rifle scopes

Don't overlook a good used scope. Leupold and Burris in particular because their warrentee transfers from owner to owner. There is very rarely anything wrong with a used scope. Have a good look at the lenses/coatings, turn the power ring a few times, and run the adjustments up and down, side to side, if everything moves freely, then don't be afraid to buy one. A good used 3-9X40 (vari-X II) will run $125-$150, with a 3.5-10X40 (Vari-X 3) going for $300-$320 plus tax. Check the used gun rack, sometimes they will pull a scope off of a used gun for you too.

For the money the burris is the best buy I have one a 300 win and I think the optics are just as good as about anything out there.

I just went out and bought a new browning .300WSM not too long ago and had the same problem as you. I ended up buying a SCHEELS brand 3.5x10x42mm I believe it was $199 and is just as good as my leupold 3x9 vari-x that is on my other .300 Might be something you should consider.

I just got a brand new Sightron SII 3-9x50 off of ebay for $170,(I wanted a 42mm, but this was pretty cheap), It normally retails around 250-300, might be some cheaper out there though, but i couldn't find them. Its on a browning 300 win mag, a friend of mine has the same combo but with the 42mm and he loves it, hes had it 4-5 years now. Sightron is just like leupold, only cheaper in price, even my leupold rings match it in color. The SII is the mid grade scope, they also have SI and SIII I know for sure in their variable hunting category. I would like to know if anyone has a Mueller scope, I was looking into them, but couldn't find a whole lot of info on them, but was considering one. happy hunting.

I like my Burris scopes, go with one I think you'll be happy. Tough scopes.

I wouldn't overlook simmons scopes. I have used them all my life and haven't had a single problem with them. I have one on my .300 wsm right now. Its the Simmons aetec. And they are very reasonable. I got the aetec for 120 bucks.

I don't know much about rifles and scopes, but I know I can see a lot better through my new Leupold than through my old scope.  It's a low ender (3-9x40, I think?) at $200.00, but for me being a casual deer hunter, it fit the bill nicely.  Now if only it could shoot the deer for me! LOL. 

I had a cheap scope once...worked OK in normal light. Had horrible glare when the sun was low in the sky and the scope was pointed anywhere near the general direction of the sun, not with the sun in the scope. Couldn't shoot at a big buck because I couldn't even see it in the scope because of the glare. I ditched that $150 scope and got a better brand/glass/coatings for $300 and have never been sorry.

I know I might get some static from the purists out there but I own many high end scopes and one scope that blows me away in light gathering, field of view, and holding zero is the older Tasco World Class Plus scopes, you can find them on ebay or sometimes at a gun show,, not the Chinese models, I have had friends look through Leupolds, Burris, and Bausch and Lomb's without them knowing what brand they were looking through and many times they picked the Tasco World class Plus over any of the others,, and I hate to admit it but I hunt with a Tasco World Class Plus straight 6 power a lot of the times,, It just works,, I use the Leupold 6 x42 for elk though,, just my opinion,, and if you find one and dont like it I will buy it from you,, Good Hunting

I own three Simmons' Whitetail Classics. I wish I would have gotten Nikons instead. The two that are 8-12 years old are getting blurry. They have been great up until the last couple of years though. What do you do when a scope goes to hell on you? You can't trade it on a new one, and who wants a used blurry scope? Has anybody dealt with Simmons as far as getting service? They are both around 10 years old, so whatever warranty there was is surely over now. Clay, you used to work at Scheels, one of the scopes was bought in Bismarck, the other two in Fargo. What do you think I should do with them?

The cheap one I traded off at a gun show was a Simmons 44 Mag. Rule #1: always by optics that have a lifetime warranty. I used a Redfield scope to break my fall on slippery frosty rocks and they repaired it at no charge.

Look at the Bushnell Elite 3200, there actually made by bausch & Lomb, have the rain/fog guard so you dont need scope covers and you can get on with a lifetime warranty for $200. I've got two, one on a 7mm mag and one on a 25-06 and neither have ever given me trouble.

I did some looking and this is what I found on Simmons' web site.

Simmons Warranty & Repair

Customer Service
If you have a question regarding any of our products or if your Simmons product needs service, you can contact us by calling 1-800-285-0689.

Simmons' Repair Department is located at our Thomasville, Georgia headquarters. As one of the industry's most service oriented companies, we believe Simmons' response to customer needs is second to none. Our turnaround service is usually within ten business days. Our qualified optical repair technicians are capable of performing any repair, from a minor tune-up to a complete rebuild, in our optics maintenance lab.

Simmons Warranty
The majority of our products carry a Limited Lifetime Warranty, pursuant to which Simmons Outdoor Corp. guarantees your product to be free of defects in materials and workmanship for the lifetime of the original purchaser. The exceptions to this Limited Lifetime Warranty are as follows: Simmons Fireview, Redline, Compact and Captureview binoculars each carry a one-year warranty; Simmons Rimfire and Red Dot riflescopes each carry a one-year warranty; and all Simmons accessories carry a one-year warranty.

If covered by an applicable warranty, we will either repair or replace your product, at our option. The warranty is not valid in cases where the product has been abused or mishandled, where unauthorized repairs have been attempted or performed, or where depreciation of the product is due to normal wear-and-tear. Simmons products purchased outside North America are not included in this warranty, but are covered under separate warranties issued by Simmons International Distributors. Please call your local International Distributor for details. We specifically disclaim special, indirect, or consequential damages or lost profits, which may result from a breach of this warranty. Any implied warranties which cannot be disclaimed are hereby limited to a term of one year from the date of original retail purchase. This warranty gives you specific rights. You may have other rights which vary from state to state. Simmons reserves the right to change product specifications or to discontinue products without prior notice.

According to this, they should be able to fix my scopes.

Kevin, here is a link to Simmons warranty info. Odds are your scopes have a lifetime warranty.

I have a newer Whitetail Classic and Whitetail Expedition. Both are good solid scopes. I have read nothing but good reports about their Aetec line also.

Some other brands to consider that I have heard good things about, Weaver, Millet, Redfield.

Cabelas has one of the Aetec on sale if you care. Personally for a 7mm mag I would want a 4-12x or similar.

Kevin
Your Whitetails should have lifetime warranty. Simmons also makes the "Simmons Blazer Riflescopes" models, these do not have the lifetime warranty and are a much cheaper made scope. Simmons should stand behind yours and either repair or replace, what I have found is they just tend to replace them with the closest model they have available. Might not want to send all three at once from your address, have a buddy and a relative send a few in.

I just talked with a gal in Georgia. She said to send them in and they would either fix or replace. Looks like I will be doe hunting with my .22-250 this year.

I've had great luck with Simmons scopes. I have one I need to send in for repair after about 15 years of faithful service. My new scope has been working like a champ for about 4 years now. Crystal clear, great light gathering optics, no problems with glare.

-Mike

http://www.simmonsoptics.com/ServiceSupport.htm

Haha forgot the link.

Lil more scope info here. http://www.chuckhawks.com/scopes_index_reviews.htm

Thanks for all the info. I did some more research, the chuckhawks site helped, thanks Lycanthrope. I think I'll try the Burris.