Any Decent Scopes for Less than $300???

N

Nalapombu

New member
Hey all,
I have read many times on here and other boards that people starting out with rifle shooting make the big mistake of scrimping and trying to save money by buying less than ideal scopes. I have also seen people post questions about what rifle/scope setup for a newbie. I am kinda in that boat myself. I am trying to arrange for my first rifle and I just started to look at scopes. This whole scope thing has me aggravated.
Like other people who just start out, I cannot spend $1000 bucks on a scope for my first rifle. I understand that you get what you pay for, but some of us cannot pay that much right now.
I am prolly going to get a Savage rifle in .308 and would like to have a mil dot (or lines) scope so that I can learn from the ground up and be able to build on the knowledge that I gain. So can anyone out there recommend a decent scope that fits that criteria? I have heard good things about Tasco Super Sniper scopes but I just found out that they don't make them anymore. Everything I see is in the $500 and up range.
C'mon and help us newbies out.

Thanks for the help and time.

Nala
 
To get the mil dots, the least expensive way I am aware of would be to get a Leupold Vari-X II and have the reticle installed. Not sure if Leupold offers mil-dots, but there is an outfit in VA that does.

I've noticed the 3x9 Leupolds on sale for a bit over 200, reticle should be about 60 or so. Puts you in the ballpark.

Giz
 
Tasco makes a Varmit variable with AO and a World Class both with mil dot reticles. I have used a WC 3X9-40 on my Mdl 70 30-06 bolt gun for years with no problems. I believe both of these scopes are around 100 bucks from Natchezss.
 
Gizmo has the right idea. The VariX II scopes are being discontinued, so there are some good deals. The company he spoke of that can install the mildots for you is Premier Reticles. Their prices on the VariX II scopes are good too.
 
As far as the Tasco SS goes, you are somewhat correct in saying that they are no longer made. Go here for the story:

http://www.swfa.com/riflescopes/tasco/index.html

I freind of mine bought one a while ago and it seems to be a good scope for the money. The turrets feel horrible though. They just dont click solidly. You might want to try looking for a used Leupold. I bought my Vari-X III 4.5-14x40 tactical with mildots for 480 dollars on Bowers board and it was practically new. Leupold's warranty is transferrable and lifetime so dont worry about that.

Here is a link to Bowers:

http://subguns.biggerhammer.net/nonnfaparts.cgi

http://subguns.biggerhammer.net/nonnfaad.cgi

Good Luck
 
I own both Leups and Tascos.

I would much rather get a new Tasco than take my chances with a used Leup. You just never know, but I can't bring myself to buy used cars, either.

Get the SS10x42 mildot, not the "M" side focus model.

I have one on my precision semi, it is an excellent scope for the money.
 
The difference between buying a used Leupold and a used car is that the Leupold has a lifetime warrenty on the scope. Not on the buyer. So if anything happens you just send it back to Leupold and they fix it. I plan on picking up a used Mark 4 when I get the money together. You can get them for around $750 which is much less than the $1200 new price. I don't suggest that you buy a Mark 4 Nalapombu but it's the right track as far as buying a used Leupold. Check out a bunch of sites like www.snipercountry.com in the Emporium or gunbroker.com and you will find deals. Don't be afraid to buy used especially if it's a Leupold. Also Premier Reticles is a very good company to have work on your Leupold scope. If they do the work it doesn't void the warrenty either. I've had some work done there and they are quick and have good prices.

I have a bad taste in my mouth about the SS Tascos as I had one break and another not work right from the start. I would go with a Burris or something in that range if I were to buy other than Leupold but never again with a Tasco.
 
I would much rather get a used Leupold than a new Tasco. Yes, some people have good luck with the latter, but I've SEEN too many fogged or broken Tasco 'scopes to want one. (Some people with first-hand experience refer to it as Trashco on the other boards.)

I've had a 3x-9x Vari-X II on my M70 for a couple of decades, and consider it a fine 'scope for the money.

I've heard good things about Premier Reticles too.
 
Leups DO come with a no BS lifetime warranty, so you actually are pretty safe.

However, I have a pet peeve which forces me to make a distinction.

Tasco DOES NOT MAKE ANY SCOPES. NONE. Zero.

They contract with other companies to make scopes for them. They put their logo on them.

Many of these are made by inferior factories and retail for under $100 at K mart.

They ARE NOT WELL MADE SCOPES.

I agree.

The SS series is made by an excellent company, on the other hand, and retailed for $800 (according to SWFA) when they were in production. I do not know the name of the manufacturer, but I own a Leup VarXIII, and have observed Mk4s, so I know what quality glass looks like. My SS has great glass on a scale which places the Mk4 at EXCELLENT.

The difference is mostly apparent at dusk, I agree with estimates that you'll get 15 more minutes from a MK4 than a SS, and about 60 extra minutes out of a Nightforce, but they are VERY large.

The practical differences, TO ME, are not sufficient to justify $600 MORE for the Leup.

SWFA sells them SSs for $299 or so. They are not an $80 "TRASHCO" scope.

They are not as good as Leup's, either.

They ARE, however, 90% of a Leup Mk4 for 30% of the cost.

Tasco bashers often don't make any distinction between the $70 bottom of the line model and the SS series.

There IS a difference.

The same company that made the INCOMPERABLE 911 series made the disgusting 914. Both are Porsches.

But 911s DON'T suck just because the same company made the 914.
 
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Get a used Leupold, search this and various BBS & the auctionsites. I am currently switching from Tascos to Leupold or better only. Tascos are OK, but Leupold are warrantied for thelife of the scope -your grandkids may that.

A marine scout/sniper convinced me that you should pay as much for your optics as you do for your firearm.
 
Citadel, both my Tascos were the SS models and one broke and the other never worked right from the get go, knob troubles. There is also a little secret about the SS scopes also. The early models when they were competeing for the military contract were made rock solid and are good pieces. BUT after they didn't receive the contract, I know what SWFA's site says but they didn't, they went to hell with little or no QC. The bad part is that I'm not sure there is a way to tell them apart so it's pretty much a crap shoot. I know I got two of the later ones. After two times that's enough for me. Maybe you got lucky and got an early one.

This is the post on Snipers Paridise that I got some info from by Mike as well as talking to others. Mike is a guy that knows about scopes and sniping and I have the up most trust in what he says. Here is his post:


"I had one of the earlt Tasco SSM's. This is from when they went after a military contract. That scope was excellent and a best buy. I competed a few times with one and ddid very well. Loved the looks of guys when I spanked them with that on top.LOL

Since they did not get a contract thye stopped production and then brought them back about a year latter. Since then I have seen very bad quality control and just plain junk. Sad because I used to tell guys to get one. Now I say stay away."

Mike
 
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Rob,

Not a rant, just some new info on the Tasco SS series and such things.

The leaders of Tasco have for the most part been given the boot over cost cutting that in the last couple years has really hurt the company. A real honest to gosh scope guy runs tasco now.

The ss1042M has been altered internally to stand up to use with Leupold MkIV rings, but it helps when you install the scope correctly, as 99% of users don't.

The SS series has new internals in that the lenses are more clear, the turrets give a more audible/tactile report on adjustment, and the mushyness of the windage knob has been eliminated. Asia Optical now makes Tasco scopes......same lense company Leupold uses for those of you who thought Leupold made their own stuff....... Also formerly used by Nightforce.

Tasco is in development stages of a variable power SS series, which I'll be testing shortly.

I own 5 of the SS1042 scopes. One has over 3500 firing solutions dialed into it.....and I quit counting at that number.

When bagged, I've dragged it mounted to the rifle behind my truck down the 1000 yard range, back up range, dialed in the 32.5 moa required, and centerpunched the target aimed at.

Kicked it literally downrange just to see if it was crap like the internet says.................nope, going to shoot it in the morning again........all day long, hammer marks and all ( long story).

Tasco will always make a low end economy scope, and they will sell thousands of them. It's good business.

They also have an exclusive contract with SFWA to manufacture the SS series, and the new variable, to SWFA standards this time.

It will once again be agreat value with outstanding dependability.
 
Well. You do get what you pay for.
I like B&L/Bushnell for my varmint guns. Tho I have a Leupold on one of 'em...:o
For cheap, I have had excellent luck with Swift Optics. (No relation, the handle refers to my .220AI:p )
Weaver is another that has been usably good.
I will never buy Tasco or Sightron again, they both, IMHO, are shoddy in product line and customer service.:barf:
Tom
 
Right now both Natchez SS and Midsouth SS are clearing out their stock of Vari II 3x9s. It's a mite bit over $200.

I would, but I have 3 already and one is waiting for me to buy a rifle for it.
 
Sightron Scopes are the most Underated Scopes I have ever seen. I paid $264 for a 4-12x40. Check them out you'll save a few. Tasco has a pretty good Reputation too.
 
OK Dude..........Tasco used to be a POS scope. Over the last few years though, Tasco have strightened up their act. If you only have a hundred bucks to buy a scope then you only got a hundred bucks. Look at the following scope.
Tasco 6-24X42 Varmint/Tactical Scope It has a true Mil. Dot Reticle, and a lifetime warranty. I mounted one on my Savage and have kicked my own A** at the fireing range.
Now don't get me wrong, if you have the ability to obtain a Leupold then I would say get it. But if you only have a $100.00, then give this scope a try.
good luck
DA
:D
 
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