I see that a lot of you use Burris scopes. I also see a lot of Leupolds mentioned on this board. What are your opinions of these brands and others like Tasco and Bushnell? I am from Illinois, we are a shotgun state (for Deer hunting), so I have little experience with scoped firearms. I have a scope on my shotgun, but I did not spend near what they are asking for some of the optics you are talking about. The scope on my shotgun is a 2x Tasco shotgun scope. It was cheap, but I have had no problems with it. I have only used two other scopes. The first was a tasco 4 x 32 that sat on top of my 10/22 (also a cheap scope, but it was all I could afford at seventeen). The crosshairs became disconnected at the center, and I replaced it with a BassPro Red Head brand 3-9x40 last year. I shot about 50 rounds through it and could not get the bullets to group or to move on the paper. I just exchanged it. So I am trying my first pistol hunt this year and I do not want to miss or wound an animal because of my equipment (My ability is another story, at least I can get better with practice, but faulty equipment will fail everytime). What are your opinions of the scope makers. My price range is around 200.00. I know I can get a good scope in that price range, but I try and make edjucated purchases and I would like to hear some of your opinions and experiences.

Thanks!

Couple of questions:
Max range?
Type of handgun?
Regardless of your two answers above I would consider a used quality scope (Burris, Leupold, Bushnell/Baush & Lomb).
If a revolver a 2x would work good and if a SP using a rifle cartridge I would say either a 4x fixed or a variable 2-6 or 2-7 power.

Bushnell Trophy 2-6x is a darn good scope for the money and they are on sale this month at Midway USA for $149 (Regular $169). This power range is adequate for everything from wheelgun to SP (bottleneck). Eye relief is most forgiving.

Next up in that price range ($160-$200) would be the Weaver Classics. These vary in price from place to place so shop around.

The older Tasco handgun scopes ($100) are decent but you can't get them any more. Their newer stuff turned into crap, IMO.

The Burris, Leupold and such are nice, but spendy (over $300).

Given you circumstance I'd reccommend the Bushnell, FWIW, Rod.

imo, i don't think you can get a better "all around" (if there is such a thing) scope than the 2x7 burris. it would work equally well on revolvers or single shots. it has way more field of view than the bushnells. the only drawback (if it is one) is that eye relief shortens when you turn up the magnification. they can routinely be found new for $250-$260 or so, so i would throw in the extra cash for quality you won't regret. i have and use leupolds also, but can't find any extra features to justify the much higher cost ($100+). if you absolutely must stay in the $200 range, i would recommend the fixed 2x or 4x burris like ernie said....2x revolver, 4x single shot. jmho.

All the scopes mentioned are great, I have or had one from each manufacturer over the years. I currently have several Leupold scopes and one variable scope, with a lite reticle from Thompson Center. I love that scope! I have had it on my 12" .45-70 Contender barrel since new and have NEVER had a problem with it! I have put over 500 rounds through the barrel, including some heavy hitting Garrett cartridges. I don't know if they make it or if someone else makes it for them, but I not hesitate to buy another.

Hiya all, new to this board, great magazine too! Not to hijack this thread, but I just purchased a Bushnell Trophy 2x32 for my 7.5" Super Redhawk .44 mag. Anyone have experience with this one??? THanks!
Mike

I've only seen one person on this post that has mentioned Simmons I have one on a Ruger Super Redhawk it has performed flawlessly for about 4-plus years now so I would have to recommend it. I have heard other people talk of problems with this brand of scope but for the cost to me its a great buy IMO.

While my other tubes are Leuplold and Burris, my main hunting barrle is wearing an old Simmoms 2x7 that I put on it almost 10 years ago. I bought a new Burris 3x9 to replace it this year but I didn't have the heart to move something that has worked so well for so many years. Truely, it has accounted for 20+ big game animals here in the west, at least three out to just past 300 lasered yards. It will be going with me once again to the HHI 20th Anniversary Antelope hunt next month in WY.

That said, in todays world it would not be my first choice. I'd go with a Burris and be a happy camper.
Bill in OR

Mind you I am NOT touting these as the best scope, but .358 Hammer is having some interesting results with a (gulp) 2-7x NC Star. You can read about it in he Big Game Hunting section on the SP board. He's been testing it on his Encore pistol in 35 Weelen improved with a 15" barrel (I believe) & no brake(I'm sure on the no brake part). So far a fair amount of range time, two trips on a backpack up the mountains of Kodiak Alaska & the normal Alaska weather this time of year (read WET) & not a problem. Two bucks with it, the second at over 300 yds as memory serves.
Is this scope a fluke, or are they getting their stuff together? I've got one on my 10" .22 Hornet barrel, & it's as clear as my new Weaver Classzic 2.5-8x or Simmons Gold Medal 2.5-7x, but I've feared getting another for larger barrels because of recoil. I may have to try one of hese under $60.00 wonders on my .358 x .444 barrel soon.

I'm partial to the leupolds, I guess partly because they are made in Oregon but I've used the Bushnell 2-6 and the Burris 2-7 and 3-12. I've found that the Leupold is much clearer and brighter than the Bushnell and unlike the Burris eye relief on my 2.5-8 Leupold is constant. Just my opinion though.

I've tried to stay out of this because I'm so new to the forum, but I just can't stand it! I would rather shoot without a scope than put a Bushnell on anything I own. I agree you get what you pay for. I have a Nikon on my elk rifle that I am okay with, but when I get the chance and the dough I will replace it with a Leupold. I love my Burris that is on my S&W 460 because of the clarity and the posi-lock. JMHO-every since Bushnell was sold all there products are about profit not quality!

luckydog, you're never to new to have an opinion!!!!

Wow, This is exactly the type of discussion I was going for wit this post. Thanks!!!
Lucky Do you have a personal experience with Bushnell that has brought you to your current opinion? I am about the same with Tasco. I have three of there scopes. a broken 4x32 that my Ruger 10/22 did in. I have an aimpoint red dot that is currently sitting on a M1 Carbine and works quite well and the 2x20 on my slug gun. I am still working with that one, I am not sure if my problems are scope, barrel or ammunition. The groups are good enough for hunting (it's responsible for 5 deer in 4 years), but I expect more at the range from a rest.
Vance, What is the SP forum? Not that I don't enjoy this one, but I seardhed for reviews of those NcStars and I could not find a good one so I stayed away, too good to be true you know? A quality optic under a hundred dollars?
Anyway not to kill this discussion, but I pulled the trigger on a new Bushnell Trophy 2-6x32. I should be mounting it tonight.
My reasoning on this one over a used burris, was that the larger objective would (should) bring in more light and give me a wider field of view. I would like your opinions again on that.
Thanks for all the info so far

in variables........the burris 2x7 has a wider fov than the bushnell.
i have several burris ler scopes. love em n they are great. i just can't afford to put them on every barrel.

now.....imo, you will not beat the bushnell trophy 2x6 handgun scope for a general good all around scope for the money spent. i have 2 er 3 of those also. one is on a 35rem, and another on a 300win mag. they do great, n i hear many reports on big recoil guns that show the same.
SP is "specialty pistols" website. as a matter of fact a vendor over there has the 2x6 trophy scopes on sale for $152 shipped. sure be hard to beat that

the bushnell elite is even a step up from the trophy model, but they get into "burris" price ranges.

both bushnells have longer eye relief than burris. the burris shortens up more as you turn up x. i can n do use either type without a problem in most situations. the burris is not good for sillywet.......but is for most everything else.

Regnets, I sent you the link in a pm. Let me know if you don't get it.
You will find a few of the guys from here over there also. It is an informative place, but trust me, the cream of the crop is right here!!!
I frequent both p[laces, & the other is a bit larger & faster, but this place is just a ball to hang out. No personality conflicts or name calling, no egos, just fun & great info.
The other place is nice to visit, but this is home!

Vance I did get your PM. Thanks!
I have to agree, This is a fantastic site. I really enjoy the atmosphere and I can tell by reading everyones posts that you all consider each other good friends. You all do a great job of keeping this forum friendly to us newbies.

A correction to my first post in this subject (bottom of pg 1).
the caliber if the Encore that Neal has the NC Star scope mounted on is 338 x '06, not 35 weelen AI.