Nikon, Bushnell, Simmons, Vortex
- Thread starter Sky
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Yep. I ended up buying a Viper 2X7X32 BDC reticle scope as well. I mounted it on my new to me 336 in .35 Remington. It is quite nice as well. I hope to break it in next deer season.
Twice as good as the Simmons? Sight picture? No, not twice as good. Mechanically? Dunno, but I suspect it is a good bit better. Bottom line is I am happy with both.
Sales are the way to get good glass cheaper. IMHO, There are no free lunches when buying glass. You pay for it. Sure, some companies seem to give you a little better glass for the money, but in general, you pay for good glass.
Some people won't spend less than $500 for a scope, & some folks won't go under a grand, but most of us are on a tighter budget. I am usually around a $300 to $500 kind of a guy these days, but always looking for a deal.
WardenWolf
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I stuck a 6-18x50 Simmons scope on a PSL. Nice scope. Still sighting the thing in, but it's just want I want on a rifle that size. It's the absolute biggest scope I could put on that rifle and mount combination (I got the low-profile rail mount) and it's using the tallest rings available. Just a sweet setup. If I ever got an AR-10, I'd probably get that same scope.
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ole farmerbuck
Member
I now have another Simmons on another AR. The only reason is I want both AR's the same and i figure that was a lot cheaper thay buying another Monarch 6x24x50! The Simmons work great on the AR's.
I've had 2 simmons. 22 mag model 3-9x32 and it wouldn't hold zero. Out to 50 yards it was acceptable but clarity was so lost at 100. Then I had a pro hunter 3-9x40. I know I smashed it on the ground but can't remember the exact reason. I do clearly remember it being junk. I bought these after a few people told me their quality had improved.never had a bushnell but I did pick up a nikon pro staff 3-9x40 for my 17 hmr a year and a half ago. I am very impressed by it. I actually use it as a night hunting scope and regularly shoot foxes over 100 yards in the dark. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another. Holds zero and the click value is accurate. I've found that to be an issue on cheaper scopes.
Cannot speak for other Simmonds products except those we tested. As in the Banner scope tested it was the only good one out of 4. The Simmons 6.5-20x50 and the 2.8-10x44 were what we tested......See other thread..... Walkalong's 6.5-20x50 has better function knobs than mine. Lower price scopes just do not have the same quality or quality control the higher priced scopes do. When you can purchase a 6.5-20x50 for less than $110 it ain't all bad if it holds zero and you can see what you want to hit at range.
not for nothin
After TONS of research. Going to "opticsthoughts.com" and AR forums and this forum. I broke down and bought a 6.5x20x44mm Vortex Viper with Mil dot reticle for my newly purchased bushmaster varminter. Have not sighted it in yet. This is mainly to shoot out to ~500yds. Shooting prarie dogs and small targets. So I think I'll be pleased. I'm glad sky posted this as it affirms that I made a good choice in going with lesser known Vortex.
*edited the magnification. from 30 to 20, typo.
After TONS of research. Going to "opticsthoughts.com" and AR forums and this forum. I broke down and bought a 6.5x20x44mm Vortex Viper with Mil dot reticle for my newly purchased bushmaster varminter. Have not sighted it in yet. This is mainly to shoot out to ~500yds. Shooting prarie dogs and small targets. So I think I'll be pleased. I'm glad sky posted this as it affirms that I made a good choice in going with lesser known Vortex.
*edited the magnification. from 30 to 20, typo.
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rdtour let us know how the scope works out for you. Congratulations! Think you will be please with that set up...As a foot note do not use silverbear, brownbear, or metal casing 223/5.56 in your Varminter. You have a chamber that will not like it
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=548179
....Above thread is how I know...otherwise very accurate Ar. 500 yard Pdogs wow!!
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=548179
....Above thread is how I know...otherwise very accurate Ar. 500 yard Pdogs wow!!
teetertotter
Member
rdtour, the youtube test done by Todds Tundra Test, here in Wisconsin where Vortex Optics headquarters is located, will impress you. IMO, you made a very wise decision. The Vortex Diamond and Viper are featured in Todds Testing. I don't know of any other independent testing done on scopes to confirm quality of other manufactures scopes. I also have Vortex Diamondback 10x42 binoculars and perform extremely well in low light with wide view. I might suggest you look at BKL-300 rings for dovetail mount.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhx8P4cXb8w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6bXS-JIrto
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhx8P4cXb8w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6bXS-JIrto
teetertrotter, here are a couple links to very good reviews on Vortex scopes compared to other brands. This guy seems to be very unbiased and pulls no punches with his reviews.
Here is one for the Viper
http://opticsthoughts.com/index.php...-reticle&catid=4:rifle-scope-reviews&Itemid=4
Here is one for the Diamondback
http://opticsthoughts.com/index.php...mparison&catid=4:rifle-scope-reviews&Itemid=4
There is also a section in his website, the DLDO, I think its called which helps someone pick out a great scope in their price range. They had the vortex viper for my comfort zone in price.
The only bad thing I found on the viper series that I can find is that the eye relief is slightly less than other scopes in the same optic range. So if you have a High kick rifle, you may get a black eye?
Hope this helps.
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