Author Topic: Who makes Cabelas Scopes? (Read 7694 times)

HoundDog55 · « **on:** January 14, 2003, 02:47:37 PM »

Anyone know who makes scopes for Cabelas? What is the quality? Thanks for any info.

Zachary · « **Reply #1 on:** January 14, 2003, 04:05:17 PM »

I don't know who makes Cabela's scopes, but I do know that I would never buy one.

When I go to the rifle range, I get a kick out of hearing people cuss and fuss about how bad their "brand new scopes" are. I hear it all the time - "but Zachary, it's a brand new scope, it CAN'T be bad, can it?" Yup. It sure can.

Most of the frustration comes from the lower end scopes like Tasco, Simmons, and BSA, to name a few. But on one occasion a guy next to me was shooting a .280 Remington with a "brand new" Cabela's scope. I don't know what model it was, or even what magnification it was...all I knew was that it was a Cabelas and it wasn't working properly.

Among other things, the scope was not tracking properly. Some of you may say it could have been the scope mounts, the action screws, etc. Nope, in this case it the problem was just the scope. Another problem he had was elevation adjustments were loose - which probably contributed to the bad tracking.

Okay, perhaps this was just ONE bad scope. Any manufacturer, I guess, could have ONE defective scope in the lot.

That notwithstanding, I personally would never buy a Cabela's scope.

Zachary

cpobb · « **Reply #2 on:** January 15, 2003, 12:05:39 PM »

Zachary, thats good info to know. I have eye'd those Cabela's scopes for a long time and have come close to buying one in the past. What you described MIGHT have been a unique situation or maybe not. They do boast about the strength of their scopes in the catalog.

But to be fair to Cabela's I must say this: If you buy it and don't like it, you can send it back for a refund or exchange. I bought a Leupold 4x pistol scope in September from Cabela's. I mounted it on a Contender, sighted it in, took it hunting, then realized in December that I didn't like the set up. It was no good for the heavy woods I normally hunt in. So I moaped around for about a month kicking myself for spending $285.00 on a scope I didn't like. Then I read the return policy, packed it up nicely in the original packaging, marked the return slip with "changed my mind" and sent it in for an exchange in January! They took it back ...no questions asked. You really can't beat that.

I have and will continue to spend a LOT of money with Cabela's. I like the way they do business!

Zachary · « **Reply #3 on:** January 15, 2003, 02:55:14 PM »

I agree. I may not like their brand of scopes, but I DO like their return policy. Then again, you can buy scopes so much cheaper on the net, and they know it. That's why they have such a great return policy. Essentially, you pay more for the scope, but it's kinda like buying insurance.

Zachary

VFC-13 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 02, 2004, 03:24:17 PM »

If i remember correctly I think Burris makes scopes for Cabelas

dbuck · « **Reply #5 on:** October 02, 2004, 04:30:26 PM »

Well, I have two of them and my son in law has one and we never had any problems with Cabela's scopes or tracking of them, but we have the high end ones. I ask Cabela's one time who may their scope and both salesmen that I was talking to didn't know and they had ask the same question and Cabela's wouldn't tell them.

dbuck

GreatWaputi · « **Reply #6 on:** October 03, 2004, 02:56:13 PM »

I think a lot of their scopes are made by Hakko of Japan and brand labeled, much like some of the binocular lines. If you notice, several binos, such as the Cabelas Alaskan Guide Series, Eagle Optics Platinum Rangers, some Minolta's, the now defunct S&W line, and the Alpen Apex are all very similar.

I'm not sure I'd spend my money on Cabelas lower grade stuff (Pine Ridge), but their Alaskan Guide Series scopes and binos are reported to be good optics and carry a lifetime warranty.

oldelkhunter · « **Reply #7 on:** October 04, 2004, 03:35:18 AM »

They are probably made by Light Optical or Hakko. I haven't heard of anyone having problems with them. The only reason I wouldn't buy one is scopes are just a side business for CAbelas. WHat happens if 3 years down the road they decide to stop importing them what do you then do for parts and service? Stick with the Reputable Optical firms and your better off in the long run . Maybe if they were selling these scopes for 50 bucks it would be ok but there isn't that much difference between that and a mainline scope.

Grubbs · « **Reply #8 on:** October 06, 2004, 05:52:32 AM »

Pretty sure they are Jap made just like thier binos and Leupold's wind river binos....I wouldn't buy any of them personally.

Cabin4 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 06, 2004, 06:38:42 AM »

I don't know who makes them. But for sure, stay away from the Cabellas Pine Ridge scopes. These are really junk.

One why you can reasearch this, is call up a Cabellas store and talk to the guys in the gun department about them. Ask them if they know who makes them and about the quality. Then talk to the retunrs department. Ask them about returns and why customers say they are returning the scopes.