26 replies to this topic

[findangle]

I was looking at a BSA contender rifle scope for my new marlin 917VSF and i was wondering if anybody has a BSA mounted on their gun and if so how is the quality of the scope?I want to buy a "better" brand but i find it hard to spend more on the scope than i spent on the gun it will be going on.Just wanting to be filled in on these scopes with a little of your knowledge. Thanks

[Gunner]

Findangle, I use a BSA 6x24x40 contender on my 917VS. It is a good scope for the money. I would do it again if scoping another 17HMR. The glass is a little darker that other scopes, but I only use it in the daylight for squirrel shooting. The high power is very nice for sighting in, those little holes are hard to see sometimes.Another nice feature is the 1/8th inch adjustments.Here is a pic of mine. http://i36.photobuck...06/123_2302.jpgI also use a B square roto tilt bipod that I'm quite fond of. Cabelas has them on sale for 1/2 price right now. I ordered another, and some of my buddies did too.

[findangle]

Findangle, I would do it again if scoping another 17HMR. http://i36.photobuck...06/123_2302.jpgI also use a B square roto tilt bipod that I'm quite fond of. Cabelas has them on sale for 1/2 price right now. I ordered another, and some of my buddies did too.

That is a nice gun, looks good. I think i am going with the contender because i want to keep it silver. Don't want a black scope on the new stainless gun, although i do like Hylanders. Does that bipod extend? If so how big? Is that gun pretty accurate at about 150-175 yrds?

[Gunner]

Does that bipod extend? If so how big? Is that gun pretty accurate at about 150-175 yrds?

9"-13.5" is what their ad says. You can also buy leg extensions, I have not tried them, but they are on order.Yes the gun is accurate out to 175. I have shot dime size groups at 100 yards. Great gun for the $

[findangle]

Yes the gun is accurate out to 175. I have shot dime size groups at 100 yards. Great gun for the $

That sounds good to me, i can't wait to get out in the field, and start shooting. The scope sounds good and i think that is the one i will go with. thanks for the help Gunner.

[Hylander]

BSA: Personally I say Yuck, Had'em don't like'em, But then again I like Tasco I would at least get a Bushnell Banner or better yet a Throphy.Get the best glass you can afford, you wil enjoy shooting more.

[findangle]

I would at least get a Bushnell Banner or better yet a Throphy.

I wouldn't mind getting something like that, but I have to get a silver scope, just got my mind set on one of those and i want at least a 12 power scope. I just can't find those specs on another scope unless i get into the 300 dollar range. Any suggestions?

[findangle]

Ok now you two got me second guessing myself, and gunner saying that it is not the best low-light scope since the glass is a little darker. I will be shooting mostly in the morning and at night, and a lot in the day too.Now my question is what is a good low-light scope for the money?

[Stiff Neck]

You need one of these, and you'll need to get some really high rings.

[findangle]

You need one of these, and you'll need to get some really high rings.

wow a scope like that would really bring things into focus wouldn't have a problem seeing anything that is for sure

[Hylander]

I beleive Bushnell Trohpy comes in Silver with 4x12x40AO

[NVWalt]

I bought a BSA last year because I needed a scope right now and was broke. Well it lasted a few months of calling and started changing point of impact on me. Didn't hold up to my use out in the brush. Get a Tasco, Bushnell, Burris or anything but a BSA. AND, I have been given the same story by a few other hunters that have bought them. Their life expectancy isn't very long,,,Walt

[ShooterJohn]

I've only owned one BSA scope myself. It was a Sweet 17 and it only lasted a couple of weeks before it started moving it's zero. Hey stiff neck, you've got that telescopic sight on backward! Is that to make your shooting more challenging?

[Gunner]

Hey stiff neck, you've got that telescopic sight on backward! Is that to make your shooting more challenging?

Perhaps he aspires to be the next Annie Oakley Anyone what to buy a BSA scope?

[Frank]

findangle, it is (almost) always better to put a high priced scope on a cheap rifle than visa versa. So do not be afraid to spend extra for the scope (compared to the rifle) in other words. BSA's? The most "expensive" BSA I recall seeing was around $180, with an average around $50... Compared to an expensive Leupold, Zeiss, Kahles, Nihtron etc at $1,500 & an average @ approx $500. What should that tell us about BSA's? The ONLY thing good about a BSA is that they make GREAT paint sticks.Nikon, Burris etc have some good scopes in the $200 and up range. Happy ShootingFrank

[joel1316]

I've got a BSA Contender scope on a 223. Works great for now, then again its never seen the field, so I'm not sure how well it would hold up to being carried in possibly rough terrain. For bench work, its done its job. Keep an on Midway. They always have sales or discounts like spend $250 and get $25 off, couple that with one of their sales and your set.

[findangle]

ok i think that i am going to get the simmons Aetec for the gun. The dark lenses got me worried since i will be doing most of my shooting in the morning and at night.Know anything about the Aetec?They seem pretty good from what i read but haven't seen one yet so i don't know.

[Cranky Farmer]

My first scope was a bushnell banner and it did the job and can stand up to some abuse.(just ask the hill I slid down on the scope and my rifle YEE HAH!!)

So it passed the Dukes of Hazzard test?

[findangle]

My first scope was a bushnell banner and it did the job and can stand up to some abuse.(just ask the hill I slid down on the scope and my rifle YEE HAH!!)

Sounds like a rough ride. At least you both made it through that encounter

[joel1316]

I have an Aetec and in my opinion its the only Simmons model I would own.... I bought mines due to its longer eye relief. Here is a picture of it on my Ruger #1.

[Stiff Neck]

I have an Aetec 3.8-12x44AO on my 17HMR but it's also seen time on my 223. It's been a great scope for the past couple of years. I've never tested the turrets for repeatable adjustments because I don't change it, but it holds zero perfectly so far. It's one of the best deals in it's price range.

[findangle]

OK good to hear.I think that i will be getting the aetec. Sounds like a good scope especially for the money.Joel that is a sweet looking gun.

[CLL]

I just bought a Bushnell Legend 5x15x40 . Clear , Midway has them for $159.99 , so far so good , I have only had it a week so I cant give a nuts and bolts rundown of it . Just an option . Clint