cheaper rifle scope $150 tops which one?

Bushnell Banner 4-12x40mmAO [$120]; 6-18x50mmAO [$160]; 6-24x40 mil-dot [$170] @ Wholesale Sports... or


Tasco 2.5-10x42mmAO mil-dot [$80]; 6-24x42mmAO mil-dot [$100] @ Wholesale Sports.
 
Now I'll be one of the first to say spend more on your scope! It's what lets you put the bullet where you want to send it, and is nearly as important as the rifle. (Lately I typically spend more, sometimes much more than the cost of the rifle on glass). But, earlier in my firearm hobby, I had cheap scopes too. I'd urge you, at the very least, spring for a Bushnell 3200 series. The can be had here and elsewhere not too far from your price range and it would serve you well.
 
savagefan said:
Really do agree with everybody who says upgrade on the scope.
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No question... but if he's set on only spending $150 tops to get going with his rig he can get one of the above and get a serviceable econo scope. ;)
 
savagefan said:
Really do agree with everybody who says upgrade on the scope.
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NAA said:
No question... but if he's set on only spending $150 tops to get going with his rig he can get one of the above and get a serviceable econo scope. ;)
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Thank you for a bit of reality, NAA.
Savagefan, I too stood in same position as Cujo03 about 4 weeks back.
There's only so much in the kitty and sad to say talking about it don't cut the mustard.:(
At least you didn't recommend I buy a Kahles Helia or a Leupold VXIII like some of the guys on an Aussie hunting forum I frequent!:eek:
But then I think they've sold all of their elderly relatives to expand their gun collections.:D
I was tossing up between a Nikko Sterling(God forbid! :( ) & a Tasco but managed in a freak chance to pick up an old steel tube Weaver K6 for exactly $150.:)
Cujo03, try the Tasco World Class Mag IV 3-12x40AO if you end up going that way and you won't go wrong.
It was about AUD$170 so in Canadian dinero it should be a bit cheaper & it's done fine service on my bubba'd Kar98k 8x57 so far.;)
And NO, I wasn't the one who bubba'd it!:rolleyes:
 
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I had a Banner Dusk and Dawn on my 22-250 last winter and took alot of coyotes with that set-up. I shot just as much or more then a friend of mine with a Leupold Vx-3 Tactical rig.
Ive killed more animals with a Dusk and Dawn then I have with my Leupold, Elite3200, 4200 scopes combined and the scope has never failed me in the field.

Cheers!!
 
Good point Kombi, reality check, cheap scopes and me have had a bad go. When I first sucked it up and went Leupold I never looked back. I guess I'm just trying to save the poster some money on a temporary fix to a longer term problem, that being when you're young iron sights are great, after that buy the best optics you can afford.
 
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savagefan said:
Good point Kombi, reality check, cheap scopes and me have had a bad go. When I first sucked it up and went Leupold I never looked back. I guess I'm just trying to save the poster some money on a temporary fix to a longer term problem, that being when you're young iron sights are great, after that buy the best optics you can afford.
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Well said and point taken, and I do agree with buying a cheap scope, for certain reasons. When I only had cheap scopes (I even once had a Tasco on a Kimber! :eek: ) they seemed fine and I often defended them, not getting what all the windbags with money were talking about. Then I started extending my reach and shooting farther, and found out what a PAIN IN THE ARSE it is to have clicks that don't return to the same point. You end up rezeroing the rifle all the time. Then I started to realize how much more often I was hitting my small targets (like gophers) in the real world, due to increased clarity and less time adjusting my head and eye for a scope picture. On the range, the Tasco let me shoot the same groups as any of my Leupolds I have today, won't argue that. Wasn't nearly as "nice of ride", but worked as long as you didn't bump it hard, adjust the elevation, etc etc...

To sum it all up, went to Leupold (now looking to move to S&B) and haven't looked back, way fewer headaches... Even will have a $1500 Leupold on my $400 .22 next week, and no, I'm not rich, I'm a 22 year old student. But I just came to realize how important it was, and I'm willing to work for the best. At least I'd like to think.
 
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[/IMG]Tasco Varmint 6-24x40 w/mildot reticle @ Wholesale for $118.00:)
 
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Ardent said:
Well said and point taken, and I do agree with buying a cheap scope, for certain reasons. When I only had cheap scopes (I even once had a Tasco on a Kimber! :eek: ) they seemed fine and I often defended them, not getting what all the windbags with money were talking about. Then I started extending my reach and shooting farther, and found out what a PAIN IN THE ARSE it is to have clicks that don't return to the same point. You end up rezeroing the rifle all the time. Then I started to realize how much more often I was hitting my small targets (like gophers) in the real world, due to increased clarity and less time adjusting my head and eye for a scope picture. On the range, the Tasco let me shoot the same groups as any of my Leupolds I have today, won't argue that. Wasn't nearly as "nice of ride", but worked as long as you didn't bump it hard, adjust the elevation, etc etc...

To sum it all up, went to Leupold (now looking to move to S&B) and haven't looked back, way fewer headaches... Even will have a $1500 Leupold on my $400 .22 next week, and no, I'm not rich, I'm a 22 year old student. But I just came to realize how important it was, and I'm willing to work for the best. At least I'd like to think.
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Guys, I'd have a Zeiss on every rifle I own but at the mo I'm typing with one hand & holding a screaming baby with the other.:rolleyes:
Thankfully his brother is still asleep.
I agree you get what you pay for, but on the other hand you can only get what you can pay for.:(
 
I would go with the banner 4-12X40. or the legend wich is a bit better. Better than no scope and then you can save up and get a more decent scope if you so desire... but you will probably be happy with the banner and legend. I noticed most cheap variables get blurry(and impact moves) when you crank the power up. But the one legend that i have is equaly clear on all power settings.
 
poi changes?

so the cheaper rifles dont hold point of impact when power is adjusted then maybe a fixed is the way to go. Once zeroed wont adjust scope much anyhow.
 
The key is to zero the rifle at the high setting, then drop it back to the lowest setting and see how it dies.
Some hold their zero fairly well, some don't.
The zero may go down when you lower the power, and if it does, you can zero on the lowest power, crank it to the highest, and you may be in luck if the rifle goes to zero at the longer range.
It is a trial and error thing!
If going to a fixed power on something like a 243 unless you are shooting in very low light conditions, a 8 or even 10X would be fine, otherwise i would stay at about 6X.
JMHO....
Cat
 
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