Inexpensive scope choices.

Trey45 · 06-09-2006, 12:00 PM

I'm pretty sure I'll be putting a scope on my sons new Savage Mark II .22 rifle. Wally world has Simmons and Tasco, both are the same power and reticle, and the exact same price, which one would you recommend I get? I've never used either one, except for an old model Tasco years ago that was foggy inside. I don't want to spend a lot of money for a scope for his rifle, if he wants a better scope he can save his own money for one later I reckon.
Thanks for any help ya'll can offer.

lefty o · 06-09-2006, 12:39 PM

i would not honestly recommend a scope from either manufacturer you have listed.

silentknight · 06-09-2006, 12:43 PM

For an inexpensive scope I'd check out Bushnell's rimfire offerings

N2914J · 06-09-2006, 12:51 PM

Hey, there isn't anything wrong with Wal Mart scopes. They serve their purpose don't they? I've got a Simmons 3-9X 40 on my .30-.30, and a Simmons 3-9X50 on my 7mm Mag. They work fine, and the Simmons on my .30-.30 has been there for a little over 3 years, working flawlessly. That being said, I would recommend the Simmons. Making him buy his own scope later is a good way to see if he likes shooting enough to spend his own money. My Dad have me a .22 when I was 10 without a scope, and told me that if I wanted one I had to buy it. So, all in all, I'd go with a Simmons. Hope this helps.

Big Dog · 06-09-2006, 04:47 PM

The cheaper Tasco and Simmons are pretty similar, both made in China. Okay for a basic .22 rifle, until you start getting serious about target shooting.
The Bushnell is nice, but the bigger eye-piece and power ring can impede the bolt, so be careful with mounting it!

A couple years back, I bought several old Weaver scopes on the net - you can get a good scope for a lower price with care. The old ones often had finer reticles, so are more conducive to accuracy, though their light transmission may suffer.

Trey45 · 06-09-2006, 10:21 PM

Thanks for the help ya'll, very informative, I think I'll probably get the Simmons scope from wally world. Like N2914J said "Making him buy his own scope later is a good way to see if he likes shooting enough to spend his own money". I'm sure for now the Simmons will be good enough, and should he want something better, he's got allowance and grass cuttin money he can save

In the mean time I may check out ebay to see if something better for less cash is around, Thanks again !

Gio · 06-11-2006, 08:48 PM

NO SIMMONS!
Just had one crap out on me first day I used it. The inner lens got knocked loose. Apperently Simmons suffers from bad quality control.

N2914J · 06-11-2006, 10:01 PM

Gio, his son has a .22, not an M44. I think it might be okay to get him through the first couple months while he learns to shoot.

Trey45 · 06-11-2006, 11:00 PM

I ended up getting a BSA 3x9 22 scope. It came with rings and I've already taken it to the range to zero it.It's a decent scope altho the windage and elevation settings aren't exactly precise.I know he'll want a better one as his groupings get better.Maybe I'll get a zeis for him next

Gio · 06-12-2006, 06:12 AM

Gotta point there N29

Tallyman · 06-25-2006, 02:58 PM

Check out a New Century (NcStar) scope. Much better quality and prices than Simmons, Tasco and many other of the "name brand" scopes. You probably never heard of them because they don't spend much on advertising but that's why they can sell better quality for less. See their online catalog at www.ncstar.com They have a lifetime guarantee and stand behind it. Ever tried to get a Simmons scope replaced?

06-09-2006, 12:00 PM	#1
Trey45 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 244 Trader Rating: (0)	Inexpensive scope choices. I'm pretty sure I'll be putting a scope on my sons new Savage Mark II .22 rifle. Wally world has Simmons and Tasco, both are the same power and reticle, and the exact same price, which one would you recommend I get? I've never used either one, except for an old model Tasco years ago that was foggy inside. I don't want to spend a lot of money for a scope for his rifle, if he wants a better scope he can save his own money for one later I reckon. Thanks for any help ya'll can offer.

06-09-2006, 12:43 PM	#3
silentknight Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,125 Trader Rating: (0)	For an inexpensive scope I'd check out Bushnell's rimfire offerings __________________ Sic Vis Pacem Parabellum

06-09-2006, 12:51 PM	#4
N2914J Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Little Rock, AR Posts: 391 Trader Rating: (0)	Hey, there isn't anything wrong with Wal Mart scopes. They serve their purpose don't they? I've got a Simmons 3-9X 40 on my .30-.30, and a Simmons 3-9X50 on my 7mm Mag. They work fine, and the Simmons on my .30-.30 has been there for a little over 3 years, working flawlessly. That being said, I would recommend the Simmons. Making him buy his own scope later is a good way to see if he likes shooting enough to spend his own money. My Dad have me a .22 when I was 10 without a scope, and told me that if I wanted one I had to buy it. So, all in all, I'd go with a Simmons. Hope this helps. __________________ God Bless America

06-09-2006, 04:47 PM	#5
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,071 Trader Rating: (0)	The cheaper Tasco and Simmons are pretty similar, both made in China. Okay for a basic .22 rifle, until you start getting serious about target shooting. The Bushnell is nice, but the bigger eye-piece and power ring can impede the bolt, so be careful with mounting it! A couple years back, I bought several old Weaver scopes on the net - you can get a good scope for a lower price with care. The old ones often had finer reticles, so are more conducive to accuracy, though their light transmission may suffer. __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

06-11-2006, 08:48 PM	#7
Gio Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 804 Trader Rating: (0)	NO SIMMONS! Just had one crap out on me first day I used it. The inner lens got knocked loose. Apperently Simmons suffers from bad quality control. __________________ Blow you up.

06-09-2006, 12:39 PM	#2
lefty o Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: mn Posts: 4,695 Trader Rating: (0)	i would not honestly recommend a scope from either manufacturer you have listed.

06-09-2006, 10:21 PM	#6
Trey45 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 244 Trader Rating: (0)	Thanks for the help ya'll, very informative, I think I'll probably get the Simmons scope from wally world. Like N2914J said "Making him buy his own scope later is a good way to see if he likes shooting enough to spend his own money". I'm sure for now the Simmons will be good enough, and should he want something better, he's got allowance and grass cuttin money he can save In the mean time I may check out ebay to see if something better for less cash is around, Thanks again !

06-11-2006, 10:01 PM	#8
N2914J Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Little Rock, AR Posts: 391 Trader Rating: (0)	Gio, his son has a .22, not an M44. I think it might be okay to get him through the first couple months while he learns to shoot. __________________ God Bless America

06-11-2006, 11:00 PM	#9
Trey45 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 244 Trader Rating: (0)	I ended up getting a BSA 3x9 22 scope. It came with rings and I've already taken it to the range to zero it.It's a decent scope altho the windage and elevation settings aren't exactly precise.I know he'll want a better one as his groupings get better.Maybe I'll get a zeis for him next

06-12-2006, 06:12 AM	#10
Gio Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 804 Trader Rating: (0)	Gotta point there N29 __________________ Blow you up.

06-25-2006, 02:58 PM	#11
Tallyman Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 37 Trader Rating: (0)	Check out a New Century (NcStar) scope. Much better quality and prices than Simmons, Tasco and many other of the "name brand" scopes. You probably never heard of them because they don't spend much on advertising but that's why they can sell better quality for less. See their online catalog at www.ncstar.com They have a lifetime guarantee and stand behind it. Ever tried to get a Simmons scope replaced?