Who makes the best Inexpensive Rifle Scope??

[Jefferson Herb]

scopes

I love the old weavers,if you can find them used.I own leo's ,simmons ,1 tasco 3200,and Burris,oh and my first nikon.All will work,but for light gathering the nikon is very impressive.Burris has more adjustment than leo's .
If you want to test them,look thru them at night with a flashlight lighting the way[a stinger or something good for light]and see how much detail you can see.
We all pay our money and take our chances,I'm betting my next scope is nikon,unless there is a good sale.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Just to be very clear - *I* AM here for a pissin match - and I intend to win (been drinking water all day gettin ready)!

I will say that I'm interested in learning more about this Centerpoint hubbub, due to all the good press on them!

I will stick with my Nikon recommendation: If I had to pick ONE brand encompassing multiple lines, to use on all my guns for now and the rest of my life, I'd go Nikon.

I've had very poor luck with BSA, *most* Simmons, Tasco, and *some* Weavers.

I've been generally pleased with Nikon (all lines), Leupold (all lines), Sightron (all lines), Burris (Fullfield II and Signature Select), and Bushnell Elite lines.

And also pretty happy value-wise with Swift Premier, Muellers, Bushnell Banner, Zeiss Conquest, and Trijicon Accupoint, though not AS happy as the first 5 listed. But those are broad generalizations, so it's also very line-dependent, and obviously I haven't tried them all - not even close.

I can take or leave Millett Buck Gold, Bushnell Trophy, & Bushnell Legend. They're not too bad for the $$.

 

[jpwilly]

^^^ It will only cost you $69 to see what the hubbub is all about. Save your receipt and return it when your experiment is over (you have 30days) or keep it if you dare.

 

[saturno_v]

Dr. Tad

These are my four 4-16X 40 Centerpoints...from left to right, Remington 740 in 30-06, Mauser 98 South African Sporter in 30-06, Marlin 336 in 30-30 and Weatherby Vanguard in 338 Winchester Magnum....not exactly pea shooters....

The 2 oldest scopes are more than 3 years old, not one hiccup, I took them hiking even in low temperatures (even sub-freezing), hold zero perfectly, repeatable zero between settings and no change in zero when you increase or decrease the magnification.

Clear optics...not fantastic but clear..no finishing defects, very sharp reticle (Illuminated Mil Dot Red/Green with variable intensity)

A bit heavy like someone else said already.

I heard couple of isolated cases of a "bad batch" few months ago, all of them replaced with no question to ask, lifetime warranty and they do cover the shipping cost to and from (if is a warranty issue).

Frankly I do not care what the scope snob says. for my needs they fit the bill perfectly, I do not participate in professional gold medal shooting competitions....I could easily have afforded more expensive scopes..I did give it a try and they are very good indeed for the price..I do not think you can ask for more...fast focus eyepiece, Parallax adjustment, zero locking rings, zero reset feature, fully coated lens.

A range buddy of mine does very well with one on his Rem 700 .308 during "friendly" competitions and other people I know use them for hunting and they are very happy..

I'm ready to buy a less powered one for my Ak and I can tell you that around here (Seattle) they literally fly off the shelves at Wal Mart...when i got the one for my Vanguard I had to go to 3 different stores before finding one.

Are there cheap scopes that I would not touch with a 10 feet pole?? Heck yes!! I witnessed a brand new BSA literally self destruct on a 22 LR rifle and I broke the erector tube of a Tasco which I just bought the day before...I did return it, got a new one and broke the erector tube again one week later...

Jpwilly

Return Policy at Wal Mart is 90 days and I never did need it...

P.S.

My expensive Leupold optical boresighter is made in China.....

 

[tarugs]

+1 for centerpoint, try one from wally world and if you are not happy return it. I believe walmart has a 90-day return policy, while the scope has a lifetime warranty from manufacturer..

 

[DAN CARROLL]

millet scopes are good for the money. I believe you get what you pay for and I personally like Zeiss Scopes. To each their own. Millet made their scopes for the military at one time and recently started making their products for the public.

 

[Sniper X]

I must say that for a great scope under 100 clams, go with the Tasco 2.5~10x mil dot super varminter. I have three now and I also have two very high end scopes on my two SWS's and feel the Tasco Varmenter series is absolutely great for the money. About 70 clams at SWFA

 

[Maverick223]

I have a Simmons that's ok but the adjusters can be a joke.

No offense intended...but that is the definition of a bad scope...and why I will not buy another Simmons.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Wow, a Centerpoint on a Sig - that's saying something about them- most Sig guys are scope snobs, and don't tolerate junk!

 

[dubbleA]

The Conquest line of Zeiss.They could use some improvement on the dial/knob markings on the non target turret models.

 

[ugaarguy]

nothing made in China I assure you

I've been fairly impressed with the Pentax Lightseeker line. They're assembled in China to Pentax' specs, and have the same lifetime warranty as any other Pentax scope; with service done in the US by Burris (Pentax & Burris have a strong sport optics business alliance). Most models also sell for under $100.

 

[Judah Ben-Hur]

Yesterday, I was at Gander and they had a Conquest behind the counter with no price listed. It was a 4x14x44? something with all kinds of bells and whistles as far as the reticle goes. Z something. I was only looking for something el'cheapo and asked for the price, $970 something. I put that down in a hurry.

I just bought 2 CenterPoints today from Wally World. The blister packs says Made in China. My first blister pack scope purchase. I hate opening those damn things. lol I picked out the 4x16's. They seem to have a following on this site so we will see how it goes. It doesn't look too bad but time will tell. I just wanted something to put on a AR15 that could be used for 100-200 yard playing. It is a $19 upgrade from the Barska that currently is being tried out. That one is not too clear and has acted up on me. I got it used.

If it was a big hunt on the line, then I'd spring for something pricey. For screwing around plinking at cans and things, the cheapies might fit the bill.

 

[kenjs1]

Easy. Weaver K Series.

 

[mes228]

Scope

Pentax Gameseeker. Good optics, good adjustments that repeat, one piece tube, nitrogen filled, mill dot reticle, lifetime warranty against anything, made in the most advanced optical factory in the world (so I've been told), very reasonable price. Just my opinion but based on owning three and comparing to Nikon Prostaff and Leupold VXII that I also have.

 

[Harve Curry]

After reading these posts I went to Walmart and bought two Center Point scopes. One of each the AR 3x9 and a 4x24 Adventure model. At 200 to 600 yard distances I looked through the 4x14 just before dark, looking carefully at the outer circle of the lens. It all looked good, no shadow or loss of image at low and 14 power.
I never gave these scopes much attention as they are in bubble packs hanging on the wall and the Nikon and others are in the showcase. I don't like the mounts on the AR scope as they only use single allen screws and the larger scope uses double allen screws. May not be an issue, just me. It even comes with the allen wrench. I'll try one an a rifle and report back one of these days.

 

[SHvar]

Bushnell, Ive tried multiple other brands, up and down in price, I always go back to Bushnell.
Great glass, great scopes, good prices.

 

[Maverick223]

Great glass, great scopes, good prices.

I don't know about all that...but they are about the most economical scope that I have had good luck with...so great glass...not really...great for the money...hell yes!

 

[offthepaper]

Bushnell, Ive tried multiple other brands, up and down in price, I always go back to Bushnell.
Great glass, great scopes, good prices.

+1
I'm very happy with the 2 Bushnell 3200 scopes i bought. 1 for the AR and the other for my K31.

 

[BrocLuno]

We'll see ...

I have about 30 odd scopes - Weaver (steel tube & aluminum), Bushnell Elite, Nikon, Tasco, Cabelas house brand, Tiagga (Russian), BSA (.22 & LER), Univex, and Kassnar. I also have some no-name chinese imports that broke as I looked at them.

I have had very little trouble with scopes made in Japan. Brand does not seem to matter, if they were/are made in Japan, they work. All my Weavers work fine - same for the Kassnar and the Tascos (again, made in Japan). These have been on 06's down to .22's and never shaken apart to failed internally.

The only scopes that have ever failed are the no-name chinese scopes I bought for $25 on clearance. A few 06 rounds they were not pointing the way the barrel was

But, like all chinese made goods, they seem to be on steep and fast learning curve. I would not buy any of their stuff that was made before 2009, but stuff made after that seems to be OK? I'm going to buy a CenterPoint 4-16AO to see if I'm right? I'll put some skin in this cheap-scope game and we'll see what we see

I also think the Simmons AETEC Master series is a very interesting design. I'm inclined to see one of those in action some day too?

 

[offroader1006]

burris timberline.

got a 3-9x32 for 150. clear, fog free, lifetime warranty. works very well.

 

[HJ857]

I'll put in another vote for the Bushnell Banner line. Cheap, durable, decent glass. Hard to beat at that price point.

 

[Pat M]

Just ordered a Bushnell Elite 3200 10X mildot from Natchez for $149.95.....we'll see how it goes.

 

[NWCP]

The least expensive scope I own is a Mueller. It resides on my 17HMR so as to its performance on a centerfire I couldn't say. The glass is good enough for rodent hunting and I've had no issues in the two years I've been using it.

 

[BrocLuno]

Well, let's see ...

I have the Bushnell Elite in 4-16x and it's a killer fine scope. But in that range, it's not a budget scope on the same order as BSA, Leapers, or CenterPoint by about a factor of 3x.

I just went out last night and bought a Center Point 4-16/40AO - model CPA416AORG. Got back and cut it out of the bubble wrap (PIA) and checked all the bits and pieces. Initial impressions are it's well made, good fit & finish, adjustable objective, accessory flip-up lens hoods, treated wipe rag, 2 batteries, resettable W&E knobs with included allen wrench, good clicks, and the glass is OK. I tried looking into the deepening winter shadows around the office, and the image was OK, I was surprised. The lighted reticule is a bit gimmicky, but might prove useful? The supplied Weaver rings are 4-screw caps and use the same allen wrench to tighten. It has the feel of a husky build.

The downside(s) - the exit pupil is smallish and that constrains you to a very narrow for-aft placement for your eye, so cheek weld will be set pretty much for one person and it won't be forgiving The scope (with rings) weighs 1#10oz - that's 26oz, or about 10oz more then my Elite 3200 in the same range. Not all this weight can be attributed to the lighting circuit and CR2032 battery. A bunch of it is in the metal tube and other fittings. So I guess they didn't skimp on metal and that makes for strong, but I would not want to install one on a field rifle that was going to be on my back for 8 hours in tough country

On the other hand, it makes a fine scope to help tame a rifle with some serious recoil. And it'll help tame a range gun by adding mass. I was going to put it on my 06 for testing, but I think it'll go on the 22-250 instead. The Mil-Dot reticule will help with distant shots and that rifle already weighs over 10 lbs, so another won't matter - it gets shot mostly off a rest

Should you buy one? Seems like a good deal to me IF, you can deal with the weight and bulk?

If it breaks, I'll get to try their limited lifetime warranty?

 

[Old Time Hunter]

+1
I'm very happy with the 2 Bushnell 3200 scopes i bought. 1 for the AR and the other for my K31.

+2 have had extremely good experiences with the Banner Dusk & Dawm series, especially the 1.75 X 4 X 32 w/6" eye relief.

Have a very expensive Leupold on one of my bolt guns, takes forever to clarify the sight picture.....no snap to my shoulder an shoot with both eyes open for that one and makes terrible gun handle.