Author Topic: best inexpensive scope. (Read 2702 times)

wolfe 21 · « **on:** March 23, 2006, 06:53:37 AM »

I want an inexpensive, not cheap, scope to replace a POS Tasco varmint scope(6-24) that wouldn't even make a good paperweight. I've begun to believe in the "you get what you pay for" line for optics, but I still can't afford to spend a lot. I basically want a good scope for under 200 that's in the 6-18/24 range and has a mil-dot. My main use is on small varmints(read groundhog) at ranges out to 350yds. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. I realize that leupy and the other high ends have the best glass, but they are way over priced for my application. It's only a $170 gun for pete's sake. Even nikon's and weavers are too pricey right now(read college student)
I'm trying to decide between a whitetail classic(no mils but good reviews on rimfirecentral), a 44 mag(supposedly pretty good and mil dot) and a bushnell Banner(mils and 6-24 w/ lifetime warranty). All are within 25 bucks so price isn't the deciding factor. I just need something that will hold up well and keep it's zero on a .223 handi bull. Thanks again.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #1 on:** March 23, 2006, 07:37:16 AM »

I'd put the Mueller 8.5-25x44 Tactical mildot on that list, it's $150 and a lot of scope for the money...

Tim

http://muelleroptics.com/MT852544.html

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=81323

greenjeans · « **Reply #2 on:** March 23, 2006, 09:07:00 AM »

I don't have any experience with the Meuller or Whitetail Classic, but I do have two of the 44 mags (30-06 and .270) and two Banners (25-06 and .270). I have had the 44 Mags for several years and they are holding up well. My Banners are 3 x 9 x 50's and I haven't shot with them that much, but so far so good. Lots of good reviews on the Banners for inexpensive scopes. Of course, Quick has more scopes and rifles than anybody, so would be hard not to look at his recommendations real hard.

wolfe 21 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 23, 2006, 09:12:45 AM »

Thanks for the help. I like the mueller scope too, but it says it's sold out for a while and I'm not sure if I want to wait or not. Also, I'd like to buy something that I can get through a local shop as I don't really like ordering off the net. Thanks again.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #4 on:** March 23, 2006, 09:20:27 AM »

Give Mueller a call or an email and see when they're actually due...

muelleroptics@gtlakes.com

1-888-775-8885

myarmor · « **Reply #5 on:** March 23, 2006, 09:53:50 AM »

And just to add a couple others if you would like at or under the $200 mark:
http://www.swift-optics.com/products/sporting/premium_riflescopes/688m
Excellent Warranty. Somthing happens take it right back to the dealer and you'll get a replacement right there.

http://theopticzone.com/detail.aspx?ID=3329
From all reports I hear this is an exceptional scope with great light trans, and a fair price. I also am considering this one.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=746570
Great price and a very good scope, though they are out at this time.

And you might want to check out the Millet line of scopes:
http://www.natchezss.com/curFlier/0021f.html
They don't offer a lot of scopes with Mil-Dot but they are built very tough and have good glass.

Hope this helps you out a little. I am in the same boat as you and these are all being considered. I have been waiting for the Mueller for over a month and it's still Out of Stock...
-Aaron

quickdtoo · « **Reply #6 on:** March 23, 2006, 10:34:12 AM »

The WTC18 status is unavailable at Midway, you'll have to wait for their next "seasonal" run...

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=746570

victorcharlie · « **Reply #7 on:** March 23, 2006, 10:56:18 AM »

What about the new Simmons line, anyone had any experience with it?

quickdtoo · « **Reply #8 on:** March 23, 2006, 11:04:03 AM »

I think it'll be a while before I try em...

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=88290

http://rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=127041

whitedogone · « **Reply #9 on:** March 23, 2006, 02:36:32 PM »

I will never buy a Simmons POC ever again. They have got the last cash out me me they will ever get. Stay with a mid line Bushnell. I would go with a Legend or try and get a nice used 3200. WDO

30-30man · « **Reply #10 on:** March 24, 2006, 01:46:26 AM »

I would go with a Bushnell or a Mueller. Both of these two makes are excellent glass for the money. The edge would have to go to Mueller. I have the 2-7x32 Multishot, I know it's not close to the scope you want but my Mueller is the best scope I have for the money spent. It's just as good as my Bushnell 3200 and Legend. I even compared it to my brother n laws Leupold VXII and I honesty could not tell a difference. In short, try a Mueller. I think they have a Mil-dot high power scope for you. I ordered mine from the optic zone as they had the best prices I could find. Sadly they no longer carry them because of some type of disagreement. I'm sure you can find them other places though

.

nasem · « **Reply #11 on:** March 24, 2006, 04:30:05 AM »

millett gold buck 4-16X44mm.... very nice scope for under $150 (has full life time warrenty)

Sourdough · « **Reply #12 on:** March 24, 2006, 08:05:49 AM »

I've had great luck with Bushnell. I have nine Bushnells and have only had trouble with two of them. Several years ago I bought two Bushnell Sportviews in 3X9X40. Right off the bat the one I put on the wife's 30-06 had the crosshairs come loose. I changed it out put the bad one in the vault and forgot about it. Last year the second one went bad, I boxed them both up and returned them to Bushnell. Bushnell replaced them both, no questions asked. Since the model i had was no longer made they gave me an upgrade to a 3X9X50. The new scopes are much brighter during low light than the old ones were.

Sourdough · « **Reply #13 on:** March 24, 2006, 08:10:09 AM »

Wolf-21: You said it's only a $170.00 gun. Well I put a $698.00 Shepard scope on a $167.00 NEF 30-06 Handi Rifle. Never regreatted it.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #14 on:** March 24, 2006, 08:24:08 AM »

Quote from: Sourdough

Wolf-21: You said it's only a $170.00 gun. Well I put a $698.00 Shepard scope on a $167.00 NEF 30-06 Handi Rifle. Never regreatted it.

Not until some SOB stole it, right Rog!!

Tim

bluebayou · « **Reply #15 on:** March 24, 2006, 02:19:35 PM »

The Simmons is available right now at Midway

myarmor · « **Reply #16 on:** March 24, 2006, 05:16:09 PM »

I'm not a cosmetic gun owner...with tons of burled walnut stocked mastepieces-though I appreciate those and love nice wood-, heck most of my rifles wear synthetic. I'm about what works and functional.
With that being the case though, is it just me or do you guys think it's kinda stupid that Simmons made ALL of their new scope lines look exactly the same :? From the top of the line Aetec to the Blaser stuff. I find it a bit odd.

bluebayou · « **Reply #17 on:** March 24, 2006, 05:45:10 PM »

$100 worth of scope is the cheapest that I will go. I have been happy with my upper end Simmons scopes. Not the first choice, but serviceable. That being said......what is Simmons thinking overall with these new scopes? If image was the concern then, like you said, why do they look alike. Why did they flip flop the price point for ProSport and ProHunter (I think, but really who can tell, why the similiar names anyway?) For what it is worth has ANYONE heard anything good about the Master Series other than the usual suspect gunwriters? I sent a WTE in for repair, I hope to God that they fix it or replace it with a 44 Mag.

killdeer · « **Reply #18 on:** March 24, 2006, 06:11:17 PM »

I don't know of any free rides when it comes to optics. Were I going to try to save some jingle on a riflescope, I would not buy the one with the brightest, clearest view. I would buy the one that I thought could take a pounding and still hold zero. Go to some pawnshops until you find an older gold ring Luepie thats got a scratched up,dinged up tube with good lenses and try to buy it for about $100 to $125. When your buddy shows you his brand new chicom scope that looks brighter just nod, grin and keep hunting knowing when you pull the trigger you'll not likely worry where the bullets going or see little pieces floating around inside.
By the way, it doesn't necessarily have to be a Luepold if you do your homework, but that keeps it simple.

KD

Sourdough · « **Reply #19 on:** March 24, 2006, 07:25:48 PM »

Right Quick! That gun is now wearing a Bushnell, till I can afford another Shepard.

whitedogone · « **Reply #20 on:** March 25, 2006, 01:06:32 AM »

Less than 2 bills and in the mid to upper power range this is the scope you want........

http://theopticzone.com/detail.aspx?ID=3329

WDO

victorcharlie · « **Reply #21 on:** March 25, 2006, 01:08:07 AM »

I know you want a high powered scope, but you could get a bushnell elite 3200 in a 3x9 and have a pretty fair piece of glass for the same money. I've shot a lot of groundhogs back in the 60's with a fixed 4 power. A weaver K15 fixed power for $229 would get you a pretty good scope as well.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #22 on:** March 25, 2006, 01:46:43 AM »

Quote from: Sourdough

Wolf-21: You said it's only a $170.00 gun. Well I put a $698.00 Shepard scope on a $167.00 NEF 30-06 Handi Rifle. Never regreatted it.

I have a Leupold, VXII 3X9X50 on my H&H Ultra Slug gun. :-D It was what I had in my gun safe at the time, so I did not have to go buy another scope. :-D

Nothing wrong with putting more expensive optics on a cheap gun.

Zachary · « **Reply #23 on:** March 25, 2006, 02:00:54 AM »

I have never used a Mueller scope, but some of our members own them with pretty good results.

For the $200 or so mark, I would definately look at the Nikon Buckmaster and Bushnell Elite 3200. The New Buckmasters have about 92% light transmission, while the 3200s only have about 88%, Both are built very tough and I highly recommend them.

For the $150 range, I would look at the Bushnell Trophy line. Personally, I would not go below the Trophy line.

Zachary

wolfe 21 · « **Reply #24 on:** March 27, 2006, 06:27:34 PM »

Thanks for all the help. Mine's an NEF too, but a .223 heavy barrel. I realize that the higher end optics, even the better low end ones, have the best glass and stand the best chance of holding zero, but there's just not room in the budget for anything pricier than a mueller right now. So, as it stands it's either the mueller 8-25 mil, the Banner 6-24, or the simmons 44mag on closeout, but I'm leaning towards the banner b/c I can get it at my local shop. As for the lower power ranges of better brands, I wish I could but I need the extra magnification to compensate for poor eyesight and I intend to spend some time shooting targets so the extra power is nice. Maybe my next rifle will wear a weaver or a leupy, but that's a long time off.

VTDW · « **Reply #25 on:** March 29, 2006, 10:28:14 AM »

I love my Mueller but NOT for light gathering. The Bushnell is hard to beat for quality and $$$

Dave

nea243 · « **Reply #26 on:** March 31, 2006, 09:53:15 PM »

wolf; what went wrong with the tasco. do you still have it. did you send it in to get it fixed. if you want to get rid of it let me know. i have two 2.5-10x42 tasco varmint and a 6-24x42 scope on 30-06,30-30,17hmr.

steve

mattinPA · « **Reply #27 on:** April 02, 2006, 06:14:36 AM »

wolf 21 Did you check averything out first. Something else maybe the problem.
I have the same scope and can shoot sub MOA @ 100 yards At 500 yards a 5IN group. I have it on a 243

That has more to do with my reloads then the scope but the scope does have to keep its zero to get that.

I am getting a 308 and it will be gitting a 10X40 tasco

wolfe 21 · « **Reply #28 on:** April 03, 2006, 06:31:53 AM »

The tasco I have won't hold a zero. I have tried it on a .223 and 2 .22lr's and it never hits the same place twice, and this is from a rested bench position. I have to constantly adjust the scope to get the bullets where I want them and I have noticed that there is no longer an audible click on the elevation turrets as there should be, but I can still feel the adjustments though. I haven't sent it in for warranty as I think it was made before the new owners took over the company, at least I can't find the date code on the tube, and this leads to my reservations about bushnell as they are current owner. Besides, I'm not sure it's worth the $25 to get it fixed as it didn't work right out of the box. :x

victorcharlie · « **Reply #29 on:** April 03, 2006, 08:22:05 AM »

Quote from: wolfe 21

The tasco I have won't hold a zero. I have tried it on a .223 and 2 .22lr's and it never hits the same place twice, and this is from a rested bench position. I have to constantly adjust the scope to get the bullets where I want them and I have noticed that there is no longer an audible click on the elevation turrets as there should be, but I can still feel the adjustments though. I haven't sent it in for warranty as I think it was made before the new owners took over the company, at least I can't find the date code on the tube, and this leads to my reservations about bushnell as they are current owner. Besides, I'm not sure it's worth the $25 to get it fixed as it didn't work right out of the box. :x

That's the same problem I've had with Tasco's in the past. I got tired of fooling with the low cost scopes. It's kind of a crap shoot with them....you might get a decent one.......or you might not. I know some have more to spend than others, but some times the frustration isn't worth the money saved. Then you have to figure the cost of the ammo shot to find the problem etc.....it just keeps adding up.

I think in this price range Mueller seems to honor their warranty and frequently post here and helps sponsor the sight. Mueller doesn't like people slamming them on the forum and that's a good thing and makes me think Mueller will do you right in the end. If I'm ever in the situation and can't afford to pay a higher price I think I'd give a Mueller a try as there doesn't seem to be a low cost american made scope available in this price range.

You could always save your money and hold out for a better made scope!