[cpttango30]

Originally Posted by Ruzai

I like the Simmons scopes. There customer service is great and all of the rifle scopes from them I've used are clear. Most people who hunt in the brush (200 yards or less) are pretty happy with a 3-9x or a 4-12x. You'd be surprised what some of the cheaper scopes can hold up to. I never was a big Leupold fan though, guess I'm missing he big attraction of them somehow, just seemed like I would be paying for a name.
What really matters is that you get what fits you best, kind of like how your friends gun didnt fit you, I'm sure it fit them though.

There are good and bad Leupold scopes.

Take your simmons and place it next to a VX-III or VX-3 of the same power and you tell me your Simmons is bright and clear.

Sure some of the price of a Leupold is name but they do make some mighty fine scopes.

[Ruzai]

I've always been one of those people who believe the glass should match the gun. I'm not going to put a $1.4K scope on a $700 dollar gun. I've never actually had the chance to compare Leupold side-by-side with a Simmons or Bushnell. I'm not saying they aren't good, I'm just saying I've never been a fan of the price tag, after all I dont have nearly the amount of funds most people that buy Leupold do.

[cpttango30]

Well I got $300 worth of simmons scopes sitting in my reloading room that are useless. Because they all broke. Leupold's may be more expensive but they break less and when they do customer service is TOP NOTCH. Unless your me that is. That is a different story though.

My three main guns are all topped with $500 scopes. Two Nikon monarch's and one Bushnell. My deer rifle has a Vortex Corssfire. Put that vortex next to a simmons and you will be amazed at the difference in clarity and brightness.

[Ruzai]

Well I'm not quite sure why you would have $300 worth of broken scopes when you can get them replaced for close to nothing since they have a lifetime warranty. You practically have the chuck the scope across the room to void the warranty, but to each their own.
All the shooters and hunters I know who use Simmons have never had to replace their scopes so I'll continue to use them. I've been trying to rattle my Bushnell Banner loose for several months now while its sitting on top of my 308 I've failed so far

[Sniper03]

Cody,

Do yourself a favor and buy a top quality scope. I have a lot of scopes that during good light and optimum environmental conditions are what I would consider Good Scopes! But you mentioned Deer and Hogs. There sets the scene! If you have not hunted then much it will not be long before you recognize that a lot of Hogs as well as Big Bucks appear like ghosts in that time period 1/2 Hour after sun set. Some of the good scopes I thought I had made it very difficult during this time period to detect if the buck had 6 or 10 points. And while it was still legal to shoot. So the ability of the particular scope to gather light at dawn and dusk is very important. Some of the best scopes I have found for this in the medium price bracket were Leupold and Nikon. I would also suggest you take a look at the 30mm Scope Tube Models before you buy. There are a lot of good scopes but when it comes down to it they have limits! It is all in the quality of the glass that is used. As we tell the guys at the rifle schools! You can not shoot what you can not see!

03

[cpttango30]

Originally Posted by Ruzai

Well I'm not quite sure why you would have $300 worth of broken scopes when you can get them replaced for close to nothing since they have a lifetime warranty. You practically have the chuck the scope across the room to void the warranty, but to each their own.
All the shooters and hunters I know who use Simmons have never had to replace their scopes so I'll continue to use them. I've been trying to rattle my Bushnell Banner loose for several months now while its sitting on top of my 308 I've failed so far

Because 1 simmons (Top of the line when I bought it) laster all of 10 shots on my 19# 308. Take it off and chuck it. I don't have time to waste on them sorry.

[Cody]

Just wanted to thank all of you guys for the help. Now I have a much better understanding of scopes than I've ever had before. Just one more question though...What do you mean by 30mm?

[Sniper03]

Cody,

I stand corrected! You will not need a Scout Rail on the R-25 you have enough room for proper eye relief by mounting the scope and rings directly to the Receiver. I had a mind set thinking of the 5.56 Receiver!

03

[cpttango30]

Originally Posted by Cody

Just wanted to thank all of you guys for the help. Now I have a much better understanding of scopes than I've ever had before. Just one more question though...What do you mean by 30mm?

30mm is the diameter of the main tube of the scope.

[Ruzai]

Originally Posted by Cody

Just wanted to thank all of you guys for the help. Now I have a much better understanding of scopes than I've ever had before. Just one more question though...What do you mean by 30mm?

30mm is a measurement, just like inches. It can refer to the measurement of the main scope tube, the part the rings actually grab onto or the objective lens of the scope. Some scopes come in 1 inch diameter scope tubes and are good but 30mm is larger in diameter and area and will gather more light.
1" = 25.4mm diameter
30mm = 1.181 inches diameter
You might wonder why .181 inches might be better but you have to think of the area of the lens, those numbers there are simply daimeter.
30mm diameter tube = 706.858mm (27.829 inches) area
1 inch diameter tube = 506.707mm (19.949 inches) area

If you're hunting or long range shooting, go 30mm and dont look back is the common recommendation.
Oh and dont forget to thank your high school math teacher.