Rifle "Package" scopes - quality or a joke?

[Paradiddle]

I'm hunting down a Marlin XS7 in 7mm-08. The only one I can get into my local shop is the package rifle with the scope. It's about $50 more then the standard rifle.

All the Marlin website says is 3x9 scope. My guess is these package scopes are complete junk. My plan was to put a $200 Nikon buckmaster or maybe a VX1 on it - nothing super fancy - my scope budget right now is $200.

Anyone know what "brand" or who makes the Marlin scopes?

Should I look further for a nonpackage gun to save the $50, or just shoot the stupid thing? I'll hunt a couple times a year here in California - deer and hog.

Thanks,

Jeff

 

[ArmedBear]

Hmmm...

On a budget, I'd consider buying the package so I get the bases and rings. If the scope sucks, it's easy to screw on a new one (Nikon is an excellent choice, even the ProStaff, about $150 at Wally World).

Or does the XS7 come with bases anyway?

 

[rangerruck]

It will be satisfactory for hunting, but that will be about it. It proly is a low end Tasco, bushnell, or Meade offering, proly made in China, with non chinese parts.
IF it holds zero, then I would hunt with it, until it fell off. But if I am doing other things, or paper punching or target shooting, you gotta upgrade the scope!!!

 

[Maverick223]

If it is a Bushnell (fairly common) it may be worth the extra cash, otherwise look elsewhere. The Nikon you mentioned will serve you well and IMO is a best buy with regards to scopes. It goes without saying that the Nikon will beat [like a sledgehammer beating in a brad nail] any optics packaged with a budget rifle. I think the Leupy VX-I is just above worthless...and definitely worth a great deal less than they cost retail.

 

[USSR]

Joke. Sell the scope and rings for $50 and get some decent optics and rings.

Don

 

[Uncle Mike]

Never mind the package deal.... the optics, bases and rings usually associated with these deals are real junk.

You won't be able to get what you paid for them if you try to sell them. So save the fifty bucks and put it towards a decent scope with quality mounts that wont give you fits later on.

 

[ArmedBear]

The bare XS7 comes with a scope base.

Don't bother with the package, then.

Another scope worth looking at is the Burris Fullfield II.

The XS7 is a neat, light gun. I'd be tempted to put a Leupold FXII 4X on it to keep it simple, light and low-profile. Those run about $270 I think, though. But they're good scopes, and light.

 

[lefteyedom]

Take the deal. You can always use the scope to horse trade with later. You never know it may work just fine till you round up $500 for a nice scope.

 

[jpwilly]

IMO they are okay for hunting and sighting in. Most of them are rebadged Tasco World Class or Bushnell scopes. Cabelas puts it's Pine Ridge on top of theirs and Bass Pro I think are Red Head (whomever makes them for these companies?). You get what you pay for with these. For an Inexpensive scope I like the Centerpiont's sold at Wal Mart but if you want a lightweight hunting scope with really good glass the Nikon Team Primos is a good buy along with many others like the Bushnell 3200, Leupold VX-I, Burris Fullfield II, etc

 

[SwampWolf]

Take the deal. You can always use the scope to horse trade with later.

Trouble is, you won't get many ponies for the package set-up ever. I'd pay a little more to get a lot more. Hard to beat the Nikon Prostaff for value and decent optics with a lifetime warranty.

 

[Paradiddle]

Thanks - at this rate since I can't even find the rifle locally I'm going to get the package and remove the scope. It's only a couple bucks more then getting the rifle over the web and paying an FFL to bring it in, then paying cal sales tax, and then DROS.

I figured the scope was crappy but was curious if someone had one or knew what brand it was.

Thanks for the comments - this rifle is really interesting ot me - light, cheap as hell, and from everything I've read it's unbelievably accurate. I really would love to pony up for a Savage 14 Classic or a CZ550 American but it's hard to argue a rifle that costs $500 with a nice scope to a rifle that costs more then that without glass.

Jeff

 

[The Kidd]

You may be finished with this post but I want to say I bought my daughter a Savage Model 10 youth package. I think the scope is a Simmons but it has killed every deer it's ever been aimed at. Two in two yrs for her and one when loaned to a friend of my son. So buy it and save up till you can buy a "good" scope, you may be well served until then.

 

[DennyF]

Also my sentiments. For the non-"gun nuts" among us that need an inexpensive, serviceable deer rifle for a few days each year, most package guns will work just fine.

Best bargains out there in my opinion, are the Savage packages in synthetic stocks with detachable box magazines. Most come with a Simmons or Bushnell, from what I've seen and can be had for less than $400.

A cousin's son won a M700ADL synthetic package rifle several years ago in a volunteer fire company raffle, that came with a 3x9x40 Simmons. He originally planed to replace the scope with a better one, so far is still killing deer with it every fall.

Last time I asked him why that "junk" scope was still on there, he said 'cause it still does the job. ;O)

That's pretty hard to find fault with.

 

[MCgunner]

If you're lucky, you'll get a Bushnell sportview in that package. It'll probably hold up okay, but will be like lookin' through a coke bottle for optics. You'll simply not get a snob scope or even a good 200 dollar decent scope for that kind of money, not possible.

All the Marlin website says is 3x9 scope. My guess is these package scopes are complete junk. My plan was to put a $200 Nikon buckmaster or maybe a VX1 on it - nothing super fancy - my scope budget right now is $200.

Plenty of good, workable scopes out there for that budget. I like Weaver. Nikon makes quality optics. The VX1 is a good base line scope. Burris has good models in this price range. Lots of choices and good, workable, strong, scopes with decent if not superior optics in the 200 dollar price range. If you're lookin' for a Schmidt and Bender type scope, you'll have to first hit the lotto if you're like me. I don't value that sort of optical quality anyway. I can put a bullet on target for a lot less money. Hell, I've even been known to hunt and KILL animals with iron sights. Who the hell needs a scope to 100 yards, anyway, Ronnie Milsap?

 

[jerkface11]

The rings will also be junk. Save money by buying a used scope not by buying a cheap one.

 

[uvausmc]

dont know about the Marlin package but I got a Weatherby Vanguard package in .270 WSM a few years ago and it is still going strong. Came with a bushnell 3-9x40. Nothing fancy but it has held up to a lot of range time and has taken a few whitetails so far. I know bushnells are cheap but i havent had one crap out on me. Just dont expect to be able beat the hell out of them and still have them work, and you should be fine. Plus bushnell will usually fix/replace just about anything.

 

[MCgunner]

Yes, of all the "cheap scopes", the Bushnell is the one I'd trust to at least stay together and avoid fogging. Some of 'em, the optics aren't really up to standard, but I wouldn't touch stuff like Simmons or variable Tascos. I've had some decent Bushnells, have several on .22s and have one on my old Remington 722 that I'd like to replace, actually. I sorta like it on that rifle, though, because it has the bullet drop compensator. I can zero to 100 yards with it or if I'm hunting open country, I can zero to 250. The thing is very repeatable, too, pretty impressive. That scope was between 100 and 150 about 30 years ago IIRC. It's never had to go back to Bushnell for anything.

BUT, were I buying a rifle, i wouldn't get the package. I'd spend a couple hundred on a better scope, Weaver, Nikon, VX1, that sort of scope, what I consider a minimalist high quality.

One Bushnell I have I'm quite impressed with, but it's not the low end, it's the 3x9x40 trophy, got it on a .22 mag. Thing is really decent, focus adjustable, clear scope. I think they run about 100 bucks. That little scope ain't a bad deal.

 

[Maverick223]

I fully agree (except about the VX-I...far from good, but it should at least hold together) with the above ^. Bushnell or bust for a package deal IMO.

 

[RonE]

I think it depends on how much you are going to use the rifle...Hunting coastal deer in California a couple of times a year, you chances of a real trophy or even s B&C Columbian Black Tail are pretty slim. However if you are planning on hunting where there is a good chance of a trophy head, I would spend a few hundred more and get optics that can keep up with the accuracy and use of the rifle.