A Scope is a Scope..

Status
Not open for further replies.
J

JerseyChris

Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2012
Messages
25
Location
Central Jersey
I was at the Philly gun show over the weekend and I was looking for a semi auto .22lr specifically a Ruger 10/22 and found one on Sat. I was walking around and kept seeing a good amount of cheap scopes from like $35 to under a $100. I picked up a few, looked at them at the 3 power setting and was amazed at how clear they are. I found a Sniper Brand 3-9/40 for like $85 and figured I would try it out. Whats the worst that can happen, toss it in the garbage if if it is that bad.
I brought the scope over to the table I was buying the 10/22 from and asked the guy if he had much experience with cheaper scopes. He said to me "a scope is just a scope". I know that is far from true myself but wanted to give a cheap one a try so I could form my own opinion based on real world experience.
Well I got home and mounted it up and first thing I noticed is that its tough to see out of. I was playing with eye relief from about 3-5 inches and not much helped. I can get a decent view but it does take a little time to get right. One big thing I have learned is you cant ever judge a scope on how it looks in the store. I have not shot it yet but I can see it coming off soon. I have 2 Leupolds on other guns and as soon as I put the gun up to my shoulder I can see right out of them perfect..
So from what I have learned so far it surely seems you get what you pay for in a rifle scope...
 
Be Careful ! You just may get labeled as a "scope snob".;)
Don't worry though, a lot of us here have been called that.

Most of the ones calling us that just haven't figured the optics thing out yet.
 
Last edited:
My whole point in buying this was trying to avoid that label in the first place. :D I brought the gun to work today so I am going to put a few rounds through it later. Maybe there are better cheaper optics but so far this one really seems like junk. I will report back after I put it to use..
 
This reminds me so much of a couple of guys I have known in the past with that "Wal-Mart frame of mind" as I call it.
Expects to buy some basic $300 hunting rifle with a synthetic stock that comes with a 12 pound trigger pull and then picks up a scope in a blister pack for $29.99 and cant understand why he cant shoot sub moa.
Must be that sorry RemWinFed ammo that was on sale!!
Yes,you definitely get what you pay for.
 
Last edited:
i got some banners on handi rifles they work great. i got some 3200 elites on a pair of savages. they work super. difference is like night and day.bought a stevens this year and was on tight budget went with a prostaff which is still better than the banners
 
My personal belief and what I tell others on a budget.....Put your money in this order:
good scope
good trigger
rifle

A cheap rifle with a good trigger and good scope will almost always out shoot a good rifle with cheap scope and lousy trigger.
 
heeler said:
This reminds me so much of a couple of guys I have known in the past with that "Wal-Mart frame of mind" as I call it.
Expects to buy some basic $300 hunting rifle with a synthetic stock that comes with a 12 pound trigger pull and then picks up a scope in a blister pack for $29.99 and cant understand why he cant shoot sub moa.
Must be that sorry RemWinFed ammo that was on sale!!
Yes,you definitely get what you pay for.
Click to expand...
Bwahaha!

If I had a nickel for every time I've heard a similar story. :D

I actually heard a version of it yesterday.
 
cheap scopes

I have found that at most gun shows in my area (N.C.). You will find dealers with tables full of cheap scopes, with brands you never heard of. You rarely find a dealer selling major name brands. I have always wondered why? Good scopes at decent prices can be found. The Burris Fullfield 2, and Nikon Prostaff are quality scopes with a great warranty.
 
around $100 you can still buy good brand scopes, just don't buy no brand no QC ones
but diminishing returns still apply when you go up to much higher price
 
NM Rancher

JerseyChris,
I just bought a Zeiss Conquest 3x9- 40 for $399. By far the best glass I've ever owned! I have Nikon Monarchs, Bushnell banners, Bushnell 4600's. the Zeiss outshines them all!
 
just a tip to anyone buying a cheap scope....lets say you buy a 100 dollar scope and u fall or drop your gun and it breaks...so what you spend another 100,,,but lets say you buy a nikon or burris or luepold for 300 plus..it breaks...damn the bad luck..but wait it gets replaced for free...thats y you spend the money...1 scope to basically last you forever(lifetime warranty) ..or a 100 scope everytime the cross hair comes loose, or u drop it, or it breaks, countless possibilities...if your on a budget go ahead by all means get a cheap scope, may not work for long, or may not be as clear but they do work.... but when you got the money fork it out for a good one..it will be worth it
 
As for scopes in my mind its the same old say, you get what you pay for. However I recently purchased a bolt action rifle that had a scope on it, turned out to be a CenterPoint scope. First thought was its ok for an airgun and I have not put it to the test in weather, field conditions but it seems to be a fairly decent scope. Not holding my breath but hopefully it will be ok. And for repair I am lucky my son does this type work every day so all I have to do is drop it in front seat of his truck and he know what to do.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top