Package rifle: good gun, crappy optics

AB3006

AB3006

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Hey all you Nutty Gunners. Quick Q.

I bought a decent rifle upon you fine peeps' recommendation. However, it's got a fairly craptastic Nikko Starling 2.5-12x40 scope. Since I spent a bundle o' Canuckistanian rubles I'm not changing it immediately. But when progeny #2 gets her PAL, I will get her a 22 or 223 plinker, and I'm thinking of putting the NS on that.

What would be your suggestion for an inexpensive but markedly better scope? A sticky post for beginners here says Bushnell or Vortex, but it's a few years old.
 
duncansuds has good suggestions, I'd look at the EE (get a membership for instant access) for a good used scope. Lotsa good deals, depends onh what you want to use it for.
Also your local GP might have a good deal.
 
My absolute best luck in inexpensive scopes are the redfield revolution. I must have over 10 of them on different rifles without a failure. The optics are very decent and they are a good looking, lightweight scope.
 
First Riton was a fantastic scope, second one also. You may want to take a look and get one in the size and options you like. Less money than vortex, as good as or better than Vortex in my opinion.
 
boxhitch said:
Interested what your comments are on the Nikko
Have seen them offered by a couple possible reputable dealers, how bad can they be
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Depends on the model, the cheap ass ones are made in China, and well...that's probably enough said.
I had one come on a Howa package, looked through it, never mounted it, sold it on the EE for $100.
Higher priced units are probably Phillipines or Japanese, easy enough to research it online.
Use to be pretty decent stuff for the $200-$250 range, Philippine Nikon are great hunting scopes, nothing fancy, 3-9 or 4-12 Prostaff were great deals, I've got one mounted on a 9.3x62 that will rattle your teeth with recoil and the scope is still holding strong.
Japanese Bushnell 3200's were also great in that range, less eye relief then the Nikon's but very clear.
Redfield already mentioned, Revenge going by memory was Phillipines and a little cheaper then the Revolution which was USA made, both great buys.
Sadly, all are history now, all those have been dropped years ago.
Today's offerings I have little experience with, only cheapy stuff I've looked through have been Vortex Tactical 3-9, Cabellas and Prophet have them for $250, not bad, I'd put them on par with the Nikon Prostaff, made in Phillipines.
Burris E1 long range ret, 4.5-14, also a Cabella special is around $300, Phillipines made, shortish eye relief, not much adjustment at 40moa, maybe ok for 223 or mild centerfire use, glass was ok, not great.
Chinese stuff may be getting better, I dunno, I don't have any kind of hate on for them, if I need a cheap scope for a rimfire i have no issue with a 3-9 Simmons for $60, just don't see where they fit in the $200 range. Then again you got guys buying King Optics Canada (KOC for short) for $2k made in China saying they are the best #### since man took his first ####.
 
boxhitch said:
Interested what your comments are on the Nikko
Have seen them offered by a couple possible reputable dealers, how bad can they be
Click to expand...

Nicon are decent; Nico Sterling are crap; clarity issues, focus issues and repeatability issues when adjusting.
 
My absolute favorite "low end" rifle scope for the past few years now has been the Burris Fullfield IV. I'm really partial to the 2.5-10x model. I'm still impressed with the quality of the optics for the money, it's a pretty forgiving scope. I'll take it over anything from Bushnell or Vortex in that price range
 
mikeyb said:
My absolute favorite "low end" rifle scope for the past few years now has been the Burris Fullfield IV. I'm really partial to the 2.5-10x model. I'm still impressed with the quality of the optics for the money, it's a pretty forgiving scope. I'll take it over anything from Bushnell or Vortex in that price range
Click to expand...

Agree. I probably own a half dozen of them in various power ranges. - dan
 
boxhitch said:
Interested what your comments are on the Nikko
Have seen them offered by a couple possible reputable dealers, how bad can they be
Click to expand...

So, I've yet to take it to the range, so just merely tactile observation. I bought two rifles, a Savage 110 with a Vortex Crossfire and a Howa 1500 with the Nikko Sterling 4-12x40. I opened the Howa first and thought hey, my fears regarding the NS were internet-driven and unfounded. Then, I opened the Savage, and looked at the same reference points through the Vortex. Night and day difference. The Vortex is brighter, has a larger FOV and it's easier to keep your eye centered in it. Also, the focus and zoom rings adjust much better. Obviously the elevation and windage adjustments are as yet an unknown.

However, I do know I'd like to switch it out PP (pretty promptly).
 
Possible unpopular opinion but my group of guys all shooting .22lr in target guns are all
using the bushnell rimfire illuminated reticle and loving it.
Yea you can spend more but if you are only shooting short distances and budget is an issue then this scope hits the mark.

We are also using the bushnell nitro and various burris scopes and we like both.
 
mikeyb said:
My absolute favorite "low end" rifle scope for the past few years now has been the Burris Fullfield IV. I'm really partial to the 2.5-10x model. I'm still impressed with the quality of the optics for the money, it's a pretty forgiving scope. I'll take it over anything from Bushnell or Vortex in that price range
Click to expand...

Agreed. Can also routinely be had new for under $250.

Also throw a vote in for the SIG Whiskey 3. I've run one across multiple rifles, in all conditions, and the glass is clear, light transmission excellent and it has taken a beating but keeps on trucking.
 
AB3006 said:
Hey all you Nutty Gunners. Quick Q.

I bought a decent rifle upon you fine peeps' recommendation. However, it's got a fairly craptastic Nikko Starling 2.5-12x40 scope. Since I spent a bundle o' Canuckistanian rubles I'm not changing it immediately. But when progeny #2 gets her PAL, I will get her a 22 or 223 plinker, and I'm thinking of putting the NS on that.

What would be your suggestion for an inexpensive but markedly better scope? A sticky post for beginners here says Bushnell or Vortex, but it's a few years old.
Click to expand...

Used Leupold. Your bucks bangs harder on the EE and a used VX3 Leupold is worth spending your money on. Some real bargains to be had.
 
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