Is My Scope any Good?

ninjatoth · October 26, 2009, 11:26 AM

I was given a .444 marlin recently by my brother,and it has a scope on it that I have no Idea if it is any good.I don't know if it is decent,or a piece of junk,since I can find absolutely no info for it on the web anywhere.It is a Red Arrow,3x-9x 40mm.Is that the right setup for a .444,and is the scope any good?

Brian Pfleuger · October 26, 2009, 11:46 AM

Shoot it.

If it hits consistently where you aim, or can be adjusted to do so, then who cares what the reputation happens to be.

The conventional, uh, "wisdom" is that you must spend equal amounts on the gun and the scope.

You spent zero on both, so you should be golden!

Seriously though, if it works, go with it.

ADIDAS69 · October 28, 2009, 01:25 PM

If it's an older scope it may not be as clear and bright As the new fangled multicoted type. In these sorts of situations I always think in terms of Blade Runner "like any other machine they are either a benifit or a hazard. If they are benifit it is not my problem". So it would seem maybe you you're looking an excuse to take to the spouse so you can by a new toy.

koolminx · October 28, 2009, 01:38 PM

Shoot then ask if it should be doing "whatever" it does when shooting it...

wetdawg · October 29, 2009, 05:21 PM

I am with the other guys - but would suggest a little more specific attention.
Check that the rings and bases are tight to the gun's frame.
Then shoot a three round group - let the rifle cool - check to see that "you have a group" - doesn't matter at this point whether you're at 25 yds or 100 yds.
Now adjust scope to create "zero", that is hitting on the spot you are aiming.
Let rifle cool again, now move to 100yds. Adjust scope to attain zero (what kind of shooting range do you want to have with this combo?).
As long as groups hold together - and you're not dragging the trigger or flinching the shot, your scope is fine and you only have ~20 rounds' expense in it.
If the individual rounds scatter, and won't group, then I'd start with mounts not being tight, then move to ammo. Even the economy scopes should provide a consistent hit, resulting in "good groups". On a .444, I'd expect 2" at 100yds consistently.

Kreyzhorse · October 29, 2009, 06:55 PM

Nothing new here, but if you shoot it and you can see the target, if it holds a zero and you are happy with it, there is nothing wrong with it.

If it doesn't do any of those three things, it's broke, buy something new.

johnbt · October 29, 2009, 07:39 PM

The old Japanese scopes were usually pretty good. Here's one for $20 that looks okay to me. It says the lenses are fully coated.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Red-Arro...d=250418597250

October 26, 2009, 11:26 AM	#1
ninjatoth Junior member Join Date: March 21, 2009 Location: sanford,mi Posts: 590	Is My Scope any Good? I was given a .444 marlin recently by my brother,and it has a scope on it that I have no Idea if it is any good.I don't know if it is decent,or a piece of junk,since I can find absolutely no info for it on the web anywhere.It is a Red Arrow,3x-9x 40mm.Is that the right setup for a .444,and is the scope any good?

October 26, 2009, 11:46 AM	#2
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	Shoot it. If it hits consistently where you aim, or can be adjusted to do so, then who cares what the reputation happens to be. The conventional, uh, "wisdom" is that you must spend equal amounts on the gun and the scope. You spent zero on both, so you should be golden! Seriously though, if it works, go with it. __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

October 28, 2009, 01:25 PM	#3
ADIDAS69 Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2009 Location: Seattle Posts: 381	MUch agreement with the pizza killer If it's an older scope it may not be as clear and bright As the new fangled multicoted type. In these sorts of situations I always think in terms of Blade Runner "like any other machine they are either a benifit or a hazard. If they are benifit it is not my problem". So it would seem maybe you you're looking an excuse to take to the spouse so you can by a new toy.

October 29, 2009, 05:21 PM	#5
wetdawg Member Join Date: February 12, 2007 Location: St Matthews, KY Posts: 33	Red Arrow scope performance on .444 I am with the other guys - but would suggest a little more specific attention. Check that the rings and bases are tight to the gun's frame. Then shoot a three round group - let the rifle cool - check to see that "you have a group" - doesn't matter at this point whether you're at 25 yds or 100 yds. Now adjust scope to create "zero", that is hitting on the spot you are aiming. Let rifle cool again, now move to 100yds. Adjust scope to attain zero (what kind of shooting range do you want to have with this combo?). As long as groups hold together - and you're not dragging the trigger or flinching the shot, your scope is fine and you only have ~20 rounds' expense in it. If the individual rounds scatter, and won't group, then I'd start with mounts not being tight, then move to ammo. Even the economy scopes should provide a consistent hit, resulting in "good groups". On a .444, I'd expect 2" at 100yds consistently. __________________ THE NAKED TRUTH! There has never been an enemy soldier killed with: A Basketball, A Volley Ball, A Bowling Ball, A Tennis Ball, A Boxing Glove, A Baseball, A Football, A Golf Ball...This has always been the task of an accomplished MARKSMAN!!!

October 29, 2009, 06:55 PM	#6
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	Nothing new here, but if you shoot it and you can see the target, if it holds a zero and you are happy with it, there is nothing wrong with it. If it doesn't do any of those three things, it's broke, buy something new. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

October 28, 2009, 01:38 PM	#4
koolminx Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2009 Posts: 520	Shoot then ask if it should be doing "whatever" it does when shooting it...