Anyone else own a BSA rifle scope?
- Thread starter Spike89
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Picked up a BSA red dot because it was $35 and figured it was worth trying..... What's the worst that happens, out $35? Worked great the first trip to the range, adjustments were a little sketchy but worked fine once I got it sorted. Second trip to the range the glass was broken when I pulled it out of the case. The rifle hadn't been knocked around badly or anything so for $35 you are getting a pretty delicate item.
Uncle Mike
Member
Which Model BSA scope did you get? We sell them, and for a PRC made scope, they aren't all that bad. The Contender and the Cateye models sell really well in both our shops, kind of the tacticool looking units, people grab them up.
I have a Cateye 3-12X40 on a 22, good enough image, not a great deal of resolution and the image is 'flat, but other than that, it's pretty good.
It seems as though, and I have checked many of them here at the shop, that the magnification is not the same as other scopes, given both are set on the same magnification, looks like the BSA image is always smaller than the next scope.
I have a Cateye 3-12X40 on a 22, good enough image, not a great deal of resolution and the image is 'flat, but other than that, it's pretty good.
It seems as though, and I have checked many of them here at the shop, that the magnification is not the same as other scopes, given both are set on the same magnification, looks like the BSA image is always smaller than the next scope.
Palehorseman
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I picked up a BSA 2X pistol scope for a couple bucks at a yard sale. Later put it on a MN-91/59 scout style and it has worked out great.
nullcontext
Member
yup, have a cats eye scope, it was alright, glass was good, clear at decent range. My main problem with it was the lack of range in the elevation and windage adjustment for adjustment at long range, other then that it was a great scope.
I also know several old timers out at my local range that swear by BSA, that's all they use on their rifles. I recently switched to a leupold scope, cost about 7x as much as my BSA.... I would say it's different, and good as well, it had all the features I wanted plus it's adjustment knobs are a lot nicer.
When the heat is coming off the barrel my BSA scope would look cross eyed, with the new scope it turns funny colors and goes a little fuzzy but I can still make out the target pretty clear. Other then that I don't notice that much of a difference.
They may be cheap, but it'll work... then again I don't beat up my scopes that much, so I can't tell you how well they stand up to abuse.
Leupold is good, I can tell the quality difference, but I'm not so sure it was worth 7x as much.
Then again I've only had it for a month, maybe I'll change my mind over time.
I also know several old timers out at my local range that swear by BSA, that's all they use on their rifles. I recently switched to a leupold scope, cost about 7x as much as my BSA.... I would say it's different, and good as well, it had all the features I wanted plus it's adjustment knobs are a lot nicer.
When the heat is coming off the barrel my BSA scope would look cross eyed, with the new scope it turns funny colors and goes a little fuzzy but I can still make out the target pretty clear. Other then that I don't notice that much of a difference.
They may be cheap, but it'll work... then again I don't beat up my scopes that much, so I can't tell you how well they stand up to abuse.
Leupold is good, I can tell the quality difference, but I'm not so sure it was worth 7x as much.
Then again I've only had it for a month, maybe I'll change my mind over time.WardenWolf
member
Honestly, if you want a good cheap brand, get Leapers. Their scopes have good optics and features, and people say they hold up well to recoil (one person put one on a Mosin Nagant). I had one on my Saiga .223 and was very pleased with it. I broke it while hunting with it, though; the whole 10-pound rifle fell off my shoulder and landed scope-first onto a rock. The tube bent at the eyepiece bell (where it hit) but the glass survived. I bought another one after I got back.
The running industry joke is that BSA stands for Better Stay Away. Their garbage frequently fails even when just exposed to .22LR recoil.
The running industry joke is that BSA stands for Better Stay Away. Their garbage frequently fails even when just exposed to .22LR recoil.
oldfool
Member
well, I remain reluctant to endorse BSA, but I do have a couple that have not caused me any grief
it can be difficult to come up with a scope that suits you for a lever action
but a couple of the compact shotgun type scopes have worked well for me
2.5X is e'nuff for a lever action to suit me
it is short, compact, not big n bulky
most of all, receiver mounted eye relief works out just right, rear not in the way of hammer
(that eye relief can be tough to fit thataway)
have used these ok on 38/357 Marlin carbine and on 243 NEF single shot, none of which are harsh recoil
it can be difficult to come up with a scope that suits you for a lever action
but a couple of the compact shotgun type scopes have worked well for me
2.5X is e'nuff for a lever action to suit me
it is short, compact, not big n bulky
most of all, receiver mounted eye relief works out just right, rear not in the way of hammer
(that eye relief can be tough to fit thataway)
have used these ok on 38/357 Marlin carbine and on 243 NEF single shot, none of which are harsh recoil
Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow
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I think you'd be wise to make that one your first, last, and only one ever. They're horrible, IME. Doesn't get any worse, at least IME. Sorry. Should work awhile on a rimfire, though.
I had a BSA red dot, took forever to zero and the dot is extremely fuzzy. Not to mention the glass does give some distortion even though it is unmagnified. I would honestly stay away from cheap stuff. I have had too much cheap stuff break on me or not live up to my expectations. SWFA has a brand rating chart you should take a look at, I avoid anything on the bottom two sections of the list.
See, I always made sure I had some QD rings for my cheap scopes that went on .22's that way if the scope failed, then the irons are easily accessed.
See, I always made sure I had some QD rings for my cheap scopes that went on .22's that way if the scope failed, then the irons are easily accessed.
jonboynumba1
Member
as cheap "until I get a real scope" riflescopes go they are not bad...when they first came out they had a LOT of problems and burned a lot of bridges with consumers...actually many of the other "decent if not good" cheapy scopes have gotten much worse in recent years and the BSA line seems to have improved in quallity control...some of them are widely used on rimfires at the club and they seem to work well (I've owned a sweet 22 and shot matches with it...it was fine for what it was) The deerhunter line and up is where you want to shop for centerfire...I bought a 3-9x50 on clearance as midway a while back for like $31 (cheaper than whiolesale) and have used it as a stop-gap scope for several rifles from .270-.300 win mag oddly one of the turrets (windage) looks almost crossthreaded and doesn't sit perfect flush against the housing inside the dustcover...but I tried it on my .270 and shot several sub MOA groups with it and my favorite handloads all afternoon when it came in. It's on my new .300 until I get to ordering my usual Nikon Buckmasters 3-9x40 for it to...gonna try their ballistiplex type reticle this time and see how i like it....I figure I've got my $31 of use out of it if it gives up tomorrow...but so far it's held zero well...it just doesn't adjust with the consistent predictable quallity of a Nikon or other decent-good scope. But if you need something for less than $75 "for now" they are as decent as anything else in the sub $100 category these days and better than many. Now would I go hunt Alaska or Colorado with one on my .300 mag? ahhhh NO! Would I possibly hunt a deer season here locally with it? Sure...but I should have a Nikon on it by Fall.
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TexasPatriot.308
Member
BSA scopes are just plain BS
doubleh
Member
I have a couple of them. One is old and on a .22LR. No problems at all. Of course a .22LR doesn't put much stress on a scope.
Bought a NEF .223 combo with a 3x9x40 a few years ago. The scope was a much better piece of equipment than the rifle. The rifle went down the road with the scope still on it.
I just purchased an 8x36x50 and put it on a 22/250. It seems to be good. Adjusts like it is supposed to and has held together for several shots but it hasn't really been tested hunting yet. My only complaint is that it gets a little dark above 24 power but since I will hardly ever use that range of magnification I really don't care. My local gun dealer sells a ton of these scopes and has hardly any problems with them. The good thing is if I do have a problem all I have to do is return it to him and he takes care of it.
One is old and on a .22LR. No problems at all. Of course a .22LR doesn't put much stress on a scope.Bought a NEF .223 combo with a 3x9x40 a few years ago. The scope was a much better piece of equipment than the rifle. The rifle went down the road with the scope still on it.
I just purchased an 8x36x50 and put it on a 22/250. It seems to be good. Adjusts like it is supposed to and has held together for several shots but it hasn't really been tested hunting yet. My only complaint is that it gets a little dark above 24 power but since I will hardly ever use that range of magnification I really don't care. My local gun dealer sells a ton of these scopes and has hardly any problems with them. The good thing is if I do have a problem all I have to do is return it to him and he takes care of it.
HOWARD J
Member
I have a 6-24 x 40 Contender on my savage .223 heavy barrel ( 9#) bolt action.
3 years old & works great..................
3 years old & works great..................
Bwana John
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Ive got a "Contender" series 4-12X X 40 with target turrets I have on a 77/22
It holds its zero, and has repeatable adjustments, BUT the optics are CRAP!
It holds its zero, and has repeatable adjustments, BUT the optics are CRAP!
Smokey Joe
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Wounded deer...
Spike 89--I had one on my .30-'06 deer rifle, several years back. It worked OK for a while, then while deer hunting the zero suddenly shifted w/no warning, causing me to shoot a deer in the front leg rather than in the chest, at abt. 50 yd. Yes, I'm a better shot than that.
(The shift in zero was not evident when sighting the rifle in prior to the hunting season. It happened suddenly, and with no warning, at exactly the worst time.)
The deer hobbled off, and I couldn't track it. Felt very badly about that.
Sent the 'scope back to BSA with a letter of complaint/explanation. After a considerable wait (several weeks IIRC) they sent a new 'scope back, no questions, no comment, no apology, nothing.
I mounted the 'scope on my rifle, then thought better of it and went and got a Leupold, which is still on the rifle--and still holds its zero.
FWIW, I will never put a BSA 'scope on one of my weapons again.
Spike 89--I had one on my .30-'06 deer rifle, several years back. It worked OK for a while, then while deer hunting the zero suddenly shifted w/no warning, causing me to shoot a deer in the front leg rather than in the chest, at abt. 50 yd. Yes, I'm a better shot than that.
(The shift in zero was not evident when sighting the rifle in prior to the hunting season. It happened suddenly, and with no warning, at exactly the worst time.)
The deer hobbled off, and I couldn't track it. Felt very badly about that.
Sent the 'scope back to BSA with a letter of complaint/explanation. After a considerable wait (several weeks IIRC) they sent a new 'scope back, no questions, no comment, no apology, nothing.
I mounted the 'scope on my rifle, then thought better of it and went and got a Leupold, which is still on the rifle--and still holds its zero.
FWIW, I will never put a BSA 'scope on one of my weapons again.
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Uncle Mike, I purchased the model S39X40CP Part#10114/BCL-24. I picked it up for $29.77 plus tax at BassPro. I will end up going to buy another for my 10/22 my Dad gave me. I will have to check out that Catseye one too. Thanks for posting.
sta500rdr
Member
I run a 20$ wally world BSA Scope on my 50 cal muzzleloader. I shoot it once a year, twice if im lucky, then throw it in the bath tub to clean it, scope and all. Seems to hold well enough for what I need, no complaints. I figure if it craps out, im only out 20$ and I'll just go get another one. If I was to put one on a high power rifle or something that I planned on shooting hundreds of yards, I would consider something different. But I have gotten every cent of my 20$ out of the one that I own.
Jaybird78
Member
I bought one over 8 years ago.............
and it was junk right out of the box. Didn't even mount it to my rifle. the cross hairs were canted bad and there was dirt/specks inside the tube.
Only way I would consider another one is if it was for a .22 and I got to hold/look at it first.
Good luck
and it was junk right out of the box. Didn't even mount it to my rifle. the cross hairs were canted bad and there was dirt/specks inside the tube.
Only way I would consider another one is if it was for a .22 and I got to hold/look at it first.
Good luck
rangerruck
Member
I've said it before, and I will never change my mind;
"IF IT SAYS BSA, THEN RUN AWAY!"
NOTHING else, needs to be said, really.
"IF IT SAYS BSA, THEN RUN AWAY!"
NOTHING else, needs to be said, really.
Tinpig
Member
I put a $35 BSA ".22 Special" scope on my Marlin .22 about five years ago.
The combination is extremely accurate and the scope has been 100 reliable as my main squirrel gun. No complaints at all.
Tinpig
The combination is extremely accurate and the scope has been 100 reliable as my main squirrel gun. No complaints at all.
Tinpig
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