Simmons Whitetail Classic 6.5x20x50 AO

[kirby999]

Anybody have one of these scopes? I need to know the size of the center X , is the short X , or the taller X  ? kirby

[kirby999]

since I posted this , and never got a reply so ; I guessed I needed to become the guinea pig . I ordered one from MidwayUSA for $99.99 + shipping and first mounted it last week on a rimfire I have . Right off the bat , I noticed how clear this scope was and bright . The cross hairs are the smaller ones but I'm adjusting to them. I got my AA S400C yesterday after arriving back from my daughter's wedding and I mounted the WTC on it this morning. I took it outside for a sight-in at 10 meters . I was surprised to find out how close the scope was already , after being sighted in for the rimfire , but it didn't take much movement for that one either . I then back up to 30 yards to finish and had to add a little more elevation . I had my wife get me a Bushnell Legend 5x15x40 for Christmas , which was supposed to go on my next rifle or my TX200 ;and I compared the two scopes at 12X , the maximum power I would be allowed to shoot it at on for hunter field target .  There was a difference , I could focus the Simmons quicker and the size of the target was bigger with the Simmons, so much that I turned up the Bushnell to 15X and the Simmons still had a bigger target at 12X . To me that's important . Clarity, I'd give a slight edge to the Whitetail Classic also.  Neither have target turrets . The turrets on the Simmons WTC were a lot easier and smoother to turn  and with positive clicks . The Bushnell turrets although looking more expensive were very hard to turn and were not as positive . It almost felt like there was more space between some clicks than others . I wish the WTC had the mildots of the Bushnell, but I found out the top of the bottom post is dead on at 45 yards , so I'll only be aiming off target past 45 . And in hunter class most of the targets should be less than that.  So, I've sent my Bushnell back for a refund and ordered another WTC while they are still $99.99 at MidwayUSA . They go up to $109.99 at midnight , which would still be a bargain IMO. I've read some say they will hold up on a low powered springer , some say they won't . If it would fit, I'd put one on my R7 , but it's too long . kirby

[daved]

Hey, David, have you ever used a Simmons 44 Mag, and if so, how would you say this compares?  Also, FYI, SWFA Optics (in our Mall) also has these on close out, $99.95.  Thanks for the update, always nice to hear about a good scope at a decent price.  But why does it seem they're always discontinued models :-(?  Later.

Dave

[kirby999]

Dave , the only 44mag Simmons I've owned is a 3X10X44 non-AO scope , but it's a nice one. A friend of mine has a 6.5X20X44 mag on a CZ rimfire and when he looked through the WTC last week , he wanted to know where I got it , he ordered one. He'd wanted another 44Mag but couldn't find one . He said he couldn't tell any difference in the two ,except mine was a little brighter because of the 50mm objective. His didn't have target turrets . I looked through his 44mag and actually I liked my WTC better .Nice scopes for the money. As I understand it , SWFA got Simmons to get these made in the old factory in the Philippines that the 44 mags were made in and were supposed to have had an exclusive , but MidwayUSA somehow convinced them to let them have some too. The guy I spoke to today said it was one of their most popular scopes they sell at Midway.  kirby