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Varmint scope recommendation

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yotekiller View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote yotekiller Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Varmint scope recommendation
    Posted: December/10/2004 at 17:18
can anyone reccomend a decent varmint scope for $150=< ?? i'm on a budget and havent been able to find much, seems that the TASCO is my best bet. thanks
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Daniel View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Daniel Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/10/2004 at 20:22
I have had a two tasco and both ended up in the trash after the adjustments proved to be inconsistent.  The best cheap scope I have found for my 22-250 was the bsa platinum edition target scope.  I also tried a fixed bsa target scope, it was ok but not nearly as clear as the platinum.  The platinum has very positive click adj and the optics are fine for daytime varmit shooting.  Mine was an 8 - 32 power, I think I paid about 120 - 130 by doing a search on msn.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote redneckbmxer24 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/11/2004 at 08:55

BSA sucks, check out the bushnell banner 6-18

 

cory

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Daniel View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Daniel Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/12/2004 at 12:24
very insightfull response.  for the money the bsa platinum target scopes have the most consistent adjustments I have seen.  I have never tried the bushnell banner can't coment on it specifically, but if it is like any of the other bushnell's I have owend I would not put it on a 22.  I have never had a bushnell that could shoot a box in the target when you adjust 6 clicks in each direction.  I have also had bushnell lenses fall out from the recoil of a 308 using 150 grain bullets.  On my varmit guns I like a scope with more power than 18, a good adj objecive clear lenses and repeatable adjustment for wind and elevation, In my experience the bsa platinum target scopes does all of these things well.
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Chris Farris View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Chris Farris Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/16/2004 at 12:05
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote redneckbmxer24 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/17/2004 at 21:22

... are you saying BSA is superior to bushnell??? as far as many, many people are concerned, BSA is absolute trash, and it is a disgrace to my rings to use them as a turn-in tool... and bushnell makes some good damn scopes. how bout reading this http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1042&PN=2

 

read up, and enjoy knowing that you love your POS scope.

 

cory

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Daniel View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Daniel Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/17/2004 at 22:23

cory,

sorry, didn't mean to offend you by giving a statement about something that I owned.  I did not say bsa is the best scope ever made, or even that it was better than your beloved bushnell, The man asked a question about varmint rifle scopes and I told him of an experience I had.  Do I have to go through this again.  No, bsa is not the best scope, but he does not want to spend over $150.  TO ME, THE MOST IMPORTANT FEATURE OF A VARMINT RIFLE SCOPE IS THE ABILITY OF THE SCOPE TO MAKE CONSISTENT ADJ, AN ADJ OBJ AND HIGH POWER.  That is an opinion, not a personal attach on you or bushnell.  Given the parameters of less than $150 dollars and my OPINION of what is important in a varmint rifle scope, the bsa platinum target scope did a good job on my 22-250.  The same 22-250 now wears a nice leupold, but it cost more than $150.  As I also said, I have no experience with the bushnell banner series scopes.  I have had 2 bushnell scopes, both were junk, so the likely hood of me ever buying another bushnell scope is vey slim.  I find it curios that you refer me to a link that just has you and 2 or 3 other people bashing bsa and consider that evidence.  Maybe you can give the guy asking the question some information rather than just "it sucks."  I would actually be curious if you would do the box test on a banner and let me know how it works out.  I have tried it with bsa, leupold, nikon, tasco, lyman, redfields and bushnells.  Just curious, maybe bushnell is better than they used to be.  In case you don't know, the box test is where you sight in your rifle, move it 6 clicks up and 6 clicks left, (shoot 3 shots) 12 clicks down (shoot 3 shots) 12 clicks right (shoot 3 shots) 12 clicks up (shoot 3 shots) move it back to center and see if it hits center and how square your box is.  I'm really curious, let me know, no bs either.  And, running deer at 450 yards? who believes that.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote redneckbmxer24 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/18/2004 at 10:35

sorry, i didnt mean to come at it like that, i was just expressing that bushnell is superior to BSA, maybe you did get a good BSA, but the BSA i owned turned out a peice of crap, and i now use it for my leupold turn in rings. many people, and myself will never buy a BSA. bushnell has always made a crappy line of scopes, just like alot of other scope manufacturers, but the bushnell banner line has always been good bang for the buck, and i think they're good scopes, aswell as the trophy, and legend, my banner held zero on a 270 for years, and it still does, and it tracks pretty good aswell.  running deer at 450 yards, thats pretty much BS, i shoot at still targets, but i dont see how anybody could shoot a running deer at much past 200 yards, and hit it without a whole bunch of luck, its just not possible, a still deer at 450 is easy as pie though.

 

cory

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote carolinaflats Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/26/2004 at 18:49
I'd go for the bushnell banner, I've shot a .17HMR and a .243 with Banners and they are a good scopes for the low price in my opinion.  The 6-18x50 with adjustable objective runs around 130.00 I think. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Daniel Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/28/2004 at 23:48
Strange Coincidence.  I went to see my mom for christmas and one of her friends was selling a 270 bdl with  trophy on top for  a good price.  I bought the gun from the guy.  Oh my god, what a piece of junk the bushnell trophy is.  Worse scope I think I've ever had. I tried to sight it in,  1st click right, 1 inch, second click, 1/8th inch, third click, 3 inches, 4th click, back 2 inches left.  Ridiculous.  I understand that new this paper weight is only 80  bucks, but what a waste of 80 bucks.  Put the 80 bucks in a  money market and add 10 bucks every 2 weeks.  Shoot open sights until a leupold is paid for.  I know some will say leupold is sh*t, but I've been in the woods at dusk, and if you can't see it with a leupold, it ain't legal.  I'm up to 8 leupolds now, from vx1 to vx long range and there is nothing better for the money.  How can burris give you a spotting scope and the rifle scope, I'll tell you, there margins are high enough, leupold is better.  I have had a leupold vx11 on my 300 win for 7 years, and shoot atleast 40 rnds per week of 220 grain noslers and never has the leupold moved.  I have been at dusk when my kahles bino's would not pick up the rack count, and my leupold will. 199 for a leupold 3x9. 179 for a leupold 2x7.  Save your money, don't by a bushnell.  Corey, you laughed and said that bushnell was better than bsa platinum.  I must be honest, I gave the bsa to my dad when I bought a vx11 for my 22-250, but bushnell is junk.   The bsa platinum  is hands and fist above bushnell trophy in quality, consitency of adj and optical clarity from corner to corner.  Bushnell is junk.  Sorry this is a little jumbled, I'm pretty drunk.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Chris Farris Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/29/2004 at 09:41

   

 

That has not been my experience with the Bushnell Trophy.  Sounds like it needs to go back to Bushnell for repair.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rwatts Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/30/2004 at 16:10
I'm in the same boat as the guy that started this.  I bought a Marlin 917 vs for $300 and I would like to get the best scope that I can for $100-$150.  Has anyone looked into the Simmons Varmint 6.5-20 x 40 they sell at Cabelas?  
    Also what is the biggest diam scope would I be able to mount on that one and still shoot comfortably? 40mm, 44mm, or 50mm.  All I have shot in the past are iron sights.  I bought this gun to see how accurate it could be at a distance.  It just sounds like fun to hit a squirell at over 100 yards. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dale Clifford Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/31/2004 at 10:02
Have had the Bushnell 6X18 on a Rem 788 in .223 for several years-probably the best all around buy in the market. This combination will outshoot (better precision) than some more expensive combinations. Very difficult to believe that BSA can compare.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote chazgreen Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/02/2005 at 16:00
i put a BSA mildot 6x25 on my rem 788-- 2 years ago (.243) and it still shoots 7/8 inch 5 shot groups for me..not bad for such an inexpensive rifle with a bargain price scope....
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote shootr Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/28/2005 at 07:01

Originally posted by yotekiller yotekiller wrote:

can anyone reccomend a decent varmint scope for $150=< ?? i'm on a budget and havent been able to find much, seems that the TASCO is my best bet. thanks

 

Yote -

 

I'm a newbie here and no technical guru.  That said - I shoot and have hunted a lot, and have done it in some remote places over more than 25 years.  I agree 100% with Daniels's input.

 

Based on personal experience and that of others I have personally seen - over the years, I have switched to Leupold and some Burris exclusively because of their quality, solid construction, reliability and customer service.  Other scopes may be marginally brighter, lighter, have better features, cost less or whatever - but in my mind, you're splitting hairs.  Overall - I don't believe there are better products, and Leupold's customer service pushes their products over the top in any comparison. 

 

Over many years of rugged use in all weather conditions, I have found Leupold scopes have good optics, good adjustments, don't fog and hold their zero.  I can say the same about an older Fullfield.  I can also say that after 13 years of use, including numerous airline trips, I finally sent an old Vari-XII back to Leupold for inspection and refurbishment.  Three weeks later, I had my scope back - it had been rebuilt, recharged and included a written report of what had been done, along with a notation that there was nothing out of spec with it when I sent it in.  In another 13 years, that scope will still be holding zero, staying clear and doing its job. 

 

...and OBTW, it's made here, by the company whos name is on the box, in a factory they own and operate --  and I like that.  I suggest you save your money a while longer, or watch for a used Leupold.  You may not have the best there is according to each of the many  parameters out there - but you won't be disappointed.  JMHO.

 

 

Shootr
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Jeffro3006mag Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/06/2005 at 08:45

 I dont know much about the Bushnell line but the BSA Plat. series is a EXCELLENT value. About 140.00 for a nice variable, decent glass, and a boresighter to boot.

 

  I will admit that Im no expert, I own some leopolds, some BSA plats. and Weaver V-24 scopes. The BSA's were good enough from a recommendation from a guy I know here Okla, that has several, and I mean several nice varmint rifles. What does he put on them?? BSA Plat scopes as a matter of fact...He prefers Nightforce scopes but thats kinda a steep end, although they are awesome.

 

  If at all possible try and get some good looks through a bushnell, Im looking at getting a couple of scopes in the VERY VERY near future and trying to keep it under 500.00 and the 3200 or 4200 are on my list to look through.

Takecare and be blessed-Jeff
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote gunguy56 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/02/2006 at 08:44
IMHO, any Chinese-made scope of any trade name is not worth one dime , esp. if consistency of windage and elevation adjustments is important. Japanese-made scopes can be acceptable if the more-expensive models are selected. I believe in Leupold and Burris for their high standards of optical quality, repeatability of windage and elevation adjustments, and ease of warranty work. Zeiss, Kahles, and Swarozski are great scopes quality-wise, but over-priced. The idea that most American shooters have about guns/scopes is that they don't mind spending $500+ on a rifle, but don/t want to spend $200+ on a scope is backward. You can't hit a chuck or praire dog at 400+ yards on a windy day without good optics and accurate range estimation. An accurate rifle without good optics is a waste of ammo. Guys, save your money and spend as much on your  scope as you do on your rifle. You'll be glad you did. Forty years of shooting experience backs up these words of wisdom.....
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