Simmons 44 Mag 6.5-20

[joeb33050]

I need a target scope for a 223 rifle. Is this a good scope, the Simmons 44 Mag?
Thanks;
joe b.

[Zachary]

I am not a fan of Simmons scopes, but a .223 is a very light recoiling rifle.  As such, high-end optics are not necessary (although they certainly wouldn't hurt.)  Is there any particular reason that you are considering this scope?  If you are willing to spend a little more, I would recommend other scopes.

Zachary

[joeb33050]

I have read that this is a good scope. I have, for instance, a Tasco 4X16 cheap sope on a Contender 7TCU that works flawlessly.
I need at least 20X, and think that I'm not getting my money's worth from a Weaver 36X or Leupold etc.
Another way of saying it is that I'm looking for the least expensive scope that will do the job.
Simmons has a guarantee, I was counting on that.
I'm interested in any other better deal = higher quality for a little more money.
Thanks;
joe b.

[Zachary]

Joe,

The Simmons 44 Mag scope in the 6.5x-20x magnification costs around $150.  As such, it's going to be difficult for me to recommend any other scope, in that magnification, for around the same price.

Most of the scopes that I have personal experience with in the 16 to 24x range are the Bushnell Elite 4200s, Nikon Monarchs, Nightforce NXS, Leupolds, and a few others that I can't really think of off of the top of my head.  However, all of these are well over $150.  This is not to say, however, that they are not worth the extra money.  Most of these scopes are double the price, but, in my opinion, triple the value.

The closest scope that I would recommend, if you are willing to go up to only 15x, is the new Bushnell Legend.  I don't know how much they cost, but I believe that they are between the Elite 3200 and the Trophy.  As such, you would pay more than what you want, and have less magnification that what you want, but get much better optics and durability.

Like I said, it's hard for me to recommend the Simmons 44Mag scope, but if you are limited to around $150, then you might just go ahead and purchase it.  If you do, then please let us know how it works out for you. :grin:

Zachary

[Ranger413]

I visited the rimfirecentral forum quite a bit in the past and they really liked the simmons scopes there.  The 44 mag series had to have been the most popular.  The 6-20X with the 1/8 elevation and windage changes was tops if I remember correctly.  I agree with the other posters that a high dollar scope isn't needed on a light recoiling gun - and agree that a better scope doesn't hurt a bit.  

I just picked up a Whitetail Expedition 4-12X.  This is Simmons higher end scope that is apparently being discontinued.  I paid about 160 for it and it's sitting on my Ruger 10/22.  Looks and works perfect.  I may even swap it onto my .223 encore barrel until I save up the $ for the $330 Bushnell Elite 4200 4-16X that it will eventually wear.

Ranger413

[denvas]

Just to let everyonw know, late last year ATK sold the Simmons, Weaver and Redfield optics lines to Meade optical. This should help improve things quite a bit as Meade is a well known name in astrological and medical related optics equipment. However, as of the last SHOT show Meade was not ready to announce what they were going to do with these 3 lines. At the present time they are continuing the production as it was before the purchase, however, they have hinted that there are going to be improvements made in the lines they thought would sell. So yes some scopes/binoculars will be discontiuned but be on the look out for new products to come our way. That said, one of the reasons that ATK sold Simmons, Weaver and Redfield was that they were unhappy with the inconsistencies in quality control with the materials being purchased to use in the manufacturing process and the quality of the products being produced. To me this would indicate that there may have been problems with these lines. This assumption has been borne out by the scopes purchased over the last few years by people I know. For example I purchased a Simmons Whitetail Expidition 4-12 riflescope for my daughter's rifle. I consider it to be one of my best purchases for the money. The scope has been all over the country and has performed flawlessly. In the other hand several of my friends have purchases the same scope or some of the Simmons Atec's and have had nothing but trouble. They have all gone back for service not once but several times. One has made the round trip 8 times in 14 months. Needless to say these buyers will not even consider a Simmons product. So just be careful and really take a hard look at Simmons products before you buy one. Even then for the near future it will be hit or miss until Meade retools and finishes improving the quality of the product line.