Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Inexpensive sub $125 scope durability question

Sight in set and forget scope for a ML (and/or a slug shotgun).

Tracking isnt a concern, as the shots will be sub 150 yards and the adjustments will only be made at the range sighting in.

Brightness and clarity aside, is there going to be much difference in durability and the ability to maintain zero once set between the handful of budget scopes on the market:
Some common sub $125 scopes

Bushnell banner
Bushnell trophy
Hawke vantage
Konus konus pro


... other...


Are they all flavors of the same thing made in the same factory with the same designed internals?

Burris Fullfield would be my choice

I did the same on my ML. Burris Fullfield II 2-7x35. 1/2 MOA clicks but it's a 200 yard weapon so who cares, shoot a couple to confirm before each season and it's always good to go. I think I got it from Natchez many years ago for $120. Maybe you can find one leftover or one on the used market. I'd much rather have a used Burris than any of those for anything that recoiled to the level of a slug gun. Post up a want ad in the classifieds, you may be surprised at what you can buy.

I’ve got a ballistic plex 3-9x40 Burris Fullfield II with some ring marks but otherwise perfect I’d sell you for $125 shipped!

That's a deal!

Take that deal and run for it!!!!

2 of my MZs have Sightron SII 3-9 on them and they've performed perfectly (even with kids hunting elk). You might be able to score one in the ~$150 range. My newest MZ has a Sightron S-Tac 2-10x32 but it hasn't seen much use yet.

I think that sounds like a deal.

I just blew my budget but will move some money over and PM you about it later today.

Thanks Optics guys!

This by far!

Back to the original question, which wasnt about which scope you would buy or like but instead if there is a difference in internals and durability of holding zero for the various similarly priced budget scopes (Sub $100ish) out there.

You're rolling the dice with all of those, hence the reason everyone is telling you to forget that cheap Chinese schit and get a Burris which is proven to hold zero for a set and forget rifle. That being said I had a Trophy XLT that I got from Cabelas on clearance that was clear and held zero well on a Vanguard 308, not really a heavy kicker. I can't imagine there would be much difference in any of them as far as holding zero.

I have a Bushnell Sportview (I think) that I bought as a "blue light special" at Kmart around 1980. It still holds zero and I still have it on a Ranger 30-06. I believe the price was 29.95 in a blister pack.

I’ll take it off your hands

I have Bushnell Banner and Trophy scopes on all my deer rifles. I have zero problems with them.

This is a sleeper. My bud has had one ever since they first came out many years ago. He doesn't shoot a lot and doesn't dial. It gets banged around pretty good going up trees with him and such. He touches off a round or two at the beginning of each season, and it's right where it needs to be. I am remembering the glass to be good. It will get him to well beyond last legal shooting light.

https://www.natchezss.com/simmons-a...-black-fmc-wp-capped-truplex-box-5l.html

Do you recall if it has side focus as it appears to in the pic? I can't find much on it in the specs to say how low it will go on the AO f it does indeed have it. I may have to grab one of those for that price to put on a 22 or keep around as a spare.

Nikon Prostaff 2-7x32?

I am almost certain the focus is only down to 50. My recollection of my bud's is that eye relief is good and the scope is easy to get behind. At the OPs price point that scope would be my first choice without hesitation. SWFA has them listed for quite a bit more. https://www.swfa.com/simmons-4-14x44-aetec-rifle-scope.html?___SID=U

I have one of these on a Mini 14. It's my knock around gun. It is perfect for under 150 yards.

kwg

Always some fly in the oinment. Focus to 30 yards or less would be ideal. I have an old Simmons 44 mag 6.5-20 I bought from SWFA on their samplelist a while back that I have on my Rem 597 HB that I really like for the $75 I have in it. I wouldn't trust them on heavy kickers but for an occasional use varmint or rimfire gun I have no issues with the cheaper Bushnell or Simmons scope.