Fixed power scopes - Weaver K series?

[smithman 10]

In the old days hunters put a 4 power scope on their rifles and called it good.

Well I just picked up a J. C. Higgins Model 50 in .30-06 at the local gun show and I need to put a scope on it. It has open sights on it but the old eyes need help. Looking at the old ads for the gun it originally came with just the open sights or a 2.5 power optic.

So I'm looking at all the options and my mind is overwhelmed with all the possible choices. 3-9, 4-16, 2-7, 6-12 - you name it, at prices from $40 to $1,000 and up.

I MAY use the rifle to hunt but I may also never do anything but punch a little paper at 100 yards at the range.

So how about a Weaver K 4X38 scope as my choice? I can get one for about $130. That's pretty cheap - reckon it's any good?

 

[browningguy]

The K series are decent for the price, the glass isn't quite up to the best optics but they are very rugged and good enough for almost all hunting. I use one of the Grand Slam 4.5 fixed power on my .308 carbine for hunting, although some people think this is low power I have no problems with it out to 300 yards.

 

[mr wack]

I'm a big fan of the older El Paso made weavers, although the optics may not be as good as the scopes produced today they are still plenty good enough for punching paper at 100 + yds and hunting.

My little Henry 22 magnum has a K4 mounted on it ( and if I ever find any ammo for it I will shoot it again) and my Arg 91 Mauser sporter wears a K 2.5.

The K 2.5 looks like it was made for sported milsurps , to me anyhoo,,,.

 

[bannockburn]

Put a Weaver K2.5 on my Ruger 10/22 shortly after I got the rifle because I knew the accuracy potential was there even with just using the iron sights. Proved to be a great combination and rifle and scope are still working great together after all these years.

 

[eastbank]

i have several older K- series weavers that i use with no troubles at all, would i take them hunting in a blinding snow storm or a down pour, no. but i,m too old to hunt in those conditions any way. i did pick up this older lyman 2.5x scope (22.00 at auction)and i,m going to mount it on a 1952 winchester model 70 in .270 and i think it will be a perfect match and on a nice winter day i will carry it on a deer hunt. eastbank.

 

[FSJeeper]

The K4 will get the job done.

The absolute best 4 power for the money right now is the IOR fixed 4 power with German #4a Reticle. You are not going to get much better at any price:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/63...4x-32mm-4a-reticle-matte?cm_vc=ProductFinding

 

[smithman 10]

Fixed power scope

That Valdada IOR looks mighty fine but costs a little more than I was hoping to spend. Got the rifle for $270 which I thought was a good deal for me.

I'll probably order that Weaver K4 after reading the comments. Thanks to all for the input.

 

[jaysouth]

$270 is smokin' hot price for that JC Higgins.

A current manufacture Weaver K-4 is a fine scope. The older ones may have been better the the newer one holds up better to rain/fog/moisture.

I wish Tasco would still make the 4X40 in Japan. It was a really fine scope at a good price. I have two left.

A .30-06 with a 4 power scope is not only iconic but as good as it gets for hunting. If you learn to hunt instead of relying on high powered optices.

 

[smithman 10]

Model 50

I got it from a pawn shop that brought some stuff to the gun show. Pretty sure they didn't know much about the guns they were selling.

I saw the FN Made in Belgium marking on the receiver so I went home and looked it up. Came back the next day and bought it.

The metal is real nice, just one tiny rust spot on the barrel that came off with some oil and gentle rubbing with fine steel wool. Wood shows a little wear, but heck, it's 60 + years old!

Here's a quick cellphone photo with the Weaver - it arrived today and I just installed it. I'll take it to the range this weekend and give it a try.

 

[WestKentucky]

I had a custom k98 .308 that was benchrest built and heavy as Oprah on a bad week. It wore a k10 that was a very clear scope and extremely rugged. The gun was too heavy and I sold it. I miss the scope, not the gun. I would not hesitate using a lower power K scope.

 

[Savage99]

The Old Weaver K 4 was the cheapest scope back in the 50's.

Today the seals will be dry and it will get moisture inside and rust outside on its steel tube.

Buy a Leupold 2-7X.

 

[Haxby]

Smithman -
Is that a new K4? If so, are they still made in Japan?
I picked up a new 4x28 Weaver rimfire model a couple years ago. Heck of a nice scope.

 

[eastbank]

the older scopes may cause problems when used in bad weather due to sealing problems, when i hunt with them i avoid hunting in very wet weather and when i have hunted in very cold weather i do no take them into a warm place right away. if you have a older leupold scope setting around take the time to send it back to be serviced and use it,you will not regret it. there was a place you could get the older weavers repaired, but i think it went kuput. eastbank.

 

[readyeddy]

I would go with the 3-9.

For older eyes needing the help (not all old eyes need help), the higher magnification helps at the range when you're trying to print small groups.

If you do take it hunting, then just crank it down to 3x.

 

[loose noose]

That older Savage model 110, in .243 I recently purchased for $250.00 otd, had a much older K-4 on it. It still held moa at 100 yards, and had fairly clear optics on it. I also have a Weaver 3-9X 38 scope made around 1971 with very clear optics, on a Remington 700 BDL Custom Deluxe in .270. In fact it is still on that rifle, and I took a 15" pronghorn several years ago at an estimated 350 yards, out in Wyoming. I've got nothing but good stuff to say about the older Weavers.

 

[Silent Sam]

The new K4 & K6 are good solid scopes for the money. Light, track well, and hold zero. I have a few of them. I use a K6 on my Mini-14 and they are known for eating scopes.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I like Weavers -- although a used Leupold M8 in 4X or 6X would probably be my first choice.

 

[shootniron]

The newer K-4 would probably be alright...older ones are too dark for my liking.

I just won't buy a new Weaver because they don't have a transferable lifetime warranty.

Leupold does....so they get my money.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

I use both 2.5x and 4x fixed scopes and am happy with that power and don't really see the need for much more for hunting. It should also be fine for 100 yard work.

 

[eastbank]

all the older scopes from the 50,s-60,s that i have had that went bad went into the trash can, except the leupolds. they went back and were fixed or replaced and that was three in about 40 years, two may have been my fault and the other one fogged up after a hunt in a heavy rain storm i got caught in. it didn,t fog untill i took it into camp and sent it close to the stove to dry off. eastbank.

 

[entropy]

I've had K2.5 and K4's over the years; like 'em both. Grew up shooting a Rem. 572 with a K2.5 on it, and popped many a rat at the dump up at the cabin with it, as well as squirrels in the fall.

 

[Hookeye]

I'd get a 4X Leupold.
Warranty is fantastic.
Could try an older one.....yrs ago I scored a 4X compact like new in box from Ballentines (maybe at a Bill Goodman Gunshow).
Its a little gangly looking compared to the current 4X offering, so IMHO has that "older" look (by profile).
I sold it with my old deer slug gun. My hunting bud still runs it.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I favor fixed power scopes for hunting, and think 4X is ideal. And frankly, you can't beat Leupold. When I need a new scope, I shop for a used one, and you can often find a used Leupold M8 at a very attractive price.

 

[e rex]

My deer rifle is an old Remington 760 in 30-06. It wears a K-6W scope and has been used a lot with no problems.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I have several K scopes in use. They still do a good job.