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What cheap older scopes have you had good luck?

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slowr1der View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote slowr1der Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: What cheap older scopes have you had good luck?
    Posted: November/28/2011 at 08:36
A friend just picked up an older Savage Model 110 in .270 for a really good price topped with an older Bushnell Banner 4-12(I think, it's something similar) that was made in Japan. For some reason I really like this package and it's made me want to put together a similar package for a beater rifle. He has a total of $150 in this thing, and the scope is surprisingly clear, and seems to hold up to abuse as he is super rough on his rifles, and it's holding up for him.

Several other friends have Simmons and Tasco scopes on some of their rifles. Some made in Japan, but some that have been made in China and were made prior to Bushnell owning them, and they seem to hold up well also and have decent glass.

It just got me wondering if there were any halfway decent options for a hunting scope in these price ranges? I've used several of the newer scopes, but very few of the older scopes from cheaper brands. I've got the perfect gun though that just needs a budget optic. Right now I've got a Nikon Monarch on it, and honestly I hate having a scope on it that costs as much as it did, as it's 5x what the gun cost me, and the gun is something that should be used as a truck gun, or in rough hunting situations, but I hate to bang up the Monarch which is why I want to get something a little cheaper that I won't mind beating up.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote lucytuma Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/28/2011 at 09:49
These are the "Cheap" scopes that I've owned that never caused a problem.
1. Bushnell Trophy
2. Weaver V3
3. Sightron S1
"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." - Thomas Jefferson
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Gerry Atric View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Gerry Atric Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/28/2011 at 10:35
Bushnell Banner, Japan (have 3 of them) At that price; good scopes.
 
Pecar, Kahles, Hensoldt, no problems ever
 
Weaver V9, indestructable.
 
Gerry Atric
 
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dirtyoldsix Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/30/2011 at 05:38
I have a Japannese Tasco 3-12x40, that I have used extensively on my CZ 30-06 for the last 10 years. It NEVER lost its zero, even after an incident where the hunting truck rolled down a Kalahari sand dune. After I rinsed off the dirt and sand with diesel, it was still spot on and took 2 dessert oryx later that day. Bandito
If you can see it you can hit it.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Stud Duck Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/30/2011 at 08:09
Simmons 44 mag (3.5-10x44mm)
 
Been on a 30-06 for years without a hiccup; this same '06 broke two cheap Bushnell Sportview scopes.
 
Fortunately, I now know more about scopes and I'm able to afford better, but I'd still have no reservations about purchasing another Simmons.
 
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote texassako Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/01/2011 at 10:27
I have really been liking some Norman Ford 'The Texan' scopes I have on a few rifles, especially the one on my Remington Model 81 with Stith mounts.  Maybe it is just that they and the Stith mounts were made in Texas like me.  They are similar to a Lyman Alaskan, but 1/3-1/2 the price.  Held up to .35 Rem in a long recoil semiauto for the past 80 years that adds the entire barrel weight to the recoil force.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote atomiclab Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/01/2011 at 20:58
old bushnell banner

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rogn View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rogn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/06/2011 at 05:49
Old Bushnell Banners, back in the early 70s. They seem indestructable.. note: fixed power. Tasco world class from the early mid 80s, just keep working. My history w/ Simmons is disintegration upon recoil. 

Edited by rogn - December/06/2011 at 05:50
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cbm Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/06/2011 at 07:17
I have an old Tasco japanese 4x40 with the silver ring like a Leupold gold ring. It has been on 22 mgs, a 30-30, blackpowder, even a crossbow,a Gamo airgun, and I put it on my blackpowder CVA yesterday. Great scope !!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 300S&W Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/06/2011 at 09:45
 
 A Sightron SI 3-9x40.
 
 Two Simmons MS Pro Hunters (6x40 and 2-7x32).  I bought them when they were first introduced.  The 2-7x32 survived my 300 and now is on a .45-70 Guide Gun.  The 6x40 also passed the test on my 300 and is now on a M70 .25-06.  That said,Simmons dropped the ball on Q/C not too many yrs afterwards so I don't recommend them now.
 
 
"I ain't got time to bleed!"
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote powderburn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/06/2011 at 19:47
Most of mine have been older fixed power scopes. I have a 70's vintage Banner with a post crosshair on a muzzle loader that seems to be holding up fine. I believe I gave under $20 for that one. I have 2 older tasco 4x scopes that came in various trades that have held zero for years on various rifles and seem to be reliable and fairly clear. My best 2 cheap scopes however are a K-4 that I have used for years and has been in action on several deer kills over the years and the second is a scopechief IV 4x that I bought off ebay for $26. It is bright clear and seems very reliable. I last had it on my stevens 200 308 and 2 years ago it collected a buck for me on a cold miserable rainy day without a hitch. It now resides as one of my main backup scopes as I put a pentax 3-9 in it's place, but it is one I will hang onto.
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