I've heard that the older Tasco scopes that were made in Japan are pretty good. Does that mean "pretty good" or just better than the Chinese or Phillippine made models?

I would put the tasco titan up against any european or american scope triple its price.

The older Tasco scopes are quite good, at least the examples I've handled.

I bought a used Japanese made Tasco 16 x 44 AO target scope a few months ago. This is a single sample example, but I compared this to the following scopes I use for 50 yard 22 lr.
targets.

Zeiss Conquest 4.5-14 x 44 SF
Japan Weaver T 10, new AO
Japan Sightron 12 x 42 AO
Japan Weaver V 16 AO
Austrian Kahles CL 3-9 x 42 SF

The Tasco resolved newspaper printing just as well as the others. The Zeiss and especially the Kahles delivered brighter and more vivid colors to my eye. The tracking on this sample was excellent. Buying used can be a hit or miss, but for $100.00, I took the leap of faith.

In the late 70's or early 80's I bought a Tasco 6x18 target scope looked like a big Lyman or Unertl with a spring loaded front ring and external adjustments for windage and elevation. Mounted it on my heavy barel 03 in 30-06, it was a very good scope and I put alot of rounds through it.

erich

The Tasco World Class made in Japan were just that... world class. Ovis_Chaser

Remember, older Japanese made, quality vs. cheap,,, Chinese, so, so!!

The old Japanese Tascos made by Hakko are damn good scopes, and incredible for the money. I had two I used as spares, and had to put them on two other rifles when more expensive scopes failed. They won't let me switch back.

I have used the Jap made 6x Tascos for many years, the World Class Plus models are very clear and bright, I watch for them at gun show etc, must have a dozen or so, great scopes, I like to have my buddies who dont hunt much look through different 6x scopes, older Leupold 6x's, Nikon Monarchs,Sighron's etc, funny how many will say the Plus models are clearer to their eyes

I have 4 now they all work great for the money you cant beat them low light holding zero marty

How does one know if is a Japanese mfg?

Well said, and very true.

I have a Tasco Golden Antler made in Japan that came on a rifle I purchased. I'm definitely no glass expert so I wanted to ask if this thing was a decent scope.
Thanks

I have a Japanese Tasco that must be 20-25 years old.
Used to have it on my Horse(scabbard) rifle and it never lost zero. It's currently mounted on one of my WSM's while the Conquest(which konked) is in for repairs.
Optically it's not that great but it's taken alot of bumps and keeps on tickin'.

The scope will be marked with the country of origin. Most of the Japanese model Tasco scopes will me marked "JAPAN" on the underside of the bell.

Have a few Nip Tascos from the 80s. Mine are so marked.

My favorite is the 6x24x40AO I bought new about 24 years ago. Still on the same rifle, never a problem and it's a rifle that has killed a dozen or so deer and lots (and lots) of varmints, some of both well beyond 400 yards.

At the time this scope was current, one of the gun rags included it in an article about top shelf target/varmint scopes and begrudgingly gave it an attaboy, especially for the price and clarity.

My buddy the Leupie freak, made fun of the scope when I bought it, but eventually came to accept it. Even caught him looking through it once or twice. ;O)

Ya, but where are you gonna find an 100 dollar euro to test it against?..

There is a difference in some Tasco models that many do not know and it may be that these models were not imported here, (based on that I have never seen any) so I could be wrong, but in 1995 I was given 2 Tasco scopes as I was the heavy caliber writer in Oz.

The object was to see how long they would last, as Tasco didn't know and were interested as much as I was. I was one of those writers who actually tested product and was known to break stocks, scopes and anything else that was not where it was supposed to be.

I put a Tasco World Class "Plus" on a Winchester Featherweight in .30/06 where is still sits today. It has traveled around the world several times, shot over 2000 rounds and never changed zero or even looked like needing a resight.

Now the difference is that there is a model her called Tasco "World Class" but it does not have the additional moniker of "Plus".

I met a Tasco exec who used to work for Leupold and he told me that the "World Class Plus" model had the same lens' and turrets as the Leupold Vari X 3 model. Based on the stability and clarity of that scope both then and now, 15 years later, I have no reason to disbelieve what I was told.

The 2nd scope was a Tasco Titan 1.5-6 with 30mm tube, which I mounded on my .460 Weatherby (After reviewing it on a .458 and .416 Weatherby prior). Being as this is the most powerful .5 MOA varmint rifle every made, the scope has taken past 1000 rounds over the last 15 years and also several long plane trips.

It too, has never required resighting or had a single issue that would make me think it unworthy of being on this exemplary hunting rifle.

I have spare Leupolds laying around, and have in times of weakness considered re-scoping but pulled up short, on the basis that I did not have a problem that needs resolving.

As a writer, I never have to hang my head in shame at using less than premium name product. But, with these Tasco models, and a 15 year test period, I am in a position to say they are as good as any and better than most.

JW

Aussiegunwriter (- not to derail the Tasco thread,) but would you care to comment on the Nikko Stirlings?

Used to have a Tasco outlet store in the neighborhood and picked up a couple of World Class Plus's and a big 52mm Titan when they still had them in their line. The Titan was just too big for what I was doing. Sold it. Traded the variable WCP and still have the fixed 4x WCP. All are nice scopes. A little overkill at 44mm for a 4x, but I use it as a range scope for my muzzleloaders. I love the big ocular lenses on them.
I'm using small light tough Leupies now. Just makes more sense to have 9oz on the rifle instead of 16.
That is a good report Aussiegunwriter, I suspected they might be that good.
At the time they also had a great warranty. Now of course, you get to pay for any fixes.

Some of those old Japanese Tasco's were very good.



Yes. Thing is, "Tasco" was associated with lower end stuff and most people didn't realize how good those things were. Otherwise they'd have sold like crazy. I've had a couple Titans and still have the 3-12x52. Just an excellent scope. Wish it were a little smaller. That scope is not to be confused with the 3-12 Euro Class of about the same period which wasn't nearly as good....had one of those too but don't miss it.

I had a Nikko Sterling (made in the Phillipines) on a .303 SMLE and although it served well and I really had no complaints with it, I would say that the optics were not as bright as the Tasco's of the day.

JW

Spomething else to remember is that Tasco is no longer an independent company, being taken over by Bushnell a few years back.

Hmmmm - Tasco is owned by Bushnell. If I can judge by the Bushnell scopes that I have had on several hard kicking rifles ( .338 .375 H&H, .416 Taylor, .458 Win) mag for many years that is probably a good thing.

Terry

I recently found the box/receipt for the Tasco that is currently on my Sako 85.

1984 model.

It's been an awesome scope.