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My dad asked me to scope his .303 hunting gun. Now that he is getting older his eyes aren't that sharp anymore. He is old school and doesn't do well with technology (illuminated reticles, zoom, AO, SF). He told me he would prefer a fixed 4x scope -- and that should do fine for white-tail hunting in Wisconsin. He gave me a budget of $150 for the entire project. I already bought an ATI scope mount (Enfield No. 1 Mk III) for $35, so I have $115 left for rings and a scope (but I might chip in a little cash secretly to make sure it is done right).
He wants quality -- clear and bright picture with a dependable zero (who doesn't). He only shoots about 20 rounds per year, just the week before and week of deer hunting, so it doesn't have to be anything exceptional. I think weight is one of the bigger factors.
I'm shying away from the Bushnell/Tasco/Simmons lines because of the recent reduction in quality (when manufacturing left Japan for China) and the fact that they have consolidated into one company. But I would probably consider a Bushnell if someone could convince me that that they still made quality stuff in my price range. Unfortunately their only Banner 4x offering has that stupid "Circle X" reticle that looks like you are supposed to get "just close enough."
After looking around I've discovered that $100 is "no man's land" in scope pricing. You have high-priced, high-featured, low-quality scopes, and you have low-priced, no-featured, higher quality scopes. I'm looking for the latter. As far as I can tell, these is my my best option:
Weaver K4 Classic 4x38 -- simple format, objective larger than typical 32mm for more light transmission. @ $125
Here are some brands I know nothing about, but are in the price range: Swift, Hawke, Yukon, Federal Intensity, Center Point, Konus.
What do you recommend?
He wants quality -- clear and bright picture with a dependable zero (who doesn't). He only shoots about 20 rounds per year, just the week before and week of deer hunting, so it doesn't have to be anything exceptional. I think weight is one of the bigger factors.
I'm shying away from the Bushnell/Tasco/Simmons lines because of the recent reduction in quality (when manufacturing left Japan for China) and the fact that they have consolidated into one company. But I would probably consider a Bushnell if someone could convince me that that they still made quality stuff in my price range. Unfortunately their only Banner 4x offering has that stupid "Circle X" reticle that looks like you are supposed to get "just close enough."
After looking around I've discovered that $100 is "no man's land" in scope pricing. You have high-priced, high-featured, low-quality scopes, and you have low-priced, no-featured, higher quality scopes. I'm looking for the latter. As far as I can tell, these is my my best option:
Weaver K4 Classic 4x38 -- simple format, objective larger than typical 32mm for more light transmission. @ $125
Here are some brands I know nothing about, but are in the price range: Swift, Hawke, Yukon, Federal Intensity, Center Point, Konus.
What do you recommend?
