Author Topic: Scope for Contender  (Read 486 times)

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Offline Gabby

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Scope for Contender
« on: December 31, 2008, 01:31:19 AM »
I've had a 21" custom shop barrel in 219 zipper that I would like to scope.  I don't think I need the high priced ones for this cartridge.  I've been thinking of either a Bushnell Trophy 3x9 or Simmons Pro-Hunter 3x9.  They both in the hundred dollar range.  Do you get very much for this price? Any comments would be appreciated.   Thanks Gabby

Offline OLDHandgunner

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Re: Scope for Contender
« Reply #1 on: December 31, 2008, 01:53:42 AM »
Buy the best you can afford. I buy mostly used scopes on Ebay at a reasonable price.
I have mostly Burris Mini's or Burris compact's on my T/C carbine barrel's. They don't make these little guns too top heavy. Four of my Custom barrels have 4x12 mini's on them. My 223 barrel has a 2x7 Nikon ProStaff.
Keep them small & keep them compact. This is my thinking.
I have a 21" 22k Hornet Custom from T/C. It's a tactdriver.
Good luck with the 219 zipper.

Offline Keith L

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Re: Scope for Contender
« Reply #2 on: December 31, 2008, 03:26:02 AM »
I don't have good luck with cheap scopes.  Every time I try I always wind up getting something different.  I like Leupold on rifles, but I got a Bushnell Elite 3200 a while ago that I like plenty.  That barrel should be a tack driver with the right loads.  You won't know what it can do with poor optics or mounts.
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Offline Ladobe

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Re: Scope for Contender
« Reply #3 on: December 31, 2008, 05:10:53 AM »
I'm also old school that says buy the very best glass you can afford.   It's very easy to spend way more $$$ for a scope for the TC's than the barrel cost, but many of my other firearms also wear scopes that cost more than they did.   Sooner or later the cheap glass will fail you in some way and you'll want better anyway, so why buy twice?   BTW, a 3-9 won't let you use the full potential of the 219 Zipper if you shoot long at small.

IMO, the Bushnell Elite line is a great buy - so are the Nikon's for better glass.   The Burris/Leupold saga... while I have a ton of Burris scopes for the pistols, I prefer Leupolds over them for the rifles.   Also have had great luck with the Weaver V-16's and KT 15's.
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Offline Grumulkin

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Re: Scope for Contender
« Reply #4 on: January 01, 2009, 01:35:45 PM »
I've used Bushnell and Simmons scopes and, in my opinion, the optics are quite usable.  From personal experience, however, I know Bushnell doesn't stand behind their warranty so if your Bushnell or Tasco scope breaks (Bushnell acquired Tasco several years ago) you're probably out of luck.

I also have Thompson/Center and Leupold scopes and know that those two companies really stand behind their products.  You won't like it if your cheap scope causes a miss on a game animal.  It's also a bit tedioius target shooting with a scope that won't hold zero, etc.  You're getting a custom shop barrel; why are you going for a cheap scope?  I would much rather have a used Leupold than a new Bushnell scope (yea, Leupold and T/C even honor their warranty even if you weren't the original purchaser of the scope).

Offline Hopalong7

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Re: Scope for Contender
« Reply #5 on: January 02, 2009, 07:50:53 AM »
The 21" Contender carbine is a compact, light, easy handling little rifle.  IMO a large scope of whatever brand just defeats the whole purpose of the wonderful little gun.  Yes, I put big "target" scopes on mine at times...to wring out a load or just see what the barrel will do on the bench.  The Burris Compact series of scopes just seem made to order for the Contender to me.  I'm sure there are other brands of small scopes as well...but the Burris is the only one I've tried.  I don't necessarily mean low power....I think the Burris comes up to 4 x 12 anyway.  They just seem to balance out real well and the usual Burris quality is not sacrificed.  GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt  ;D