When I got my Marlin it had a Tasco #629A 3x9x32 scope on it. Just wondering if I should keep it or upgrade? I checked flee bay and they seem to go for about $25 and up. What do you think?
Crap Shoot, I would upgrade ricky tick! Depending on your budget, you can get into a pretty good piece of glass for $100 or so and be plenty fine!
If I had you're money I'd upgrade The tascos are good enough for 22s That 30 cal.can be a recoil monster.
This is how I do it. It only hurts once. Solid construction starts with a good foundation. Find out what quality scope bases and rings are available to fit the rifle and what diameters and height are available. (I'm partial to Ken Farrell mounts and rings) You may have to put several different height rings on the base and actually sight through them. (a tube of paper will help with this and help establish correct eye relief) There's nothing worse than a scope that's too high or low to make shooting feel natural. A good gun shop should be able to help with this. Ring height will establish how large an objective lens you can accommodate without the bell contacting the barrel. With the physical size limitations of the scope now known, the scope selection can begin. You can determine scope tube diameter, power, turret type, finish, additional adjustments, etc., depending on what you want the scope to do. Take a look through a Schmidt and Bender, Swarovski, Nikon, or Leupold Tactical rifle scope and compare the clarity, light and color to the Tasco. Quality optics and mounts are an investment that are pretty safe. My 1921 J.W. Fecker target scope has appreciated nicely, is still clear as the day it was made and is a joy to shoot with. I've never heard anyone complain about spending too much on optics or mounts. Maybe you can use that $1200 check from Uncle Sugar.
Check out some of Vortex offerings also...Some are better than similar Leopolds at an attractive price point. Your eyes are different though, so try first.
Interesting replies guys. I might just opt for a fixed 4x in an affordable price range. Gee,it going on a 30 30 not a Camp Perry rifle! LOL.
While that is true, remember that a quality scope is going to hold zero while el cheapo may only last for a short time before the crosshairs start to shift after each shot, the lenses fog due to compromised seals, etc. As mentioned above, think of it as an investment...and you can always put it on a more capable rifle if you desire
I like Nikon for the amount of light the optics bring in and if they are getting out of the business, there might be some great deals on what would otherwise be expensive....
I have 2 scoped rifles, and spent double the cost of the rifles for the glass to go on them, No regrets.
A few thoughts from Rex Tibor Note the Super Sniper was a Tasco government contract If you go through the preceding episodes of Sniper 101 he meticulously rates a number of inexpensive and expensive scopes. It's a wee bit outdated, but most of these scopes still have versions out there Cross hairs vs ACSS type reticles: And why the hell is Rex Tibor qualified to tell us about scopes:
SWFA SS 10X42 - is a great scope for sure. But when I'm going to the night hunting, I take with me something like AGM PYTHON TS25-640 ( like one from these: https://www.agmglobalvision.com/thermal-imaging/thermal-wеapon-sights ) , cause this model has resolution of 640x512, has lightweight and robust design and pretty easy to operate with. I love it.
If it has see through mounts ditch them. Those were horrible for keeping zero. I would shoot with the scope on to see how it works,I have had some that held zero great and some that were very bad. I am partial to vortex scopes their basic models stat at 100-120 dollars and would be fine on that rifle.
