Most durable scope for milsurp?

[Shrinkmd]

I am planning on getting putting a scope on my Mosin and enjoying my surplus ammo a bit more.

I know that most scopes only see a few rounds to sight in, and then maybe a couple shots during deer season or whatever. Which brand/model scope are designed to take a licking? Can your average Leupold or nikon scope stand up to 1000 rounds a year? I'm curious for some feedback from people who do high volume through their surplus bolt guns and have a normal scope attached (I'm considering one already bubba'd a bit, so no sin involved in putting a new scope on it)

How would this compare to using an ACOG for .223?

Also, on a side note, does anyone have experience with using a pistol scope on a scout mount and running up a lot of rounds? I know that the leupold pistol scope says it can stand up to .44 magnum, etc, but I don't think they envision someone slapping one on their Mosin and trying to wear the sucker out.

 

[DMK]

I've heard that Leupold scopes aren't really as rugged as some other scopes, but they do have a lifetime warranty. If you did break something, send it back and they'll fix it.

In theory a fixed power scope would take some more beating since there are fewer movable parts.

Also, on a side note, does anyone have experience with using a pistol scope on a scout mount and running up a lot of rounds?

I use a Weaver classic 2.5-8x pistol scope on a Mosin 91/59 carbine and on an M39. I don't put that many rounds on them (maybe 100-200 a year), but they have held up just fine for me.

 

[dakotasin]

i don't have any scopes on mil-surps, but i do have a little experience w/ scopes... i have a leupold on a 7 rem mag that has close to 5000 rounds on it, no malfunctions. i have another leupold on a 300 win mag that just crossed 3000 rounds, no malfunctions. i have a leupold on a 338 win mag that just crossed 1000 rounds, no malfunctions. i have a zeiss on an 8x57 mauser that is almost 1k, no malfunctions (though 8x57 mauser is significantly less recoil than any of the other cartridges).

i shoot a lot, and i am really hard on stuff... i break a lot of gear, but have not broken a leupold or zeiss to date. i have broken: sightron, burris, weaver, redfield, tasco, and cabela's. i have not broken a nikon scope yet, but the only nikon is on a 480 ruger 500 rounds and still going. i do have nikon spotter and binocs, and they are holding up for now.

but... the real durability test for something is to send it hunting w/ me and my brother. if it is still in one piece when it comes back, its good stuff. we haven't been able to break a leupold or zeiss scope yet (cold, snow, rain, heat, lake dunkings, river slides, shale scramble, tree beatings, rolled truck, falling down creeks, etc etc etc).

 

[jpwilly]

Most durable scope? Most higher dollar Tactical scopes have 30mm tubes that are also heavier built and are designed to be beat on. Nightforce, Luepold Mk4, Bushnell Elite, and US Optics for instance. But for what you need especially if its for a Mosin I'll tell you what I put on mine.

I have shot the NcStar long eye relief 2-7x32mm over a hundred+ rounds in my Mosin M44 custom build and have had not one single issue and quite frankly am impressed with the scope and the mount for being able to hold together so well. Scope $49 Scout Mount $30

I have also have and currently use other low doe brands like Simmons, Tasco, Cabela's Pine Ridge Tactical, CenterPoint Tactical, and have yet to have a single scope fail, not hold zero etc. That said my Nikon Buckmaster has the best optics and the smoothest operation of all of them. I don't own any scopes that cost more than $300 so I cannot speak to them My scopes cost $100-$300 range and overall I feel I have gotten a good value with every purchase.

 

[ROMAK IV]

A Moison will beat the heck out of a scope, and the add on mounts aren't that rigged either IMHO. I have a BSA scope on a MN 91/30 and have already had problems wth the mounts being shooh loose. I don't like scout scopes so I don't know if the scout mount is any better. probably the strongest scope would be the actual Russian sniper scope for the Moison. Otherwise i would get a cheap BSA and be ready to replace it when it breaks. I have a really nice M-44, that was in excellent shape and one that I have floated the barrel on. I plan to get Mojo sighte for it, it would beat up a scope much worse than a 91/30.

 

[jpwilly]

A Mosin will not beat the heck out of a scope unless it wasn't designed for centerfire rifles to begin with. Mosins don't have any more recoil than than a 30-06 hunting rifle and your scope won't know the differance. Mounts don't shoot loose when properly installed, tourqued, and loctite'd. Unless they are a poor design that's not up to the task to begin with I have both the 91/30 reciever mount (drill and tap) and the M44 with a scout mount. Both hold zero. There's a Simmons 4-12x40mm on the 91/30 and the NcStar on the M44. Like I said before 100+ rounds through them and no problems holding zero, no broken scopes. Are they the best toughest scopes on the market = no way...do they work? YES!

By the way my best 200 yrd group with the 91/30 was 2.7 inches and the M44 has shot a few 1 inch 3 shot groups with handloads from a bench and sandbags. Neither are tack drivers but both have excellent bores, custom triggers, and optics!

 

[Rob96]

Burris makes a very stron scope, even in the 1" diameter tube models.

 

[Avenger]

I'll second jpwilly on the NCStar scope for the M44. I've got one on a Darrell Harrison mount, , and it has handled 300+ rounds of Hungarian light ball, 100+ rounds of Hungarian heavy ball, and 200+ of Bulgarian light. The only trouble I had was with the turret covers, ultra-fine threads are SO easy to bugger up.

 

[Shrinkmd]

Here's another question I forgot to add in the first place. What magnification is best for target shooting at up to 300 yards? I don't have any experience using scopes besides low power on a 22lr, so I'm unsure about this. I also have concerns about the thing clearing the bolt, etc, so something that doesn't have a huge bell would be a plus. For target work, would a fixed be a better deal, or is the higher magnification of a variable scope best?

Thanks

 

[MilsurpShooter]

I got the repro PU sniper scope setup on my Mosin, durable and simple.