Low end scopes?

BY far Tasco. I have a scope worth about $2000.00 and I bought a mil dot Tasco super varmenter adn it looks great, sharp, great clear optics and great in low light. It cost about $70.00

The very best bargain in lower priced optics, IMHO:

The Simmons Whitetail Expedition, 6.5-20x50. Usually, you can find one of these for about $100.00. Mine has held up to .300 Win Mag and .308; it now sits on my AR15 flat top.

2nd for simmons...I had a 1.5-6x whitetail expedition that was super bright and clear. Bushnell is a close 2nd.

Bushnell is miles ahead of BSA and Tasco. So is Simmons, at least their newer ones.

Had good runs with BSA. Simmons and low end Tasco have fallen apart however Tasco World Class seem pretty decent. Know a lady who ran a gun store for years. She sold 29 dollar scopes and 2,000 dollars scopes. You can get good ones and sorry ones in any price range and her percent of returns ran about equal throughout the price ranges. Have yet had to return a BSA so maybe I've just been lucky.

Didn't Tasco go belly up a few year back and then get picked up a short time later by Bushnell and the brand revived?

I've had good luck with all the above on modestly recoiling rifles (nothing above .308) as long as you accept their major limitation -- if you expect to zero at range X and then "dial in" a correction for range Y I suspect you'll be very dissapointed. But if you zero at range X for a given ammo and adjust your hold for different ranges They've generally worked well for me. My definition of "worked" is if I get smaller groups with the scope that I did iron sights with the same ammo off a rest. I've always prefered iron sights, but with age scopes became a necessity, Since I'm just shooting recreationally I'd rather not spend a ton of money on scopes and have more money for ammo instead.

--wally.

Tasco is, indeed, owned by Bushnell.

I've had excellent luck with both Bushnell and Tasco.

Worst scope I ever owned was a BSA 4x rimfire scope, but I think all of those mega-low-end sell-for-$5 scopes are garbage, so it's probably not fair to judge by that.

I've had really good luck with Bushnell scopes, never used Tasco, and in my opinion BSA's are pretty much junk. I know you said under 100 dollars, but if you're ever in the market for 50 dollars more, Nikon makes a 3x9 prostaff that I would put up against any. The thing is insanely clear and rock solid.

Good luck

I voted Bushnell...

If I get a used rifle that comes with a BSA I toss it. A lot of folks around here have had good luck with Tasco World Class or better. I have no patience with low end variables, however I have had good luck with the simple 4X Bushnell Sportsman. To be sure the optics aren't that great, but those I've had have proven durable......Essex

Bushnell by Far and away over Tasco and BSA.

I've got a Tasco $9.99 dollar special on a Marlin Model 60 that was originally
purchased for a daisy air rifle in the early 1980's and it works great for the price.

I've heavily researched and owned a variety of low-end scopes. Here's my opinion for $100 or less optics.


For $100, the undisputed KING, without question is the Nikon Prostaff 4x
($99). It is by far better than anything listed above. I'd rather have that scope with a 50y parallax setting than have the other 3 listed which are blurry. The Nikon cannot be beat in optical quality at that price point. It is very clear, very bright and repeatable. It also has a lifetime warranty. Nikon will take care of you on that scope, Bushnell and others advertise lifetime, but I've read too many stories of people not getting much help. Many companies give the excellent customer service to the high end scopes in their lineups.


Now, there is one more choice out there. There are some Simmons (some, not all) that have really good optics for your tight budget. An example of one is the WTC. This scope sells for $99 often. I have an ATV (no longer made) which was a production for Wal*Mart that they never put in the stores and was instead sold on the internet for $79. This scope has very good quality. Not as good as the Nikon Prostaff, but very close. Close enough to not make a big difference. Any scope sold in a blister-package isn't very good. The Nikon is best, the Simmons is close, then everything else like BSA, Bushnell and Tasco scopes on the lower end are blurry and like looking through a bottle.

There are a few different Simmons that go for $99 or a little less that are the equivalent of $130-$170 scopes if you search around and find sales. Those are the ones that you want to find. If the Whitetail Expedition is anything like the WTC (White Tail Classic) or the ATV...it will be a good choice from Simmons.

I'm not saying Tasco or Bushnell don't make a good scope, just that in the $100 arena, the Nikon then Simmons dominate in quality. Bushnell is better on the high end with the Elite 4200 that many people feel is optically superior to a Leupold VX-III.

I voted Tasco, only becasue I have no experience with any of the others---I've used them for 35+ years with no problems, ever. And I kow they aren't as good as the "high-priced) scopes, but other than lacking in low-light capability when compared to better optics, they've served me wuite well.

Barska




nero

Simmons is all I own.

I own all three

I own one of all three brands listed. My choice for my last rifle purchased was a Bushnell 4X12x42, (? I think it was somthing like that) - it may have been a 48, anyway, I put it on a Remington 700 ADL in .270. I am very much pleased w/ the results. I can place a cold shot into a narrow mason lid at 125 yards on most days. I know for a fact it will harvest a Whitetail w/ no problem. Just ask that last 4 X 4 (eight pointer, not a pick-up truck), laying on the ground over there. Oh - I guess he ain't saying much these day's.

Cheap or not by comparison, it still gets the job done.

Archangelcd, what gun you looking to scope? I voted for Tasco also. I picked up a Tasco 2.5x10x42 mm Varmint with Mildot reticle last year (believe it was after the Bushnell takeover) and I am very pleased with it. It has 1/4" adjustment and is very clear and precise. It is sitting on top of my AR flat-top that will shoot less than an inch @ 100 yards if I do my job. If memory serves it was $69 from Midway. I also have an old 4X32 that has seen more than one gun (Marlin 336 and Mini-14), it has not dissappointed. I paid $19.95 for it 15 years ago. I have never owned one but have heard excellent things about Nikon optics as well. Don't Tread on Me, I will have to look into that scope, seems like a nice deal. Billhttp://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=253051

I edited this post, the same scope now goes for 61.99, a good deal I believe and has good feedback. Bill

"Blurry" is a relative quality, and for me, "good enough" is good enough: I'm quite blind without a scope, and all the scopes I've seen have been satisfactorily crisp.

I've only got Bushnell scopes, but a $100 6.5-20x50 scope is appealing; I can't find one of those Simmons Whitetail Expeditions for purchase online, however...

if you can't buy a low end leupold for $199.00 at midway even a burris FF II for $169.00 save up more money.I don't buy crap scopes.nothing worse than have a 10 pt walk out and your cheap ass scope fails.
pete

Bushnell owns Tasco now.
We are pleased to have you visit our site. Bushnell Outdoor Products is the parent company of the following brands: Bushnell, Bollé, Serengeti, Browning Sports Optics, Tasco, Uncle Mike’s, Hoppe’s, Butler Creek, Stoney Point, Blackwater Gear, and Uncle Mikes Law Enforcement.

Bushnell Outdoor Products has been the industry leader in sports optics & outdoor accessories for over 50 years. Our dedication to emerging technologies, leading edge design and performance innovation is what makes us one of the most reputable and recognized companies in the world. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to learn about Busnhell Outdoor Products.

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Meade owns simmons, weaver, and Redfield.

Need a scorecard these days on who owns who.

I think all their bottom line is junk, like the pronghorn, but their middle class scopes like the World Class is one of the real scope bargains out there. The are assembled in China, but they have Jap glass and are fully coated lenses.
I bought a world class in 3x9x40, and love it for $30!
Too many people think of Tasco, before Bushnell bought it. They improved it, moved it to China, and put better glass in in.
Don't get into a brand rut, like the marketing guys want you to. Go to a real store, and look through the scopes, and compare them. That's the nice thing about optics. You can compare before you buy. Can't do that with a gun, at least most places.....

I've had good experiences with both Bushnell and Tasco low-end scopes, but I've never tried a BSA centerfire scope. The only other cheap scope I've owned was a Simmons 3x9 that wouldn't hold zero.