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Post by marc on Aug 28, 2012 19:17:36 GMT -7
I would love to get some input on cheaper rifle scopes from folks with hands on experience. I generally know exactly what I want and why I want it - but this time I'm lost! I’m an optics guy and always have been, since shooting photos for a living in the 70’s. In the past my rifle scopes have always been carefully planned, higher end purchases.
Now, I just want to outfit some .22 mag rifles with something in the versatile 3-9x32/40mm range for shooting at the outer edge of their range - and it’s confusing out there.
My bias toward certain brands is probably hindering my decision capability because I just don’t know. Reviews on the internet are waaaaaaay all over the board for cheaper scopes. My hope is to find some good and reliable (the biggie) glass for around $125. each if I can do it. I’d like to know if I have to revisit my budget in order to get the scopes that I want. FWIW, I'm leaning toward the Nikon Prostaff for $110.00 each (plus rings) so far........
Again, my bias is toward long term resistance to impact, fogging, temperature extremes and brief immersion.
Marc
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Post by jimmyq on Aug 28, 2012 21:02:23 GMT -7
I have a Bushnell 4x32 on my air rifle, probably 10 years old or so, it seems to work ok for me and I think I paid under $100 for it. I think with optics though the old get what you pay for saying holds true.
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Post by garret on Aug 29, 2012 3:08:22 GMT -7
cheaper tasco or bushnell, doctor optics (german company that make excellent optic at reasonable prices) leupold, they are all excellent scopes and never let me down
never had a nikon so i cant comment on them
most of the top end manufacturers have entry level scopes that a well within price range (well apart fom maybe busch and lomb)
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Post by mud on Aug 29, 2012 8:37:34 GMT -7
Have had great results with Leapers. Both simmons and bushnell have failed unless you get a higher end one. I run a nikon on my deer rifle. Pentax has some fine optics too and can be found at sportsmans guide
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Post by Redneckidokie on Aug 29, 2012 21:27:17 GMT -7
Don't worry about the price, unless you want to hit some thing.  |
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Post by mud on Aug 30, 2012 6:01:00 GMT -7
The leapers optics are deceiving in price and the 5th gen scopes are remarkably clear and gather light well if you stay above 32mm. I would suggest 40mm at the very least. I had the chance since this post to test a Pentax and I was very impressed. Every bit as clear and crisp as my Nikon. I will be getting a leapers compact to replace my bushnell since it loses zero every time i go to the woods. As stated before you get what you pay for but there are some true bargains out there.
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Post by mud on Aug 31, 2012 6:41:38 GMT -7
I dont know about he full sized models but every compact i had was non illuminated. Wish i had more on full sized for you but the compacts are all i bought
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Post by wtrfwlr on Aug 31, 2012 7:10:50 GMT -7
This is not meant as a diss or anything Marc but it was easy to pick-up on the fact that you are a Photographer. The first thing you mention is Nikon and you refer to it as glass instead of optics. I'm sort of a shutterbug too so I picked up on that, just a silly observation. I've used Redfield scopes for years mainly because that is what my father bought to put on my guns. When I upgraded my Wichester 243 I saved my nickels and dimes and fitted it with a Leupold and Loved it! Scopes have gotten so much more advanced now there are some very adequate scopes for very reasonable prices. I'm going to replace the scope on my 22. It has a Redfield 4X on it now and I am going to put on a Tasco 3X9. Mainly because I have it already and my eyes have gotten so crappy I can't see anymore!  |
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Post by USCGME2 on Aug 31, 2012 8:54:29 GMT -7
I dont pretend to be a scope expert but, Ill give a few thoughts:
Since you are outfitting a 22 mag, I guess you wont be shootn more than about 75yds? 100 maybe? Also, the recoil is relatively very light compared to high caliber cartriges. The more expensive scopes designed for larger calibers and longer ranges will be more durable and have better glass of course but for a 22 this might be overkill IMO. Cheaper scopes fail on deer rifles mostly because the reverberations from the recoil play havoc on inferior assemblies. (I guess this could also be because of cheap rings too). Of course, the more you spend, the more likely you are to get higher quality glass and the subsequent increase in light transmission. Given the limits of a 22, these issues may not be as prevelant and a less expensive scope will probably fill your needs nicely.
My 22 LR has a Tasco 4x12x50 that cost all of $80 or so. Yes, it is a big scope for a small caliber but, I use it almost exclusively for squirrels and the large objective makes it slightly easier to find them little critters in the trees with that bigger field of view. (I rarely go above 4-6 power btw). It has proved to be a hardy and accurate combo. Besides, this was too cheap a scope for my deer rifle and when I upgraded it went to the 22.
I would offer that anything in the $100 range by Nikon would make for a confident set up. Id be suprised if a set up like that would let you down. JMO
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Post by USCGME2 on Aug 31, 2012 19:24:16 GMT -7
How far out realistically will they shoot? Post pics of the groupings and let us know how it turns out. Look forward to it.  |
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Post by heysmithy on Sept 1, 2012 13:02:07 GMT -7
Maybe I have a little bit of brand bias here as well, but it's at least partially borne from experience. In my opinion ALL of the Nikon scopes beat out anything in their respective price ranges right now. The prostaff scopes are a good example of that. I think you had it right the first time, go with the prostaff.
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Post by WILL on Sept 1, 2012 15:25:55 GMT -7
Hopefully I can get a couple of scopes to beat up this weekend and I'll offer my limited experience on the results. Oh yea. Lookin forward to that post. |
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Post by caveman on Sept 9, 2012 5:18:49 GMT -7
I picked up an Ospry scope at a gun show just to try it out. Read some good and bad reviews on it. I got it for $75 at the show, went out to 50 power, put on a 300 win mag. any way, i have had no complaints out of it and it has taken a beating so far. I still have the original scope to put back on if I need so it really was not a waste.
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