How many use “Old” Scopes?

I prefer a heavy duplex reticle. That is why I will never own a night Force scope I lose the reticle when looking at an animal I just disappear to my minds eye I can target shoot but not good for hunting for me

I like the older scopes, the eyepiece focus locks down. Not a quick focus eyepiece which is common now.

YZ-80 said:

I don't know about you guys but I have a bit of a problem paying more for glass than the price of a gun. As a result, I've got several "dinosaur" scopes that I've held onto over the years. Of course, I know their limitations. But within reasonable limits, I've found they are quite capable. I'm interested to know how many of you use them for what you might consider "long range" (relative term).

Click to expand...

This is hilarious that you post this now! I'm having a similar issue with my pistol scope.

First, a scope in hand is worth 2 on the internet! What I mean is buying a new scope could bring an annoyance or even a warranty issue to my gun. Where a tested scope in my possession should be a "known good" part.

Now, I think older scopes need their clicks confirmed on paper both shooting and moving. The acceptance of crappy turret quality was just higher 10 - 20 years ago. When turrets don't move right, time and money are wasted. At worst, animals are wounded.

They also need forest service road tested. That is, shoot a group, drive normally on a rough road, with rifle laying on cardboard in the bed, and then shoot another group. Same poa?

Last, shoot it. Are optics good enough?

For me, this was taking a Simmons 2-7x EER off a 375 JDJ barrel and putting on my 30 Herrett barrel. Then using the duplex reticle as a bdc of sorts to 300 yards! It works!

Maybe because I am older than dirt, but I still like the stadia line scopes of the 60s. Have several mounted, Redfields, Bushnells and Tascos (made in Japan). Plus 2 of the old Herters scopes with the circle reticle to compare distance.

I still have a Leupold vx ii gloss heavy duplex reticle 1980's vintage mounted on an older Remington 700adl gloss 22.250 that was my truck gun for many years, it helped to keep the prairie dog population in check, won't give that one up

I have a glossy Vari x ii, bought new in 1977. I mounted it on an old tang style Ruger 77, 7mm RM with the barrel stamped "Made in the 200th year of American Liberty".
I killed deer, elk and moose with that rifle
Wish I had kept it.
Still have the scope mounted on a old Savage 111 Express in 338wm. That scope is tough as nails and just keep going.

I have far less "modern" scopes than "vintage" if this thread is any indication.
I have a 2-7x Redfield on my 06 from the 70s. Still working, just dimmer than some newer ones.
I have lots of Vari-x II & IIIs still in use, one on a .338 WM that's been on nothing but magnums since new, still holding zero, just had it out last week.

I have several varieties II from long ago one was even my dads, who is past.I have a 4-14 x. 50 tact, blacking mildot from when they first came out on a325 wsm, before that a 340wby.In 2009 I had a CDS dial installed.Shot the most game with that set up

YZ-80 said:

I don't know about you guys but I have a bit of a problem paying more for glass than the price of a gun. As a result, I've got several "dinosaur" scopes that I've held onto over the years. Of course, I know their limitations. But within reasonable limits, I've found they are quite capable. I'm interested to know how many of you use them for what you might consider "long range" (relative term). More specifically, scopes with standard reticles (no subtentions or adjustable turrets). Here's a 1996 vintage VX-2 I had sitting around and it currently resides on my new Tikka. I will probably get around to replacing with maybe a Vortex Diamondback. For now, I'm making it work. Is anybody else as cheap as I am?

View attachment 497864View attachment 497865

Click to expand...

Like my rifles, I do not get rid of my scopes (unless they are broken). I often use them on my .22 LR rilfes. I have VX-Is in 3-9 in the Leupold line that I purchased in the early 1990s, IIRC. I have other much older scopes.

As older scopes go here's one of my oldest ones, an original Colt 3X on my Colt SP1 I think I picked this up in the late 60s as I recall, from an Ernst Hardware store... yeah those were the days. Cheers

Oldest is a VX-III, '91 or '92. Died a few years back but sent it in and they fixed it no issues. It's actually on the boy's primary hunting rifle now. It's been on a lot of rifles I don't have anymore.

Not that it's wrong to spend more on the scope than the gun but it gets spendy. A lot of different guns over the years means a lot of scopes. IOR was the scope of choice back in the day but it's no surprise to see a few Japan Tascos and vxii and threes along with a couple Burris and Sightrons. Arken is the new kid on the block.

YZ-80 said:

I don't know about you guys but I have a bit of a problem paying more for glass than the price of a gun.

Click to expand...

In all fairness, I think there is a balance point today that is different than 10 yrs ago.

Today scopes are $0-$5000. Even with a $50000 custom rifle, doesn't use a $5000 scope well. It is all about shopping for spec and paying enough that the spec works.

I have a $3000 rifle with a $600 scope on it that I consider a great match. I have a $2500 rifle that required $1500 imo to balance out.

I want certain $2500 optics that I won't buy because I don't like the reticle.

If I didn't want to turn turrets or shoot over 500 yards, there are a lot of $300-$1000 options.

One thing most optics over $1000 have is serious weight. On a 6-8lb rifle meant for 300yd shots will be much nicer with a 12-18oz optic than a 28 - 35oz optic.

This Savage 99 takedown in .303 Savage is from 1920.

I built up some loads using Hornady FTX bullets and LVR powder. Shoots well.

I had a tang sight on it, but I found the front bead hard to use in adverse light, so I decided to give in to ageing eyes and scope it.

It was never drilled & tapped, so I used a Lightfoot bridge scope mount. In the middle is a Leupold single dovetail mount. To both ends of that, the maker welds steel blocks that connect the barrel sight dovetail and the tang screws.

The fellow unfortunately has stopped making them.

For optics, I mounted a Weaver K2.5-60 which has a centered reticle, made in the early 1960s. Blued steel tube. I got a set of vintage steel Redfield dovetail mounts with slotted screws. Scope and rings came from Vintage Gun Scopes in Corvallis, Montana.

This steenbock I took at 114 yards. He was well covered behind tall grass, and all I could see was his eye, ear, horns and a bit of neck line. I interpreted where his body was and the FTX made quick work of him. DRT. Our cooks served him up as appetizers that night. Steenbock backstrip grilled over a flame served on a cracker is a beautiful thing.

I picked up another K2.5 at a gun show for $50 in great shape. They are out there, and while they lack the gee whiz features and coatings of modern glass, are still effective for average daylight hunting, just as they were 50-80 years ago.

For my other rifle, i took a Dumoulin Mauser in .30 Hembrook topped with a Leupold VX-5 3-15-44, which is a fantastic hunting scope. We were in the Karoo desert, so some of the shots were quite long (500 yards...) but modern scopes were just right for that. Would I have taken the shot with a K2.5 at that range? Assuming the cartridge is up to it, maybe. I shoot highpower National match at 600 yards with irons, but the X-ring is a foot across, so I want to be respectful to the animal. Dialing up 8MOA and using 15 power was much more humane in my opinion.

Horses for courses. YMMV. My $.02