Good Budget Scopes

cookimonster

Just a thought, there's a lot of sound advice here about scope selection, and yes quality goes hand in hand with the cost. But if your like me and just can't afford or justify big money on scopes what are you using.
Please do not turn this into a debate, let's try to get some info out there, be it either entry level optics or more importantly success stories with cheeper costing optics.
And more importantly I apologize in advance if this has already been covered......

One shot on kill

I use a hawks nite eye it's grand does the job and holds zero. I'd love to pick up a bushnell scope cheaper end of good optics but very popular so that's a good start.

Tommy87

I'm like yourself- I'd love a smidth and bender or a Swarovski and the likes, but I couldn't justify €1000 for a scope. I wish I could. I have a bushnell banner dusk and dawn 4-16x40. I paid 350 for it, it's on my deer rifle, a .308 and has been good for me. It's nice and clear and always held zero.

At the same time I don't think I would buy a very cheap scope, like a tasco because of the recoil of the .308. I think there is a middle ground, I mean you pay for what you get, but I think a scope in the €300 to €500 euro range is good enough once it's from a reputable make like bushnell or leupold. Just my opinion!! I could be wrong!!

Glensman

My Simmons WTC was great value for money

Apart from that, SH scopes are always, Always the way to go...

One shot on kill

Ye you right infairness it does depend on what you have it on my hawks scope is on a 22 so no recoil at all. I know a lad has one on a 223 with out any probs but if I was putting a scope on something like that definitely spend a few more pound.

cookimonster

I shoot a 20 year old + Bushnell 3-9 x 40mm on the .243 and find it good for what / how I shoot.

The cheep and cheerful Sutter 6-24x50 E SF d=30 LP I picked up this year shoots tight groups on my 22 and I regularly adjust the target turrets for HV or LV or various ranges and it always maintains zero when adjusted back and forth.

cookimonster

Glensman wrote: »

My Simmons WTC was great value for money

Apart from that, SH scopes are always, Always the way to go...

Just for the slow here (me), SH is Second Hand?

If so we can add a second line of thought, second hand scopes, how trustworthy if not bought from some one you know or a shop with full consumer rights etc. Could tell a few stories about SH cameras, optics etc......

rowa

look at meopta new, or second hand pecars , made in berlin they are good hunting glass.

Glensman

cookimonster wrote: »

Just for the slow here (me), SH is Second Hand?

If so we can add a second line of thought, second hand scopes, how trustworthy if not bought from some one you know or a shop with full consumer rights etc. Could tell a few stories about SH cameras, optics etc......

So far second hand I have had:

2 Schmidts
2 Leupolds
1 Zeiss
1 Sightron

Everyone was perfect optically and mechanically in every way.
Of the one's I sold on, I never lost a penny on them and got plenty of use in the meantime.

Cass

Like the OP was saying i have always tried to go for the best i could afford, however times have changed and a Nightofrce/S&B/Zeiss, etc is just not in my price range.

So i took the plunge, and bought a Hawke Sidewinder. Never a fan having been "stung" by one years ago, but i didn't have a choice (as such).

The scopes (bought 2 more since) are great. Yes they lack in clarity compared to the upper end scopes, but for €380 they rival the top end scopes for features, and hold their zero perfectly as well as track excellently at all ranges.


My tuppence worth.

cookimonster

Thanks for the replies, keep them up, good to get real life feed back especially those ones that out line pleasant surprises with those 'other' brands often out shined by the stellar brands.

TriggerPL

Anyone ever try konus scopes from Lakeland I have a pair of binos from there and the clarity would make u question big money binos .

Gud tread

daithi55

i have a swift scope couldnt fault it for the price have had it on a .223 and now .243 have shot deer iv very low light with no trouble

clivej

I have 6 Bushnell scopes, all second hand and bought blind from the UK, All good and never a problem with any of them.
Banners are good for the money, then the 3200 elite range and 2 x4200 elites

Bought a BSA that was sh!te.

Longranger

I have a hawke endurance 3-12×50 on my 455 hmr and I love it. It never loses zero and lets in a nice bit of light at d&d. I have a schmidt and bender 6×42 for the deer rifle. It's over 30 years old(made in WEST germany!)and was fully rebuilt by s&b about three years ago. Cost less than 300 quid and I couldn't be happier with it. Just go with whatever your budget will get you, you can always save to upgrade in the future. Happy hunting:-)
Lr

YellowVanMan

i have a Konus 3-9x50 on the 223 http://www.lakelandshootingcentre.ie/products/product_detail.php?cID=206&mID=2 cost 75euro. extremely clear glass, nice reticle and works well with the lamp. never looses zero.
getting a 4-12x50 from lakeland next week.
http://www.lakelandshootingcentre.ie/products/product_detail.php?cID=581&mID=2

konus got a real good review in the shooters digest a few months back.

An truicear tochasach

Anyone use a ZOS - just wondering?

4200fps

Keep away from AGS, they give up after a while as they refuse to hold zero. Must be badly built. If I had 300 to hand i'd be looking for a second hand Burris or something like that

4200fps

An truicear tochasach wrote: »

Anyone use a ZOS - just wondering?

I didn't myself but i'd go for a brand that be kinda known

ruger1894c

Iv a redfeild on my .22 and it is as clear as day its awesome clarity and never have had a problem..very clear at nite also..

Iv also had a konus and they are very good value for money..All the bells and whistles at good money..abit heavy though..blue illumination very good

Lastly i have a kaps 8x56 scope and at 650 mite be getting up in price but a great scope for foxing...its german glass with an illuminated dot reticle and i love it.

vulpus

I am using a hawke endurance (56mm) on a tikka 243 and have had no problems with it.This scope has also been on a 223 and it is about 4 years old. At one stage my plan was to use this and save up for some German glass but i have being so taken aback by the scope that i think this will stay with me.As i only shoot a couple of deer and a few dozen foxes a year it would be crazy to spend over a grand on something i have already.

rich1916

Tommy87 wrote: »

I'm like yourself- I'd love a smidth and bender or a Swarovski and the likes, but I couldn't justify €1000 for a scope. I wish I could. I have a bushnell banner dusk and dawn 4-16x40. I paid 350 for it, it's on my deer rifle, a .308 and has been good for me. It's nice and clear and always held zero.

At the same time I don't think I would buy a very cheap scope, like a tasco because of the recoil of the .308. I think there is a middle ground, I mean you pay for what you get, but I think a scope in the €300 to €500 euro range is good enough once it's from a reputable make like bushnell or leupold. Just my opinion!! I could be wrong!!

I have the best of scope.on my rifles and a fue years a go I bought a us optic made for me now I see vector optics are making something similar I am going to try it out on 308 or something like let you know difference it any

cookimonster

vulpus wrote: »

I am using a hawke endurance (56mm) on a tikka 243 and have had no problems with it.This scope has also been on a 223 and it is about 4 years old. At one stage my plan was to use this and save up for some German glass but i have being so taken aback by the scope that i think this will stay with me.As i only shoot a couple of deer and a few dozen foxes a year it would be crazy to spend over a grand on something i have already.

Big Plus One on this : I drool over various kit for my guns but have to ground my self in relation to the amount of shooting I do with any one gun. I shoot nearly every week end (less then some here, more than others) but shoot various guns and disciplines, clays, tragets, vermin and feathered / fur game so I weigh off the total usage of the toys verus the money spent.

An truicear tochasach

4200fps wrote: »

Keep away from AGS, they give up after a while as they refuse to hold zero. Must be badly built. If I had 300 to hand i'd be looking for a second hand Burris or something like that

Are ags the same as Zos - chinese jobbies I think? I had a cheapo fixed Gamo that came with my air rifle - in fairness, it held its zero pretty well.

An truicear tochasach

4200fps wrote: »

I didn't myself but i'd go for a brand that be kinda known

Only asking because there's a fella selling a CZ with one - wouldn't be my choice so am a little twitchy about it.

Sorry don't want to clog up the thread so for my twopence worth - i have a cheapo tasco 3-12x40 on the air springer which someone gave me! Seems grand to me but then I'm a novice...:pac:

4200fps

An truicear tochasach wrote: »

Are ags the same as Zos - chinese jobbies I think? I had a cheapo fixed Gamo that came with my air rifle - in fairness, it held its zero pretty well.

I couldn't tell you as I don't know. Keep well away from Chinese optics if you can. Some may argue but take my word for it

sfakiaman

I changed from a Hawke 4-16 x 50 to a s/h Meopta 7x50 and was amazed at the difference in clarity, also the click stops on the Meopta are very positive and it holds zero which the Hawke never did. The Meopta is on a .308 deer rifle which would rarely be used beyond 100 yds so all I need is clarity and reliability, bells and whistles would only get in the way.

Tommy87

4200fps wrote: »

Keep away from AGS, they give up after a while as they refuse to hold zero. Must be badly built. If I had 300 to hand i'd be looking for a second hand Burris or something like that

As for AGS scopes

---

The secret is in the name-- Air Gun Scope! I bought one a few years ago, couldn't hold zero! Sure I found out after why!! What a waste of over 100 quid.

Boiled-egg

Im a firm beliver that the scope should match the abilities of the firearm. i.e. a big schmitt & bender on a .22 I would question. I have a Bushnell Sportsman 4-12 x 40 (i think) (150 euro) on my HMR and i think they are pretty well up to the job on a rimfire.

FISMA

cookimonster wrote: »

Just a thought, there's a lot of sound advice here about scope selection, and yes quality goes hand in hand with the cost. But if your like me and just can't afford or justify big money on scopes what are you using.

cookimonster,

First of all, what kind of shooting are you doing? Hunting? Targets? Little critters (rabbits) or big ones (deer) and how much are you looking to spend?

Here in the states, one of the fundamental scopes is the Burris Fullfield II with the Ballistic plex reticle. For my deer hunting needs, they are more than adequate. I have a few of these in the case.

The Nikon Profstaff with the NikoPlex reticle is another fine choice and the Sightron is a nice deal as well.

Have a look at the Redfield scopes. They are made by Leupold and have a great name from decades past when they were their own company.

I am going to get a Nightforce for a FTR build. For long range work or low light, the extra cash will be a wise investment.

So what's your budget and what do you want to do with the scope?

cookimonster

FISMA, thanks for your post, but my original post was more to promote discussion among the members based on my own circumstances that I would presume others may be in at the moment.
As I said there is great advice out there but lets face it a bargin is only a bargin when one can afford it and in reality we all don't shoot Berettas or mount Leupolds on our rifles.
So I was interested in getting feed back so myself and others could get a sort of consumer report on various scopes of various costs.

meathstevie

Fisma hit on something there with Nikon, excellent optics at very reasonable prices. Otherwise there's Bushnell, Hawke, Redfield, Swift and so on. If you can find the right spot to source one an entry level decent Zeiss doen't need to cost all that much either. A friend of mine swears by Nikko Sterling, very affordable, and according to him does the job nicely on a .22-250 for deer and night time foxing.