Good + Cheap = Scope ???

Group:

I'm something of a gun snob, and have pretty much used nothing but Leupold scopes on my powderburners, and I've even used a Leupold 3-9 X 33 EFR on an air rifle in the past.

Several years ago, I bought a Bushnell Sportsman 4-12 A.O. scope on the off-chance that it might get me through a weekend of shooting after my Shadow ate up the Simmons Pro Air that was mounted on it.

Well, that scope -which I believe is something of a Wal-Mart exclusive- got me through more than just a weekend.  I kept it on the rifle for three seasons, whereupon it survived over 10,000 shots from my Shadow.  It is still going strong in my brother in law's hands.

I liked that scope so much that I didn't hesitate in installing one on my wife's Shadow, and on my .20 R-9.  I even replaced the Bushnell Banner 4-12 that came on my .177 R-9 "Goldfinger" with one of these Wally-World gems.  I've also got one these scopes mounted on my .20 R-1.

I'd rate this scope as being just as clear, optically, as the late-production Trophy models are that Bushnell makes, and obviously feel it is a step up from the Banner, or I'd have left it well enough alone and it would still be affixed to my .177 R-9.  The elevation and windage adjustments are repeatable.  The objective focus and power adjustments function smoothly at temps down to 20 degrees F. and lower, too.

While I think that this Wally-World Sportsman is one of the best bang-for-the-buck scopes out there, I am curious as to what others have found acceptible in the sub $100.00 price range for use on spring-piston air rifles in the mid-magnum class.

I'm also curious about what you've tried that didn't work so well.

-JP

[Gene_SC]

I have about 12 scopes now and all but one I have bought for under $100.00. The scopes are BSA, Leapers, Barska, Simmons, Accushot, and Tasko. I have never looked through a 3 or 4 hundred dollar scope so I do not know the difference.. I probably will never pic up an expensive scope and look through it... he he he, because I may be tempted to purchase it... lol.

One of the Barska Scope I purchase for $25.95 on closeout is a gem.  I have not had one problem with any of these scopes. They are all on Gamo springers excep for 4 of them and those are on QB's and a B26-2. I really don't think there is alot of difference in any of the scope except for some have adjustable objectives and some don't.  The most important thing is that they are holding up well.

On my Hunter 1250 .22, I have had a couple different scopes on it and that's got to be the pudding of proof that they can stand a shock.

If anyone needs the exact models of these scope, I would be glad to name em off for ya..

Gene

The scopes that I really enjoy are well under $100. Think about it I will not shoot past 50 yards with my airguns (all Springers) So I don't need a 24x scope. I have in the past been known to spend a lot on my hobbies so its really not a question of money, but a question of the best fit.
The best deal I've come across was this
http://www.opticsgiant.com/ta3goanri2.html

Bart

[rabbit]

Hello,

     I tend to agree with you , mostly. I currently have 5 Bushnell scopes on air rifles. In my opinion the " Trophy " model is the top of the line and the  " Banner " model is next and the  " Sportsman " model is next. I have had outstanding service from all of these scopes and for the money they can't be beat. When I have had a problem Bushnell has always replaced the scopes with no questions asked. I would highly recommend any of these scopes for any airgun use. Best of luck...

                                                                 Rabbit      

After multiple people telling me that I was a moron for even considering it, I purchased a Leapers 3-12X44 30mm SWAT Mini Size A.O. Range Estimating Mil-Dot Scope for about $125.

Ok this isn't sub $100, but it's close.

I was told that my 52 would shred it, etc.

I've put about 250 rounds through it so far and I absolutely love it to death. The look and feel of it just hit all the right spots for me.

I put a side wheel on it and am slowly learning how to use that to my advantage.

The only problem I have had is on my accushot mounts, I've had to tighten them a few times, but that's hardly a fault of the scope. I need a little lock-tite on em I suppose.

The size of the scope is a godsend, allowing for easy loading with the side-cocking action of the 52.

Don't be fooled by the adjective "mini" in the name, however. This is not a tiny little scope by any means.

If you're in the market for a ~$125 scope, give it a look.

Well I don't like Big Glass, seems like a waste because most air rifles shoot 30 to 50 yards anyway. Besides they weigh so much keeping them from moving is a problem without a one piece mount.  I have 6 Tasco Golden Antler 3X9X32 scopes mounted on my Gamo's, I have not had a problem with them, Clear optics, AO, Target turrets that you re-center to zero after sighting in. Total price for all 6 scopes 162 bucks.

I have a 4X12X52 30 mm tube  Barska that is not as clear as the Tasco's, 50 bucks and I'll send it to you, with a one piece mount.

I have used the mounts that came with the scope on all but 2 of the rifles, and they are the rifles without scope rails, s1k and the silver s1k, no way to lock them on without a hole in the scope rail.

They can be had for 28 bucks from Opticsgiant with free shipping, scopes have a life time warranty so what more do you want?

[rabbit]

Jerrold,

       You said that your Shadow ate - up a Simmons Pro Air scope. In defense of Simmons scopes, I have had a Pro Air 4 x 12 AO on a RWS model 36 for six years and many thousand pellets thru it and it is a very hard shooting rifle. The scope has done an outstanding job for me. As a matter of fact, I just purchased another one last week to put on the next rifle I buy. The price of the Pro Air series has come down to well under the $ 100 mark. I wouldn't hesitate to put a Simmons Pro Air scope on any rifle I have. I guess there is a bad apple in all barrells. Best of luck...

                                                                              Rabbit    

Rabbit:

The Pro-Air was only my second Simmons scope.  It worked just fine on the rifle it was on before I transferred it to the Shadow.  I mention the carnage not to impune the reputation of Simmons, but to point out how rude and crude my Shadow was out of the box.  My wife's Ruger 10/22 (used to me mine.... she sort of took it over....  now it has a pink stock, so she can keep it!) sports a Simmons .22 Mag that has worked well on the rifle since the mid-80's and provides a bright, clear sight picture.  Lots of folks use the Simmons "44 Mag" on guns that are a whole lot rougher on scopes than my pair of R-9's are, and I know folks that have used the same Pro-Air model that I had on harder-kicking guns and the scopes have provided stellar service to them thus far.

My intention with the Simmons, which I liked, was to ship it off for repair.  After a period 9of use, I found I liked the Wally-World Sportsman a little better, though, so I didn't bother sending the Simmons back and eventually tossed it in the dumpster.

It was indeed a nice scope.  But it was around $160.00 or so and more expensive than arbitrary dollar limit I placed on this thread.

As for the bad apple in all barrels, I know of a fellow who bought one of those Wally World Sportsmans that I am so enamoured with and it failed him in a relatively few shots, so I'd agree that any company can put out a blooper.

-JP

[vinceb]

...have people had with the Daisy Powerline 3-9x32? I suspect that the same unit is also being sold under a variety of other brand names, given the proliferation of 3-9x32's that cost around $30...

[longislandhunter]

I have 2 BSA scopes, 3x12x50 and a 4x, and also 3 Leapers mildot scopes with the illuminated reticles  4x16x50  and 2 of the 3x9x50.  All were purchased for less than $100 and I love all of em.  
I haven't had any problems of any kind and they are very bright, clear and accurate.  I will say that while I love my BSA scopes I like the Leapers much better and if I buy another scope it will probably be another Leapers.  Although,,, that Tasco Golden Antler scope for $28 shipped does look like a tempting bargain.  

What rifle do you use the leapers on and roughly how many shots have you put through them?

Just curious about how it's held up under use.

[longislandhunter]

I have the Leapers 4x16x50 on my .22 cal RWS 350, have fired about 500 shots through it so far. As for the 3x9x50 scopes, I have one on my .22 cal. Gamo 1250 and the other on my .177 CFX with about the same amount of shots through them.  I used the Accushot 1 piece mount on all 3 rifles and so far no scope creep or problems.  I'm still breaking all 3 rifles in, but like I said, so far no problems and I really like the Leapers.

I've had 4 of them and all have functioned well except one and that was a clarity issue. I figure if they hold up to a stock Daisy/Winchester 1000, thay will probably hold up to anything LOL.

Russ S.

vinceb - 7/23/2006  9:19 PM

...have people had with the Daisy Powerline 3-9x32? I suspect that the same unit is also being sold under a variety of other brand names, given the proliferation of 3-9x32's that cost around $30...