Poor Mans Scopes?

[Mosley]

Well I was roaming around the Hide searching for interesting topics when I came across:

Poor Mans Setup

And that intrigued me, as I am currently building what I'd like to call a budget rifle As I read on I noticed that a fellow member was using a Barska scope on his .308. That shocked me partly because everyone else is using the same $300 Nikon or Bushnell. This sight sells various brands but has some of the best prices on the "Poor Mans Scopes"

Sports Mans Guide


Purpose of this post is, What is your experience with a poor mans scope, such as Barska or NcStar? Do they have merit, do they have potential to stand up against the big dogs?

 

[roggom]

Re: Poor Mans Scopes?

Not a matter of big dogs, Barksa is garbage. NC star has its place on an sks or some other milsurp for plinking and such. My point is this website has tons of info to help you grow as a shooter and to become an effective long range shooter.

Sure a great marksman can take granpa's old savage 340 with a simmons and nail 10 in the x ring, but this is not the norm.

Another way to look at it is if you purchase quality gear, your rifle will maintain more value down the road. It is a matter of more return on investment. Not only that, you can actually see what you are shooting.

Personally I would not recommend any Chinese scope, there are plenty of decent mid-range scopes that will do you good. Redfield (made by Leupold), Nikon, Vortex(diamondback).

 

[Mosley]

Re: Poor Mans Scopes?

I don't have one, I too have a Bushnell! But I was shocked that someone has that on their rifle, especially a .308! I guess which is why I posted this, I figured the recoil would destroy a Barska. I am aware of the general rule of thumb "You get what you pay for.." but I was am curious as to what others think about these scopes.

My fiances father hunts with a 6-24x40 NcStar. He loves it and it is mounted on a Remington in 30-06. I honestly don't think he has need to re-zero it in 5 years. Luck of the draw? Probably, but just a success story I speak for.

 

[mrunge]

Re: Poor Mans Scopes?

SWFA SS fixed x16 for $300 on my .308. EASILY a 1000yd scope, holds zero, tracks great, what more is needed?

 

[Exo]

Re: Poor Mans Scopes?

http://www.redfield.com/riflescopes/

Why cant the big players do the "interactive rifle range" (middle-right side of the link above)? You can play with different reticles, magnifications, etc...

Pretty cool honestly...

 

[Muttt]

Re: Poor Mans Scopes?

Redfield is a good scope. Leupold is using one of their better scopes for the redfeild line. They just skip the fancy paint and pretty trim rings. Your actually getting a better scope by buying the redfield than you would buying a Leupold for the same price.

But, if I were to buy scope and needed to keep it on a budget. I would buy another Vortex Viper 6.5-20x50 PA. It's the absolute best scope you can buy for the price (less than 500 bucks).

 

[Mosley]

Re: Poor Mans Scopes?

I looked at the Redfield but was under the impression they were over glorified Simmons. I have been wrong in the past If I decide to update my scope I will consider them but the Vortex looks really promising! I like the x20 option in magnification for a .308! I would LOVE a Trijicon with the Triangle but that isn't going to happen any time soon unless someone has a really good take off haha

 

[fdkay]

Re: Poor Mans Scopes?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: roggom</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Not a matter of big dogs, Barksa is garbage. NC star has its place on an sks or some other milsurp for plinking and such. My point is this website has tons of info to help you grow as a shooter and to become an effective long range shooter.

Sure a great marksman can take granpa's old savage 340 with a simmons and nail 10 in the x ring, but this is not the norm.

Another way to look at it is if you purchase quality gear, your rifle will maintain more value down the road. It is a matter of more return on investment. Not only that, you can actually see what you are shooting.

<span style="color: #CC0000">Personally I would not recommend any Chinese scope</span>, there are plenty of decent mid-range scopes that will do you good. Redfield (made by Leupold), Nikon, <span style="color: #CC0000">Vortex(diamondback</span>). </div></div>

Funny how you say you would not recommend a chinese scope, then in the very same sentence, you recommend a chinese made scope.

Op, If you are on a tight budget look to the following:
Bushnell elite tactical mil/mil
SS 10X rear focus mil/mil
weaver grand slam tactical 3-10x when on sale at midwayusa (299)

If you want more mag, a better reticle and FFP, the falcon menace 4-14x. Yes, it is chinese with a limited lifetime warranty

If you don't care about matching reticle/adjustments (you should) the Mueller Tac2 3-10x is a VERY good scope.

 

[Ring]

Re: Poor Mans Scopes?

the midwayusa BSA FFP gets good reviews here... and its CHEAP

 

[roggom]

Re: Poor Mans Scopes?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fdkay</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Funny how you say you would not recommend a chinese scope, then in the very same sentence, you recommend a chinese made scope.

</div></div>

You do realize that the Philippines are not in China? I've actually been to the Philippines (thats a whole different story), The Diamondback are made in the same place the Vipers, Nikons, and other mid-range scopes. The Diamondback Binos are made in China. Do some research before you type.



Chinese scope on a milsupr or budget hunting rifle, why not. On a rifle for long distance, I will pass. Been there done that, I once had that "good enough" attitude, and a few scopes and hundreds of dollars later, i have a junk box of shitty scopes.

 

[Mosley]

Re: Poor Mans Scopes?

My budget is leaning more towards the build right now. I have a Bushnell Banner 4-16 from Walmart. Not the clearest scope but it gets the job done right now for Ground Hogs.

Once I get everything else set in place I will look for a better scope. The Vortex is looking really nice. Main point of the OP though was just to get some opinions on what you all thought about "Poor Mans Scopes" haha


BSA really get good reviews though?

 

[cmh2007]

Re: Poor Mans Scopes?

if you are wanting budget look into the APT by Mueller its a 4-14x40AO second focal plane. I had one on my .308 as a budget scope for 3 years and roughly 2000 rounds. it tracks better than anything in its class, and is easily as clear the leupold mk4's. best part of the deal is it is like 165 or so from missoumuleguns.com

 

[fdkay]

Re: Poor Mans Scopes?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: roggom</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fdkay</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Funny how you say you would not recommend a chinese scope, then in the very same sentence, you recommend a chinese made scope.

</div></div>

You do realize that the Philippines are not in China? I've actually been to the Philippines (thats a whole different story), The Diamondback are made in the same place the Vipers, Nikons, and other mid-range scopes. The Diamondback Binos are made in China. Do some research before you type.



Chinese scope on a milsupr or budget hunting rifle, why not. On a rifle for long distance, I will pass. Been there done that, I once had that "good enough" attitude, and a few scopes and hundreds of dollars later, i have a junk box of shitty scopes. </div></div>

I stand corrected.
I firmly believed that diamondback scope was made in china as well the bino's.

You are splitting hairs there though. Quality products from the Philippines is not a common phrase.

You are not the only one that has spent time in the PI, I was station dito for 5.5 years. I have owned many things made there, most of it was of inferior quality. I did have a custom bicycle made at RC Cycle, it was very good. Double butted Ishiwata chrom-moly tubing, Shimano 105 group set.

 

[tmckay2]

Re: Poor Mans Scopes?


anyone who knocks vortex scopes had never used one. sure their lines have varying quality, and varying price to go with it, thats how most scope companies should be, options for everyone. as far as where something is made, that argument is so naive. companies have things built in other countries because of labor costs as well as regulations and cost of running the business. they can still have quality control if they wish to, it isn't like china or the phillippines mandates that quality has to be low. it really doens't matter who is actually assembling something it matters who is inspecting it afterwards. from what i understand vortex has its scopes inspected stateside in wisconsin. either way, i had a viper and it was the bees knees for the price range. then i got a pst, which i have yet to find a scope significantly better than without spending 2-3x the price. it will out shoot me probably for my entire life.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fdkay</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: roggom</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fdkay</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Funny how you say you would not recommend a chinese scope, then in the very same sentence, you recommend a chinese made scope.

</div></div>

You do realize that the Philippines are not in China? I've actually been to the Philippines (thats a whole different story), The Diamondback are made in the same place the Vipers, Nikons, and other mid-range scopes. The Diamondback Binos are made in China. Do some research before you type.



Chinese scope on a milsupr or budget hunting rifle, why not. On a rifle for long distance, I will pass. Been there done that, I once had that "good enough" attitude, and a few scopes and hundreds of dollars later, i have a junk box of shitty scopes. </div></div>

I stand corrected.
I firmly believed that diamondback scope was made in china as well the bino's.

You are splitting hairs there though. Quality products from the Philippines is not a common phrase.

You are not the only one that has spent time in the PI, I was station dito for 5.5 years. I have owned many things made there, most of it was of inferior quality. I did have a custom bicycle made at RC Cycle, it was very good. Double butted Ishiwata chrom-moly tubing, Shimano 105 group set.
</div></div>

 

[ScottyS]

Re: Poor Mans Scopes?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tmckay2</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
anyone who knocks vortex scopes had never used one. sure their lines have varying quality, and varying price to go with it, thats how most scope companies should be, options for everyone. </div></div>


Ummm, if the lower line is completely unreliable, that's not "options for everyone", that's simply parting money from fools by leveraging the buzz of the company name around the high-end product.

Is that how marketing works? You bet. Is that the sign of a company dedicated to quality? No. Are there companies who refuse to market junk, because they believe in the product? Yes.

Buy from whom you will, but no whining if someday you discover that the "big dawg" company went cheesy on some internals because it saved money. If they are willing to sell junk to the lower market, they'll sell junk to the higher market too if they can get away with it long enough...

 

[roggom]

Re: Poor Mans Scopes?

These threads always crack me up.

The shooting sports are a hobby, and like any hobby there are companies that supply gear of different quality levels.

If you are a seasonal hunter, you do not need a scope, you can get by with irons. You stalk and shoot. My twins took their first speed goats last year with a 7x57 and a lyman peep sight.

Given that, I do not think they are ready to shoot competition, nor is the rifle ready for some serious shooting. It is effective for its purpose, ethical close range hunting.

Move up to long range shooting/ hunting, one might want an optic, it is up to the shooter to decide what is appropriate for their application. Doing research he/she can get an understanding of parallax, tracking, lens coating, subtension etc.

Do research and decide how you want to spend your money. Just try to understand that the required shooting skill level should have an appropriate quality level of scope. In short the right tool for the job.

Sure S&B may be the king of all optics, but even they make another line of scopes in Hungary.

I do not think a shooter would need a PMII to shoot a doe from a tree stand; to that point, I wouldn't want our military snipers to be supplied with Barskas to protect our troops.

To OP, choose the scope you want and save up. If you can not afford it, then put the project on hold until you can. Just stay away from knock-off crap unless you like throwing your money away.

 

[Mosley]

Re: Poor Mans Scopes?

^^ I'm glad you get a chuckle buddy

I am not looking for a super long range scope once I get one. I Think about 400yds - 500yds capability is about the furthest I'd be shooting. Some of the fields for the little brown bass-turds are far stretching, others are only 125yds across.

Vortex scopes look nice and seem to get a good score across the bored.


Has anyone, any information on Field & Stream scopes? Saw one at the local Dick's/Sports Academy for $100. 4-20x44 and it looked really nice. Whether it stands up to it or not, I have no clue.

 

[killborn]

Re: Poor Mans Scopes?

I am very happy with both my Falcon scopes, both have great clear glass. They are built like a tank and heavy, but do the job.

 

[Mosley]

Re: Poor Mans Scopes?

What do you all think about this little marvel? Neat Idea and Tempting for those days you are pushing thru the woods to the others in you group

SEE ALL open Sights

EDIT: Link didn't work the first time... And added another


Another Success Story of NcStar

NcStar Success Story

 

[PRKmachinist]

Re: Poor Mans Scopes?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RedneckHunter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">SWFA SS fixed x16 for $300 on my .308. EASILY a 1000yd scope, holds zero, tracks great, what more is needed? </div></div>

Yep - I used a SWFA SS10x42 for several years shooting out to 700+, it's a great beginners scope.

 

[Mosley]

Re: Poor Mans Scopes?

Was just checking out their website about an hour ago, some nice stuff. How is the fixed 10x for hunting?