High end scopes

M

model14

Guest
I am starting on a .22 benchrest journey this weekend with my first shoot (50 and 100 yards). I have an $800 Winchester 52B and a $70 36X 44mm scope (1/8 MOA click). In my 500 rounds of practice shooting since purchasing the rifle I have not detected anything associated with the "cheap" scope that I recognize might be hurting my shooting scores. I can adjust the objective to eliminate any parallax, and at 100 yards I can see the target cleary. So what am I losing in using this scope? I have thought about repeatability of elevation settings, but shooting a few "sighters" corrects any issues there. I feel like I should at least go out and buy a T36 for $400, but I want to know what I am getting for the extra $330. Don't think I am nocking expensive, high end scopes, I just want to know what they will give me at 100 yards benchrest that I don't already have with my China special. I also shoot 600 yard F/TR, where great optics are clearly a plus, but at 100, I don't know.
Thanks, Richard
 
I would think you already know the diff, after shooting @ 600 yds?
 
Ernie,
If I did, I wouldn't be asking the question. I will try again. For 100 yard benchrest, Sporter class, what do I gain in going to a $400 scope from a $70 scope. I see that some go to a $1400 scope, so there must be a good reason. I would like to know before I invest the money.
Thanks,
Richard
 
i practice against a older shooter, and shoot in matches with him. he'll take a great weaver scope off a rifle and put a cheap scope on every rifle he gets. he'll look through mine and tell me to look through his. the first thing i see is a very wide crosshair in the scope instead of the very fine hairs and dot(could be his eyesight). the bigger crosshairs cover up simply to much of the target. last year i used a bsa 36x44mm scope with what was supposed to be fine crosshairs and a dot. they are in no way fine cross hairs.

i am one of those who purchased a nightforce scope for my newly rebarreled/restocked/retunered rifle myself this year!! i tell ya this. the weaver just doesn't look that good anymore to me now.

the repeatable tracking is a must for me as well. if i have to turn he elevation 6 clicks before it moves and then moves a bunch at one time. it just doesn't cut it for me anymore. i have 3 truglo 36x scopes and 2 bsa 36x scopes. i'd use the truglo before i would the bsa now, but i would use a weaver way before either one of them!!!

remember the old saying,"you get what you pay for" that goes for scopes as well as anything else.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
cheap scope

Model14
If you are getting the performance you expect from your rifle and scope combination just stick with it. You can spend all the money you want anytime.
Last time I was at the range in Sacramento, California there was a shooter I talked to that said his best groups were just over 2 inches at 1000 yards. He's shooting a custom 6mm rifle with a tasco scope on it.
ifldned
 
Richard

model14 said:
Ernie,
If I did, I wouldn't be asking the question. I will try again. For 100 yard benchrest, Sporter class, what do I gain in going to a $400 scope from a $70 scope. I see that some go to a $1400 scope, so there must be a good reason. I would like to know before I invest the money.
Thanks,
Richard
Click to expand...

I bought two Leupold 36X scopes in 1992. I still shoot them in competition today. They have both been back to Leupold multiple times and it cost me nothing but the postage. That is value for money!
 
I have mixed feelings on this subject the fact is in todays world of global manufacturing it's pot luck in what you get, name brands in some cases do not insure quality, I think it boils down to what works and what you can afford, the fact is you may shoot just as well with a Nikon buck master
as more expensive models. Only if I were going into combat would I be concerned if my scope could tolerate beating with hammer.
 
Richard, first you have to realize what the single biggest issue with a scope used for BR, is it's ability to hold POI and do it immediately, not after a dozen shots. That being said, the issue is far more pronounced with a center fire rig than a .22 primarily because of recoil. THAT being said, the last, I mean last thing you want to scrimp on is your optic, directly related to your age. A marginal scope will kill you....don't do it.
 
There is cheep wimin & cheep scopes.....take your pick, I love my Leuies,Ernie
 
cheap scopes

Put your 600 yard scope on your 22lr and see if there's a difference.
If your cheap scope shot .2 inch average at 50 yards and a Nightforce 12-42 x hot .3 inch average, would you change to Nightforce just for the prestige? Do a reality check.
ifldned
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Expectations...

I think one big difference is in our expectations before we buy. After you have bought the scope you have, if it works well, fine. And there is the trust factor expectations for future performance. When I went to Africa I had a Leupold straight 4x scope on my rifle and I trusted it to work every time. It did. Could I have used a lesser scope, yes. And it might have worked fine, but I did not want to take the chance. My first BR rifle was a 50 year old Remington 40x which came with a Tasco or similar 36x scope. It worked fine, for a while, then started failing. I replaced it with a Weaver 36x scope and have had no problems with the scope ever since. So in answer to your question of what are you giving up, at this point, where you have the rifle and scope and it is shooting well for you, nothing but your comfort factor in trusting it to continue to perform during a future match.
 
Last edited:
So, among the cheap scopes, which ones have work and which haven't. I won't be shooting beyond 100 yards and am willing to try one of the cheap models that have worked for others. Thanks for your ideas.
 
tmnolan said:
So, among the cheap scopes, which ones have work and which haven't. I won't be shooting beyond 100 yards and am willing to try one of the cheap models that have worked for others. Thanks for your ideas.
Click to expand...

One of the best low priced scopes for 22 that I have owned is the Mueller
8-32x44 fine cross hair/target dot clear, sharp and holds zero, paid $229.
 
When my son starting shooting 50 yard 3 Position as a Junior, I had two scopes that weren't being used for him to choose from--a 24X BSA and and a 6-20 Leupold. After trying both, he chose the BSA. He said it wasn't quite as bright as the Leupold but the adjustments were more predictable. Many times I watched him switch from irons to scope, fire three foulers in the berm, shoot one sighter, make an adjustment, shoot another sighter, and start shooting for record.

Even though I think you get what you pay for, I think there is still a little "luck of the draw" involved in buying a scope.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top