Scope Question

[Stephen1956]

Hey guys need some help need a scope for my AR limited budget, very limited I was looking at Simmons. 3x9x40 everywhere I check I see 5 stars I want this for hunting Coyotes. Will it do the job I know there are better scopes but for around $50.00 well what do you guys think. But I am surprise at the ratings for these scopes. Thanks and I need one fast it's that time in Virginia.:banghead:

 

[rcmodel]

Buying a better scope is cheaper in the long run then buying expensive $1 buck a shot varmint ammo ammo trying to sight it again in every few weeks.

Buy 'good' once, and be done with it from then on.

rc

 

[Walkalong]

Scrounge up $150 and get this 3X Nikon, or something else in that price range.

Don't waste your $50.

 

[280shooter]

Buy a GOOD scope,,Mosr would buy a good Nikon, you'll be so much happier,

 

[Art Eatman]

I'm still happy with my Leupold good-used Vari-X II, 3-9x40, as well as a good-used Weaver K-4.

The K-4 is on my AR, set up mostly as a coyote gun. Easy MOA shooter.

 

[jmr40]

You can get a decent 3-9X40 scope starting at around $200 retail. There isn't anything priced much under that mark that is worth fooling with. You may find something used, or on sale under that mark and there are a few fixed power or 2-7X scopes in the $150 range that are good as well.

The Burris FF-II, Redfield Revolution, and Leupold VX-1 are all priced right at $200 and any would be a good choice

 

[greyling22]

oh good grief. you can get perfectly serviceable scopes for well under $200. However, I've tried several of the $50 scopes, and I will agree, I think you should spend a little more. (that said, the simmons was the best of the sub $50 scopes I tried) There are several very decent options in the $100-150 area. For less than 100 I would look at a bushnell banner or a sightron s1 http://www.midwayusa.com/product/16...le-scope-3-9x-40mm-matte?cm_vc=ProductFinding

If you can step up a little more, you can get a nitrex tr1 (a clearance older weaver grand slam)or weaver v9 from mindouth for well under 150 from natchezss. and if you want high power, the simmons whitetail classic 6-20x gets great reviews for $110 at midway.

 

[303 hunter]

I'll agree about Nikons. I went through my cheap scope phase years ago, and found its worth the extra money to get a decent one. I do have a Sightron S1 that I got in trade that has decent glass. They are reasonably priced. Dicks Sporting goods has Nikon Prostaffs on sale often in the $140 range.

 

[Stephen1956]

Thanks you good folks my buddy at the local gun shop has used Nikon 3x9x 40 for $99 would this be a good scope for what I need. And has for less say cheap scope I have a Center Point 4x16x50 I bought at Wally World 5 years ago and wouldn't sell it for love nor money but the newer ones are crap the one I have is solid and well made and I have it on a .308 Axis but it's a great scope. But will the Nikon work well with my AR mine has a gas piston and I use H4895 in my reloads. And they do have some recoil so $100 for a used Nikon and he still has the box some guy didn't like it and just trade for another scope and it's a Pro Staff so am I go to go if I buy it. Thanks

 

[ZGunner]

I have several rifles that wear Nikon Prostaffs. The clarity is enough to get out past 3-400 yards and the price is right. Plus they handle .270 and 30-06 recoil with zero issues.

Lately though, I've been like my Mueller more and more. I have their big Eradicator on a heavy barreled Rem 700 in .223. The glass quality seems to be a little better than the ProStaff.

I think my next sport optic will be the Mueller Hybrid 3-9 or one their Sport Dots.

 

[benzy2]

I'm a fan of the Prostaff line for a budget optic. It isn't the best scope in the world, but the ones I've used have all been servicable.

I'll give you this one piece of advice when it comes to optics. If you are buying an inexpensive option, look where it's made. If it says China, it's at best a gamble and at worst simply throwing money away. I've bought a lot of scopes over the years, starting with budget minded China made scopes and working my way up the price range. After a dozen or so of the China made optics, I spent a little more money and have never gone back. There wasn't but two of the China made optics that didn't break within a year, one being a Mueller that was ok, but nothing spectacular. The other was a BSA scope that saw one day of use and was such a poor picture it was removed before it had time to break.

My shooting experience has been much more enjoyable using optics not made in China.

 

[I6turbo]

Stephen1956, I posted this on another forum recently, might as well toss it out for you to consider as well.

Unless you are wanting to a scope with physically smaller dimensions for this current application I highly recommend the Burris Fullfield II 4.5-14x42 Ballistic Plex http://www.burrisoptics.com/ffII_4x14x42.html . I have recently done a systematic comparison (using an optical resolution target at 135 yards) between that Burris and a couple other scopes that I think are good values at their $325-$400 street price; the Vortex Viper 6.5-20x44 http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/...il-dot-reticle and the Sightron SII 6-24x42 http://info.sightron.com/Riflescopes...s/SII624x42MD/ (mine made in Japan). Up to the 14x magnification limit of the Burris, I found it to be ever so slightly better than the Vortex or the Sightron to my eyes. And I love the Burris reticle http://www.burrisoptics.com/ballplex.html . If you look around you can buy that Burris for as low as about $245 delivered, then there's a $100 (!) rebate from Burris. At the $145 net after rebate I don't think it can possibly be beat for value, and it's a scope that doesn't have you often wishing you'd bought a better/more expensive scope.

I have one for my CZ 527 FS, the 527 Carbine, and both of my 550 FS guns.... I like 'em!

Here's the scope on the 527 FS.

 

[loose noose]

I do like my Vortex Crossfire 2X7 with the BDX reticle, on my Mini-14 cost me right around $139.00 with free shipping. So far I've got at least 200 rounds thru it without any needed adjustments to it out to 250 yards. It took me 6 rounds to get it dialed in at 100 yards using a laser bore sighter.

 

[Jackal]

For good quality optics on the cheap, you simply cant beat a used Weaver K4. Find one thats got clear glass on Ebay for around $75. You can often score them in the $50 range if they are missing turret cap/caps (not a big deal, a piece of electrical tape will cover them up). I have only ever had 2 scopes fail me. One was a BSA that rattled the crosshairs loose on my 10/22 and the other is a Simmons cheapo 3-9 that did the same thing.

 

[Ironman615]

My Experience

I'll tell you my experience, but you can choose whatever you wish. I also was impressed with the ratings on the Simmons, so I put one on my Mini-14. It was great for about six months, then my groups started opening up alarmingly. I finally replaced it with a Vortex Diamondback, and I am absolutely satisfied. I'm sure there are any number of satisfactory scopes out there, but they're not cheap. A good buy on a quality used scope is probably as close to cheap as you can get, but it's your decision.

 

[Stephen1956]

Well guys thanks for all the help I bought the Prostaff for $100 good scope and as for the China made well what's not made in China. It has clear glass and I think it'll do the job for what I need and when you're on a limited income you have to do some things on the cheap. I bought it from a good gun store I've been friends with the guy for years. Some guy bought it and a week later came back and traded for a Burris so I came out ok about $140 on Amazon but I like to buy local if I can. But thanks for all the input and I love the rifle pic nice but I think this will do for a AR just fine. But I really appreciate all of the replies great people on this site. And happy hunting guys hope you have a good season. Also if anyone shoots a Blackout I have about 100 pieces of brass you can have I bought them and they were about .030 under tolerance just send your name and address and I'll send them. They've been annealed and polished I use 000 steel wool makes them pretty.

 

[benzy2]

Are the new Prostaff's made in China? I was remembering them made in the Philippines along with the Buckmasters and some of the Monarchs? That could have changed. Anyways, I think the Prostaff is a great buy for the money.

 

[I6turbo]

Sounds good -- the Prostaff should serve you well and a good deal to boot.

 

[Stephen1956]

Benzy2 you're right Nikon Scopes are made in the Philippines can't say whether that's good are bad but can't be any worse than China. Hell I miss that Japanese made stuff now most of it was good quality but what can one expect from basically slave labor.

 

[greyling22]

to quote wally from dilbert "I love slave labor. that way you don't have to worry about the things being made on friday not being as good"

 

[B!ngoFuelUSN]

I recall and well understand the constraints of a tight budget. But a new $50 scope is not a good use of money. I would:
Wait and continue to save
Stop looking for new scopes and search for used ones
A used Nikon for $150 or so would be a great starting point for a long-term shooting relationship.
Most of my scopes are used or reconditioned. Some were purchased through a vendor, others purchased privately. I've never had a bad experience.
B

 

[towerdog]

I spent a lot on my AR mostly for target and varmint shooting. I use quality reloads and am very consistent with under 2" groups at 300 yards and .75" groups at 200 yards I am using a BSA Sweet .223 they can be had for around $80 online. It has quick elevation adjustment and has held zero with no issues through a lot of shooting. I get **** from people about the BSA on my Colt Custom until they shoot with me. Just my two cents