Rifle Scopes quality scope questions

[Alcatraz]

I was at a gun show recently and saw a couple of scopes, and was thinking if they were really good quality scopes here is some of them:
UTG leapers,
Osprey optics,
Barska,
Counter Sniper,

Has anyone used these and are they good (good meaning, Maintain zeroing, maintains zeroing after a short distance fall, high quality view, turrets are nice and smooth and don't wabble, etc)

 

[bp7178]

They are all pieces of shit.

Is this even a serious topic?

 

[r2shooter]

I've never personally owned any but just this past Saturday at the range I signed up a new member. He was shooting a Remington 700 5r stainless & had the Osprey 6x24x50. He offered to let me shoot so of course I did. Only shooting at 100yds but I will say the glass seemed pretty decent IMO. It's not a Nightforce but for the price he said he paid I'd say it was decent glass for the money ($200). Can't speak for durability but they do have a lifetime warranty.

 

[r2shooter]

They are all pieces of shit.

Is this even a serious topic?

Have you tried each & everyone of them listed?
Not everyone needs or can afford a $2,000+ optic.

 

[17874]

I personally use Leupold MK4, Nightforce NSX, and Vortex Razor. Those are all well over 1K, but if I were going to buy a cheap scope, I would go with a Nikon buckmaster. Had one that came on a model 7 and it was pretty good.

 

[Asperly Aimless]

Depends on your use for the scope. Hell I have a tasco varmint 6-24 that has worked very well for me for over 5 years. You can see the target (GASP!!), see 30 cal bullet holes in paper if target is backlit, see steel hits easily, and as held zero fine. Now I don't crank it up and down non-stop. I'll shoot at a distance for awhile, then adjust when I move to another distance.

It really sucks at sunset and sunrise though.

So for a safe, to bench, back to safe scope I would say give one (the scopes you have listed) a try. Then as you progress it can be used as a beater scope.

You'd be amazed at how functional some of the low end scopes are...

You don't always need a $2,000+ scope.

 

[paramil]

From my experience and readings they are the lower end of the spectrum when it comes to optics. I wouldn't personally put them in the "high quality" realm. I would much rather spend the money on a Super Sniper scope form SWFA or as already mentioned a Nikon Buckamaster, than one of the scope the OP has mentioned above. Heck even Bushnell has put out some pretty decent optics for under the 1K umbrella.

 

[Bounce]

Ditto. I understand the need to economize; however, by mounting a $300 optic on a $1000+ rifle you have compromised your weapon's capability and likely your own. Most rifles will get you to 1.5 MOA if not a lot better than that, just with iron sights. Buy an optic with mediocre glass, that won't hold zero, won't withstand inevitable field bumps, and gets blurry at twilight when you need it most, you're not economizing, you're wasting the little cash you have. Save your funds for a quality optic if you're shooting past 150 yards. Your Iron sights will work just fine below that distance. Beyond that, budget at least as much for your scope as you did for your rifle.
Skip

 

[steve123]

SWFA fixed power and Midways BSA 4-14 tactical, both are not too bad. Get and learn to use mil turrets with mil reticle.

 

[r2shooter]

Doesn't change the fact.

If you can afford a $800 rifle...or more importantly, more than one $800 rifle. You can afford a $800 scope.

Nobody said having reliable equipment had to cheap. And nobody said having reliable equivalent had to be expensive.

But buying shit is buying shit no matter the budget.

Not trying to start a feud here & I get some of what you're saying.
I hear people say if you're going to skimp do so on the rifle not the scope. On the flip side we have a member who shoots on our 600yd range w/his M1 Garand using a $130 Konus scope & it does just fine for what he wants. Typically 8-12" groups & he's tickled w/that, so therefore am I for him.
So me personally I'm not going to call something crap I've never tried. Are the options listed in OPs question what I'd recommend to someone, probably not but I haven't had the experience w/the equipment.

 

[OpticsPlanet]

I was at a gun show recently and saw a couple of scopes, and was thinking if they were really good quality scopes here is some of them:
UTG leapers,
Osprey optics,
Barska,
Counter Sniper,

Has anyone used these and are they good (good meaning, Maintain zeroing, maintains zeroing after a short distance fall, high quality view, turrets are nice and smooth and don't wabble, etc)

Getting back to the OP's question.

In optics, you do get what you pay for. However, I have a gamo varmint that has a Leapers on it. TS platform is spring piston rated. Gun works great for pest control out my back door. 50 yards or less is a killing field. $100 scope.

Would I personally put those on any centerfiire builds? NO, I would invest in higher quality optic that meets my needs and/or exceeds them. I don't want to ever "worry" or "doubt" an optic and I want great customer service.

How about a little 22 plinker for a new shooter? Sure, there are some diamonds in the rough there.

WITH the exception of "Government contract overrun" that marketing just blows my mind and drives me crazy....don't know how they get away with it.

Trevor B.

 

[samnev]

Fist let me say I prefer Nightforce, Leupold and Vortex scopes. But my brother has been using a Konus M30Pro 6.5-24X50 scope on his Remington SPS 308 for over 3 years now and has never had a single problem with it. I have shot his rifle many times and the glass is clear with minimal distortion excellent resolution and minimal chromatic aberration. It has never lost zero and ladder tested perfectly. Is it as good as a Nightforce, Leupold no. But it is almost as good as my Vortex PST FFP 4-16X50. It is a lot of scope for the money ($325). It surprised the hell out of me.

 

[desert dog]

Definitely go Barska 3-35x60 with the UTG/Leapers mount. with this combo, Your Olympic Arms AR15 will be making 2000 yard headshots from your roof during civil unrest.

 

[Night Eagle]

sure, scopes...like any other piece of equipment are mission specific. do I need a 2k scope on my sons .22 cricket, prob not...it really depends on what you are going to be doing with it. plinking under 150 yards...no reason to spend more than a few hundred on it.

now if you are shooting out to 1k yards on your remmy 5R, a 300 dollar scope will show its true colors very quickly. can hits be made with it...of course they can but why would you want to.

it always amazes me why someone would 1k on a gun, and not think to spend at least that amount on a scope for said gun...

 

[mlh29]

if you are on a budget.. then save until you can buy decent through a reputable vendor.
cheap:200 ish
bushnell elite 10x
bushnell elite 3x9x40 nice hunting scopes..
the above could also be labeled baush and lomb elite

nikon buckmaster 4.5x14 midway special
nikon buckmaster 6x18 mildot
burris 3x9 fullfield 2 with the bal plex ( laugh if you want, I have 2 of them and they are good for hunting/ 22 use) the reticle can be tailored to a load , and is pretty close for the 22lr I have one on

higher ..
buy used.. look for Leupold vari x 3 long range tacticals.. these are pre mark 4 variable powered scopes. They can be had for 3-700 pending model/options and are very good. This is what is on the majority of my rifles.

I look at it like this anymore.. centerfire ammo average 28 for cheap stuff. I have watched people at ranges shoot 40-50 rds in attempts to zero a rifle with a bsa/leepers/ tasco/ simmons etc. When they could have spent the 100 wasted on a better scope and still be using the 1st box of ammo.
Have it properly mounted ... if you dont have the tools to do this yourself have it done.

good luck

 

[Crosshair]

I'll say this about cheap scopes: The only thing they NEED to do is hold zero. All else is a bonus on a scope under $150. There should be NO "tactical" features at all, as they will be mostly useless.
Now, there are a few gems in the $150-$250 range for sure, most have either a simple duplex reticle or a holdover of some sort. Here is a list of budget scopes that work surprisingly well and are proven... And 100 times better that the ones mentioned in the first post.

Sightron SI
Bushnell Legend HD
Minox ZV series
Minox ZA series (German glass)
Vortex Diamondback
Vortex Crossfire II
Redfield Revolution
Weaver Classic V and K
Burris Fullfield II or E1
Nikon Buckmaster

 

[black max]

I had an osprey 4-16x50. When I bought it I was expecting the worse but was pleasantly surprised. It held zero on a 6.5 Grendel until I upgraded. I still have it somewhere if you want to try it out.

 

[Pinecone]

I and some friends have had good luck with Simmons scope in the low price range. But these are from at least 10 - 15 years ago, not sure about current products.

In the lower cost area, Nikon is nice. The Midway special BSA 4-14x tactical is the only BSA product that gets overall good reviews. I have one on a CZ455 and it works quite well. Millett has some scopes that get varies reviews, it seems that some are good, and some have some issues. Konus makes nice optics and their spottign scopes get good reviews.

For a bit more, you can get into the lower level of the Vortex line. VERY nice scopes for the money.

Overall the ones listed are not worth putting your money in, as you will likely be replacing them soon.

 

[roggom]

A person who is on a "budget" can not afford to throw money away. It is always good to scope a rifle accordingly, but as states previously, glass quality should be the highest priority. Money spent on an American made Redfield Revolution or some other comparable scope will be well served on an entry level rifle. Dumping cash on a tacti-cool piece of crap is just foolish. I know, because I have been there.

 

[BCP]

Well, to play along with the OP's question, assuming he's not just pulling our collective leg (Lord knows how we love Countersniper Scopes):

Get an SWFA Super Sniper, or a Bushnell 10x40 mildot, or a Weaver Grand Slam Tactical.

All are 300 or less, made in japan, with knobs that match the reticule.

American made Redfield Revolution.

Not sure if all of them are American but I know that the Battlezone one is foreign-made.

 

[SomeOtherGuy]

Not sure if all of them are American but I know that the Battlezone one is foreign-made.

The newer Redfield series are made in Philippines. The "Revolution" series that re-launched the brand a couple of years ago is ASSEMBLED in Oregon. I will give you one guess where the glass and probably most of the other parts come from. And it has a 3-letter acronym, but those 3 letters no not include U, S, or A.

 

[grayghost]

I've bought cheap scopes and some are good for general shooting or hunting. But I've learned over time to buy once,cry once. Save up the cash and get the best you can afford.

 

[Speedster00]

The reviews on osprey and Barska are mixed. some hold and some don't. From personal experience, My buddy has a barska 8-32 on his LR308, works great.

I have a barska 6-24, and just ordered new rings. Cant get it to hold but Ive read where the stock barska rings are a joke so Im hoping that's it.

From a budget standpoint, the fixed SWFA 10X is fantastic. 50 cal rated and I know 2 guys that have them for 1000+ yards. Primary arms makes a 4-14 FFP for $230 that gets fantastic reviews as well. Im going to try out one of those 2 if the Barska I have doesn't pan out.

 

[hahco]

They are all pieces of shit.

I have to agree.

 

[roggom]

The newer Redfield series are made in Philippines. The "Revolution" series that re-launched the brand a couple of years ago is ASSEMBLED in Oregon. I will give you one guess where the glass and probably most of the other parts come from. And it has a 3-letter acronym, but those 3 letters no not include U, S, or A.

Sure, I doubt you will find any company that will produce an entry level scope that is glassed from the US. The Revolution is made in the US from raw materials, here is a vid of the process. There have been many stories throughout the internet about Leupold using foreign part and whatnot, but never any supporting data. Yes the Revenge is made in the PI, as well as some of the other products, but the Revolution in particular is one tough little scope. Optical quality similar to the VX2.

There is no reason to drop $1K to scope a handi-rifle, but for less than $200 you get a scope made in the US, same factory as the Leupold scopes, with the same Warranty.

I have been down the BarsKrap road before and was just a waste of time and money.

Yes the video is like a big commercial but interesting all the same.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJuB34NTfGQ

 

[Sherrick5]

Unless it's a rimfire I have vowed that the lowest price I would pay for a scope is just over 300 which would be the SWFA SS fixed with a Tenebraex, I put it in a quality standpoint of a scope worth at least 500 more than the price

 

[RobG]

Have you tried each & everyone of them listed?
Not everyone needs or can afford a $2,000+ optic.

Why do people assume that if someone slams a BarskaUTGLeapersCounterSniper it automatically means they are recommending to buy a 2K optic? There are several great, low cost options that are proven to perform. The Super Snipers, Bushnell 10x40, Weaver, Nikon, Vortex Viper (non PST), are all budget friendly and do their job reliably.

 

[Darkside-Six]

I've got a little experience with some barska scopes as well as a counter sniper. Barska makes a pretty decent spotting scope but both the rifle sopes I've used were kind of junky. glass wasn't nearly as good as other reticles i've tried.

As for the counter sniper, I have a friend who just bought his first "budget rifle" he wanted to stay under $1000 total so he went with a counter sniper 5x25 FFP and i have actually been pretty impressed with it. so far he has had no issues at all and the glass is very clear even at 25x power. If it were me personaly I would not feel comfortable with any of those lower end scopes cause like everyone has been saying....you get what you pay for but from my experience so far the counter sniper has been good.

 

[r2shooter]

Why do people assume that if someone slams a BarskaUTGLeapersCounterSniper it automatically means they are recommending to buy a 2K optic? There are several great, low cost options that are proven to perform. The Super Snipers, Bushnell 10x40, Weaver, Nikon, Vortex Viper (non PST), are all budget friendly and do their job reliably.

I was just throwing out a found number. Just was trying to get the point across that a cheaper scope is sometimes ok.
Maybe I should have wordedit differently.

 

[Major]

I have a Nikon ProStaff on my Remington 700 .30-06. It was probably under $300, including mount. For the money, Nikons are hard to beat.