Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Cheap scopes that have lasted

Most of the discussion is about Leupold, Conquest, Swarovski, etc. but how many have cheap scopes on rifles that work well. My normal big game hunting rifles use Swarovski(DGR),Conquest, & Leupold scopes & are subjected to severe duty. I also have a Tikka 223 used for predators that has a Simmons with an ill. reticule. Untold numbers of foxes, coyotes, a few bobcats, & Javelina have all been shot with this cheap scope. Its so accurate & great for night hunting that many of my SCI buddies borrow. I have an 11-87 12G. with an old Simmons 4X with turkey reticle that has traveled by plane, ATV, air boat, & jeep to kill turkeys in many states up to 55 yards. There is a 234 with a Bushnell Lightsight 3-9 that has lit up many coyotes & another Lightsight on a 22 Mag. for foxes. How many of you will admit to using cheap scopes on some rifles or shotguns?

I have used some of the Simmons scopes with good luck -Gold Medal series and their Pro Air scope. Also, have used several Swift scopes without a hiccup. They have worked for me. Currently trying out a Vortex Diamondback. Time will tell on it.

I'm currently using a Bushnell Trophy 3-9x40 on a .22, Tasco varmint 6-24x40 on the .22-250, as well as a Vortex diamondback, and Simmons master series prohunter (44 mag series). They've all been beaten severly, and only the Simmons needed to be sent in. I was sent a brand new replacement scope pronto.

I'm also using Burris tactical, signature select, and Zeiss conquest scopes.

My second deer rifle (Winchester 670 .243) came with a plain jane Tasco 3-9 that looked like it had been to hell and back. Glass is good and it's always held it's zero. Spent quite a bit of time in a scabbard also.

Shot well when I bought it, probably took 8-10 deer with it. Swapped it out at one time, but now it still has the original Tasco.

Still shoots well, although it hasn't been out for a few years.

A couple of years ago, Simmons discontinued their 'Top of the Line' 1.5 X 6X Whitetail Expedition scopes. Dick's sold them for ~50 bucks. I bought two and wish I had bought a few more. They have turned out to be perfect .22LR hunting rifle scopes. Size appropriate for the rifle, parallax free from 20 yds to infinity, bright, distortion free and tracks reproducibly as well as the CZ 452s are capable of shooting.

Simmons Aetec.

Nikon Buckmaster 4x

Burris Fullfield II, any model up to 3-9x.

Weaver K2.5 and K4. Simmons 2-7X Gold Medal pistol scope. Simmons .22 Mag 4X rimfire scope.

The only one I still have is the 2-7X pistol scope and it still is one of my all time favorites.

Tom

My favorite "Cheap" scope is a Mueller Eraticator. Its an 8.5-25x50mm illuminated recticle AO, full blown bells and whistles varmint scope, and in the last 4 years has never failed me. As a matter of fact, it has become my "standard" scope to check against any other scope I have.

Cheap only applies to this scope in the sense that it would cost alot more with someone elses nametag on it.

Mr. tbear;
I had a early '80's Bushnell Banner 4X that was quite clear and never gave any trouble. I traded it to a nephew who needed to start deer hunting with something reliable and as far as I know, it's still running for him.

I've had good luck with a newer Weaver 6X, I think it's Japanese, but I'd have to look to be sure. I thought it is quite bright and clear for the money and held up on a fairly light .308 Norma for a few years of shooting. I wouldn't say I shot it lots though, so it may not be as robust as others.

I seem to need to buy every 2.5X and 3X straight steel tube El Paso Weaver I come across. They mostly end up on .22's, but so far so good with them for me.

Thanks to all who responded, it's made for interesting reading.

Regards,
Dwayne

I have a Tasco Pronghorn Fixed 4x32 that has been absolutely abused and still performs with out of the box quality.

Dwayne,

I had much the same experience with a 4x Bushnell Banner from the early 80's. I bought a Ruger 77 .30-06 in 1983 that came with the scope, and I used it for a couple of years before "upgrading." Then I used it for a test scope for a while, and seem to remember having it on my first .375 H&H for a while.

Eventually I gave it to my cousin for a .30-06 he'd just bought, and he is still using it.

That scope was just one among many that convinced me that fixed-power scopes are tougher.

There is a 4x Banner on Model 760 30-06 my dad purchased used in the early 80's. It is still chugging along with no problems. Would be great if that scope/durability could be purchased today. Someone could do well providing that sort of service/price with a similar scope.

GreggH

When I bought my first big game rifle (Savage 110 7 mag) in the late 60's it came with a cheap "Hurricane" 4x scope. Being in a lot better shape back then, I put that combo through the hoops and I never once had to adjust that scope. It took some pretty good whacks and the finish is a lot worse for wear but it still held it's zero. I'm sure it was built in Japan but I can't find anything bad to say about it.

There's a Bushnell Sportview 4x on my Rem. 572 .22 pump that's been on the rifle about 30 years or so.

Another vote here for the AETEC. Had one on my 300 RUM for years before I put a Leupold on it.My dad is still using that Simmons on his 30-06.

Japanese Weaver V9. It's been on countless rifles from muzzle loaders up to 300 Wby. It always works and is normally the first scope I try on a new rifle.

Simmons Aetec!

I bought one probally 12yrs ago and still have it on a 30-06. I haven't had to touch it in forever.
My buddies bought em for a 7mm & a 7mmSTW and they haven't had a seconds trouble either. I have no idea about the newer ones but the older Aetec's were really good scopes for the money.

My old man has never had nothing but cheap Tasco's and their still working fine too.

I've had some Jap Tascos that were great.