Any thoughts??

[mattrobbins]

I have been looking at a scope in the midway catalog. I would like some oppinions. Simmons Whitetail Classic 6x20x50mm. Is it any good??

 

[dakotasin]

nope.

 

[Sunray]

Simmons scopes are serviceable, but low end. 6x20x50mm is too much magnification anyway. Look into a 2.5X to 8X or 3X to 9X with a 40mm front lens max for a deer rifle. A great deal depends on what cartridge you're using.

 

[mattrobbins]

I am putting this scope on a ruger vt .243. I have had some people tell me they were a great scope but I wasn't sure. What about a Nikon?

 

[dakotasin]

i'm a fan of most nikon glass. i think the buckmaster represents a pretty good buy for the money, and the monarchs are good stuff.

 

[Dookie]

Leupold VXI 4-12x40 $279.99
Leupold VXI 3-9x40 $219.99
Leupold VXI 3-9x50 $299.99
http://www.opticsplanet.net/leupold-rifle-scopes.html

also check out bushnell elite 3200

 

[MMCSRET]

Simmons; in the area I travel, have a less than stellar reputation for durability. I've had several fail while my 20 and 30 year old tasco's are still in service.

 

[Shawnee]

+1 for Dakotasin's comments.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

I would call it "Ok/so-so/decent", not "good". In my experience, almost all Simmons scopes are cheaply made and tend to break/fall apart at some point. Not as bad as BSAs, but not far behind. You can do a lot better. However, it should work well and has a nice price. A lot of guys at www.rimfirecentral.com like the "WTC" (whitetail classic).

 

[woof]

I know we are supposed to trash Simmons scopes but I have had two and both were great. I also had a Leupold and sent it back. Go figure. I agree though that 6x is too much. 4x tops and look for compact and low weight.

 

[dakotasin]

I agree though that 6x is too much. 4x tops and look for compact and low weight.

on a 243 vt? i disagree...

 

[bullockcm]

I happen to own one, I bought mine last year when Midway had them for $99. I don't have a ton of optics experience but I feel it is a pretty good value for ~$100. If $100 was all I really had to spend and I wanted something in the 6x - 20x magnification range I would probably buy another one.

The 50mm objective is big and the scope is kind of heavy. That said the outer 5mm of mine is not as clear as the rest basically making it a 40mm also there are several $300 scopes with a 40mm objective which transmit more light.

6x - 20x is a lot of magnification, works good for paper punching and dedicated varmint rifles but would make close in shots difficult on larger game due to limited field of view. If you are thinking about hunting medium sized game then a 4x - 12x or 14x might be a more useful comprise.

You didn't specify a price range or ask for other options but there are some good deals out there right now if you could spend a little more. Midway has some deals on "blemished" Burris scopes that just started last night, these won't last. I bought a Leupold from them that was "blemished" and can't find anything wrong with it. Also there is the Nikon Buckmaster in a similar magnification range as the Simmons for a little less than $300.