? The name Bushnell Elite 4200 comes up, the Bushnell Banner, Scopechief, Swift premier, even Weaver. What do you think??

Thanks,

Ronin

PS-Any suggestions on a red dot scope for my .22 AR-15???

 

I agree 100% " if you want it bad enough, you can get it. " I to have done odd jobs, scrimped and saved or whatever it took to get the particular item I so badly wanted. I think it makes it all the more enjoyable when you can finally make that purchase. I guess it just rubs me the wrong way when someone implies I am wrong, uniformed or just plain stupid for not buying top of the line name brand scopes, autos, lawn mowers or whatever all of the time.

My problem is I have to many items on my families "want bad enough" list to ever satisfy everyone. Its all about making choices and having priorities.

With the cheaper scopes and shooting items I always know it is a gamble. Don't expect $450.00 quality out of a $75.00 scope. If it fails, I gladly throw it out and begin looking for a replacement. No grief for me. The tinkering in the basement, getting outside and the smell of gun oil and gun smoke made it all worth while. For competition shooting or once a year hunting experiences this theory will not work. For your back yard, I say anything goes. You make the rules.

If someone asks advice, give it freely. Just remember in recreational activities like shooting there are no wrong choices. Just choices others don’t agree with. As far as I am concerned putting together any outfit and getting outside to see what it will do is infinitely more satisfying than sitting inside watching the latest reality show on TV.

Sorry for rambling on,
Hawkeye

 

lol , signal seven on the families wants , thats one i understand very well .