Many things are better than their price might lead you to believe. I will try to be open minded about Baraska, but my first spotting scope was a Baraska. It is unusable at the rifle range but it is just fine at the pistol range. Now the tripod it came with was a joke.

 

I’ve got a cheap Barska spotting scope I got from Amazon about 7 years ago. You have to dial it in just right, and dang near put your eyeball to the glass. I can see 223 bullet holes at 206 yards. I reckon that’s good enough for me.

 

I've used them for years,always worked well. Another good one is CV Life.

 

There’s a CVlife 6-18 that comes up on Gun.Deals regularly for $29. It’s originally $59, so I took a gamble on it. I’m glad I did.

First, $30 is not a lot for a scope so I wasn’t expecting Vortex quality. It’s clear and adjusted easily and held zero. The rings were a mile high, so I used a set I had on hand. The reticle is same as a crossbow!!! I don’t think it’s quite 18 power magnification, but it works better than 9 power scopes to see bullet holes at 50y.

I consider it $30 well spent.

 

hard to b open minded about a Barska

 

I was denigrated and humiliated here on RFC by when I praised my 20-40 x 50 Barska. They called it a ” Barfska “
But yes , I still happily use them . I just don’t tell people that I do. Hers one on my WoodChucker.

 

I purchased a 40X Barska Benchmark scope for load development on a 204 Ruger. Clear, crisp, tracks, holds zero and I can spot those tiny pin holes on the target.

 

In my experience, time is the great teller of quality. Lots of bright clear scopes of all prices out there out of the gate, modern manufacturing at its best. But tracking repeatability & holding zero, as well as sharpness/ brightness just last longer with a quality optic. ( in my case Leupold). I’ve got a dozen Leupold scopes over 30 years old that still function fine,, none of the other brands survived. Around home it wouldn’t matter but if I’m out west or up north on a hunting trip I need the peace of mind. I’ve seen lesser fail and not hold up when weather wasn’t ideal and judging by their faces the owners of the lesser brands regretted it deeply. Same for cheap rings & mounts too. For me it just is what it is.

 

No doubt Leupold’s are great scopes. I only own 2, but they are my favorites. It’s a shame Nikon stopped making scopes. They were affordable, and decent quality.
I get what you’re saying. I don’t hunt much anymore, but if given the opportunity I want the best scope possible and I want to make sure that sucker is zeroed.

 

For years I have heard nothing but negative about Barska and other low-cost brands of scopes. Too heavy, broke easily, Not precise, etc., etc. But, they have been around for an amazingly long time, and lots of folks seem to like them, except reviewers on YouTube. I can't remember what my first scope was. It was a "bargain" brand, quickly returned in exchange for an "expensive" scope, a WEAVER 4X Rimfire, which is still going strong. My next scope, going from my previous experience, was another Weaver...2.5-7 X rimfire, which is mounted on another rifle. Decades of excellent service, but Weaver rimfire scopes are no more. Nikon scopes are also no more. If mine break, where to send them for repair?? In the present market, buying a less expen$ive brand may make sense, because it can be replaced for a fraction of what a replacement brand may cost, and if it breaks, another one will probably make replacement and original cost less than one of the more advertised brands.

 

On a rimfire I want 1/8 moa adjustments. At 50 yards that is 1/16 of an inch. Thats what I need to get my zero inside a 1/4 inch bullseye. And I want magnification so that 1/4 inch bullseye looks like its 6 inches from my head. I can do that with a Barska , So why not? Its not like im playing roulette with the adjustments . Its a 1 and , with a few clicks if necessary.

Oh I have better scopes for better guns.

Oh , and I have a Tasco hat came on my sSavage 12 in 223. It has a prairie dog on the bell.

 

I got a variable 24 power Barska with the NEF 17 Mach 2 I bought last year. Was never a fan but I am now. Use it almost exclusively at 200 yds. I may have buy another one for the NEF 22 magnum I just bought.

 

Got a Barska sniper 3X9-42 illuminated reticle. Compact size looks very cool (big deal, right). Bought it while I was working at Walmart. Sporting goods manger, buddy of mine, told me it was going on clearance cheap. Picked it up for a song. Leupold quality? I own 2. Not hardly. Works for the bucks and it's a hoot to fiddle with on a foolin' around day at the range. Presently mounted an a mid 60's Sears model 3T.