Re: ADJUSTABLE POWER: Target/Precision Shooting Scope Option
I have owned numerous budget optics over the years and only 2 scope that were what I considered high dollar and that was a Bushnell Yardage pro 3-12 scope with built in digital rangefinder that showed the distance in scope about 1/4 way down the reticle. For anyone needing long range precision, it's very handy. That scope was around $750 new.
The other was a Schmidt and Bender that I put on a Barrett M82A1 that I bought to resale. The scope and badger rings were about 3 grand by themselves.
Simmons has always performed well for me. I really like their 3-9x50's for a bright picture.
Bushnell used to be my preferred optic of choice, but I felt a little burned by their unwillingness to warranty my Bushnell Holosight scope and now will not buy any more of them. Actually I am leary of any of their products anymore and only own 3 now as I have sold the rest of them.
Lately, I have been using Barska scopes with good success. They're clear and pretty bright and watertight
Nitrogen filled that helps prevent the lens from fogging on those cold mornings.
The first Barska I got was a 1.5-6x42 that I use on my 5.56 AR for coyote hunting and it also has an illuminated center.
The other is a 3-9x42 and non-illumintated, and it's on my 6.8 medium game AR. It has performed great in all weather conditions.
Aimpoints are alright, although I prefer the Eotech reticle
I've never had any success with NCstar scopes, although I tried 2 of them years ago, I was less than impressed with them. 1 had a canted cross hair and the other required a different zero when going back and forth between the lowest to highest power magnification. That one seemed to "jump" when you would adjust the magnification enough that you could actually see it wiggle.
The very old BEC scopes were alright, but the newer ones are total crap and not even airsoft worthy. I bought one and tried to do a water immersion camo on it when I did my 6.8 AR and it leaked like a sieve. it took months for the inside of the scope to dry out completely and there's no way I would put that on a gun that I use. Here's a couple of my old BEC's. The first is a little reflex on the Max10 SMG and the bottom pic was the old 3-9x44 scope I used to have.
I dont' like BSA scopes. I looked through one of their "cat's eye" scopes and could not get the focus to adjust at all. Maybe it was a fluke, but I didn't like it at all. Especially that ugly greenish hue. Although the little reflex dot I have on the PS22 conversion SMG upper is alright
Tasco is so-so, although they're owned by Bushnell now and see my comments above where that is concerned.
Weaver and Leupy and others have always proven good for me too.