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Scope advice needed 223 rem

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jpamp View Drop Down
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    Posted: August/20/2007 at 12:56

 

Hello, I am looking to upgrade my current scope on my Savage 12FV heavy barrel 223. It currently has a Simmons 8 point 4-12x40 AO scope that came with gun from the factory. While I have not had any problems with this scope so far, I feel the rifle is worthy of some better glass. I mainly get to reload and target shoot at 100-200 yard ranges just for fun, but hope to someday get to use this rifle for prairie dogs. I am pretty familiar with Pentax, Leupold, older Readfields, older Nikons, and some Simmons that I currently own. Now that I have a family money is definitely an object and I am trying to keep this upgrade in the $200 or less range. Here are some scopes that I have been considering and would like opinions on. Feel free to make other suggestions also. I have been thinking that AO is a must, but am not really sure if I would be better off with better glass without AO or a step lower, but with AO.

 

AO Scopes

1. Browning Scope 4-12X40MM MATTE AO $189.99

I have heard these are comparable to the Bushnell elites and it has some good reviews, but I am unsure of the warranty.

 

2. Pentax 4.5-14x42 AO Pioneer Rifle Scope $220.00

I have pentax WTU scope and love it and have heard this is the same as burris FF2.

 

3. Simmons 6.5-20x50 AO Whitetail Classic Rifle Scope $99.99

Simmons scares me a bit, but this scope is supposedly $220 retail and has quite a following if this one was any good I could upgrade the scope on my custom 10/22 also for this price. :)

 

4. Nikon 4-12x50 Buckmaster Refurb with side focus AO $229.99

This is from the sample list so I am not sure of the warranty, but that is one heck of price for this scope I believe.

 

 

Non AO Scopes

  1. New Nikon 3-9x50 ProStaff TEAM REALTREE Riflescope $149.99
  2. Looks like another good buy on a factory new scope.

     

  3. Sightron 3-9x40 SI Series Scope $109.99
  4. Have seen lots of their products 10 years ago and they looked like a good value, but no other info since.

     

  5. Burris 3-9X40 Fullfield II Scope with FREE Landmark Spotting Scope (20x-50mm) $184.95

I know burris is good and like the idea of a new spotter( if it is any good) as well.

 

Thanks,

 

JPAMP

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cheaptrick View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/20/2007 at 13:16

Welcome to The OT!!

 

Out of the ones you mentioned, I'd go with the Buckmaster or the FFII.

Most notably, the BM.

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martin3175 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote martin3175 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/20/2007 at 13:59

Browning scope is a great buy , and Browning will stand behind them . I had the same concern on my  own 2x7's and called their customer service--no worries.

On another note, I  have personally dealt with Nikon's service in 2006  on a 3 week old Monarch that lost tracking after mounting on a 30-06. They tried to bill me more than the purchase price to fix it, and communication was horrible. .Eventually it was repaired free of charge, but returned with a couple of nicks. I gave up at that point on Nikon. Just my opinion, but steer clear.



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Dolphin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dolphin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/20/2007 at 14:35

Welcome.  If you are going to be pd shooting, you want some upper end magnification.  The only scope with sig. upper end range is the Simmons.  I have owned and used alot of them without problems and on a low recoiling rifle it may be fine.  I cannot figure out why it is so cheap.  Is it pre or post Blount?  Before buying it, I would make sure the poi does not change with a change in the magnification.  You can do this with a laser bore sighter or a Leupold bore sighter you place in the end of the barrel.  Basically sight on the laser spot (zero in on it with the e/w knobs) or on the Leupold device and then change magnification.  If it drifts off point, run.  My real pick, other than the Simmons, based on what I would percieve as a quality scope, would be the Pentax.  Shooting pds, you will want a AO and the 14x power will get you closer than the others, but by not much.  As far as the free spotting scope.  It is mediocre.  I have one through a previous Fullfield II purchase.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cnwrobb Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/20/2007 at 17:20
Tough choices.  Browning is made by Bushnell. The Pentax is same as Burris FF and both posess good optics IMHO.  The Simmons just plain scare me as I have had 3 Simmons scopes that I either gave away and/or gave up on.  I wouldn't suggest a "refurb" Nikon when it does't cost much more to buy new and know you have a great warranty if some problems should surface.  Take a look at Bushnell 3200 or 4200 scope.  Quite a range of prices for 5-15x50 3200 for $299.95 to $549.95 for 4200 6-24x50 with all the bells and whistles you'd want.  Personally, I don't think you could go wrong with 4.5-14x40 Buckmaster or 6-18x40 Buckmaster.  Plenty of bang for buck IMO. My all time favorite pick is the  5.5-16.5x44 Nikon Titanium with AO. Burris makes some models which you should seriously look at, such as FFII 4.5-14x42 Tactical which has TAC-2 knobs and with it's finish, would give your rifle a very distinct "look"
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cheaptrick View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/20/2007 at 17:36

Originally posted by cnwrobb cnwrobb wrote:

I wouldn't suggest a "refurb" Nikon when it does't cost much more to buy new and know you have a great warranty if some problems should surface. 

 

The term "refurb" has been adressed here several times over the years.

 

Nikon's refurbs may or may not a scope that went south and was rebuilt, but is really a demo or the like.

Nikon refurbs do have only a 6 month warranty versus a "full lifetime warranty" that the new units have. So that may indeed be a consideration.

 

 

 

 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cnwrobb Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/20/2007 at 17:53

Hey cheaptrick--

   Didn't mean to step on your toes with the 'refurb' quote.  I was just trying to open the gentleman's eyes to all possiblities.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/20/2007 at 17:56
Originally posted by cnwrobb cnwrobb wrote:

Hey cheaptrick--

   Didn't mean to step on your toes with the 'refurb' quote.  I was just trying to open the gentleman's eyes to all possiblities.

 

Not at all, Sir. 

 

You made an excellent point about the refurbs warranty. I had forgotten about it.

 

My only point about Nikon's refurbs was that they aren't always broken and then fixed to be considered a refurb.

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