I was told that semiautos can chew up scopes due to the weight of the bolt and the energy generated by the bolt because the speed as it closes at. This evidently is hard on scopes. Any bad experiences out there. I want to avoid having to deal with this problem. Smaller objective lenses seem to be better. I'm on a budget, so i need to be careful.
Scopes that can handle vibrations of bolt slam.
- Thread starter thelongranger
- Start date
first time I ve heard of this, but this is silly.
no, the force of the bolt slamming home a round is minimal compared to the force of recoil as the force of the bolt is only a fraction of the force of recoil due to the limited gas affecting the piston or carrier.
buy a quality scope, stay away from chinese crap
I’m my experience a solid action is more violent, especially a light rifle, that being said I have heard high powered air guns can be hard on scopes. My favorite budget scope to date has been the Redfield Battlezone 3-9x40, I think there a different model I have had it on multiple semi autos, a bolt gun and now a pump action, no problems at all. Has a pretty nice MOA hashmark reticle, exposed turrets, decent glass, I’d reccomend it to anyone. I believe the new model that replaced it is the Revolution Tac, I handled one at a gun show, seemed identical but the turrets felt a little nicer.
m14medic.ca
Expried Business Member
- Location
- Regina SK Canada
I have some experience with the M-14 platform, and I can attest that it is terribly hard on “budget” friendly scopes as well as some higher end (read expensive ish) target scopes....
Tasco- granted I tried this on a dare.... but it was one of those rimfire “target” style scopes, a 2.5-10x44 Varmit model iirc. It didn’t make 20 rounds and the adjustable paralux didn’t. Tasco’s warranty replaced the scope. Pronghorn 3-9; lasted about 200 rounds, adjustable zoom would spin but wouldn’t “adjust”. Replaced under warranty.
Vortex- I’ve tried a sparc; didn’t make it 20 rounds and it turned off and wouldn’t turn back on (even with fresh batteries), Diamondback; the crosshairs started to rotate clockwise at 40 rounds, Viper PST ($1300 scope) under 80 rounds and the reticle started spin counter-clockwise. Granted these were covered by warranty, and all netted NIB replacements, but still....
Redfield (made by Leupold)- currently my “go to” testing scope. It’s a Revolution 4-12x40 accu-range hunting optic. It’s seen over 1000 rounds on 30+ different rifles (Basset Machine mount) and it’s still going strong.
Bushnell- 3-9x40 (Walmart special, under $250) didn’t make it 100 rounds. Just enough to get it zero’d then the zero started to wander. Replaced under warranty. 4x40; (straight power) I put on a rifle for my father, 5yrs later (unknown round count) still going strong, Elite Tactical 4-12x44; currently resides on my LRB M25, (round count over 500) still going strong, Elite tactical 6-24x50; it’s moved around on a couple different rifles, I use it to test rifle placed in Chassis, (round count between 400-500) still going strong.
My personal recommendation....Redfield or Leupold for standard hunting style scopes. If you want something that you can spin the knobs with (to get out further than 400y) then it’s hard to beat the Elite Tactical line.
M14 pattern rifles beating up scopes is a real thing and not just internet hype.
John
Tasco- granted I tried this on a dare.... but it was one of those rimfire “target” style scopes, a 2.5-10x44 Varmit model iirc. It didn’t make 20 rounds and the adjustable paralux didn’t. Tasco’s warranty replaced the scope. Pronghorn 3-9; lasted about 200 rounds, adjustable zoom would spin but wouldn’t “adjust”. Replaced under warranty.
Vortex- I’ve tried a sparc; didn’t make it 20 rounds and it turned off and wouldn’t turn back on (even with fresh batteries), Diamondback; the crosshairs started to rotate clockwise at 40 rounds, Viper PST ($1300 scope) under 80 rounds and the reticle started spin counter-clockwise. Granted these were covered by warranty, and all netted NIB replacements, but still....
Redfield (made by Leupold)- currently my “go to” testing scope. It’s a Revolution 4-12x40 accu-range hunting optic. It’s seen over 1000 rounds on 30+ different rifles (Basset Machine mount) and it’s still going strong.
Bushnell- 3-9x40 (Walmart special, under $250) didn’t make it 100 rounds. Just enough to get it zero’d then the zero started to wander. Replaced under warranty. 4x40; (straight power) I put on a rifle for my father, 5yrs later (unknown round count) still going strong, Elite Tactical 4-12x44; currently resides on my LRB M25, (round count over 500) still going strong, Elite tactical 6-24x50; it’s moved around on a couple different rifles, I use it to test rifle placed in Chassis, (round count between 400-500) still going strong.
My personal recommendation....Redfield or Leupold for standard hunting style scopes. If you want something that you can spin the knobs with (to get out further than 400y) then it’s hard to beat the Elite Tactical line.
M14 pattern rifles beating up scopes is a real thing and not just internet hype.
John
I ran a Leupold Mk4 on my M14 for over 3000 rounds and it held up perfectly, granted it's not a "budget" scope. I'll be putting on a Bushnell LRHS (also not a budget optic) shortly and would expect it to last as well. Time will tell, I guess.
I heard that the m14 was hard on scopes. People told me that a leopold could handle it, and the US uses leopold on their dmr m14s. So i went to buy a leopold, but came hjome with a vortex viper. I have ran around 1500 rounds through it without issue. I have heard horror stories about vortex, just like m14medic above. A viper is now twice what i paid, and I'm not sure i would take the gamble. Leopold has come down in price, so i would look for a vx1 if i were you and on a budget. Should be around the $250-300 mark
ipscgraz
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Once again, very good and thorough information. Thanks. Just to chip in, I have an old Leopold VX III on one of my norcs with no issues to date, but still relatively low round count.
Good info. Thanks folks. I'm looking for information / experience with this particular Weaver scope. It's a plain Jane 3-15 FFP mildot. http://www.weaveroptics.com/optics/tactical/tactical_riflescopes/
PitBull1973
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Right Behind You
Im using a Weaver 4x20x50 Tactical model 800380 , not the same as yours but i can say its still holding zero
In 40 years of experience....I have never heard of these semi-auto scope chewers you speak of...
Go with the most expensive scope you can afford. More glass than your rifle if u r a serious hunter...
I recommend Meostar.....
Go with the most expensive scope you can afford. More glass than your rifle if u r a serious hunter...
I recommend Meostar.....
What rifle are you looking to put a scope onto? You may be worrying for nothing.
Stay away from Bushnell and Vortex, luckily they both have a fantastic warranty but chances are you'll need to use it which is a pain in the arse.
Typically with optics if it's cheap it's also cheaply built and likely won't last on certain rifles like the M-14 that are hard on optics. Buy something with a lifetime no questions asked warranty like a Leupold or better.
Buy the most expensive scope you can afford, if you're on a tight budget at least buy something with a good warranty. In my opinion you're better off saving up longer and buying something good than buying something cheap and having to replace it down the road. You can always take a quality scope off and mount it on another rifle if you sell this one.
I've only had a couple scopes crap out on me due to recoil and between that and looking through cheap ones and expensive ones back to back I won't waste my money on a Bushnell ever again.
Unfortunately tight budget and quality optics don't usually go together, you really do typically get what you pay for. Sometimes you even pay a lot for a crappy scope as well which is why I stick to known and trusted brands.
Good luck.
Stay away from Bushnell and Vortex, luckily they both have a fantastic warranty but chances are you'll need to use it which is a pain in the arse.
Typically with optics if it's cheap it's also cheaply built and likely won't last on certain rifles like the M-14 that are hard on optics. Buy something with a lifetime no questions asked warranty like a Leupold or better.
Buy the most expensive scope you can afford, if you're on a tight budget at least buy something with a good warranty. In my opinion you're better off saving up longer and buying something good than buying something cheap and having to replace it down the road. You can always take a quality scope off and mount it on another rifle if you sell this one.
I've only had a couple scopes crap out on me due to recoil and between that and looking through cheap ones and expensive ones back to back I won't waste my money on a Bushnell ever again.
Unfortunately tight budget and quality optics don't usually go together, you really do typically get what you pay for. Sometimes you even pay a lot for a crappy scope as well which is why I stick to known and trusted brands.
Good luck.
That's the type of info I'm looking for. Thankyou.
Cameron SS
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Ground Zero
Cheap scopes are cheap for a reason. They are poorly made, usually for rimfires or pellet guns, or the unsuspecting dupe who doesnt do his homework.
Every time I have heard of a scope getting shredded on a semi auto, it was some very low end scope, like under $100.
A general rule of thumb I was given years ago when starting out on this gun owning adventure, is that your scope if a vital and integral piece of your firearm system. You should spend as much money on your scope as you did on the firearm.
NOt sure what your budget is, but if you go low end and it fails, will have nothing. no scope. no money. Buy once, cry once. Its pretty much impossible to over spend on a scope, unless it diamond studded turrets.
