[tappedandtagged]

I have several scoped rifles (and the ones that are not scoped were at one time or another). I have always had great luck with the cheaper Bushnell Banner scopes. On my main rifle, I have a Nikon Monarch 5-20X44,but I don't want to spend that kind of money again. It has more use than I need (although I do enjoy it).

I want to stay around the $100-125 mark on this purchase for my new .243. I came upon this number because that's the amount that my Overtime check will cover after the rifle is bought. (I only buy myself "toys" with OT money and leave the household budget alone). Of course, I thought of the Bushnell Banners, but then I ran across the Weaver Kaspa line. In particular, I was looking at this one that Midway has on sale: Weaver Kaspa Rifle Scope 3-12x 50mm Dual-X Reticle Matte.

I already have spare rings for medium and high mounts, so I know I'd be set for that big objective.

The Bushnell scopes that go out to 12 or 14 power have a big ugly parallax adjustment ring on the objective. I don't like the looks and would rather stay away from that unless y'all say it is a really nice feature to have.

The price of the 4-12 or 4-14 power Bushnell Banner scopes are in the ball park of the on sale Weaver.

The only other scope I am considering of a lower power (regular 3-9X) is this one: Bushnell Trophy XLT 3-9x40 Riflescope Circle-X Reticle Matte - Natchez Shooters Supplies. The reasoning behind this is that I really like the Circle X reticle. I'd like a bit more magnification, but they don't make one with that reticle in a higher power scope. I also don't know anything about the "Trophy" line of Bushnell.

I did consider a Simmons 44 mag 4-14X44 scope with side adjustable parallax; however, it seems that Simmons scopes are consistently getting bad reps (despite also being owned by the same parent company as Bushnell).

So, thoughts? Opinions? And no, I'm not going to spend the extra on a plinking rifle that I already shouldn't be buying. This is Overtime check money that I have allotted to this and I don't want to dip into the household budget on anything else. With the cost of the rifle, I have around $130 extra to play with and don't want to spend any more. I most likely will shoot a couple boxes of ammo though this gun and put it in the safe until my 1 year old gets old enough to hunt with me. At that time, I will likely upgrade the optics and relegate the cheap scope to my 17 hmr or a 22.

[huffmanite]

Weaver Kaspa scopes, while I own Weavers (made in Japan and Philippines) and very happy with them, do not own a China made Kaspa. Have tried to monitor comments about them on this and other gun sites, really not much to be found about them other than being bad mouthed generally for being China made. Own a fair number of Chinese made scopes and for my target shooting needs from 22 hornet to 30-06 rifles (5 or so other cartridges between them) they have been decent for me.

Bushnell Banner: Have a couple, one a Japanese made one bought about 1966 and one purchased a few years ago that was a 6-18 power. Will not buy another Banner....just consider its optics inferior to other cheapo brands I've bought.

Simmons 44 mag: Have one, might be a 6-21 power, bought a couple of years ago after viewing thru one at range I shoot. Better optics than Banner I own and I've no complaints about it.

LOL, might want to take a look at the side focus BSA Majestic DX Hunter scopes...have a couple of them that I'm happy with. Double LOL, want a higher power low priced scope....BSA Platinums 6-24s or 8-32 powers sold at Natchez. Have three of them and put one on a recently bought used Howa 243 a couple of weeks ago. Has the big front A.O. you do not want, but also has target windage/elevation knobs which I like. Very decent optics in the Platinums. Had a $1800 Nightforce scope owner view thru one at a target when set at 32 power...he was very surprised with my cheaps scope clarity at max power. How long will my cheapo BSA Platinums last, have no idea, but guess I have around 500 rounds downrange with them on centerfire rifles.

Simmons Aetec scope: If you can find one that is an aspherical lens (which should be any Aetec), it should be a nice scope in the 3-10 power range and in your price range. Aspherical Lens design has some very nice optics.

Nitrex tr1 scope: Only at Natchez. Check to see what they have left. Darn good price on them....made in Japan, basically a Weaver Grand Slam scope at less than 1/2 the price.

[srt 10 jimbo]

Nikon Pro staffs start at about $150. them and the Redfield scopes work excellent on my rifles

[Junction15]

The Kaspa is Chinese made. Almost all lower priced scopes are now made overseas - somewhere, One brand is(was) still USA made and I don't have my info up in front of me but I thought that was Nikon - but I'm not sure

So if your bothered by the idea of a scope being made overseas, that is one thing.
If you are concerned about materials, workmanship, and quality, that is something else. Today's materials and manufacturing methods are used globally and the level of precision is amazing amazing. Well, the capabilities are amazing that is. Is the workmanship up to par? Probably that's a yes - at least for the price ranges.

Personally, I like to buy USA made items as much as I can (although that is not always a guarantee of top quality) But I also like to check out customer reviews on sites like MidwayUSA, or Amazon.