This HUGE bodied muley was taken with a Savage 99 (308) with TASCO 4X compact scope of 1989 vintage. Scope cost $49.00 new in Gander Mt. catalog. It still holds its zero in all weather conditions.
There is an entire generation of hunters who do not understand the mediocre optics of 1960's and early 1970's. Scopes like Weaver and Redfield were OK but certainly not in the same class as a modern Simmons AETEC.
Now the guys seem to think they need a Leupold or even pricier scope to get the job done yet this untrue. I've taken many trophies with low and medium priced scopes and they hold up quite well, indeed.
Good shooting to you.
Jack