Sir Galahad
member
Just for casual target shooting and some hunting, is a Tasco scope any good? In other words, how is the quality? Is it good or will you be buying another scope later after much frustration?
Are Tasco scopes any good?
- Thread starter Sir Galahad
- Start date
- Status
Georgia Militia
Member
Why take a chance, just get a Leupold, problem solved, that is unless you have a fifty dollar rifle?
My point is, a good rifle deserves a good scope if you want it to perform well.
My point is, a good rifle deserves a good scope if you want it to perform well.
Sir Galahad
member
Sounds like good advice. Thanks.
Bottom Gun
Member
I have two mil dot varmint series Tascos(2.5-10 & 6-24 pwr). They do OK as far as clarity but they are big and bulky.
I had one of the run of the mill 3-9 Tascos which came on a rifle I bought. It was a POS and I ended up giving it to a new shooter for free.
Like GM said, you would be better off spending a little more and buying better quality. I'd suggest a Nikon Monarch over a Leupold though. I have three Nikons and two Leupolds and have compared them to one another.
The Nikons are not only less expensive than Leupold, in my opinion they're superior in brightness and clarity.
Nikon scopes also come with scope caps. Leupolds do not. Both brands are guaranteed for life.
As far as durabilty goes, one of my Nikon 3-9's is 10 years old, has seen some hard use, and is still working fine on top of my .338.
I'd suggest looking for a decent quality used scope on one of the sites like Auction Arms or Gunbroker if a new scope isn't in your budget right now. You can sometimes find a good one for half the price of a new scope and you'll be much better off with higher quality glass. If you buy a bargain basement scope, you won't be happy with it five years from now.
My two cents.
I had one of the run of the mill 3-9 Tascos which came on a rifle I bought. It was a POS and I ended up giving it to a new shooter for free.
Like GM said, you would be better off spending a little more and buying better quality. I'd suggest a Nikon Monarch over a Leupold though. I have three Nikons and two Leupolds and have compared them to one another.
The Nikons are not only less expensive than Leupold, in my opinion they're superior in brightness and clarity.
Nikon scopes also come with scope caps. Leupolds do not. Both brands are guaranteed for life.
As far as durabilty goes, one of my Nikon 3-9's is 10 years old, has seen some hard use, and is still working fine on top of my .338.
I'd suggest looking for a decent quality used scope on one of the sites like Auction Arms or Gunbroker if a new scope isn't in your budget right now. You can sometimes find a good one for half the price of a new scope and you'll be much better off with higher quality glass. If you buy a bargain basement scope, you won't be happy with it five years from now.
My two cents.
Sir Galahad
member
Thanks. I'll steer clear of the Tasco.
Bottom Gun
Member
I believe Tasco went out of business anyway.
I personally know (and I'm one!) lots of people that find Tasco's just fine for "casual shooting and occasional hunting."
That said, if I were to be going on that once-in-a-lifetime, took out a second mortage to pay for it hunt I would go with a Leupold or Nikon.
That said, if I were to be going on that once-in-a-lifetime, took out a second mortage to pay for it hunt I would go with a Leupold or Nikon.
J Scott
Member
no, they are not.
J Scott
J Scott
The Shadow
Member
Save your money for a good scope!
Ron L
Member
While they may not be the best, I found one of their World Class scopes on clearance at Dunham's for only $20. I figured at that price, I'd take a chance for a scope for my 22 rifle.
So far, it hasn't been a bad scope, but then again, it's not on a heavy recoiling rifle.
So far, it hasn't been a bad scope, but then again, it's not on a heavy recoiling rifle.
cratz2
Member
Problem with Tasco is I am of the understanding that they never made any scopes. They just rebranded various optics from China and Japan (and probably a few others) so the scopes vary greatly in quality from model to model.
I've probably had about 5 or 6 Tasco scopes. I had a World Class 6x24 that was a special production run for Midway a while back. Had the cool tactical elevation control but not for windage. It wasn't a bad scope. Up to about 18x is was pretty bright. I probably put 500 rounds of 308 through a 12FV and another 200 rounds of 7mm-08 through a 10FP with that scope mounted and never had a problem. Gave it to a friend that still has it mounted on a 12FVSS in 223. Not crystal clear, but it works. You can't quite see .22 holes at 100 yards.
I've also had a MAGIV scope that was 6-24x40 and a similar scope that had a mil dot reticle that was listed as a 6-24x42. Never had a problem with either of those either. I kinda lost track as I tended to move scopes from rifle to rifle back then. I'd imagine they were all on a 223, a 243 and a 308 at some point. The MAGIV was bought used from a guy that had it on a Winchester heavy barrel in 7mm Rem Mag. Put 40 rounds through it before I got it.
I also had a Pronghorn on a 10/22 that broke the reticle before I'd put 50 rounds through it. I replaced it with a cheap Simmons that was on there for about 5,000 rounds without a problem.
Take this for what it's worth. They vary a lot. Some folks report great performance and reliability for the price, others claim they're all junk. If you need a scope for less than $100, I'd go with a BSA. I personally would not consider paying more than about $70 for a Tasco unless it was their Super Sniper scope. I'd get BSAs at the lowest price point, Busnhell Banners at the $80-$120 price point. And anything above that point, well, Leupold VariX Is start at about $180-$200 for the 2-7x or 3-9x. A little above that and I'd get the Weaver Grand Slam 3-10x for $230. Excellent scope for the money. As good as VariX III for VariX II prices. Above that, there's Swarovski, Zeiss and Kahles 1" models.
I've probably had about 5 or 6 Tasco scopes. I had a World Class 6x24 that was a special production run for Midway a while back. Had the cool tactical elevation control but not for windage. It wasn't a bad scope. Up to about 18x is was pretty bright. I probably put 500 rounds of 308 through a 12FV and another 200 rounds of 7mm-08 through a 10FP with that scope mounted and never had a problem. Gave it to a friend that still has it mounted on a 12FVSS in 223. Not crystal clear, but it works. You can't quite see .22 holes at 100 yards.
I've also had a MAGIV scope that was 6-24x40 and a similar scope that had a mil dot reticle that was listed as a 6-24x42. Never had a problem with either of those either. I kinda lost track as I tended to move scopes from rifle to rifle back then. I'd imagine they were all on a 223, a 243 and a 308 at some point. The MAGIV was bought used from a guy that had it on a Winchester heavy barrel in 7mm Rem Mag. Put 40 rounds through it before I got it.
I also had a Pronghorn on a 10/22 that broke the reticle before I'd put 50 rounds through it. I replaced it with a cheap Simmons that was on there for about 5,000 rounds without a problem.
Take this for what it's worth. They vary a lot. Some folks report great performance and reliability for the price, others claim they're all junk. If you need a scope for less than $100, I'd go with a BSA. I personally would not consider paying more than about $70 for a Tasco unless it was their Super Sniper scope. I'd get BSAs at the lowest price point, Busnhell Banners at the $80-$120 price point. And anything above that point, well, Leupold VariX Is start at about $180-$200 for the 2-7x or 3-9x. A little above that and I'd get the Weaver Grand Slam 3-10x for $230. Excellent scope for the money. As good as VariX III for VariX II prices. Above that, there's Swarovski, Zeiss and Kahles 1" models.
Personaly I was happy with one of their 4x fixed Golden Antlers which sits on my stock Ruger 10/22 and also used for about 50 rounds on my .308 10fp. It is nothing to write home about but it works like a champ with many 1000's of .22 rounds under it. I doubt it would hold well with a more powerful round. The BSA's are cheap enough and still in business so I would go that way (I actualy did, with a 4-16 illuminated mil-dot in top of my 10FP)
Loch
Loch
KP95DAO
member
I guess the third time is the charm. My current World Class Tasco 36X 1/8" dot target scope has been good for over 4500 rounds through my 10FP 308. Of course it weighs in at around 11 lbs and is just shot off the bench. I had two other tasco 36x target scopes that went bad but they were not the World Class type.
I have also worn out a Leupold Vari X 11 2X7 on my 45-70 but its replacement (same type) is still going strong. Wore out a Bushnell Trophy 3X9 and they replaced it with a 3200. That one is still going. My Redfield 2X7 five star handgun scope is giving good service on my Blackhawk 357 (158 grs at 1500 fps).
Basically you get what you pay for unless you get lucky, or unlucky.
I have also worn out a Leupold Vari X 11 2X7 on my 45-70 but its replacement (same type) is still going strong. Wore out a Bushnell Trophy 3X9 and they replaced it with a 3200. That one is still going. My Redfield 2X7 five star handgun scope is giving good service on my Blackhawk 357 (158 grs at 1500 fps).
Basically you get what you pay for unless you get lucky, or unlucky.
Zander
member
Bushnell has purchased the Tasco brand name and "intellectual property".
Tasco's website says that Bushnell did not buy existing inventory and that any Tasco warranties are essentially null and void.
Some of their product was quite good; some was junk. I've had mixed results and would certainly not buy any of their lower-priced scopes from liquidators as the recourse for a faulty product would likely be non-existent.
Tasco's website says that Bushnell did not buy existing inventory and that any Tasco warranties are essentially null and void.
Some of their product was quite good; some was junk. I've had mixed results and would certainly not buy any of their lower-priced scopes from liquidators as the recourse for a faulty product would likely be non-existent.
Crimper-D
Member
Some of the old Japanese target scopes are adequate...
Looong suckers like the old Unertls but with internal adjustments. A shooting buddy has one of these mounted on his Winchester 75 target gun - about 18 or 20X. Works well for .22 Silhouette, but like the rifle it's on = not in "the top of the line" class.
Looong suckers like the old Unertls but with internal adjustments. A shooting buddy has one of these mounted on his Winchester 75 target gun - about 18 or 20X. Works well for .22 Silhouette, but like the rifle it's on = not in "the top of the line" class.
kalibear45
Member
Their red dot scopes are good...
But as far as the regular scopes, I'd go with a Bushnell first or even better a BSA...
But as far as the regular scopes, I'd go with a Bushnell first or even better a BSA...
Kahr carrier
Member
LEUPOLD
deer killa
Member
if you get a tasco you will regret it more than anything. i wouldn't a tasco on a pellet gun. these are the worst scopes ever. they don't even make there scopes they buy them off off random chineese companies. they are $#@%.
redandblack80
Member
A tasco world class can take the recoil of a 416 rigby,the Leupold was destroyed in one shot 3 times on 3 different leupolds.If you have money to blow on expensive scopes buy them,if you like to spend more money on ammo and guns buy a tasco,bsa,sun optics,ncstar,& weaver scopes.
Tasco made excellent telescopes in the 50s and 60s. At that time they were a Japanese company and rebranded for customers in the workwide market. During the 70s the company was sold and quality took a dump. When buying a 'scope, you get what you pay for. A cheap scope will have poor optics and horrible mechanicals.
badkarmamib
Member
For my budget, Tasco's work fine. At <150 yards, they are blurry at the edges on high magnification, but functional. Their QC is severely lacking. A buddy went through 3 trying to get his .30/06 running. First wouldn't adjust zero, second was stuck on 3X, 3rd worked. Now that I am getting handloads that can stretch my comfort zone with my .30/06, I am considering a better scope.
Last edited:
Arkansas Paul
Member
I love when someone asks about an entry level, inexpensive item and someone responds with, "No way. Just get a (insert expensive brand here) and be done with it."
Right. Because people who can afford expensive stuff constantly ask about cheap stuff. SMH
The next time I hear someone say, "Are Honda Civics any good?" I'll just respond with, "Nope. Just get a Mercades Benz and be done with it." Because that's totally a freaking option.
Right. Because people who can afford expensive stuff constantly ask about cheap stuff. SMH
The next time I hear someone say, "Are Honda Civics any good?" I'll just respond with, "Nope. Just get a Mercades Benz and be done with it." Because that's totally a freaking option.
Arkansas Paul
Member
As for the OPs question, I have owned a few Tasco scopes.
The cheaper ones aren't that good.
The upper line ones like the World Class are pretty darn good.
I'm not sure what your exact budget is, but in my humble opinion, a great option for an inexpensive scope is a Bushnell Banner.
You can get one for less than $80 and my experience with them is very good.
Do they have astronomy grade lenses? No.
But they work.
The cheaper ones aren't that good.
The upper line ones like the World Class are pretty darn good.
I'm not sure what your exact budget is, but in my humble opinion, a great option for an inexpensive scope is a Bushnell Banner.
You can get one for less than $80 and my experience with them is very good.
Do they have astronomy grade lenses? No.
But they work.
- Status
