Rifle Scopes BSA vs Sightmark vs Tasco

R

rigg51

Private
Minuteman
Oct 8, 2009
11
0
41
Huntsville, Alabama
#1
First let me say hello. I'm new here and look forward to learning a lot. I will also let you know that I've hunted since I was 10, and been around firearms all my life, so I do have <span style="font-style: italic">some</span> experience.

Ok, now for the question. I know that the brands I've listed are not the top. But for right now I only want to spend ~$150 or less on a scope for my new .308 ( FP10 PC )...

I'm looking for something in the 4-16x44 (Mil dot).
I've found the bsa stealth (STS416x44IR), and sightmark(SM13017) for $160.
BSA also has a mildot series(MD416x40IR) for $100....

I listed tasco because I have a 6-24x44 (target dot?) on my FP10 .223 and it has been fantastic for the past 4 years... (shoots 1/2" @ 200yds)

so requirements are ~$150, handle a .308, 4-16x44 or close
which one of the above would you pick, or if there is another brand I'm leaving out please inform me....
Thanks.

Also find this Mueller 8.5 - 25 x 44 mm AO Tactical $160
 
#11
Re: BSA vs Sightmark vs Tasco

new to the tactical scope myself...i had the urge to order one just in the last couple of weeks...i was going to get a super sniper 20x42...was going to get medium rings just to make me happy..oh yeah i have a winchester model 70 in 30win mag..i picked up for 350...but anyways that scope monkey has been on my back couple weeks now..so tuesday i grab 200. from my savings and go to cabelas..i was going to get the barska swat riflescope (online only) but i end up getting Cabela's Big Game Turret Tactical Scope 6-18x40 for 179.99 i also got weaver med rings...so i pay 220 out the door..scope looks great on my rifle and hopefully this weekend i can go get it sighted in..no matter what you end up getting get something that you think will work on your rifle..

one way to think about it..well the way i see it something to just get you started..you can always upgrade later..this way you get that scope monkey off your back i got mine off finally..good luck

Photo0178.jpg


i really like the way this looks and feels..and it looks pretty sharp..

Photo0177.jpg


i did look at the bsa while i was at cabelas..didnt like it magnification dial very hard to turn..

http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-20x42-Tactical-Riflescope-P502.aspx
http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-Tac-30mm-1-Rings-P41852.aspx
 
#12
Re: BSA vs Sightmark vs Tasco

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rigg51</div><div class="ubbcode-body">First let me say hello. I'm new here and look forward to learning a lot. I will also let you know that I've hunted since I was 10, and been around firearms all my life, so I do have <span style="font-style: italic">some</span> experience.

Ok, now for the question. I know that the brands I've listed are not the top. But for right now I only want to spend ~$150 or less on a scope for my new .308 ( FP10 PC )...

I'm looking for something in the 4-16x44 (Mil dot).
I've found the bsa stealth (STS416x44IR), and sightmark(SM13017) for $160.
BSA also has a mildot series(MD416x40IR) for $100....

I listed tasco because I have a 6-24x44 (target dot?) on my FP10 .223 and it has been fantastic for the past 4 years... (shoots 1/2" @ 200yds)

so requirements are ~$150, handle a .308, 4-16x44 or close
which one of the above would you pick, or if there is another brand I'm leaving out please inform me....
Thanks.

Also find this Mueller 8.5 - 25 x 44 mm AO Tactical $160
</div></div>

cheap scopes thread

i feel your pain, i have a 6-24x barska swat on my .308 and is working well. natchez has them on sale for 157.00.

if you are really comitted to getting another scope or even try a centerpoint 4-16x found at walmart for $70.00. it'll work until you upgrade. then take the $80.00 you "saved" (150.00-70.00= 80.00) and put it in the nikon fund......also christmas is around the corner, that may help you out with the fund.

i never had luck with bsa, i have a new in the box 8-32 platinum for sale, 50.00 you pay shipping if you want to go down that rough road.

actually i've never had a problem with tascos, even the cheaper tascos. so out of the 3 you mentioned, i'd go with a tasco.
 
#15
Re: BSA vs Sightmark vs Tasco

+1 on the Super Sniper.

Just one guy's opinion, but for what it's worth...

It really all depends on what you're going to be doing. Scopes in the $150 zone will work off of a bench, with a target at known distance, and little need to manipulate the elevation and windage knobs...for a while. Take it to the field on a hunt or even knock it around a little between the car trunk and the line...and it'll last even less long.

In the end, I'll bet a paycheck you're going to want to scrap the Barksa, Osprey, BSA, or whatever other scope is on sale in the Sportsman's Guide catalogue and you'll have just wasted $150 to $200 bucks for a scope you'll get a year or less use out of.

I'm not saying you need to buy a Nightforce, USO or Zeiss...but you'll be better off with a Super Sniper. Just a little more cash, but MUCH more rugged.
 
#16
Re: BSA vs Sightmark vs Tasco

I had a BSA and the glass was kinda "fuzzy" when new and it got worse after about 6 months.Sold it cheap to a friend for his sons .22 rimfire...he was fine with it for that use.
A close friend bought a Sightmark...out of the box the reticle was hanging "loose".He returned it for a replacement and after 50 rds the tracking wwent to shit,He returned it for a replacement again and THAT scope had some kind of "debris" inside the scope on the glass....
He finally gave up
 
#17
Re: BSA vs Sightmark vs Tasco

Thanks for all the input.... I do plan on hunting with it some, but primarily range time ... it's doubtful that I'll have a chance to shoot past 600yds so I think the 3200 10x40 should be fine for that ....
Didn't really have much at the gun show....
There was a very nice M40A1 (Mcmillan stock?) guy said it was hand built... only $5K haha... obviously didn't bring that home.... There was also a rem 700 ltr for $800 looked very nice... those were really the only "tactical" bolt guns I saw...
 
#19
Re: BSA vs Sightmark vs Tasco

Buddy, do yourself a favor, save your money for another month or two, and order a super sniper or other reputable optic in the 300-400 price range. People sometimes rationalize a cheaper less durable scope because "it is just for hunting" and won't see the abuse that a tactical user will subject it to. But what happens if a guy drops his rifle out of the tree climbing into or out of the deer stand? Or leaves it in the case on the tailgate as he pulls out of a field? I know these sound like ingnorant examples, but they are both none the less things that I have seen happen. Durability is worth a lot to me, and I feel it is worth paying a bit more for.

Also think about this, if you buy a super sniper and have problems with it for any reason, you will be able to get it resolved. Chris from SWFA is on these boards all the time, and can be contacted directly in the case that their customer service can't resolve the problem you are having.

If you don't like Super sniper, no worries. Scott from Liberty Optics carries a number of products in the 300-400 price range and will be there for you if you have any problems.

Going to the gun show to find an optic is in my opinion setting yourself up for failure when you have much better options right at your fingertips.

I get that you got a new stick and are fired up to get some optics on there and go to the range, but listening to the advice of those posting in this thread will be one of those things that you will look back on in a year and say, "damn, am I glad I waited another couple of months and did it right the first time." If you really want to spend a hundred and fifty bucks right now, order a good base and rings for the scope you want to end up with.
Just my .02 cents.
 
#20
Re: BSA vs Sightmark vs Tasco

rigg51,

One thing I have not seen anyone mention is Clarity. A few years ago I was in the same boat as you. I had only ever seen cheap optic's and I had no idea what a difference clarity / resolution could make. I used to think "man i really need more more more magnification". Then I splurged rather drastically (for me), and bought a higher end scope. I was totally floored by the difference 10x Vs 10x made! I had used simons, tasco, cheap bushnel's, all about $70 or less scopes. I mounted both the new scope and the old scope and just could not believe my eyes! Things that i used to kinda have a hard time making out ( "i need more mag... ), suddenly were crystal clear! At that point I realized mag has a lot less to do with things that clarity / resolution. So what I am saying is out to 600 yards 10x is pretty dang good! I mean if you must Clearly See The Wings On a Gnat....well ok you need more power
smile.gif


Keep in mind too much mag can seriously degrade your ability to shoot well. With too much mag you tend to see absolutely every little twitch, and even your Heart Beat can mess you up!! Usually though that is with a moderately light hunting rifle setup. When a rifle reaches about 14#++, then the higher mag scopes are usually steady enough that at least your heartbeat don't make the target "bounce" all over the place
smile.gif
My scope is 3x18 power and way more often than not I am dialed at 6 or 10 power unless I am "glassing" and too lazy to get up from the rifle and use my binoculars. Then I will dial up 18x. I have not listed my scope as it is WAY out of your price range. I mention it because of the dramatic difference it made in my perception of Magnification! More most definitely is not always better! 600 yards at 10x with GOOD Glass is a cake walk, even on rabbit sized objects as far as SEEING goes
smile.gif
Now wind reading, and Knob cranking are very different issues...

Good shooting,
Gary
P.S. By the way, the Vortex Crossfire 4x16-50 AO is considered to be a pretty decent scope for the money.
 
#22
Re: BSA vs Sightmark vs Tasco

Of the three you listed I would go with sightron as the other two might not take the recoil of the 308. The smart thing to do is to save a little more and get a better scope. Buy once not twice.
 
#23
Re: BSA vs Sightmark vs Tasco

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jrocker</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'd take a look at weaver scopes. I've have had great success with them. One is mounted on top of my 300 wsm hunting rifle and it's still held zero. </div></div>

+1 on Weaver. I don't really see anyone mention Weaver optics much, but I have been using a Weaver 4-16 x 42 for 8 years now and never had an issue. Reasonable pricing, great clarity, holds zero and good durability. Have a set of field binos by them too and compared to other 10x binos I have, they seem to be notably better.
 
#24
Re: BSA vs Sightmark vs Tasco

I didn't read this entire thread, but I saw SightMark and had to throw my 2 cents in...

I personally think this scope is crap but for < $200 I don't see what else you could buy to be honest. I have their 5-25x50.

In my humble opinion:

- the knobs SUCK
- eye relief in my opinion is terrible
- the light at 25x is pretty damn close to shooting in the dark ( on a super bright sunny day )

- The thing did hold a zero. I bounced this thing in the back of my car 1500 miles or so and it held zero. I also bump it around in my safe etc and it holds zero.

I had an EGW rail and Seekins rings.

Best of luck.
 
#25
Re: BSA vs Sightmark vs Tasco

You could go to MidwayUSA and get a Nikon Buckmaster 6-18x40 SF Mil-dot for $299. I have one on my 700 and I absolutely love it. You will need a 20moa base for it though as it only has 50moa internal adjustment. Thats 50 windage and 50 elevation.
 
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