Cheap(er) scope opinions

[flatlander]

I'm currently in the market for a new pistol scope and I need to stay below $175 for it. I do understand the value of a good scope, and most of the scopes that I have on my contenders are Leupold and Burris, but for now, I need a decent scope that will work for deer on a 10" 357 Herrett and won't break my budget.  I think I would prefer a variable power scope, but might possibly consider a fixed 4X or maybe a red dot of some sort (but I don't have any experience with these). I sort of have my eye on 2 options: a Bushnell trophy 2-6 and the Simmons pro-hunter 2-6. Anyone have any experience (good or bad) with either of these that they can put in here or any other suggestions that I might be missing? Thanks.

[Thomas Krupinski]

Have you considered the T/C scopes.  I think you may find a used on Ed's Contenders within you budget.  

I have a few and they have worked pretty well for me over the years.  My preference is with the lighted reticule models, but also have the standard unlit ones.

[southern utah]

I have found if I watch the gun shops I can find used pistol scopes real cheap. There isn't much of a demand for pistol scopes and they sell below value. Leos are 100 to 150 used.

[flatlander]

I really hadn't thought about the pawn shops, but that is a good idea. I'll give it a try.
I had a lighted reticle TC scope back when I bought my first Contender as a hunter package back in the early to mid 90's. The eye relief was too short for me to shoot it comfortably, especially at higher magnification, so I sold it and picked up a Leupold EER scope. Have the TC scopes improved their relief in the last 10 years? If so, I might reconsider one. I seem to remember that I liked everything else about the scope.

[Thomas Krupinski]

I have shorter arms and prefer the T/C eye relief over the Luepold.  With the Luepold I feel like I have to really stretch my arms out and puts me in an uncomfortable shooting position.

[Graybeard]

The Bushnell Trophy is an excellent scope. To be honest I'm hard pressed to tell a whole lotta difference between it and the Elite handgun scope. They really seem close to me. Both excellent.

The Leupold 4x is a good scope. Solid all around performer.

The above suffer from one problem. Same FOV.

If you can find one the old original Tasco World Class 1.25-4 scopes are like wise excellent. Cross hairs are a wee bit fine for early and late use but they are excellent as long as there is enough light to see those fine cross hairs. Good FOV also.

The Leupold or Bushnell 2X have wide FOV and are good scopes. The Bushnell is not a straight tube like the Leupold and does better in low light.

The Burris 2-7 to me is the top choice for an all around hunting handgun. Wide FOV at lower power and enough magnification for range work or long range. But it's more money.

[KYODE]

between the 2x6 trophy, and 2x6 simmons pro hunter..............i'd take the bushnell trophy. i have both.
it does have the extended eye relief though, and it is hard for me to use in the field. reckon i got short arms also :?

[5Redman8]

Flat....what's wrong with this pffer???

Not mine.....   http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=49477

Kyle

[Carphunter]

I'm trying to check something...and can't get my hands on a Trophy 2x to check it.

I'm putting a scope onto a scout mount on a swiss k31.

I've tried a burris 2.75 scout scope...but it's not quite right for this set up.

I know others use NC star pistol scopes because they're cheap..and they seem to fit the task well.



I wanted to try a trophy 2x, but can't find one locally to test drive it (or check it's eye relief for the task).


I need to know from someone who has one.

On a Trophy 2x, how close to your eye can you get and still have clear view?  No barreling or other weird effects?  In other words, what's minimum eye relief for a perfect view through the scope.

After that, does it stay perfect out to 18" that bushnell states for eye relief?  Or is the scope only good from 18" and longer?