inexpensive scope help

[Springfield_1911SS]

I need help finding a inexpensive rifle scope. my price range is $30-60.

i need one that will go on a .30-06(bolt action), will have a nice picture(view) @ as far as 100yard and as close as 25yards, some thing that will work for plinking, target shooting, and hunting(mostly deer), so an all around scope

any brands you would recomend or have me stay away from?

what features should i look for?

what do the different numbers mean(ie: 4-16 x 50)?

can i even get a decent scope in my price range?

i remember seeing some scopes at the local wal-mart for like $30-40

i saw this one on walmart.com

any help would be great, thanks

 

[.41Dave]

I hate to say it, but in the price range you specify, anything you buy is pretty much a crapshoot. You might get a scope that sort of works, or you might not. The old saying "You get what you pay for." Seems to be especially true when it comes to optics. I think you'd be much better served to save your money and buy a better scope when you can afford it, and use iron sights in the meantime. The "inexpensive" scope I'm putting on my daughter's low budget deer rifle is a Burris Fullfield II, which you can find for about $175 if you shop around. I do not make a lot of money, but cheap scopes cost more in the long run. A lesson it took me a while to learn.

 

[Springfield_1911SS]

thanks, thats what i needed to hear(but not what i wanted to hear )

well i was wondering what power i should get for all around shooting (ie: 6-24x50 ect.)?

 

[jeepmor]

Cheap is a good start, but make future plans

I think starting in the bargain basement is fine, as long as you realize where you're shopping. A 3x9 is a good start for hunting purposes (low is 3x, zoom is 9x, adjustable everywhere in between) Of course, you are not going to end up with a reputable brand and you could spend more, a whole lot more. But again, it's a start and will be an advantage over open sights for taking deer at 100yards.

If you varmint hunt, go for more zoom. I just purchased an NCstar off ebay for 100 bucks yesterday. All the comparable scopes I found in retail outlets wanted more for about the same quality scope. (low quality in this case) It's a 6-24x50 (6 power up to 24 power, final lens is 50mm in diameter.) The larger the final lens (the 50 number), the larger the field of view at their respective magnification levels. I know it's not a great scope, maybe not even a good one, but it will put me on target for groundhogs much easier than open sights and get's me into a scope for my varmint gun. Since I don't eat varmints, I'm not to concerned about it not being top of the line. A missed shot does not equate to an empty freezer.

I'm saving my money for a good name brand scope for a deer rifle this fall, where low light shooting may be the norm in dawn or dusk conditions. And since I'll (hopefully) be putting some food on the table, I'm willing to spend more to do so.

However, growing up, I used Dad's .308 and it had an ill-regarded tasco scope on it and it worked fine. I took a deer with it at roughly 100yards and it was spot on. It did not lose it's zero due to the recoil and I don't recall it fogging up much either. Hope that helps.

jeepmor

 

[flatdog]

Bushnell seems to make a good low end scope. I've had good luck with their Sportsman and Sportview models. I don't believe they make the Sportview anymore. Anyway, they held up better than the low end Tasco or Simmons models I tried.

So make your choice and go shooting. Save up some bucks and upgrade as soon as you can. Then you can keep it for a spare or pass it on to someone else who 's in your spot later on.

Good luck.

 

[hoghunting]

You might check www.ebay.com and see what they have. You might find a used scope in good condition that will be better than a cheap new scope. They do have pretty good deals there. I bought a new Burris Fullfield ll 3-9x40 for $148 shipped.

 

[.41Dave]

IMHO, a lot of people make the mistake of "overscoping" their rifle. a 3-9x40 scope is an excellent choice for all-round shooting. Unless you are hunting varmits or shooting at tiny targets 3 counties over, you do not need magnification over 9x, and unless you are hunting by moonlight an objective diameter over 40 just makes it harder to get a proper cheek weld while using the scope. Also, scopes with higher magnification/larger objective diameter almost always cost more. A $200 3-9x40 will almost certainly be a better scope with better optics than a $200 6-24x50.

 

[Springfield_1911SS]

so i bought a tasco 3-9x40 from walmart for $30

 

[flatdog]

Good luck with your new scope.

Don't forget about the rings and mount(s). They are critical to consistent accuracy. Like your scope get the best quality you can afford when your budget permits.

 

[JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone]

Ok, It looks like you're on a budget. The Tasco might last a while, but the lowerend scopes don't hold up to punishing recoil and weather elements while hunting.

I will still suggest that you learn to shoot that rifle with open sights. You should be able to get good with 20/20 vision out to 200 yards or more. (More!)

I look at your list of firearms. And although I'm happy that there's another gunner/hunter in the world, to pass on the tradition to young'n's down the road, Buying a cheap "one of everything" won't give you the best shooting experiences. Lay-a-way plans still exist at many stores. There's seldom a credit fee attached that way. Optics are not something to scrimp on. So I still encourage you to buy a quality set of Binoculars for your hunts.

-Steve

 

[Springfield_1911SS]

ok so i brought the scope home and tried to put it on my rifle and the gun aready has mounts, rings, and a scope(my new one is to replace this) and i took off the old scope and tried to put the new scope on, the new scope wont sit in the old rings(the new and old scope are 1" dia.) the front of the scope hits the top of the gun, so i need new rings, i was wondering what size(rise) i should get, the distance between the mounts and the bottom part of the ring(where the scope rests) is about 1/8", it look like i might need 1/2 rise or so for my 40mm scope?

 

[flatdog]

Rings generally come in low, medium, and high as far as height goes. Sounds like you have the low size rings. Try one size up (medium). If medium, try high.

Curious as to what scope you are replacing with the Tasco?

 

[Springfield_1911SS]

it a really old weaver scope its 4x, the cross hairs are so thin they are almost imposible to see

 

[Springfield_1911SS]

would there be any harm in getting high rings even though mediums might work? if i am only to buy one set?

 

[flatdog]

I see. It's easy to loose thin cross hairs in the field, especially in low light. You want the scope mounted as low as possible to the center line of the bore. It allows for better use of your elevation adjustments.

But more importantly it allows you to get a proper weld between your cheek and stock. You want your cheek to be on the exact same place on your stock each and every time. High scope placement may cause you to raise your head off the stock seeking a full field of view and a proper sight picture. Your accuracy will suffer.

P.S. There are enough variables and impediments to accurate shooting from field positions as it stands. You should eliminate as many that are under your control as possible.