bigmoss Posted November 5, 2005 Report Share Posted November 5, 2005 I own about 4 deer rifles first one was a gift and came with a Simmons 3.5x10 scope that I loved, each rifle I bought after that I topped with the same scope. To date never had any issues with the scopes nice and bright etc no problems at all. I am looking at getting a TC Encore with the ML barrel and a rifle barrel. I checked out Cabelas for scopes and I can get a nice Simmons in 2 different models for $119 to $79 When I looked at the Leopolds thet are like $229 - 500 Just curious why such a big difference, is Simmons considered bottom of the barrel ? As I said that is all I have owned came with my first rifle and I just stuck with it but should I consider raising the bar or will Simmons continue to cut it ? Just looking for some opinions from Simmons and Leop owners. BM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper Posted November 5, 2005 Report Share Posted November 5, 2005 Re: Rifle Scope delema Just my opinion...I wouldn't own a Simmons scope (had one go south on me) . I have a few Tasco's which are also "lower" end scopes. It used to be...buy cheap or buy expensive...now with Nikon Prostaffs and the VariXI Leupolds...they are affordable. No point in spending $100 on a scope that may or may not hold up. Like I said...Just my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fisherguy Posted November 5, 2005 Report Share Posted November 5, 2005 Re: Rifle Scope delema I have had tasco, bushnell, and leupold. Sure you can get a scope for $100, or something like a zeiss for well over $1000. I love the leupold 3x-9x 40mm varixII. For about $500 Canadian dollars it is a great quality, durable, scope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted November 6, 2005 Report Share Posted November 6, 2005 Re: Rifle Scope delema my` daghter` poured` wter` on `my` keybord `so` it` is` doing` wierd` thinkgs` tht` I can't` fix. Here is the differece: I have simons 8pt, 2 nikon prostaffs. The simons is good if your not shooting over 150 yards or not shooting in low light conditions. With the Nikons, you have 10-15` minutes in the morning & evening where you can see through the scope well enough to shoot.I put both scopes on my dad's front porch looked at some cows about 300yrds at dusk. With the simmons you could tell it was cows with the nikon you make out the hooves the faces features, spots, eyes, easily see other body features. With the nikon (or better scope) you can more easily identify the target in low light or distance shots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted November 6, 2005 Report Share Posted November 6, 2005 Re: Rifle Scope delema Low to mid level optics are like vehicles, everyone has their opinion. I have quite a few Simmons scopes that perform outstanding. What I don't do is buy bottom of the line scopes from most any manufacturer other than Zeiss or Swarovski. I would take a Simmons 44 Mag or Aetec over a Leupold Rifleman. Two things are needed for a rifle scope to perform adequately, optical clarity and mechanical soundness. As long as you can identify the target with the scope and the picture is clear, it will function. Some have better optic resolution than others like John mentioned. Some optics are darker than others, it depends. I have turned quite a few ground squirrels into red mist at over 300 yards with a Simmons or Tasco topped varmint gun though. One factor on how the optics look to you is the shooters eyes. What may be fine to me may be dark to you. I can't say I have had a scope that would not allow me to identify buck or doe during legal shooting times. A scope has to be mecanically sound. This means it will hold zero. Being repeatable is preffered but as long as it will stay in one spot after adjustments and multiple shots, I can live with that. Bring repeatable means if you shoot a group at 100 yards, adjust the scope 2" high and shoot another group, adjust the scope 2" right and shoot another group, then adjust down 2" followed by another group, and finally back to the starting position your last group should overlay your original group. Very few low to moderately priced scopes will do this. Not even all Leupolds VX-III scopes will do this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKYhunter Posted November 7, 2005 Report Share Posted November 7, 2005 Re: Rifle Scope delema I've got a simmons Aetec on a .300 wsm Browning that has performed flawlessly. I also have a nikon prostaff on a tc encore which is very bright. I think that simmons makes a very good, affordable scope which seems to be very reliable. I think most of the scope companys are making good, quality scopes which don't break the bank. If you've had good success with Simmons then stick with them. I tried the nikon because I could get in Realtree HD Green camo to match my encore in Hardwoods. Next I want to try a Nikon Monarch on a rifle barrel for the Encore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iron buck Posted November 7, 2005 Report Share Posted November 7, 2005 Re: Rifle Scope delema I have had horrible luck with simmons scopes in the past..................I'll NEVER buy another. If I wanted a low end scope I'd buy a Nikon pro-staff. If I could spend $200 or so I'd go Leupold VX-1 Personally I like to use either Leupold VX-IIs or Nikon Monarchs........but then your into $280++ to 325 range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texan_Til_I_Die Posted November 7, 2005 Report Share Posted November 7, 2005 Re: Rifle Scope delema Good comments all. My experience is pretty much the same. With low end scopes you may get a good one or you may get junk. With high end scopes, you know you'll get a good one, or in the rare case you don't, the manufacturer will make it right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutchies Posted November 7, 2005 Report Share Posted November 7, 2005 Re: Rifle Scope delema I like my Simmons Aetec plus I caught it on Sale for $99 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Colorado Bob Posted November 8, 2005 Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 Re: Rifle Scope delema Buy a Leupold VX-II 3x9 40 MM & you'll never have to buy another scope for that gun. What I have just done was use my Cabela's Visa card for a year or so. They pay you 1% of the bill in Cabela's bucks & this month I got a coupon for $20 off. Anyway I just ordered a VX II & my out of pocket cash was $170. Not bad for a $300 scope. Just be sure to pay off the credit card every month to a zero balannce---I hate paying interest. CB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigmoss Posted November 9, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 Re: Rifle Scope delema Well guys I decided to go with a Nikon Prostaff Scope, they even had it in RT Camo which matches the TC Encore I bought, bought it in 3x9x40 from Bass Pro, for a mid range scope the price was good so I will give Nikon a shot. BM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted November 9, 2005 Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 Re: Rifle Scope delema Sounds good, let us know how you like it after a range session. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted November 9, 2005 Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 Re: Rifle Scope delema [ QUOTE ] Well guys I decided to go with a Nikon Prostaff Scope, they even had it in RT Camo which matches the TC Encore I bought, bought it in 3x9x40 from Bass Pro, for a mid range scope the price was good so I will give Nikon a shot. BM [/ QUOTE ] best` scope` for` the` money.` `qYou'll` be` pleased` with` it.` Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.