BARSKA 3-9X40 HUNTMASTER RIFLESCOPE

[trotterlg]

I am posting this on the NEF board because it specifically pertains to the fit on an H&R.  Because of the minimal cost of the NEF's I have a hard time spending more money on the glass than on the rifle, so I am always in search of reasonable glass for a price that fits with a NEF.  A few months back I aquired a BARSKA 4X32 Scope, I used it on a couple of rifles and it was clear and held zero nicely.  When I finished my 17 Fireball stub project I used it to do the initial setup on it, it still worked great.  The other day I bought a Barska 3-9X40 Huntmaster just to try out, I used some medium Leupold rings from Walmart.  Turns out the scope/ring combo is nearly perfect for a NEF without modification of the hammer while still getting it as low as it can be.  Best part is that the scope can be had for under $40.00 delivered (Ebay) and the rings are cheap at Walmart.  The 3-9 is clear at all settings, only thing I noticed on both of the Barska scopes I have is that the windage affects the elevation and the elevation affects the windage to some amount.  Once you get it set it stays fine, but 10 clicks up may get you 2 clicks left also.  Pictures below show the clearance to the hammer with proper eye relief set and the scope mounted on the FB project.  This has worked out well for me, so if you need a cheap 3X9X40 scope that will fit your NEF take a look.  Larry

[quickdtoo]

Not on my list to try any more,  the only one I bought fogged up on me on the inside with a simple freezer/water test, if it's not reliable, it's not a good choice no matter how clear the optics are under ideal conditions.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,123520.msg1098436610.html#msg1098436610

[trotterlg]

Guess if I ever need to shoot a Coyote under hot water after I have been in the freezer for two days I will be S.O.L.     Larry

[quickdtoo]

Testing a scope using the freezer/warm water method is just a common sense way to check how well it's sealed, if it doesn't pass that test, it's got no business being on any sporting firearm that will be subjected to cold temps and recoil, once the nitrogen purge is gone, it's gonna be a disappointment sooner or later and could ruin a hunt. It's a simple and commonly used test that anyone can do.

Tim

http://www.gunblast.com/Tasco_EXP.htm

http://www.gun-tests.com/performance/feb97scopes.html

http://www.gun-tests.com/performance/mar97variable.html

http://www.nzammo.co.nz/z6b.pdf

http://www.ushuntingtoday.com/becraft/mvo3x9x40.html

[tn_junk]

Glad you had luck with the Barska. I have owned one. A 4x. Fired it about 25 times after sight in, having to re-adjust the "0" about every fifth shot. (This was on a .30-30 Handi).
Threw it in the trash.

alan

[trotterlg]

I think up a lot of things to do, but I do admit that I have never considered freezing, then submerging any optics in hot water to see what happens, guess I had a fairly good idea of end result, as would most of us I think.  I am not delusional enough to think a $35.00 scope is in the same league as a $400 scope, but I am also not delusional enough to think that a $198.00 Handi Rifle is in the same league as a $2,000.00 custom rifle either.   Some of us just can't afford the price to pass your test, so, for those with limits on expenses, these fit and they function for me, your results may vary.  Larry

[dpe.ahoy]

Gotta go with Mr. T on this one as well.  I really don't like to spend major $ on glass if I'm going to take a 50-75 yd shot.  Besides, in my mind I think about how I could get one or two more Handis for the price of the glass.   My long range guns wear better, (more expensive), glass, but there is NOT $400.00 difference between my Ziese and my new Simmons Pro-Hunter when you look thru the scope.   Always on the watch for a good buy.   DP.

[jmayton]

Pentax Gameseeker 3-9X40 with the ballistic reticle.  Dead on for 55gr .223's.  $99.  Seem's reasonable to me and works well on my Handi.  Just had to mount it with high rings.

[Tencubed]

Don't have a lot of trouble with scopes fogging but the couple of times it's happened it's been a real pain.

What I do have a problem with with a lot of the cheaper scopes is parallax.  Way more of a common problem and many folks never recognize it as the reason a rifle won't group for them.

It doesn't matter, IMO, how expensive or cheap a rifle is, if you can't depend on the bullet going where your aiming your wasting your time.  Good sights are as essential as good bullets.

Mike

[ihuntbucks]

I have a Barska 3 x 9 x 40 on my Marlin 336 .35 Remy for two years and have never had any trouble out of it as of yet.Guess I just got lucky......Rick

[bilesteve]

I am posting this on the NEF board because it specifically pertains to the fit on an H&R.  Because of the minimal cost of the NEF's I have a hard time spending more money on the glass than on the rifle, so I am always in search of reasonable glass for a price that fits with a NEF.  A few months back I aquired a BARSKA 4X32 Scope, I used it on a couple of rifles and it was clear and held zero nicely.  When I finished my 17 Fireball stub project I used it to do the initial setup on it, it still worked great.  The other day I bought a Barska 3-9X40 Huntmaster just to try out, I used some medium Leupold rings from Walmart.  Turns out the scope/ring combo is nearly perfect for a NEF without modification of the hammer while still getting it as low as it can be.  Best part is that the scope can be had for under $40.00 delivered (Ebay) and the rings are cheap at Walmart.  The 3-9 is clear at all settings, only thing I noticed on both of the Barska scopes I have is that the windage affects the elevation and the elevation affects the windage to some amount.  Once you get it set it stays fine, but 10 clicks up may get you 2 clicks left also.  Pictures below show the clearance to the hammer with proper eye relief set and the scope mounted on the FB project.  This has worked out well for me, so if you need a cheap 3X9X40 scope that will fit your NEF take a look.  Larry







Larry, I see you have a Synthetic Superlight, how does it shoot for you, group-wise if you shoot such?

[trotterlg]

It isn't really a superlight, it is a stub project with youth stock, Clerk 17 barrel a little over 18 inches long and .500 at the muzzel.  These were my last 7 rounds at 100 yards last Sunday.  Larry

[ECV Slick]

I used some medium Leupold rings from Walmart.  Turns out the scope/ring combo is nearly perfect for a NEF without modification of the hammer while still getting it as low as it can be.

I can't say that I'd buy a Barska, but certainly won't knock someone else who's happy with one.

Anyways, I'm just chiming in on those Leupold rings - as I bought a set of the same to use with a Bushnell 3-9x40mm scope and it mounted as low as possible (just like yours) without getting in the way of the hammer.

[bilesteve]

That looks like pretty good shooting and I would have sworn yours was a Superlight.

Re: the Barska scope, I have a Zos that I bought a few years ago that I am told is the same as the Barska, I don't hunt but I will very likely give this little illuminated reticle scope a test run on my next rifle, if it isn't an SKS.

[striker525]

Testing a scope using the freezer/warm water method is just a common sense way to check how well it's sealed, if it doesn't pass that test, it's got no business being on any sporting firearm that will be subjected to cold temps and recoil, once the nitrogen purge is gone, it's gonna be a disappointment sooner or later and could ruin a hunt. It's a simple and commonly used test that anyone can do.

Tim

http://www.gunblast.com/Tasco_EXP.htm

http://www.gun-tests.com/performance/feb97scopes.html

http://www.gun-tests.com/performance/mar97variable.html

http://www.nzammo.co.nz/z6b.pdf

http://www.ushuntingtoday.com/becraft/mvo3x9x40.html

I agree with you on that test. I have also been know to leave it outside in these nice OH winters we have for the whole winter. I haven't had a Barska pass yet. For a worth the money reliable scope go with the Bushnells. I wouldn't buy anything lower than a Banner though.

[djw]

Pictures below show the clearance to the hammer with proper eye relief set and the scope mounted on the FB project.  This has worked out well for me, so if you need a cheap 3X9X40 scope that will fit your NEF take a look.  Larry

Larry,
When I bought my first Handi, a .22mag Ultra, I went "whole hog" and bought a nice Nikon 2-7x32 to go with it (I'm partial to Nikon), that cost, with rings, nearly as much as the rifle.  It was only when I got it home that I realized that the Nikon did not clear the hammer, when properly positioned for eye relief, and using medium rings.  I had just picked up a pair of used Barskas to feed my airgun addiction, and they were sitting on my desk at the right time.  The 2-7 Barska fit just like your 3-9 that is pictured; the unmodified hammer slides right in between the ocular bell and the mag ring.  The Barska is still working just fine for my purposes.
Still need to find somewhere to mount that Nikon.
Don