Cheap fixed power scopes

[OrangePwrx9]

Are any of them any good? To me cheap is in the $20 to $60 range. There seem to be a lot of choices lately.

I've had pretty good luck with some low cost Simmons and Bushnell variables but kinda baby 'em and don't put them on autoloaders. Actually have had better luck with cheapies than with Burris. Barska and B-Square make some nice compact fixed power scopes, but I don't know much about them.

Don't need terrific optics, can live with edge distortion, but need something that will hold together on a shotgun or an AK variant or a muzzleloader. Old eyes and AK sights...not a good match.

I'm particularly leery of the auto loaders. Used to have a Mini-30 that seemed to eat scopes.

I'm looking primarily at the 4x32s and 2 or 2.5x25s. I'm thinking the shotgun scopes might stand up to abuse best, but don't need the fancy reticules. Not too worried about the shotgun parallax thing. Probably won't be shooting over 150 yards with 50-100 most likely. The extra eye relief would be nice.

Any makes/models recommended? Any to avoid?
Thanks.
Bob

 

[Bernie P.]

If you can go just a bit higher you can get an excellent 4x scope at a GREAT price here-
http://www.natchezss.com/product.cf...e 4X32 Rifle Scope Black Matte Dual X Reticle
I put one on my Savage MKII BV and love it.

 

[rangerruck]

only if they are air rifle rated, spring piston rated, would I get them, from the cheapy guys. otherwise, look for someting from leupold, burris, weaver, nikon=if they make one.
Now then, you could allways go over to ebay, and buy a old , all steel, weaver , El paso made, fixed power. Get ones with pics, that show the glass to be as clear and as blue free as possible. the old weavers, they tend to never move their reticles, and if you can get one with the old german pyramid post, with crosshair, I have never heard of one of those moving, ever.

 

[ArmedBear]

Nikon 4x32 Rimfire Classic is an excellent scope for around 100 bucks.

I don't go cheaper any more. I've ended up replacing the things, so they were a waste of money, even if I wasted a little at a time.

My Simmons 4x held zero, but I got sick of the distortion in the field. Other scopes have been far worse.

Bottom line? IMO you can get a pretty decent scope for 100-250 bucks these days, one that you will remain satisfied with indefinitely. When I've spent less, I've ended up wishing I had the money back to apply towards something incrementally more expensive but exponentially better.

 

[OrangePwrx9]

Thanks, Bernie P. That might be just what I'm looking for. I've had good luck with all my Weavers, both old and new.
Bob

 

[3pairs12]

I got a cheap Bushnell @ Walmart for 30 bucks. Put it on the 12 guage and seems to work fine. 4x32 btw.

 

[Dr.Rob]

I bought a Leapers/UTG 4x carry handle mount scope for my AR that not only works, it's held zero even being on and off the rifle multiple times. I think it was $30.

The ONLY reason I bought this cheap Chinese piece of glass was to compare shooting a fixed 4x to a zero magnification red dot.

I got my money's worth of grins from it already.