Who makes the best Inexpensive Rifle Scope??

Simons is owned by Meade Instruments. They've also acquired Redfield facilities and machinery.

Simmons ProHunter 2X -7X is a tough scope with clear and bright optics. I've hunted in minus zero weather many times with this scoped rifle and it's never failed me. Natchez Shooting Supply often sells these for less than $70.

Simmons 44MAG series features a larger objective lens for even better low loght conditions.

Simmons AETEC in 2.8X - 10X has been fitted to my long range .243 rifle for many years. This is Simmons TOP scope. It's in the same class as scopes costing 3 or 4 times higher.

Simmons shotgun scope 2.5X has been on my slug gun for 4 seasons and no change in zero.

Hope this is helpful.

TR

Simple. Leupold. I am a firm believer that they make the absolute best scope for the money. Any thing below a leupold in quality and you will most likley be dissapointed. plus you can probably get a used one for a decent price. And with a lifetime warranty a used leupold is just as good as a new one.

center point hands down much better than bsa bec simmons or tasco.

You have to define inexpensive???? What are you going to put it on?

Assuming you mean $150.-$200. street price and your gonna put it on a common deer rifle take a look at the followng:

Nikon Prostaff
Bushnell 3200
Simmons AETEC

Personally these are the least expensive scopes I'd put on a centerfire rifle of .243 caliber or larger.

Contrary to the opion of many I have had very good results with BSA in 8-32 x 40 or 50 or their 45 x 40. Ofcourse once I have them adjusted and sighted in I keep my hands off the adjustments.

Price is a huge factor for me as its between having a scope or non at all. Not everyone has the means to drive a R/R or an Italian sports car. Or for that matter a new car.

I have come to trust the two Centerpoints I own a 4-16x40mm scope and a 1x red dot scope. They hold zero and work very well for the small investment made. The 4-16x40mm is mounted on a 30-06 bolt rifle and the 1x34mm red dot sees duty on my LR-308 and is holding up very well. They both can be had at Wal-Mart for $69 and $49 respectively.



But the glass in the 4-16 is the biggest compromise (you do get a lot of neat features that are virtually useless for hunting). The best glass for the money are entry level Nikon Buckmasters, Bushnell 3200's, and Luepold's.

I have been very pleased with the Bushnell 3200 series, I have three of them and I do have Leupold and Schmidt & Bender so I admit I'm bit of a scope snob

Probably Millett but I have good experience with Leupolds being a good value.

See, this is my idea of "inexpensive."

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/56899-34.html

I just put this scope on my Marlin 981t, and it I love it! The suregrip click adjustable windage and elevation makes zeroing a snap, and I had no problems seeing where my shots were landing at 50 yards. The scope also has a very solid feel to it. It does NOT look and feel like a $25 scope, at least not to me.

But I am far from an expert and YMMV, but I really have to say that this scope is a steal, IMHO.

i bought 2 simmons 4x20x50 variable power scopes with the adjustable objective lens for 125 each. they were marked down from around 275 bux at midway.

i liked them so much i bought 3 more.

then again, the only scopes i had ever owned before were el-cheapo 35 dollar walmart scopes.

they are nice and bright, and i can see my 223 holes on target at 200 yards. they also hold zero very well.

i also like that they are mil-dot.

^^ Bryan, are those the "Whitetail Classic" scopes?

BTW the new Simmons 8-Point scopes work pretty well too...we mounted one to a Lee Enfield a year ago. It's been to the range 4 times and 100+ rounds per trip. It hits the bullseye every time 1st shot at 100yrds. Not bad for an $8 rifle, $25 scope and handloads. It's my father-in-laws rifle he purchase at Army Joe's in PA when he was a kid. The bore looks like a sewer pipe and headspace is just about at the limit. It amaizes me that this rifle still hits the target scope or no scope.

Nikon or pentax; for 150 bucks, you get a lot of scope, with Japanese glass, still very desirable.
Both have a no questions asked, lifetime return policy, just like Leupold.
Tasco Varmint series; I have had these now for about 5 years, they have never lost zero, and have been repeatable; the glass is pretty good, even at high
power; I usually keep them on 24x. I have had them on everything from 22's, to 308 superlights, and
they have never lost zero. I have one on a hunting/long range 243 right now.
They will be in the 100+ dollar range.
NOW FOR THE SLEEPER; Tasco makes a scope that is ADULT RATED,
AIR RIFLE RATED, SPRING PISTON RATED. Which means, it will have lots of
steel ,and should be double tough to take recoil. it is also a 3x9x32, which
means it is not very big and overpowering. it also has an ajustable AO, and
it goes down to about 10 ft., which is awesome!!!! anything that can get Prllax
free under 25 yds is good, especially if you squirrel hunt. I have used these
scopes on rimfires for years, but have no long term notes for it, on centerfires, though
I have had them on centerfires, and have a new one in the box, waiting on a new
home to ride upon, as soon as I decide what!!!
Be careful if you buy one, there is this model, and another model without the
adjustable AO, they are both called golden Antler series, though.
Best thing about it? it is 40 bucks or so...
http://www.opticsplanet.net/tasco-3-9x44-titan.html

Simple. Leupold. I am a firm believer that they make the absolute best scope for the money. Any thing below a leupold in quality and you will most likley be dissapointed. plus you can probably get a used one for a decent price. And with a lifetime warranty a used leupold is just as good as a new one.

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+1


More words to make post long enough

Rangerruck, Neat Tasco...do you think it would hold up on a .223 AR or even .308 AR?

Centerpoints are made by Leapers and I've had good luck with Leapers scopes so far.

I've had a Simmons self-destruct on me, (don't remember the exact model but it was a 3-9x32). I have a BSA that changes zero as I increase magnification, (6-24x40 IR mildot). One of my Leupolds had the reticle shift so far it couldn't be zeroed, (3-9x40). I had the power adjustment lock up on a Tasco, (3-9x40).

The brands that have never given me trouble have been Bushnell, Springfield Armory, Leapers, Millett and Barska. Probably more the luck of the draw than anything else.

As I said earlier, so far I've liked the Leapers scopes for the money. The one major drawback I've found with them is that they are very prone to glare.

nothing made in China I assure you

The bushnell banners are a lot of scope for the $$$ Korea

as are the no discontinued Sightron s1's Japan

Knock off Leupolds I presume.

ScareyH22A said:

Knock off Leupolds I presume.

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that use plain recycled bottles for lenses instead of optical quality glass. Lens coatings????what are those

I would lean towards the Bushnell for the cheapest that is worth buying IMO. Nikon isn't that expensive either. Bad luck with Simmons here.

See, this is my idea of "inexpensive."

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egfan, thanks for the link. I just ordered one. I will try it out and report.
Thanks

We've had good luck with Simmons of various models and magnifications. As I recall, one of the distributors had them on sale and my father bought several. The optics are clear and bright and they seem to hold zero.

Some of the Leupolds are being made in China! Can this be confirmed?