"cheap" scopes

[Rosko Packer]

I remember reading in one of the hundreds of gun/shooting magazines I have piled up around here that there were some outstanding bargains in optics (mostly Chinese,hate 2 buy it, but best deal IS bd). For the life of me I can't seem to find the info I want,which is THE best BARGAIN on some glass for a 308 AR-10. I would like opinions on this. Now I no there is lots of very good glass to be had, some of it costs more than my car is worth! BARGAIN is the key word. Very good for not much money. Or the best for the least. Let 'er rip. Giddy-up. I'm really into targets,so variable is not a must. Also means I won't B dragging it thru the snow,mud,rain,brush,etc.

[Tomcat088]

I suppose that it partially all depends on what your price range is on "cheap", you mention bargains and that's a little more of a board term that gives lots of options. For target shooting, alot of people are going to mention the Nikon Buckmaster. They're great glass, not as many features as some other scopes, but the glass is some of the best you can buy for the money. The scopes are tough, they hold zero, you shouldn't have any problems with them, but they do have great warranty as well.

Another scope that has GREAT glass for the money is the Bushnell Elite 3200 and 4200 models. I personally think that they have some of the sharpest glass in ANY of the cheaper scopes. They offer a very crisp picture that is bright and doesn't wash out the way you get in some of the cheaper scopes at higher magnifications. They are tough, they hold zero, and some of them have more features than alot of the other scopes in this price range. Some have target knobs, adjustable objective (front or side focus) etc. If you happen across a used scope like a Bausch & Lomb 3200 or 4200, they're exactly the same scope, Bushnell bought out Bausch & Lomb and started putting their name on the scope. To be honest, some of the Bausch & Lomb look even better than the Bushnells.

When you start to talk about cheap tactical scopes, which is what alot of people are interested in on a .308 AR-10, you get a few other options that don't get mentioned all the time in other circles. You will here quite a bit about the Super Sniper scopes. To my knowledge, they are all currently fixed power scopes (usually 10x or 16x), but I have heard talks about some variables coming out later. I have not looked through them, but from what I've heard it makes me think that they don't quite have as good of glass as the Bushnell's, but they do have more tactical features and are good for the money. You'll probably also hear some about the Mueller scopes, I haven't looked through them either, but alot of guys tend to like the SS over the Mueller. I've also heard a fair amount about the Falcon Menace scopes in tactical circles. Same kind of applies to them, that they have decent glass and alot of features, for not too much money. You can get like first focal plane reticles, generation 2 mildots (or gen 1), side focus, etc. Oh yeah I think they have illuminated reticles, not sure about the SS.

The other brand of cheap scope that I have heard talked about, but never looked through is the Millett TRS scopes. They seem to have great features, they are constantly coming out with new scopes and new features. They have fixed and variable power scopes, side focuses, tactical knobs that have counters and turrets. Unlike some of the other scopes, their knobs don't have some kind of strange cross overs like the Muellers. The problem that alot of people have with the TRS is that they have 1/8 moa turrets. Some people like this because they can dial more accurately, for some people it's just too many clicks, and they prefer the 1/4 moa. I've heard from Steve (the owner of Millett) that they are coming out with (maybe fixing to) come out with a TRS that has 1/4 moa clicks, and they have illuminated reticles.

I do have a Millett LRS, which has ALOT of features, but the scope is MASSIVE. I have a thread here in the optics on it if you'd like to see some photos of it. It is a bit more on the "expensive" side for some people, but still not expensive when you look at things relatively ($420-$500). I have personally compared it beside some of my favorite Bushnell Elite 4200 scopes, and was actually pretty impressed. The LRS has a 35mm tube, so it has more adjustments and does let in a bit more light (the 56mm objective helps more than anything). The picture wasn't quite as clear as the 4200, but I didn't have the scope on a rifle and didn't quite have it focused the way I normally work at them. Either way, in failing light, the LRS had a much brighter picture, and I've been impressed so far. I have not shot it yet, because I'm still building the rifle for it, so I don't know how it will hold up, dial, etc. For the kind of money that you spend on the Millett LRS though, some people would prefer like a Leupold vari x II or III, it's all a preference thing.

That's some other scopes to look at if you consider getting up in price a little bit, would be the vari x II and III. I personally don't find their glass to be as clear as some of the other scopes mentioned, but they have a bullet proof warranty and they're tough. They will also always have a good resale value because of their name. Just realize you're not getting Leupold Mark 4 glass or features. Best of luck to ya, and hope this has given you some ideas and different price points to check out. Just remember that there are some bargains for the bucks, but you still do get what you pay for to some extent. Also realize that different people stress different features. To some people it is all about the glass, to others they'll sacrifice a little on glass for tactical knobs, illuminated reticles, etc. If you're just shooting targets and not really gonna be dialing to unknown distances, milling, etc, then you might just want the best glass. If you want it to look cool and not have the best glass, but enough to get the job done, you might want some of the other features. Check them out, see what you think, and there's also some reviews on these scopes at this place. http://www.snipercentral.com/scopereviews.htm

[Rosko Packer]

Hey thanks 4 the info. I don't plan on any superlong shooting my big thing is holding zero and ease of adjustment. Thanks again.

[LordJim]

Nice writeup, Tomcat!

For what I think that these folks have some decent bargins on scopes:

http://www.samplelist.com/

To the best of my knowledge, they're offering demo's, samples, refurbs, returns, etc . . .

-
Jim

[Dredly]

Originally Posted by LordJim

Nice writeup, Tomcat!

For what I think that these folks have some decent bargins on scopes:

http://www.samplelist.com/

To the best of my knowledge, they're offering demo's, samples, refurbs, returns, etc . . .

-
Jim

Anyone ever order from these guys? they have a few Nikons that are factory Refurbs (90 day warranty?) at great prices...

[itstock]

Originally Posted by Dredly

Anyone ever order from these guys? they have a few Nikons that are factory Refurbs (90 day warranty?) at great prices...

I've bought a couple of optics from the sample list, and a couple more from their parent company swfa. The sample list is FILLED with killer deals, and they will stand behind each and every one of their sales.

The prices are so low because most are display samples, which are sent to stores and kept on display. At the end of the display time, they are sent back to swfa, and the sample list puts them up for sale at their highly discounted prices. Other items might be missing an item (i.e., if it comes with an extra battery, that battery won't be included which they tell you) which will be listed exactly what it is missing.

[Dredly]

Originally Posted by itstock

I've bought a couple of optics from the sample list, and a couple more from their parent company swfa. The sample list is FILLED with killer deals, and they will stand behind each and every one of their sales.

The prices are so low because most are display samples, which are sent to stores and kept on display. At the end of the display time, they are sent back to swfa, and the sample list puts them up for sale at their highly discounted prices. Other items might be missing an item (i.e., if it comes with an extra battery, that battery won't be included which they tell you) which will be listed exactly what it is missing.

Any experience with the Nikon factory refurbs?

[itstock]

Originally Posted by Dredly

Any experience with the Nikon factory refurbs?

No, but they offer their own 90 day warranty, and they will stand behind it. It should also come with the Nikon factory warranty, as it's a factory refurb.

[Dredly]

So i'm seriously looking at the 9x40 Nikon Buckmaster 6425 (I don't need the BDC)... at 140 it ain't bad at all... I'll call them tomorrow and see what they say. My biggest concern is the 90 day warranty as I'm going to Maine in mid nov and thats going to be the true test of it... if it still has Nikon's warranty then its all good