Name some "bargain" scope brands

[Derek Zeanah]

I don't understand the low end of the scope market. As far as I can tell there are dozens of companies selling scopes made in China to different specifications. They all look the same. What I'm pretty sure of is this:

• They are made to different quality levels
• The companies that sell them will stand behind them to different degrees.

What are some of the companies that make scopes that "normal folks" can afford that you'd trust on a hunt, patrol rifle, or to put on your rifle before a week-long expensive class with no backup other than irons?

My local gunshop says he's been having great luck with the 1-6 scopes from Trinity Force, but some folks here have negative things to say about them. Primary Arms? Who else?

Who's the best bargain optics manufacturer?

(I'm asking so I can approach them about advertising... )

 

[readyeddy]

Hawke Optics are good lower priced rifle scopes that are very tough. I use them for my spring piston air rifles.

 

[eastbank]

leupold verix-1-freedom models and a few other leupolds are the best buy and can be picked up for under 200.00 if you look. with a warrenty that is the best from any scope maker.

 

[Jack B.]

Caveat Emptor. You get what you pay for with optics that's my opinion and experience.

 

[entropy]

Bushnell Banner series.

 

[michaelc246]

I'm a big fan of the Primary Arms 1-6. Love the ACSS reticle, and I think the glass is pretty good for the price. It also has illumination which I like.

 

[jmr40]

I think the Burris FF-II 3-9X40 is the most scope for the money in a hunting scope. They sell for around $200, and I think they are a better scope than a $350 Leupold with the same features.

 

[WestKentucky]

I like nikko-stirling

 

[LoonWulf]

Athlon.

Bushnell Trophy and ultra HDs are solid values.

PAs I've seen have been pretty good.

Hawkes generally look pretty good also.

I also like Nikon's, and Burris scopes, for lower cost options. Even if they aren't exactly "cheap"


I've also never had a bad experience dealing with a damaged scope from any of the majors.

 

[Everready73]

I can tell you primary arms has great quality control and customer service. There standard optics are made in China with their premium line made with LOW glass in Japan. Their rep posts a lot on TOS and said they frequently visit the factory in China and control the process from start to finish to their specifications. They then indirect every scope when it comes in and have rejected while lots before.

Primary arms would be one of my top picks for sure on the lower end skiing with Burris. If you can find a Burris RT6 I have heard very good things. Vortex would be an option as well, but if we are talking 1-6 I really like the ACSS reticle PA puts out

 

[Danoobie]

The best bargain brands for folks who are afraid they will pay too much,

or the best bargain brands for folks who are afraid they will pay too little?

 

[Derek Zeanah]

or the best bargain brands for folks who are afraid they will pay too little?

My problem is that I love good glass. Love, love, love good glass. Which is totally overkill and totally impractical for most folks.

I'm thinking scopes that are consistent, and sturdy, and overall "good enough" to recommend to a buddy that he mount it on a rifle he might need to depend on. But that doesn't cost more than the rifle.

 

[Jackal]

Swift.

 

[LoonWulf]

"good enough" to recommend to a buddy that he mount it on a rifle he might need to depend on

If its reliability over all else, then lower end Leupolds would be my suggestion. IMO the quality of image delivered by the rifleman, and vx-1s isnt as good as other companies scopes in the same price range, but their reliability is excellent.
If its image quality for cost, Bushnells Elite, and the Athlon Argos ive been playing with are my current "favorites". Nikon and Burris are a nice balance of quality and cost, especially used. Ive never had one of these scopes "fail" either, so im happy to recommend them in terms of reliability.

 

[wally]

I've been extremely happy with the Primary Arms scopes and red dots I've three of their FFP models on .308 rifles that are used a lot to bang steel out to 400 yards.

I've also been very happy with a cheap Vortex Crossfire 3-9x50 that I put on my wife's 5.56 she needed a big eyebox and simplicity -- she is banging steel at 300 yards with it every bit as good as I do, but the plain duplex reticle doesn't give her a consistent hold over for 400 (parallax may be part of it as she doesn't get the most consistent cheek weld) and twisting knobs is just not for her so I'm looking to upgrade her scope.

I've also had very good results the under $400 Burris and Nikon scopes. Nikon and Burris have great warranties so IMHO you can't go wrong with them.

Since I've nowhere to shoot past 400 yards, never seen any need for any scope over $500, although I did spring for a Trijicon ACOG just because. I spend my high-end optics $$$ on cameras and lenses.

 

[Legionnaire]

I have a couple of Mueller scopes on my rimfires. They have held up well.

 

[chicharrones]

I've had good luck with Simmons regarding durability, but the coatings and glass quality is just okay.

I've been curious about the Kaspa line from Weaver, but haven't bought one yet.

Speaking of decent brand names with a line of entry level scopes, I think Nikon makes very good entry level scopes.

 

[LoonWulf]

I've had good luck with Simmons regarding durability, but the coatings and glass quality is just okay.

I've been curious about the Kaspa line from Weaver, but haven't bought one yet.

Speaking of decent brand names with a line of entry level scopes, I think Nikon makes very good entry level scopes.

Bushnell is rebranding some of weavers offerings as their "Custom Gold" line of scopes, Natchez lists them.
Ive got the 1.5-6x32 tactical Kaspa, rebranded as a custom gold and like it.

 

[Mn Fats]

When I can, I go with Zeiss, but I believe Nikon has some of the best bargain scopes out there.

 

[cdb1]

I don’t know the technical terms but will try to explain. There are less expensive scopes that get the job done. After shooting said scopes my eyes felt strained. With nicer scopes my eyes don’t feel strained after extended shooting. May not be important to some but is to me and is often overlooked. To me the optic is almost as important to just as important as the rifle. So I spend as much as I can possibly afford on a scope, even for a rimfire rifle.

The lowest end scope I totally trust is the Burris Fullfield II and the now discontinued Minox ZV 3.

 

[JeffG]

BSA, Never had one fail.

 

[joed]

I only own to brands of scopes. My first choice is Leupold, second Weaver. Bought a gun once that came with a cheap scope, I changed it after the first outing. Once you try a good scope nothing else will do.

My first rifle, a Rem 700, I paid $235 for the rifle new and $180 for a Leupold M8 24x scope. I do not regret it and still have that scope.

 

[wally]

BSA, Never had one fail.

Me too! but I've only got one and its on a .22lr Its been great but for $60 I wouldn't really expect it to hold up on something like a .308

Once you try a good scope nothing else will do.

Respectfully disagree.
When my old eyeballs got to the point where using iron sights was little better than "I fart in your general direction" I needed help for all my rifles and certainly couldn't afford glass that cost nearly as much as the gun did, especially for the ones I like having but shoot infrequently. Most folks eventually hit a point where it don't take state of the art glass to really help! I never shot any rifle with a scope until I was in my mid 40s, my eyes were such I never saw much point to them. But by my mid 50s shooting without one was more frustrating than fun. I'd go back to doing without optics in a hearbeat if it were possible, would leave more money for ammo and more guns!

 

[LoonWulf]

Ive slowly moved from the 40-100 dollar scope range to the 150-300 dollar range, but mostly i buy used now, so the most expensive scopes I own are often 1/2 the price they are new.

Used is a good way to get a better scope for less cost.
The cheapest scope i have mounted right now is a S&W contract scope supposedly made by Hakko, for the 100 bucks i spent its an excellent scope, that was NOS. After that its probably My Nikon Buckmasters, or my Burris Fullfield 2, all bought used.

 

[LoonWulf]

I've had good luck with Simmons regarding durability, but the coatings and glass quality is just okay.

I've been curious about the Kaspa line from Weaver, but haven't bought one yet.

Speaking of decent brand names with a line of entry level scopes, I think Nikon makes very good entry level scopes.

I forgot to mention that every once in a while there are some of the old Simmons Whitetail Expeditions, and original Aetecs that come up for sale as NOS (or used even if the price is right). Ive owned multiples of both, and they have VERY good glass and coatings.

Ive also had very good service from simmons scopes, my most recent new purchase was an on sale 4-12x40sf prosport or something like that, i got about 5 years ago. The plastic parts all melted, including the power change ring. I used a pipe clamp in place of the plastic ring, and just pulled the rest off. The thing still holds zero, tracks pretty well, and dosent fog even in the rain with an open power adjustment slot.