Cheap Scope
- Thread starter RKellogg
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Hokkmike
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As a scope is the limiting factor on the accuracy of a gun I don't do cheap anymore, but one of the cheapest and best scopes that I used to own was a Tasco Mag IV.
Sniper X
Member
Spend about 30 bucks more and get the super awesome (for the money) Tasco Super Varmenter it is a 2.5~10x and has a 42mm reticle. Great optics for the money, and is a Mil Dot reticle, and target/sniper turrets. I put one on one of my M4s and it has yet to let me down in any way! I think I paid about 60 for it.
+1 Sniper
I bought a Tasco "worldclass" 3-9 and put it on a .223 and never had any problems, good scope... paid about $70 bucks for it. Maybe it's worth paying a extra buck or two if it's going on a .22mag, if it was a .22lr I couldn't care less...
I bought a Tasco "worldclass" 3-9 and put it on a .223 and never had any problems, good scope... paid about $70 bucks for it. Maybe it's worth paying a extra buck or two if it's going on a .22mag, if it was a .22lr I couldn't care less...
Sniper X
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Essex County
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On a couple of occasions I have used inexpensive scopes. I refuse to dip lower than a Bushnell Sportsman and then only in a fixed 4X. A cheap variable is money thrown away...Essex
oregonhunter
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1 more for the tasco, best scope for the money I feel.
'Card
Member
I be lovin' some cheap scopes.
It's an unpopular opinion on this forum, but I'm just too hard on my equipment for it to make sense to spend much money on it. Any scope I buy is gonna get strapped in a kayak, dunked, banged, bashed, dragged up and down rock cliffs, and every once in awhile I'll probably fall on it. If I'm going to be constantly stressed out about my gear because of how much I paid for it, I'd be better off staying home.
So I've been using BSA scopes lately, and they keep surprising me with how good they are and how much abuse they can take. And if I ever get a bad one, I don't see that as a big deal. I can buy four more of them before I get into the range of what a Leupold would cost me.
It's an unpopular opinion on this forum, but I'm just too hard on my equipment for it to make sense to spend much money on it. Any scope I buy is gonna get strapped in a kayak, dunked, banged, bashed, dragged up and down rock cliffs, and every once in awhile I'll probably fall on it. If I'm going to be constantly stressed out about my gear because of how much I paid for it, I'd be better off staying home.
So I've been using BSA scopes lately, and they keep surprising me with how good they are and how much abuse they can take. And if I ever get a bad one, I don't see that as a big deal. I can buy four more of them before I get into the range of what a Leupold would cost me.
aaronrkelly
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CDNN usually has some pretty decent cheap scopes.
zero_chances
Member
I have had good luck with Tasco. I have one on my 30-30 Marlin 336, and it seems to hold the zero well.
I have heard Simmons are good too.
I have heard Simmons are good too.
rangerruck
Member
the new simmons, and three others are all now made by meade, and are quite fine, really, one piece tubes, direct erecting control knobs, better glass. you'll get no complaints from me. also Daisy and Tasco make a air riflre rated scopes , that are very good, the tasco comes in a hard plastic package, along with earmuffs, and glasses , for about 35 bucks. i bought one set, put it on a 10.22 , like the scope so much , bought another package deal.
I will go no lower than the above, for Tasco, a little bit better, get the Varmint series. I ve got two in 6.24..42 power, and they kick much !@$ss.
I will go no lower than the above, for Tasco, a little bit better, get the Varmint series. I ve got two in 6.24..42 power, and they kick much !@$ss.
rockstar.esq
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I have an older 3-9X40 Simmons on my .22 and I'm convinced of a few things.
1) Cheap scopes are better values dollar for dollar than most folks will give them credit for.
2) The turret mechanism isn't as precise so zeroing is a bit more involved.
3) The zero doesn't move like is often suggested by scope snobs.
4) The image quality sucks at the edges of the field of view so center your target well!
5) Adjust the power down for closer shots for an increase in accuracy and you'll be impressed by their value.
1) Cheap scopes are better values dollar for dollar than most folks will give them credit for.
2) The turret mechanism isn't as precise so zeroing is a bit more involved.
3) The zero doesn't move like is often suggested by scope snobs.
4) The image quality sucks at the edges of the field of view so center your target well!
5) Adjust the power down for closer shots for an increase in accuracy and you'll be impressed by their value.
I don't know what model Simmons you are looking at, but I have a 3-9X40 8-Point scope on my .30-06. The scope is usually under $50. It came with my rifle. It holds its zero and has very clear glass. Simmons are quite a deal for the money. They are the best "cheap" scopes you can buy. On a .22 mag, you really don't need anything real elaborate because recoil will be minimal.
Smith357
Member
I have never had any problem with cheapie scopes on rimfire rifles. I have had issues with them on centerfire guns. I like the new Leapers series of Chinese crapola scopes, I put one on my pellet rifle and it is handling the reverse recoil just fine. They are full featured and under a hundred bucks.
http://www.pyramydair.com/cgi-bin/accessory.pl?accessory_id=659
http://www.pyramydair.com/cgi-bin/accessory.pl?accessory_id=659
redneck2
Member
I think it kinda depends on what you're doing. If you just put it on a .22 plinker, it's probably not a big deal if it goes bad.
If you're going on an $8,000 elk hunt and use a $50 scope, you're a fool IMO.
The harder you use a scope, the more you need probably need something better. A contractor needs a better circular saw than I do.
The cheaper the scope, the better the odds of something going wrong. I worked in a gun shop. Super cheap scopes would fail maybe 20-40%. More expensive scopes maybe 1 in 10. The high grade ones (Leupold, Burris , etc.) would fail maybe 1 in 100.
Almost all companies make various grades of products. A Leupold VX-I is obviously not as good as a VX-III, but then it's 1/3rd the price.
I just talked to a guy in a gun shop this past week. He had a .22-250 with a Swarovski. I asked him if there really was much of a difference between that and a Leupold. He said that, after 2 full days of PD shooting, you have less eye strain, less problem with mirage, and better clairity around the edges.
It's your money. Get what you think you need. Just don't tell me that a $50 is as good as a Swarovski. It may be adequate for what you need, but there's no way it's as good.
If you're going on an $8,000 elk hunt and use a $50 scope, you're a fool IMO.
The harder you use a scope, the more you need probably need something better. A contractor needs a better circular saw than I do.
The cheaper the scope, the better the odds of something going wrong. I worked in a gun shop. Super cheap scopes would fail maybe 20-40%. More expensive scopes maybe 1 in 10. The high grade ones (Leupold, Burris , etc.) would fail maybe 1 in 100.
Almost all companies make various grades of products. A Leupold VX-I is obviously not as good as a VX-III, but then it's 1/3rd the price.
I just talked to a guy in a gun shop this past week. He had a .22-250 with a Swarovski. I asked him if there really was much of a difference between that and a Leupold. He said that, after 2 full days of PD shooting, you have less eye strain, less problem with mirage, and better clairity around the edges.
It's your money. Get what you think you need. Just don't tell me that a $50 is as good as a Swarovski. It may be adequate for what you need, but there's no way it's as good.
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