What is the best of the bottom tier scope brands?

[mickeydim468]

step up to at least $125-$150 (bare minimum) and get a Nikon Prostaff, Elite 3200, or Burris FF-2, and you've got a worlds better scope, for not much more

I disagree!

I have both! I have 2 Center Point 4-16X40 scopes, and 1 Nikon Prostaff 3-9X40. I love all three of them. I am not using them on wimpy calibers either. They are .243, 30-06, and 300 Win Mag. All three scopes have made the rounds to each gun so far and recoil has not been an issue, holding zero is great and the glass clarity has not been a problem. The .243 wins this battle and gets a Center Point due to it being meant to be used as more of a varmint gun right now. The 300 gets the Nikon for hunting due to its magnification factor and the other scope sits on a shelf because I have decided to use my 30-06 as a brush gun with open sights. There is no clear winner between these scopes, it is only due to features as to why they are where they are. I hope this helps some of you. I paid $69.00 for CP and $169 for Nikon.

I do not recommend the 3-9X32 Center Point though. I had many on my 243 and they would not hold zero. That was very frustrating. Wally World gave me my money back though and that's when I tried the big brother! I am glad I did!

Mike

 

[Bluehawk]

Several years back I purchased a 3x9 Bushnell Sportview pretty cheaply from a guy who got it in a Savage rifle package deal. Mounted it on my Mossberg 44LS .22 target rifle. After about 3 shots the vertical reticle went from it's 12 O'clock position to about 2 O'clock.
Bushnell replaced it right away with a new one even though I wasn't the original owner! I mounted it on my Czech VZ24 Mauser in .458 Win Mag just to see if it would hold up.
Fired 60 rounds of reloads...300 grain lead...2,200 fps...scope never flinched!! Held zero throughout and remains on that rifle today!!!

 

[racky]

i have a center point 4x16-40 that i got from walmart on my tacticool'd 10/22. works like a champ. never had to re-zero and it looks freakin cool. but then again, my 10/22 weighs like 15 pounds and produces no recoil. i used it in heavy rain with no problems either. plus they come with flip-up scope covers.

 

[pat86323]

i just bought a pentax gameseeker and it seems to be the best cheapie scope ive ever owned hands down. The optics are pretty good and it has held zero so far (about 200 rounds of 223) they have a good warrentee though and that goes a long way. They can be had for under 70 dollars if you look around a bit.

 

[arcticap]

I like the cheaper Center Point scopes that don't have an electronic reticle feature to complicate them. They work well on air guns and rim fires, are very clear and have nice reticles. Their A.O. models are noticeably less expensive than comparable Bushnells, Simmons and Tascos which I tend to rate in that order. And while it's hard to make direct comparisons between low end scopes from those 3 brands either, they all generally perform well for their price with only a few exceptions. One brand or the other will usually offer a budget model that will fit one's needs and offer adequate performance.

 

[ambidextrous1]

I voted 'Other'; in my case, that's Barska.

A shooting pal and I both ordered the barska 6-24 for use on our rimfire rifles. These scopes provide a crisp image and easily adjustable windage & elevation.

We've had them for about four years, with no problems whatsoever. I can't say how well they would endure the stress of more powerful center-fire rifles.

 

[Rambul]

I voted other because i just put a Mueller scope on my .270. The optics are quite clear, and i am quite happy with it. Not sure where they belong on the the foodchain but they seem like a lower priced kind of scope company.

 

[psyopspec]

Another Barska vote.

I got their "Ridgeline" model a few years back for less than 100USD, and it's been great on my .243 for hunting and shooting out to ~400 yds.