Fixed or variable scope?

theplague42 · May 15, 2011, 09:05 PM

Hey first time posting here. A little while ago I bought a Mossberg 702 Plinkster at Dick's when they were on sale. I've been shooting handguns for awhile but this is my first rifle, and a friend said that the bolt-action one would be a fairly good entry-level rifle for someone as cheap as me

Anyways, a club I belong to has monthly silhouette shoots and I want to compete in them. (by "compete" I mean participate; I don't expect to ever win against some of the demi-god shots in my club) For shooting 100 yards with a .22 LR, should I get a fixed or variable scope? I'd like to get a fairly good scope for under $60. I don't need a 1 MOA scope, just something reliable and fairly accurate. I won't be hunting, only target shooting.

The two scopes that people have suggested are 4x fixed and 3-9x variable. I know fixed are better quality for money and more durable, while variables are more flexible. Anyone have suggestions? Any suggested brands? I'm leaning towards fixed b/c of price.

BoomieMCT · May 15, 2011, 09:24 PM

I'll say right here that you will probably get a lot of responses saying that $60 and "fairly good scope" don't belong in the same sentence followed by a scad of reports of people winning elite high power matches with $40 NC Star scopes. It has been my experience that you cannot get a scope that is reliable (i.e. returns to zero, holds zero after use, etc.) AND has good quality optics (clear view, good light gathering) unless you pay for it.

All that being said, I'd expand your budget to $100 - $150 and get a low end Redfield or Vortex (like the Crossfire series) or try to find one (or a Leupold) used. These are very decent optics and, more importantly, their companies have very good customer service that will make things right if something goes wrong. That way you can at least have the confidence that you won't get stuck with a lemon.

In your price range I don't think there is much difference between a 4x or a 3-9 so get what you will be most happy with.

jmr40 · May 15, 2011, 09:33 PM

A Redfield or Nikon 2-7X scope can be had for $120-$150. Good scopes and about as cheap as I'd suggest.

wnycollector · May 16, 2011, 05:05 AM

My favorite rimfire scope is a Mueller 4.5-14 APV. It will set you back ~$120. I have also had good luck with CenterPoint 2-7 and 3-9 scopes. While their glass is not as clear as the Mueller, their scopes are half the price and are solidly constructed.

madcratebuilder · May 16, 2011, 05:42 AM

The Mueller APV is the best bang for the buck rimfire scope you can find.

theplague42 · May 16, 2011, 06:03 AM

Thanks for the help. I'll look into the APV, Redfield, and CenterPoint ones.

Fixed/variable will probably go on quality for price.

theplague42 · May 16, 2011, 06:09 PM

Got very lucky yesterday. I found a Bushnell 4x32 on serious clearance sale for $30! Haven't shot with it yet, but the optics seem pretty clear and sharp. Going to the range tomorrow to zero it.

bbqbob51 · May 16, 2011, 06:34 PM

I really like my Nikon Prostaff BDC 3-7X scope on my Remington 597. Got it at on sale at Cabelas and with rebates and my Cabelas Club rewards I paid only $79. They are currently on sale now starting at $94.99 for the 2-7X with the nikoplex reticle. The BDC reticle is available for $169.

Art Eatman · May 16, 2011, 06:49 PM

I've never had any problem getting one-MOA groups with a 4X scope. A 4x32 oughta be plenty good for silhouettes to 100 yards--if the rifle/shooter combination can get there. Heck, 3X let me ruin a buck's day at 350 yards, so I'm a bit hard to convince that beaucoup magnification is absolutely essential.

ozarkrecluse · May 16, 2011, 07:40 PM

+1 for the Mueller APV.

Kreyzhorse · May 16, 2011, 07:53 PM

Quote:

I'd like to get a fairly good scope for under $60.

I'd suggest saving up a bit more but I see you stumbled upon a Bushnell. I've had good luck with them and have a variable 3x9 on my Ruger 10/22. It's held up very well and I hope yours does the same.

Wishoot · May 16, 2011, 07:53 PM

Alternatively, you could pick up a nice used Weaver K4 for around $40-$50 or so. My not be exactly state of the art when it comes to optics, but they're very nice scopes.

theplague42 · May 16, 2011, 08:13 PM

Has anyone had experiences with Tasco (sp?) scopes? I was thinking about getting a red-dot one of those. They seem like the Hi-Points of the optics world.

May 15, 2011, 09:05 PM	#1
theplague42 Member Join Date: May 15, 2011 Posts: 40	Fixed or variable scope? Hey first time posting here. A little while ago I bought a Mossberg 702 Plinkster at Dick's when they were on sale. I've been shooting handguns for awhile but this is my first rifle, and a friend said that the bolt-action one would be a fairly good entry-level rifle for someone as cheap as me Anyways, a club I belong to has monthly silhouette shoots and I want to compete in them. (by "compete" I mean participate; I don't expect to ever win against some of the demi-god shots in my club) For shooting 100 yards with a .22 LR, should I get a fixed or variable scope? I'd like to get a fairly good scope for under $60. I don't need a 1 MOA scope, just something reliable and fairly accurate. I won't be hunting, only target shooting. The two scopes that people have suggested are 4x fixed and 3-9x variable. I know fixed are better quality for money and more durable, while variables are more flexible. Anyone have suggestions? Any suggested brands? I'm leaning towards fixed b/c of price. __________________ War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. -John Stuart Mill Last edited by theplague42; May 15, 2011 at 09:11 PM. Reason: More to add

May 16, 2011, 06:03 AM	#6
theplague42 Member Join Date: May 15, 2011 Posts: 40	Thanks for the help. I'll look into the APV, Redfield, and CenterPoint ones. Fixed/variable will probably go on quality for price. __________________ War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. -John Stuart Mill

May 16, 2011, 06:09 PM	#7
theplague42 Member Join Date: May 15, 2011 Posts: 40	Got very lucky yesterday. I found a Bushnell 4x32 on serious clearance sale for $30! Haven't shot with it yet, but the optics seem pretty clear and sharp. Going to the range tomorrow to zero it. __________________ War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. -John Stuart Mill

May 16, 2011, 08:13 PM	#13
theplague42 Member Join Date: May 15, 2011 Posts: 40	Has anyone had experiences with Tasco (sp?) scopes? I was thinking about getting a red-dot one of those. They seem like the Hi-Points of the optics world. __________________ War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. -John Stuart Mill

May 15, 2011, 09:24 PM	#2
BoomieMCT Senior Member Join Date: August 5, 2010 Posts: 212	I'll say right here that you will probably get a lot of responses saying that $60 and "fairly good scope" don't belong in the same sentence followed by a scad of reports of people winning elite high power matches with $40 NC Star scopes. It has been my experience that you cannot get a scope that is reliable (i.e. returns to zero, holds zero after use, etc.) AND has good quality optics (clear view, good light gathering) unless you pay for it. All that being said, I'd expand your budget to $100 - $150 and get a low end Redfield or Vortex (like the Crossfire series) or try to find one (or a Leupold) used. These are very decent optics and, more importantly, their companies have very good customer service that will make things right if something goes wrong. That way you can at least have the confidence that you won't get stuck with a lemon. In your price range I don't think there is much difference between a 4x or a 3-9 so get what you will be most happy with.

May 15, 2011, 09:33 PM	#3
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,808	A Redfield or Nikon 2-7X scope can be had for $120-$150. Good scopes and about as cheap as I'd suggest.

May 16, 2011, 05:05 AM	#4
wnycollector Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 2007 Posts: 1,996	My favorite rimfire scope is a Mueller 4.5-14 APV. It will set you back ~$120. I have also had good luck with CenterPoint 2-7 and 3-9 scopes. While their glass is not as clear as the Mueller, their scopes are half the price and are solidly constructed.

May 16, 2011, 05:42 AM	#5
madcratebuilder Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2007 Location: Northern Orygun Posts: 4,923	The Mueller APV is the best bang for the buck rimfire scope you can find.

May 16, 2011, 06:34 PM	#8
bbqbob51 Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2005 Posts: 775	I really like my Nikon Prostaff BDC 3-7X scope on my Remington 597. Got it at on sale at Cabelas and with rebates and my Cabelas Club rewards I paid only $79. They are currently on sale now starting at $94.99 for the 2-7X with the nikoplex reticle. The BDC reticle is available for $169.

May 16, 2011, 06:49 PM	#9
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	I've never had any problem getting one-MOA groups with a 4X scope. A 4x32 oughta be plenty good for silhouettes to 100 yards--if the rifle/shooter combination can get there. Heck, 3X let me ruin a buck's day at 350 yards, so I'm a bit hard to convince that beaucoup magnification is absolutely essential.

May 16, 2011, 07:40 PM	#10
ozarkrecluse Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2010 Location: In the hills near Ozark, AR Posts: 151	+1 for the Mueller APV.

May 16, 2011, 07:53 PM	#12
Wishoot Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2009 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 1,093	Alternatively, you could pick up a nice used Weaver K4 for around $40-$50 or so. My not be exactly state of the art when it comes to optics, but they're very nice scopes.