tasco varmint 6-24x42 decent scope on a budget

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Edit: Well it seems that the thread it pretty divided so I will offer an alternative for you to weigh in on. How about a Bushnell banner 6-18x50 AO. I have read some reviews that indicated that the reticle broke while shooting a high power rifle (30-06, 300 win mag) seeing as I indent to use it on a .17 hmr I guessing this won't be a problem, the small calliber guys seem to speak highly of it. The retail I've found is $150 which would be the very upper limit of my price range (unless someone knows where I can get one for cheeper). As an aside could someone tell me what the "AO" stands for. Also if this is also a unacceptable option could someone recommend a similar scope for $150 or less.


Original: As I eagerly await my PAL to be approved impatience has got the best of me and I've started shopping for a scope. The gun I'm planning on buying to put it on is a savage 93r17 GVL and I'm intending to use it exclusively for target shooting at as long a rang as the gun will perform (150-200 yards from what I've read). I know normally they retail for around $150 but I've found a retailer willing to part with them for $100 ish and throw in a set of bags worth about $50. Seeing as $100 is my budget for optics at this point in time it seems to be the most bang for my buck. Just wondering if you all could weigh in on the scope or maybe suggest a "better" alternative at that price range that would meet my needs. Also any opinion on the cheepo tasco rings that wholesale sports sells for $8? Would they fit on the factory savage bases that come with the gun, and would there be and clearance issues with the bolt handle that would make me have to use the "high" rings instead of the standard height?
That's all for now your input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
 
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Tasco is not bad for an inexpensive scope. I used to have one of those on a rifle I used for 100 yd bench shooting. It tended to be a bit fuzzy at maximum magnification, which made it difficult to see all the holes. After a while I replaced it with a Bushnell 4200 - a vastly better optic. On the other hand, some guys I know are still using Tascos. If your vision is good it may work out for you.

It also depends on your targets. If you're shooting some kind of reactive target (e.g. Shoot 'N C, milk jugs, etc) that scope may be adequate for the distances you mentioned. However, if you need to see the bullet placement on a regular paper target I'd be very surprised if you could see the hole at 200 yds. Any 24x scope would be a bit underpowered for that kind of work and an inexpensive one like the Tasco even more so.

When you can afford it I would highly recommend Burris Signature Zee rings. The won't scratch the scope tube and allow you to adjust elevation and windage without using the scope's internal adjustment - a big bonus for long range shooting. But the cheap rings will probably do for now. I still have a set of $5 Fitco rings on one of my .22s and they work OK and don't seem to loosen up by themselves.

As long as the rings are intended to fit on a Weaver-type base they will work on the Savage. Just be sure you don't buy dovetail base rings, which are sometimes advertised as ".22 rings."

It's hard to advise you on ring height. There is no "standard." Every manufacturer uses a different height for low, medium and high. Burris Zees tend to be lower than most so I need a high ring to fit a 42mm scope on my Savage. With another brand a medium might work. If you want to be systematic, determine the ring height you will need to clear the objective bell from the barrel then go to the Brownells web page and look up the brand you are interested in. Unlike most sites (and most manufacturers) Brownells actually provides the exact height of the rings they sell. However, you could also just bring the gun into your retailer. He will probably have some inexpensive rings. Try them in the store and see what height you need.

With optical equipment you pretty much get what you pay for, so keep your expectations modest. The Tasco scope/ring combo is definitely low end, but if that's all you can afford now I'd say go for it (subject to to the range/target qualifications I noted above.) You will learn what you like and what you need in a scope and when you eventually move up you can probably sell the Tasco for $50 or $75. Fairly cheap learning experience really.
 
Optics are one area where you get what you pay for. To reach its price point the tasco 6x24 gives up in mechanicals and the optical clarity.

I had one on a 22. It was dark and fuzzy at high magnification. I used it at a lower magnification and it worked ok. If you can swing it a decent scope for the money is a bushnell elite 3200 fixed 10X. It costs about 200$ there is a rebate going on now, and will probably retain most of its value. The tasco costs less but it will be worthless if and when the mechanicals let go or the seals do.
 
Had the same scope on my Savage 17HMR, worked great at 100 yards, 200 yards was pushing it at high magnification. But then, my 60 year old eyes might have a bit to do with that. :(
For the price, it's a decent scope.
A bit on the heavy size.
 
If I were to buy a budget scope Id go no more then 10 power. Whats the point of Tasco going to 24 power when you can't see anything through it. Get a 2.5-10x ...if they make one and go from there.
Even higher end Bushnell blow at the higher mags.

Cheers!!
 
scott_r said:
If I were to buy a budget scope Id go no more then 10 power. Whats the point of Tasco going to 24 power when you can't see anything through it. Get a 2.5-10x ...if they make one and go from there.
Even higher end Bushnell blow at the higher mags.

Cheers!!
Click to expand...

Good advice but seeing a 17HMR hole at 200 yards needs more than 10x with my old eyes. :)
The Tasco will work at 200 yards, it just ain't the best.
 
I wouldnt buy one again. The one on my .22-250 (came as a package) was crap. Wouldnt hold zero for crap. Tried to get it to zero on my 10/22 and it ran out of adjustment. Nice looking scope, but i'll never buy a tasco product again. save up a little bit more and get a nikon or anything better. But thats just my .02.
 
I wouldn't buy one again either. Not really a horrible scope. It's a 6-24x but you won't use the 24x. Really anything over about 15x get's really mushy.

I have never bothered to test the adjustments for repeatability because it's only a $100 scope, I don't expect much. Plus it was mildots so I don't need to do a lot of adjustments.

Save up another $60 and look for a bushnell. Try to see through the scope you want to buy before you buy it. If it's going on a guy that recoils, watch for short eye relief, a cheap scope can be good in many ways, but usually falls down with eye relief IMO.
 
I grew up shooting gophers with a 4x tasco and it was great...until it lost its zero which happened fairly often as the screws kept coming loose...I didn't know about loctite back then. In retrospect, I think I would ditch the tasco and save up for an overall better scope. However, my pockets were pretty shallow and that was all I could buy with my piggy bank savings.
 
AO= ADJUSTABLE OBJECTIVE LENS ....for correctling parallax.
For $100 the Banner 3.5-10 x 36 is decent enough....had one on my 10/22 and just recently moved it to my 22mag. It also comes with BDC for .17hmr which would be a bonus for you. I did have the 6-18x50 banner at one time and sold it. The high end was not clear enough to use effectively.
 
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