Spare optic recommendation? *Read first post*

[TTv2]

I'm looking to get a spare scope, one that I have no plans to keep on any specific rifle, but one I can use on multiple rifles just to play around with and see how well certain guns feel with the scope on it and how well said guns or ammo shoot out to 100 or 200 yards.

The calibers are going to vary, it could be for .45-70 in a shotgun adapter, could be for a 10mm Hi Point carbine, a 9mm AR PCC, a .22, etc. Like I said, it will not find a home on any specific gun, it's pretty much going to be like a floozy in high school being passed around by the football team.

So, since it's not going to be for anything specific, the only constant I can tell you is it'll be shot at targets 50, 100, and 200 yards away. IDK if I can get away with a fixed power or if I should go with a 3-9 or 4-12 variable or if a scope is even the right choice for this sort of thing and if a red dot would be better.

Price is going to be capped at no more than $140.


ETA: Something I should probably mention is that I haven't used the birthday discount at MidwayUSA yet, so for any of the scopes that are between 140-180 go ahead and tell me because after discount the price will probably drop to under $140.

 

[greyling22]

sig whiskey 3?
I wouldn't fool with a cheap 4-12x.
I've enjoyed my mueller apv, but I wouldn't put it on a 45-70.

 

[Varminterror]

There’s no scope I want to buy for $140 or less.

My go-to field scopes are 4-16x44mm, and have been for over 25 years. So any spare scope I would move around would be a 4-16x44mm.

 

[BigBL87]

Under $140 is definitely limiting, really the 150-180 range alone has some much better options. That being said, under $140 these would by my two recommendations.

Mueller APV

Athlon Neos

 

[LoonWulf]

I'll add the Burris Droptine 4.5-14x42. The thing is amazingly nice for a $120 scope.
The Athlon Talos 4-12 would also probably be a good option.

I've got versions of the scopes previously mentioned in the thread as well, and would have no problem recommending any of them as long as you're accepting the fact that you're not getting top-of-the-line optics or controls..... That goes for the scopes I mentioned as well.

For a little bit more you could also pick up the burris FF2 or FFe1,

 

[TTv2]

I'll add the Burris Droptine 4.5-14x42. The thing is amazingly nice for a $120 scope.
The Athlon Talos 4-12 would also probably be a good option.

I've got versions of the scopes previously mentioned in the thread as well, and would have no problem recommending any of them as long as you're accepting the fact that you're not getting top-of-the-line optics or controls..... That goes for the scopes I mentioned as well.

Nothing about this spare throwaround scope requires it be top of the line, as long as the windage and elevation clicks work and the glass isn't as cloudy as a 10 year old pair of eyeglasses, I've got no need for anything more.

 

[TTv2]

Something I should probably mention is that I haven't used the birthday discount at MidwayUSA yet, so for any of the scopes that are between 140-180 go ahead and tell me because after discount the price will probably drop to under $140.

 

[LoonWulf]

You should be fine with anything mentioned then, tho for a "do all" scope id prefer some form of image focus adjustment.

 

[TTv2]

You should be fine with anything mentioned then, tho for a "do all" scope id prefer some form of image focus adjustment.

The only scope I know of that offers that that's under $200 is the Mueller APV and I have that scope on another rifle, it's not coming off that rifle, and I don't care for how precise I need to have to be with the eyebox.

 

[LoonWulf]

The only scope I know of that offers that that's under $200 is the Mueller APV and I have that scope on another rifle, it's not coming off that rifle, and I don't care for how precise I need to have to be with the eyebox.

The only one listed in the thread so far that doesn't have some form of focus be its Side or AO Is the Sig whiskey..... Which quite honestly I think is the best bang for your buck, If it was going on a normal hunting rifle.
The Burris droptine and full field 2s have adjustable objectives, and the E1 has side focus.
Any of the athlons over a 3-9 have side focus......

Honestly my comment earlier was probably a waste of space, im not sure why I made it.

 

[Hunter 08]

I have a Bushnell AK 1-4x20mm scope on my .30-30, paid $200 for it. Has an illuminated crosshairs with a BDC. But it was discontinued around the time I had bought it from Cabela's. It has served me well. For the different calibers you are going to use, 1-4x I think is a realistic range to use. Good for up close and out to 200+ yards. Something like this maybe. https://www.opticsplanet.com/barska...dium=affiliate&utm_campaign=affiliate-2653825

 

[jmr40]

Nothing at $140 I'd touch. Decent scopes start at about $200 MSRP. If you find it discounted great, but much under $200 is usually money wasted. This is about the only thing under $200 that I'd take a chance on.

Buy Burris 2.5-10x42 Fullfield IV Rifle Scopes at SWFA.com - SWFA Outdoors

 

[TTv2]

Found a Simmons 3-9 40mm on Midway with some good reviews and it's under $50. I have a Simmons rimfire scope that I found to be clear and it worked as well as the Mueller APV did on the rifle I had it mounted on until I sold it, so the brand has done me well in the past and I may as well grab this just for the hell of it.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1009732188?pid=914947

 

[LoonWulf]

Nothing at $140 I'd touch. Decent scopes start at about $200 MSRP. If you find it discounted great, but much under $200 is usually money wasted. This is about the only thing under $200 that I'd take a chance on.

Buy Burris 2.5-10x42 Fullfield IV Rifle Scopes at SWFA.com - SWFA Outdoors

Check out a Sig whiskey3 if you get the chance, I was surprised at how nice they actually are.

 

[LoonWulf]

Found a Simmons 3-9 40mm on Midway with some good reviews and it's under $50. I have a Simmons rimfire scope that I found to be clear and it worked as well as the Mueller APV did on the rifle I had it mounted on until I sold it, so the brand has done me well in the past and I may as well grab this just for the hell of it.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1009732188?pid=914947

Eight points are one of the Simmons I would actually recommend avoiding. The older ones were all right given their low price point but the new one seem to fail a lot.

 

[TTv2]

Eight points are one of the Simmons I would actually recommend avoiding. The older ones were actually all right given their low price point but the new one seem to fail a lot.

Is that universal among all of them or is it an issue with just the variable power models? They do have a fixed 4x power that's $30.

 

[LoonWulf]

Is that universal among all of them or is it an issue with just the variable power models? They do have a fixed 4x power that's $30.

I've only had dealings with the variables so I can't say as to the fixed powers.

 

[BigBL87]

Is that universal among all of them or is it an issue with just the variable power models? They do have a fixed 4x power that's $30.

I can't speak to those specific scopes, but Simmons kind of lost my confidence after I bought a 1-6 scope for my AR from them. When I went to adjust it, both the windage and elevation knobs were elevation knobs. Could I have figured it out and dealt with it? Sure, but definitely raises some QC concerns.

Props to Bushnell (who owns Simmons), they replaced the 1-6 Simmons I bought for $90 on clearance with one of their 1-6 AR Optics scopes that run $300ish, so in the long run it ended up working out.

 

[TTv2]

I gave it some more thought and other than playing around the only rifles I have considered getting a scope for are AR's and a Ruger American and I only have one upper worth putting a scope on. I don't really need a variable scope right now so I'm gonna go with the 32mm fixed 4x. Maybe in the future if I ever get a .45 Colt rifle it'll get mounted full time on that.

 

[Bwana John]

I think you have fallen for Midway's marketing trap.

 

[KsSkaEnthusiast]

I'll add the Burris Droptine 4.5-14x42. The thing is amazingly nice for a $120 scope.
The Athlon Talos 4-12 would also probably be a good option.

I've got versions of the scopes previously mentioned in the thread as well, and would have no problem recommending any of them as long as you're accepting the fact that you're not getting top-of-the-line optics or controls..... That goes for the scopes I mentioned as well.

For a little bit more you could also pick up the burris FF2 or FFe1,

This is true. Although the burris i convinced my friend to get crapped out after 4 rounds of 30-06, they quickly sent him a new one and it has been flawless since. Every manufacture could have a lemon, its how they'll treat you after they took your money is what counts.

 

[TTv2]

I think you have fallen for Midway's marketing trap.

I do every year, but it's not like I was going to spend $100 on a scope that was mostly going to be collecting dust.

 

[LoonWulf]

I do every year, but it's not like I was going to spend $100 on a scope that was mostly going to be collecting dust.

I usually have a small pile of them, but recently they have all grown guns......

 

[Skylerbone]

Man I simply avoid Simmons like the plague unless it’s a plinking rimfire. Yes I’ve bought, owned, and still own a few but the ammo wasted dealing with backlash and poor tracking is money spent foolishly.

Thing is, trying to move one scope around is a tough venture unless all your rifles wear a standard 1913 rail and you’ve got rings that can be detached without loosening them from the scope’s tube. And if I were attempting that feat, I could easily chew through $140 budget on rings alone.

I’d suggest at least a 3-9x if you’re simply using it at the range, something like Warne QD or Burris Sig QD rings, and perhaps expanding the budget just a hair. Maybe none of this is helpful, but half measures are often a complete waste.

 

[TTv2]

Scope came in today and just checking the clarity it's as clear as the variable Simmons I have.