Inexpensive Optics for an XS-7?

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wlewisiii

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Put a Marlin XS-7 7mm-08 on layaway this afternoon. Didn't quite have enough cash but had to get the sale price ($260!) on it. Still, this is one of those modern rifles without proper iron sights so I have to find some thing to put on the mount it comes with.

What is a good yet inexpensive (like the rifle itself) low magnification scope these days?

How do the cheap/inexpensive holographic sights do? Perhaps a low cost red dot? I've noticed the price on the BSA sights at Midway but haven't found much about them online. Are they worth it?

Or I could just have a smith solder on some proper irons and be done with it :evil:

Thanks,

William
 
The 7mm-08 is not really an open sight gun. I would use the money it would cost for installing sights and put it into the purchase of a scope. You generally will get more bang for your buck with a fixed power model. I can't recommend a low-cost scope though because I have quit buying them in favor of high quality.
 
Nikon Prostaff, or Buckmasters series. $99-$300 depending on model and magnification desired.
 
Nikon Prostaff 3x9x40.
It'll run you about $130-$150 and you absolutely won't beat it for the price IMO. I'd stay away from BSA and the Wal Mart Tascos and Simmons. You're going to get a lot of people who chime in saying that they've had great luck with the cheap models, and you'll have to make the decision whether or not to trust them. Personally a Bushnell Banner is the lowest quality I would go. They're around $100 for the 3x9x40 model.
 
http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=21176

There is a great writeup on cheap scopes. I don't think I'd chose the Prostaff when there are others in the same price range that seem better. However, that doesn't mean the Prostaff is a bad scope at all because it's not.
I'd go with a quality scope like one of those. However, if you can't, I'd look into Simmons.

As for BSA I'd stay away from them. I have 2 friends that have quite a few guns each and like cheap scopes like Simmons and Tasco's. Infact love them. They both say BSA scopes are crap. They both had them not hold zero when on centerfires and say not to use them on anything more than a .22.
I've had experience with one also, but it wasn't mine. I helped a friend sight on in on his .22. It came with it's own rings. We mounted it and tried to zero it in. It was shooting to the right and we had it adjusted all the way to the left. This was at 15 yards. He wanted it sighted in for close so we started out there. I got to looking and the rings weren't holding the scope straight over the barrel. I took the rings off and flipped them around. This allowed me to get enough adjustment to sight it in for him. It did hold zero for the 40 or so shots we put through it. However, it wasn't that clear or anything impressive about it. It's clear enough to squirrel hunt which he wants, but it just didn't impress me at all. I think you'd be much better off with a Simmons if you want something in that price range.
 
check out samplelist, part of swfa. I picked up a bushnell elite 3200 3-9x40 for $149. New scope - it had been a demo. Works really well on my savage .308
 
Congrats on your purchase - the 7mm08 is great round and the Marlin gives you lots of good features and performance for the buck.

Because you have an accurate, dependabe gun, I would get a dependable, QUALITY scope.

Without knowing your exact budget, I would start by saying that you should look at the Vortex Diamondback line of scopes at www.libertyoptics.com. Those prices are less than $200 and the value will be really hard to beat.

If that is a too much money, they I would go with a Sightron S1. I think that the 3-9x40 is $130 at swfa.com.

I agree with some of what has been posted already:
Stay away from BSA. Don't even think about it - your gun deserves better.
Buying used is also a great idea. Just stick to quality brands that have lifetime warranties.
 
Thank you, folks, for the suggestions. My budget is very limited but I do want to get the best I can with in that limit. That Vortex sounds really good, but it may be too much any time soon.

Two things - anyone know a reasonable fixed power scope? A 2x32 or 4x32?

Also I have wondered about red dots? I'm pondering the Bushnell Trophy.

Thanks again,

William
 
Nikon Prostaff 3x9x40. It'll run you about $130-$150 and you absolutely won't beat it for the price IMO. I'd stay away from BSA and the Wal Mart Tascos and Simmons. You're going to get a lot of people who chime in saying that they've had great luck with the cheap models, and you'll have to make the decision whether or not to trust them. Personally a Bushnell Banner is the lowest quality I would go. They're around $100 for the 3x9x40 model.
Click to expand...

Good glass for the money. I bought a XL-7 in .30-06 just to have a spare rifle for friends. This is the scope I put on it. It will shoot 1" all day long at 100y with factory Winchester 150gr. I haven't had a chance to handload for it.

t2e
 
Look for a NIkon 3-9 prostaff. Jus over 120 bucks or so if you look around maybe a tad more. If you have a little more I love Burris Fullfield II's in the 3-9x. Very clear optic for around $200
 
I have three of the CenterPoint Walmart cheapies and they work. Repeatedly (several hundred rounds through a .308, a .270, and a 7.62x54R sporter). I have not had any problems and the sights work flawlessly. The two former rifles are both Marlin turnbolts. I figure I paid very little for a really quality rifle, why pay so much more for the scope?
 
Hi William,

You said inexpensive, but didn't specify the price range, so apologies if this is outside the range of your budget...

I just picked up one of the new Redfield Revolution scopes for $149.00 and I can't tell you how happy I am with it. The glass looks great, and it has finger-adjustable elevation/windage turrets which are also nice. They're made by Leupold, and come with the Leupold lifetime warranty as well.

You can probably get them online cheaper than $149, and I just don't think you can beat that for a low-priced, but good quality, scope.
 
nikon, pentax, or tasco varmint model. all should be had for 150 bucks or less.
also look at the Mueller, vortex, or viper scopes.
 
by the way; Weaver is redoing their classic K-4 model scope, one of the best hunting scopes ever made. You may wanna look into that.
 
by the way; Weaver is redoing their classic K-4 model scope,
Click to expand...

Eh? That the one I think it is? (googles) Yep. Beautiful 4x38 scope. That is Exactly what I want and, unfortunately 2 Franklins more than I'll be able to scrounge this year. Thank you for letting me know about it though, I can always keep an eye for a used/refurbished/etc one.

I'm leaning, at this point, to one of
1) Bushnell Trophy Red Dot
2) Nikon Prostaff 3-9x40
3) Redfield Revolution 3-9x40

Anyone want to talk about those three specifically?

Thanks!

William
 
I don't have one, but the next ones I would look at would be nikon, pentax, redfield, mueller. the redfields are now american made, some place up in Oregon i think. Oregon used to make some killer rifle stuff, Kimber for one.
 
Ah, found the Weaver website. The one I was looking at earlier is, apparently, an 80th Anniversary Steel Tube K4 which is a wee bit more spendy than an aluminum tubed current "Classic". That aluminum tube will work just fine for me. :)

Thank you!

William
 
I'm in the same boat here with a Rem 700 7mm08 on order from walmart. Nothing has caused me more frustration than cheep optics. I've been very satisfied with Burris Fullfield II and Redfield 3-9x40's. For this rifle, though I am looking at either a Vortex Diamindback, Redfield or Weaver Clasic V 4-12x40 or 42's. Feel free to chime in on that.
 
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