Has a cheap scope ever cost you an animal? (2024)

Re: Has a cheap scope ever cost you an animal?

Ringman#524148405/15/11

West Treasure Valley, Idaho

I have one Burris FF II in 4-12. It has broke twice. First time was a broken cross hair, second was the pin came out of the magnification adjustment ring. Burris fixed it both times.

That scope was mounted on my Win 670 in 30-06 at that time. I found each problem while shooting whistle pigs in the spring, and had the scope repaired and back in service before deer season both times. So no critters lost to that scope. It now lives on my #1 in 7 STW, as it has the tube length to work on that rifle with out the use of off set bases.

I have a pair of brand new Bushnell 4200 3-9x40 scopes. I picked them up at Cabelas a couple weeks ago at 162 dollars each.

Do they qualify for the "cheap scope" moniker, or are they simply inexpensive?

Re: Has a cheap scope ever cost you an animal?

Idaho_Shooter#524153405/15/11

IMHO, Bushnell 4200 is not a "cheap" scope.

You got a good enough deal so they could be considered "inexpensive" but they are not cheaply made.

FWIW, I think most working class hunters would consider a "cheap" scope to be any sub $100 rig.

Re: Has a cheap scope ever cost you an animal?

jim62#524369305/16/11

Kodiak & AZ

There are many of us here that would tell you that ANY Bushnell scope is "cheap", regardless the price. I have a 6500 on a rifle right now and so far, I really like it but haven't given it enough of a workout to really tell you that it is a great scope. Let me use it this coming season. I'm pretty hard on them. Fell and broke the windage adjustment off a VXIII two weeks ago but it was still pointed straight ahead!

Re: Has a cheap scope ever cost you an animal?

dennisinaz#524389805/16/11

Grants Pass,OR

dennisinaz,

Let me speak to both of your brands.

A Leupold 2 1/2-8X32 VariX on my .454 impacted a rock when I fell. No apparent dammage. The next day I took it the the range to check it. No dammage in its ability to hit exactly where it was sighted in prior to the fall.

A Bushnell 6500 4 1/2-30X50 has been on three of my rifles for three seaons. The first one was a 7 RUM; which I traded off. No problems. The next was the Weatherby Mark V .257 Ultralight (wich is for sale in the classifieds here) with no problems. Now it is on my .375-.416 Rem Mag. It seems to be holding up with the 270 grainers running 3,000 feet per second.

Re: Has a cheap scope ever cost you an animal?

Ringman#524435105/16/11

West Treasure Valley, Idaho

I will give the Bushnell 4200 3-9x credit for tracking. It is the third scope that I have ever shot which tracked correctly.

The first is my Dad's mid sixties era Scopecheif IV 3-9X. The second is a 4.5-14 VX-3 on my buddy's Ruger 77 in 270. The third is this new 4200 on my new ADL in 6mm-284.

I have worked with all kinds of mid budget scopes. I mentioned several in the preceding posts. Redfield, Leopold Vari X II, Weaver V series, Bushnell Trophy, Tasco World Class, Burris FF II, and yes even a Simmons 3-9X32 which came on a Winchester factory 300 Win package. The ones I have shot all shared a common failing. You twist the turret for the change you want, and the scope gives you the change it wants to.

Re: Has a cheap scope ever cost you an animal?

Ringman#524715905/17/11

Kodiak & AZ

Re: Has a cheap scope ever cost you an animal?

Idaho_Shooter#524729805/17/11

If you can quantify how much a click actually moves the reticle as opposed to what the turret is marked, and it's consistent, that's workable. If the turret inputs are random, then it�s time to send that scope back to the manufacturer, sell it when you get it back, and buy one that tracks correctly.

Re: Has a cheap scope ever cost you an animal?

Eremicus#524774405/17/11

Georgia Woods

Eremicus

I usually have my 3-9s on 3x in case a deer surprises me...The 7x SLCs saw the deer and rack....the scope on 3x didn't so I did turn it up to 6x on the second try and of course it was worse but I was hoping for a silhouette...No such luck.

I killed a deer from the exact same stand at almost the exact same time of day a year later with the 6x42 FXIII...I guess the extra 2mm and coatings made the difference.

Bruz

Re: Has a cheap scope ever cost you an animal?

Bruzer#524779205/17/11

Delta Junction, Alaska

Back in the late 60s and early 70s I was hunting brown bear several times on the Alaska Peninsula. Bushnell Binos lasted only a few hours until fogged. Spent big $$$ for Zeiss armored 8x30 that I used for 30 years without problem.

I had two Refield variable scopes fail.....from objective lenses falling out.....I suspect the non-pressurized cargo plane affected the scopes....went to receiver sights and killed a lot of game without all the headaches.

Re: Has a cheap scope ever cost you an animal?

Magnumdood#524780005/17/11

West Treasure Valley, Idaho

As my disposable income is more limited than some who frequent here, I have learned to live with the limitations of the equipment I own.

As long as I can eventually find zero with the scope, and once it is zeroed......it stays there. I can live with that. I zero the thing at (usually 300 yds) what ever range is appropriate for the rifle and leave it alone as a rule. That, and a trajectory card taped to the stock has gotten me to 500 yds since the late seventies.

If the scope will actually move POI the exact same distance per click every time I twist the turrets ....well that is a LUXURY.

Without that luxury, it is a bit difficult to click turrets to hit at various ranges. But, hell, marksmen have been killing schit via holdover/under for a lot of years.

If these two Bushnell 4200's turn out to be as dependable as initial load development indicates, I could be spoiled by a bit of luxury.

Re: Has a cheap scope ever cost you an animal?

Idaho_Shooter#524806005/18/11

I get the impression that I am being chastised for not acknowledging that fact that not everyone can run out and buy the latest and the greatest on a whim. If so, you�re preaching to the choir. I own 1 nice scope, a Hensoldt. I also own 1 Vortex, and 1 Nikon Monarch. The Vortex, which tracks true, is on a turkey shotgun as is the Nikon Monarch; I zero them at 40 yards and leave them there, I have a pre-64 Model 70 in 30�06 that I inherited from my Dad that is in 95% condition. I would love to put a good scope on it, and use it as a backup rifle. Unfortunately, my disposable income isn�t up to the challenge. A scope for the Model 70 will have to wait.

I believe you are going to be spoiled. I think the 4200 were deeply discounted because Bushnell is combining all the Elite series (3200, 4200 and 6500) together and just calling them the Bushnell Elite. Of course, I could be wrong about why the 4200 went on such a good sale price, but I�m glad you were able to take advantage of it. I think you�re really going to enjoy those scopes and the LUXURY they afford.

Re: Has a cheap scope ever cost you an animal?

Magnumdood#524878405/18/11

Mobile

Re: Has a cheap scope ever cost you an animal?

Magnumdood#525357105/19/11

West Treasure Valley, Idaho

No, my intention was not to disparage anyone.

I would be the last person to criticize any man for his success in life.

I made the choice to stay and live and work in an area with substandard wages as a trade off for the life style I preferred. I have a host of available luxuries which are not related to disposable income.

We each choose our own priorities in life.

My only intention with the previous post, was to point out that the shooting sports hold great reward even for those operating on a fairly tight budget.

Re: Has a cheap scope ever cost you an animal?

Idaho_Shooter#525466605/20/11

Montgomery, Tx

Re: Has a cheap scope ever cost you an animal?

slowr1der#525491005/20/11

Colorado

Re: Has a cheap scope ever cost you an animal?

raybass#525492305/20/11

Louisiana

Hi Vel.....never had one of those 'flexible bell' 6x36 in any of the configs. The 8x btw is available again, via the custom shop.

On cheap scopes, ran a Bushnell 4x on a 10/22 for years and it always worked, but the 6x36 M8 that replaced it worked better on longer shots - head shooting tree squirrels.

Later a 6x40 Bushnell, a 'refurb' that cost around $20-25 worked fine on a neck shot buck on hunt in Tensas swamp on a sporterized 6.5x55.

That said, I buy the 'best scope' I can afford that fits my style of shooting/hunting. OFTEN it's a Leupold 6x, and I have run every fixed they have mfg. from 2.5 thru 24x, never needed a 36. Never had a fixed Leupold fail in any way, and that I like.

Buying a great quality scope does not always = the most expensive, but if one wants to buy a little 'optics insurance' buying the least expensive usually won't give you the latitude of abuse, round count, or recoil tolerance that solid proven brands and models have been doing.

Leupold IMO is a good place to start, though I have used Nikon, Burris, and Bushy/B&L all w/complete satisfaction, as I have Swarovski and Zeiss.

In glancing over the posts, is it me or am I noticing a 'trend' in scope that break down that are 'Non Euro' and variables?

I as a few, have come to often rely on solid quality fixed power scopes, I like and use Leupolds often in this arena.

For me, if wanting a variable, I have no issue w/Euro other than price as I like the build quality, reticles, and optics but would shy away from many 'lesser brands' value priced brands/models.

That said, for the money - if buying a variable as used by the masses, I would recommend and buy a Leupold VX3, Zeiss Conquest, and Bushnell Elite, and I have never had a problem w/Burris.

If money is not an issue, Alpha glass can be sweet with the only downside being bulk/weight if you get the larger models...but you can find 'right sized' glass in those brands.

Re: Has a cheap scope ever cost you an animal?

Idaho_Shooter#525740405/20/11

N.E. Georgia

I have never lost or missed a game animal due to a cheap scope, but I flat missed two coyotes this morning due to a cheap mount.

I called in the first to about 60 yards and had a crossing running shot I thought I just missed. The second one was standing at 80 yards, and I made sure to pick a spot and follow through. No hair, no blood, and from a rifle that was shooting 1" groups at 100 last week at the range.

It bothered me so much I took it to the range this afternoon to test it. I missed the paper at 80 yards from a rest, and barely nicked the bottom of the target at 50 yards, about 5" low. I know I have a tendency to shoot low under stress, so this could not have helped!

I started re-sighting the scope and the base screw nut of the cheap riser fell off (it is an AR-15, so needs either high rings or a riser to mount a conventional scope).

The base screw nut has a plastic insert like the newer style lock nuts. It had flattened out and was not doing its job.

I have been cursed by coyotes. I've been skunked by 10 so far and it has become a personal quest to have a coyote skull on my desk. Now I have a few more educated animals to work with.

The cheap mount is in the trash, and a good mount and a better scope are on the way. No more risks!

Re: Has a cheap scope ever cost you an animal?

65BR#525866905/21/11

I'm frequently poked fun of because, at least on a couple of rifles, I refuse to pull the old 28mm 4X Leups that have lived on the rifles for years.....especially with all the marvelous new optics available today...the optics are not great,you can't turn them up for a better peak,the adjustments take patience and a bit of tweaking,and they are hopelessly retro.....

But once zeroed, they do not move...... I can fire the rifles constantly,stick them on a plane, or in the back of a truck, or in a scabbard, and bang them around for decades at a stretch..and they won't budge.

I have shot the barrels out of a 300 mag under them, and rolled them to the next round.....

And I have killed pronghorn to elk with them as far 450-475 yards,which may be a chip shot to some, but to me represents a pretty good distance in the field.

If you scrutinize these "failed scope" threads,overwhelmingly,it is variables that go buns up....I lost one animal to a bum scope,and it was not cheap....but it was a variable.

The older and more cynical I get, the less I trust variables. I am now down to just two..

Re: Has a cheap scope ever cost you an animal?

BobinNH#525870305/21/11

Banana Belt, Montana

Bob,

I may have mentioned it already in this thread, but a few weeks ago I had an $1100 variable go TU after less than 30 rounds.

I always love it on these threads when somebody says they only use expensive Euro-scopes because they NEVER break. As Barry Fitzpatrick said in THE QUIET MAN, "Ooh, I could tell you tales...."

Re: Has a cheap scope ever cost you an animal?

Mule Deer#525871505/21/11

JB: I missed that.....if you can't tell us which one I understand

I still use the two variables I have,and I don't lie awake nights worrying over the issue, but OTOH if something works I am not about to screw with it either.

A spare 4X leup gets tossed in the duffel on all hunts these days.