Name some "bargain" scope brands

[Skylerbone]

If you’re looking for scopes that don’t get the exposure they should have then Clearidge should be first on your list. If I made a list of cheap that I would use that fall out of the mainstream:

Clearidge, never used one but their reputation has practically been built by another forum that specializes in rimfire discussion. Manufacturer direct.

Hawke, I’ve had one for 9 years or so and it still works and tracks fine. Most of their market is air rifle related, but they do punch hard for their price class.

Sightron, sure the higher end gets recognition but my SI is more than a decade old without seeming dated. They should have become what Vortex is becoming (popularity wise).

Konus, a friend bought one several years ago for his 597 and for a blister pack it had a far better feel and glass than any Bushnell Banner. Several other friends have since given them a go and like them.

Pride Fowler, a company who’s founders understand the needs of shooters but who’s products receive little fanfare. I bought a Rapid Reticle from them in 2010. They licensed that reticle to Zeiss who advertised it as the Rapid Z but ruined the concept by using it in SFP scopes (PF used FFPs).

On the retail side, if CameralandNY doesn’t yet advertise here I’d talk to Doug about changing that and maybe pick his brain about other brands that are worth pursuing.

Opticsagent is another I have used for big discounts on brands we recognize.

IMO brands like Minox, Nikon, and Zeiss seem a bit far removed from small scale advertising, I could be wrong here, but I question whether foreign companies have a true grasp on the internet’s influence here, particularly when it comes from “word of mouth” by people we may not know yet respect. I would place far more weight on a review by Geno or jmr40 or you, Derek, than some Chuck Adams shill piece. Leupold might get that but Swarovski probably wouldn’t.

Walkalong has pulled more money from my wallet with his deal postings than I care to admit to and several other members have turned rifle reviews into rifle purchases.

 

[cdb1]

Clearidge is my favorite rimfire scope. I’ve got one on my CZ 512 .22WMR.

 

[SamT1]

I generally have $500 scope taste, but I have a utg scope that has been on several 308 rifles used for close range hog hunting banging in the pickup. I’ve had it 7 or 8 years at least.
It’s a small 4x32. Has always held zero being truly beat up. I believe it was around $27. Not the clearest glass or anything though, but it’s got great eye relief, holds zero, acquires targets quick, gathers enough light to easily be used spotlighting.

 

[BilliamB.]

Always been a fan of UTG/Leapers at the low end, as they are all airgun rated. Twenty years ago, their glass was soft and yellow, but recent purchases have been crisp, clear and an absolute bargain.

Now, I'm just a paper-punching plinker, so if a cheap scope goes bad, it's no big deal. I'll just send it in for repair or replacement. But were I to shoot competitively, or go off on an expensive hunt, I'd definitely go upmarket. Sure, most cheap scopes have so-called "lifetime guarantees," but they won't do you any good if your scope fails deep in the woods or high in the Rockies.

 

[EIB0879]

I have a couple of Weaver 40/44 s that have given me good service. The first was a 2.8-10x 44mm Asymetrical sitting on a .270 that cost me $100 from Natchez. The second is a 3-9x 40mm sitting on a .243 that cost me $75. They were both on clearance and have worked very well for me.

Natchez Shooting Supply still has some of them for under $100.

 

[303 hunter]

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.

I’ve got three ZV3’s and they’re extremely clear. Doug, at Camera Land told me that the ZV3 scopes were given a new name and their cost increased substantially. Other than that they’re the same scope.

 

[Siscowet]

A lot of good thoughts posted here. Simmons are ok, Bushnell are better than then they used to But Primary Arms and the Burris Fullfields are my favorite value priced scopes, as one fellow previously stated. Next step up I would look at a Nikon Monarch. Great glass for the money.