Rifle Scopes Osprey Scope Review?

TNTKO37

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Minuteman
Oct 7, 2010
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I'm no stranger to the rifle range, but I'm still somehwat of a novice when it comes to scopes. I've done a lot of research and know that glass quality/coating makes all the difference. I'm pretty sure I know what magnification I'm looking for, what I can't narrow down is brand...

I have a budget of about $300-500. Right now shooting is a frequent hobby, but in a year or two I'd like to get more serious; perhaps tournament level shooting. For now, I need a scope that won't break the bank, but will serve its purpose while I hone my shooting skills. Its primary purpose will be at the rifle range 100-600 yards; with a rare use for hunting. I have had the good fortune of using Counter Sniper and Leupold scopes. But recently I came across a brand that seems to be getting great reviews.

Have any of you heard of Osprey rifle scopes? All the reviews I have read say the quality is great for the price. Overall, what do you all think of the quality of the Osprey Scopes? Are they worth the buy?

Thanks,

T
 
Re: Osprey Scope Review?

I've looked through them at a gun show last year, wasn't too impressed but they are ok. For your budget I'd have to suggest if you want a variable go with a bushnell elite 4200 3-12. They are FFP, mil/mil, very good glass for the money not to mention in your budget. If you want a fixed scope go with a super sniper, can't go wrong with either.

Flyingbullseye
 
Re: Osprey Scope Review?

Osprey scopes are <span style="font-style: italic">SCHEISSE</span>...stay away from them. At the Wanenmacher's gunshow in Tulsa, a guy actually tried to tell me they were on par with Nightforce. *cough* <span style="font-weight: bold">BULLSHIT</span> *cough*

For the price of $300-$500, can get a SWFA SuperSniper or as FlyingBullseye said, a Bushnell Elite .

 
Re: Osprey Scope Review?

Osprey's I have seen are total junk. I was an idiot and bought one at a gun show and went to zero it and the elevation knob fell off. If you work hard for your money do yourself a favor and spend it elsewhere.
 
Re: Osprey Scope Review?

This is exactly what I needed to hear. A few reviews I read said they were equal to Counter Sniper, which I found REALLY hard to believe. I decided to just wait and extend my budget. I found a Counter Sniper 10-40x56mm for just under $600. I think I might just hold out for that.
 
Re: Osprey Scope Review?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BigDaddyKane</div><div class="ubbcode-body">This is exactly what I needed to hear. A few reviews I read said they were equal to Counter Sniper, which I found REALLY hard to believe. I decided to just wait and extend my budget. I found a Counter Sniper 10-40x56mm for just under $600. I think I might just hold out for that. </div></div>

I hope you're joking about holding out for a counter sniper scope. Osprey <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">ARE</span></span> equal to counter sniper, low level POS. Don't waste your money.

Flyingbullseye
 
Re: Osprey Scope Review?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BigDaddyKane</div><div class="ubbcode-body">This is exactly what I needed to hear. A few reviews I read said they were equal to Counter Sniper, which I found REALLY hard to believe. I decided to just wait and extend my budget. <span style="font-weight: bold">I found a Counter Sniper 10-40x56mm for just under $600. I think I might just hold out for that.</span> </div></div>

GREAT IDEA! After it comes in, read this review of Counter Sniper Optics.

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1300810#Post1300810

On a side note, I suggest you start doing a lot of research before you purchase <span style="font-style: italic">anything</span> or you will be throwing <span style="font-style: italic">lots</span> of cash out the window.

But, hey, it's your money so spend it as you wish.
 
Re: Osprey Scope Review?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BigDaddyKane</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I found a Counter Sniper 10-40x56mm for just under $600. I think I might just hold out for that.</div></div>

Tell ya what... you give me $500, and I will kick you in the nuts?? You will still come out $100 ahead of the game...

DK
 
Re: Osprey Scope Review?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CMH</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have heard Osprey warranty service is rough. </div></div>

You heard correctly. They [Osprey] will all but refuse to honor the warranty entirely.
 
Re: Osprey Scope Review?

Yea bro...read: <span style="font-weight: bold">DO NOT BUY OSPREY OR COUNTER SNIPER TRASH!!!!!</span>

You are asking for a metric f%#k ton of sh#t if you do.

Take your $600.00 and put it in a pile on the porch and light a fire to it. At least it will keep you warm for a few seconds, which is way more than either of these will do for you.

There is a pile of good glass out there for your budget.
 
Re: Osprey Scope Review?

cybnew is selling a 4200 bushnell at this moment for a good price. use the search and see what people really think of countersniper.

we actually try to convince people who ask about countersniper without searching to buy them. as a cruel joke. simply because we are tired of people asking about them without searching first.

ask yourself this. how long has osprey been around? or countershitter? how long has leupold been around? bushnell? every gunshow there is a new unknown brand that pops up to relieve the uninformed of their money. osprey popped up a few years back. last show of 2010 i saw schoenfeld pop up. knock offs of everything you wanted. aimpoints entire line from the micro to the T1 i think its called. then there is FM or famous maker.

do some research on this site and you will find a better alternative. maybe vortex or bushnell like suggested. both have great warranties.
 
Re: Osprey Scope Review?

AGAIN... I'm new to purchasing scopes so could ya please refrain from the pointless and utterly useless sarcastic comments? I've based alot of my research on user reviews and fellow shooter suggestions.

If you have a better suggestion for a scope between $300-600, please let me know. I definitely want something stronger than the typical 3x9-50mm. I'm open to suggestions about reticle as well. Up until now I've haven't looked into mil-dot but if you can give a good reason to consider them please do!

I appreciate all the GOOD feedback so far.
 
Re: Osprey Scope Review?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BigDaddyKane</div><div class="ubbcode-body">AGAIN... I'm new to purchasing scopes so could ya please refrain from the pointless and utterly useless sarcastic comments? I've based alot of my research on user reviews and fellow shooter suggestions.

If you have a better suggestion for a scope between $300-600, please let me know. I definitely want something stronger than the typical 3x9-50mm. I'm open to suggestions about reticle as well. Up until now I've haven't looked into mil-dot but if you can give a good reason to consider them please do!

I appreciate all the GOOD feedback so far. </div></div>

Yea, stop pissing on the countersniper parade!
 
Re: Osprey Scope Review?

I know full well that the best quality scopes are stuff like Zeiss, NightForce, Leupold etc. But keep in mind that right now I just want something for the next year or two thats going to hold me over while I perfect my technique. After that I plan on upgrading to a premier scope. So for now, I just want a decent quality scope for under $600 that's going to have a strong magnification for shooting up to 500-600 yards.

With that in mind... let's hear your suggestions!!!
 
Re: Osprey Scope Review?

Killshot, thanks for the thread on the counter sniper review... it definitely made up my mind there! Excellent info on the brand. I have a range buddy that uses a counter sniper and he loves it. But then again he's only been shooting for a year. Also, he has a sub .5 MOA rifle built for him and his groupings at 200 yards are never less than 2". Perhpas his scope isn't helping him as much as he thinks??

Either way thanks for the info!
 
Re: Osprey Scope Review?

Take a look at the Super Sniper scopes. A simple 10x SS was my first long range scope and it was a great learning tool.

http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-10x42-Tactical-Riflescope-P500.aspx
http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-3-9x42-Tactical-Riflescope-P41044.aspx

I would recomend the 3x9 Mil/Mil FFP model. It's got good glass and they are built like a brick shithouse. Great scope for the money. If you can afford it, pick up a Bushnell Elite 4200 3x12 44mm Mil/Mil FFP. I think Natchez has them on sale for $550.00 or so. The Vortex Viper PST line is looking very good too.
 
Re: Osprey Scope Review?

ill say this and i really dont care what replies ill get. im happy with my 4-16x50 millett trs-1. its mil/mil and has alot of features for $300. i was pissed at first when my initial scope didnt meet advertised elevation. i called bushnell (who bought millett) and they replaced my mil/moa with a new mil/mil scope thats been a good starter for me. it was one of the first low cost mil/mil scopes available. now there a few others. id like to get a vortex razor. but with as little as i shoot at this time, $2k on a scope isnt gonna happen yet.
 
Re: Osprey Scope Review?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BigDaddyKane</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I know full well that the best quality scopes are stuff like Zeiss, NightForce, Leupold etc. But keep in mind that right now I just want something for the next year or two thats going to hold me over while I perfect my technique. After that I plan on upgrading to a premier scope. So for now, I just want a decent quality scope for under $600 that's going to have a strong magnification for shooting up to 500-600 yards.

With that in mind... let's hear your suggestions!!! </div></div>

Bushnell Elite 4200 3-12x ffp
 
Re: Osprey Scope Review?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BigDaddyKane</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
If you have a better suggestion for a scope between $300-600, please let me know. I definitely want something stronger than the typical 3x9-50mm. I'm open to suggestions about reticle as well. Up until now I've haven't looked into mil-dot but if you can give a good reason to consider them please do! </div></div>

Have you not read the first couple of posts, we gave much better options. Again here are some suggestions.

Bushnell Elite 4200 3-12x44 $5-600
Super Sniper 10x, 16x $300
Millet 4-16x50 $300

Flyingbullseye
 
Re: Osprey Scope Review?

Yes I have Bullseye. I was just asking about that one in particular. Rest assured I have spent the majority of the day researching Leupold, Bushnell, and other scopes. Just curious what everyone else thought of the Vortex because a few people had mentioned them and they have quite a wide product line.
 
Re: Osprey Scope Review?

get a Vortex Viper PST you get a lot for your money.

Or a Bushnell 4200 Elite. i have a 6500 Elite on my rimmy which works great.
 
Re: Osprey Scope Review?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BigDaddyKane</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Okay I see a lot of you guys mentioning Vortex scopes... how do they fair overall? </div></div>

How do they fair........<span style="font-weight: bold">FREAK'N GREAT</span>
Vortex Viper.... JMO, but at $399.00 you can not beat the quality for the money.

http://swfa.com/Vortex-65-20x44-Viper-30mm-Rifle-Scope-P13285.aspx

Warranty= unconditional, transferable, forever. I have one, will buy another. The glass on my viper is just as good as that on the Leuplod VXIII LR I have. Period. You just can not beat it for the money.

Look at it like this, if you spend $250.00 bucks on an Osprey with the same features and it shits the bed in two months and you have to replace it...how much are you out when $399.00 would have gotten you a lifetime warrenty and good cs and quality glass? (Before all the ranting starts, yes I know it's not NightForce, USO....blah, blah, blah quality, just comparing within the OPs priceline). The Viper, or even the Super Sniper, and those other recommendations you have seen here for $300.00 to $500.00, are going to last and last and last any you won't be out twice the money when in a few moths you have to, replace it because it won't cut the mustard.

Trust in what you are being told here. These guys know what they are talking about. Don't waist your money on BS and hipe when you can get a good starting scope for a good price and you will most likely get most of your money back out of when you want to upgrade.
 
Re: Osprey Scope Review?

WDN-K-9, great input. I checked out a little bit of the Vortex line this afternoon. I saw a few that I liked for sure. Same with Leupold. I know very well that with the high-quality brands I'm getting good quality, but I also don't have the budget for the higher end models for the magnification I want. I know I want something higher than the typical 3-9x50. After all, the range I hit up maxes out at 600 yds. So I'd like a scope with a higher max magnification so the 600yd targets aren't such a guess. I'm hoping for something at least 6-24x56. So that's where I'm running into the price issue. So, vortex might be the good equilibrium where I can get a decent quality scope, with a strong magnification that will fit the budget.

Again, once I hone my techniques in aiming, trigger pull, etc, ... I fully plan on extending my budget and upgrading to a premium glass. So for now, I'm looking mid-range.
 
Re: Osprey Scope Review?

You still don't get it. You dont need 24x for 600yds. You need quality that won't melt in the rain.

I've shot a mile (1690 yds actually) with a 15x NXS. It's do-able.
 
Re: Osprey Scope Review?

Just curious, what size targets do you plan on shooting at 600 yds that will be difficult to see at 9x?

I have a 3.2-17x, and hardly have the power up past 8x when shooting 1.5 MOA targets out to 640yds. I think the guys on the range are polluting your mind about magnification if you think you need more than 9x at 600.

Order of priorities when buying a scope on a budget (IMO):

1: Price
2: Ability to hold zero
3: Adjustment accuracy/ repeatability
4: Warranty (because everything dies at some point)
5: Reticle
6: Magnification

Hope this helps.

Oh and perhaps you should look at Falcon optics or WOTAC.
 
Re: Osprey Scope Review?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BlackWhiskey</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I think the guys on the range are polluting your mind about magnification if you think you need more than 9x at 600.

</div></div>

I think you are probably right. I know the glass quality is perhaps the biggest thing to consider. But I've been lead to believe that x9 is pretty much used for hunting, and not nearly strong enough for distance/target. So the consensus is that 15-17x is plenty strong enough for 600 yds? I think maybe I'll drop down the emphasis on the magnification, and use the money I'll save to up the quality of the scope/brand.

Thanks Keith & Whiskey
 
Re: Osprey Scope Review?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BigDaddyKane</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BlackWhiskey</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I think the guys on the range are polluting your mind about magnification if you think you need more than 9x at 600.

</div></div>

I think you are probably right. I know the glass quality is perhaps the biggest thing to consider. But I've been lead to believe that x9 is pretty much used for hunting, and not nearly strong enough for distance/target. So the consensus is that 15-17x is plenty strong enough for 600 yds? I think maybe I'll drop down the emphasis on the magnification, and use the money I'll save to up the quality of the scope/brand.

Thanks Keith & Whiskey </div></div>

A widely held rule of thumb for tactical shooting is 1x for every 100 yards.

Keep in mind that up until recently military snipers used fixed 10x scopes. Magnification is not the holy grail in long distance tactical shooting.

You should be fine with a 3-9x out to 600 yards. Super Sniper has an OUTSTANDING 3-9x right in your price range. If you're intent on having more magnification, you won't need anything more than 15x.

I have an IOR 3.5-18x50 ffp, and a 12"x18" target was taking up a vast majority of the reticle at 600 yards on 18x. It doesn't need to be that high.

You will also notice mirage more if you have high magnification. Heart beat is also a bitch at higher mag.

In your position, I would buy 1 of 3 scopes:

Bushnell Elite 4200 3-12x44 ffp mil/mil
SWFA Super Sniper 3-9x42 ffp mil/mil
SWFA Super Sniper 10x42 mil/mil

I have 2 of those 3 (the first 2), and both are outstanding.

No matter what you decide on, make sure your reticle and turrets match. You will tahnk me and everyone who made this suggestion the very first time you use it. You'll wonder how you ever got along without one.

YMMV.
 
Re: Osprey Scope Review?

as stated above, magnification isnt the driving force. Anyone that thinks in this matter needs to think and answer this- why isnt their spotting scopes with reticles bolted on rifles? theres a reason. I too have shot effectively in the 1,500 meter range with a fixed 10. food for thought. lots of good input above
 
Re: Osprey Scope Review?

ahh yes the ninja madagascarian penguin force is currently switching to the osprey but only on a trial basis on there uber tactical precision long range hi point carbines as used recently in the pirate fiasco in bangladesh.(dont bother searching the micro feesh it was hushed by the media sensors) i believe the special limited run contract for them features mammary cancer pink and fabulous pimp purple rheostats for the illuminated coriolis compensated reticles. theres also a builtin integral aci just in case the angle of the dangle from the forecastle to the dingy necessitates.

as for the mounting of spotters on rifles, the sks mount is on the drawing board as well as the 8mm film movie camera mount for capturing in cinematic splendor all the high speed low drag operations my team and i endeavor into. maybe ill post up those vids for that marine guys bounding thread. i do try to be helpful. ta ta
 
Re: Osprey Scope Review?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: marduk185</div><div class="ubbcode-body">ahh yes the ninja madagascarian penguin force is currently switching to the osprey but only on a trial basis on there uber tactical precision long range hi point carbines as used recently in the pirate fiasco in bangladesh.(dont bother searching the micro feesh it was hushed by the media sensors) i believe the special limited run contract for them features mammary cancer pink and fabulous pimp purple rheostats for the illuminated coriolis compensated reticles. theres also a builtin integral aci just in case the angle of the dangle from the forecastle to the dingy necessitates.

as for the mounting of spotters on rifles, the sks mount is on the drawing board as well as the 8mm film movie camera mount for capturing in cinematic splendor all the high speed low drag operations my team and i endeavor into. maybe ill post up those vids for that marine guys bounding thread. i do try to be helpful. ta ta </div></div>

sounds quite hush hush. do they have open recruitment?
 
Re: Osprey Scope Review?

I have an osprey on my Ruger 22-250. Its a 6-24x50 I paid 250.00 and it dose the job just fine. Its No IOR or Niteforce but for my coyote gun I have put them down out to 500 yards. The turrits work as they should and it dose focus well for 50-800 yards. I wouldnt trust it if I had dropped it but again I didnt pay 2000.00 for it either.
 
Re: Osprey Scope Review?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: marduk185</div><div class="ubbcode-body">ahh yes the ninja madagascarian penguin force is currently</div></div>

The recipient of the secret squirrel gubmint kontract for the Counter Sniper that is konstantly being "over run."

+1 on the 10X SS, $300 for the scope, leaving $100 for more ammo, a Killflash, better rings, or post shoot thought lubricant... One each...
 
Re: Osprey Scope Review?

Hi, if anyone would get the idea of getting Osprey scope, read this first.
I bought one last November it had problems so I contacted manufacturer, and was instructed to send it for replacement,
at my cost of course, sent it waited three weeks as the whole
office of theirs was on "gun show", and yesss, yes, got the replacement. A used- not even cleaned, covered with scratches
on knobs, on lens covers/worth nothing anyway/ and evident mounting marks on rings/to high anyway/. Upset contacted them again and was instructed to send this back and promised replacement. No thanks, if they do not know that replacement for new scope should be new scope to start from- you judge for yourself. Stay away from that staff, or keep running between UPS and range hoping for new replacement.
Now I cleaned it , disenfected and my son has a toy.
 
Re: Osprey Scope Review?

Yeah, the Ospreys are a joke. There is some clown in Montana who does the gun show circuit who pushes them once old me the glass was on par with Schmidt. He was dead serious, i had to look three times for a smirk or some evidence of sarcasm. There was none. Buy quality once and cry once, there are no short cuts.