Two scope questions

[stevekl]

I don't know much about scopes at all. I understand magnification power, fixed vs. variable, and objective size lenses. What I don't understand is what makes a scope a good buy, and what makes a scope somthing I should avoid.

If I wanted a decent, rugged, medium power, fixed magnification scope. Something not fancy, in other words, but also a scope that I can use on a variety of rifles if I choose to (including centerfire and rimfire). What would be the minimum price of something like that? Can I get by with less than $100?

I happen to have a Bushnell rimfire scope that came as a package deal with an auto-loader .22. I'm not 100% sure but I would guess that it's a 4x 32mm fixed power. Is this a good scope? I know it's not a good choice for shooting centerfires out to 700 yards. But just for 100 yard plinking with a .22, will I need something better?

 

[Magnum Wheel Man]

I'm sure there are scope snobs here... they are everywhere ( seems like )

IMO...for the caliber & distance you are shooting, that is likely all the scope you'll need for that rifle...

typically IMO, that scope is in the lower 1/3 of whats available quality wise... better quality scopes will offer...

better light transmission, allowing you to shoot easier in lower light situations...

less critical eye relief, allowing you a bit more versatility in in scoping up & shooting the gun...

offer a larger field of view, which is pretty self explainitory...

offer finer cross hair adjustment & or better / more consistant repeatability...

offer a more stout set of cross hairs for heavy recoiling guns...

offer better fog resistance...

... if you find that you had wished for any of the previous listed advantages, often lots of them can / could be available with only a modest step up in scope quality or price...

 

[USMC_2674]

I am fairly new to scopes...

but for $200 there are a lot nicer scopes to be had.

However, for .22 plinking you are probably doing just fine with the one you have.

Semper Fidelis!

 

[stevekl]

What do you guys think of either of these scopes?

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=522933
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=473558

Another question:

How do I tell (on midway, or on any online catalog) if a scope has those windage/elevation knobs that are easy to adjust with your fingers and don't require unscrewing a cap? as you can see, I don't even know the term for it. In those two examples, the first one has that feature, it's clear from the picture. But does the second one? I can't tell from the picture!

You see why scope shopping is so difficult when you don't understand all of the terminology

 

[Outlaws]

It will say something to the tune of finger adjustments. If it doesn't, just assume you need a screw driver or a dime handy.

Don't take this the wrong way, but in all honesty, I wouldn't say finger adjustments are a big deal on a sub-$100 scope because the likeliness of it being repeatable to the point of just saying 16 clicks to drop it 16" at 400 yards or something like that is a long shot. Once you turn it back 16 clicks so its on at 100 yards again doesn't mean it will be even close to where it was without test shots. There is only so much to expect from a inexpensive scope, and that isn't one of them IMO. Set it and forget it.

*edit*
after re-reading your original post, it doesn't sound like there would be any situation finger adjustments would ever get used outside of the initial sighting of the scope. Even on a centerfire (what caliber by the way?), if you only shoot upt to 300 yards, sight it for 200 and most will be a few inches high at 100 and a few (or a little more) low at 300.

 

[rockstar.esq]

So here's the thing about cost vs. quality in scopes. A ton of folks believe that buckets of money should be spent on a scope claiming that any less is akin to throwing rocks. I've found that lesser scopes compare favorably in bright daylight at known ranges. If you seriously envision yourself shooting at first light the added clairity and light transmission makes a difference however seldom to the extent claimed in advertisments. The point made above about how cheaper scope adjustments are seldom perfectly repeatable is true as well. Specifically about how if you just set it for the proper range it will likely behave itself just fine. I've got a Bushnell 3-9x42 on my .22LR and it has performed perfectly. On the other extreeme I have an IOR 2.5-10X 55 tactical scope that has been everything I've ever wanted of my scope including rangefinding, holdover, repeatable adjustments, etc. So I guess I'm trying to say that I've had great results with both the cheapest and some expensive ones.

 

[stevekl]

I just like the idea of tool-less adjustable knobs because it just seems easier, and so I don't have to remember to bring pocket change or a screw driver in order to adjust a scope.

The 4x rimfire scope I have has little rectangle shaped things to adjust for windage/elevation. I have however seen scopes with knobs that you can just adjust without having to grab those little things, or unscrew a cap to get to. Do you know what I mean? I was wondering what those are called, and how I identify a scope that has them.

 

[rangerruck]

those are called turret knobs. make life easy. or skip ethem all together, and go to a gunshow and fidn a used Weaver, in a fixed power, like a 16x.

 

[BsChoy]

I would lose the scopes with the adjustable objective. They can be a pain in the #$$ and aren't going to be necessary for simple rimfire ranges...just my .02