looking for cheap 36x scope

[SSE]

I am looking for the cheapest 36x scope that will hold zero. I have good glass on my rifles but I am looking for a fixed power 36x to take shooter error out of load development. It does not have to do the box or have super clear glass but must hold zero. I zero at 150 yards. I plan on putting it on whatever rifle I am working up a load for and then replace it when done. That is why I do not want to spend much on it. It might not exist but I am hoping not to have to pay for a Weaver 36

 

[jrh84]

I understand the desire to go high magnification, but in my experience, you're better off with better glass rather than a high magnification setup that gets super dark on the high end.

What other scopes do you have?

A good 24X scope (not necessarily ultra high end...think Vortex Viper, or even Crossfire) will let me clearly aim within what any of my rifles are capable of, and I've got a few decent sticks. I had a cheapy Bushnell Banner that got so dark at 18X, I was better off with an crisp 3-9X or 4-12X.

My

 

[natdscott]

Sightron and Weaver steel “T” (the old ones) are the cheapest high-mag options you have that will probably hold the erector tube in place well enough to do what you want.

But uh, higher magnification doesn’t mean you won’t eff up a group.

If you use the right targets for whatever magnification you have, you might be very very surprised how small a group even a good 3-9x can help produce.

I’ve held under 0.100 MOA with a 4X. Seems like a stupid stunt until you realize guys shoot 1/2 minute groups with irons on the same rifles.

 

[SSE]

I have a 1-4x on a light wt. ar with a Krieger barrel that will keep 3/4" groups at 100. I have a 6.5x55 that will hold 3/4" at 150 yds with a Burris 4.5-14x. I also have several vipers 6.5-20 and 6-24, Sightron 6.5-25, and a Leopold fixed 24x. What I was hoping for was someone that had a cheapo fixed 36x say "this china POS is dark and does not track but it holds zero, try one of these." I have got a couple of benchrest rifles that maybe could use more mag. to work out the load as well as to start load work on a new purchase in the future. It looks like I will just keep my eyes peeled for a used Weaver 36x.
Thanks guys.

 

[natdscott]

Just use the Sightron you already have?

You are not going to shoot smaller groups with a 25x than you will with 36x. Use a bigger target, and pay more attention to how you are using it.

I recommend BR targets. They are for that.

pistoleer is your guy

-Nate

 

[SSE]

Well Nate, I took your advice and downloaded some different targets and hopefully I will get a chance to try them out tomorrow.
I am also going to go onto some benchrest sites and tell them they don't need those old 36x scopes they are using. Maybe one of them will then sell it to me.

 

[natdscott]

Well Nate, I took your advice and downloaded some different targets and hopefully I will get a chance to try them out tomorrow.
I am also going to go onto some benchrest sites and tell them they don't need those old 36x scopes they are using. Maybe one of them will then sell it to me.

I have thick skin. I also speak extremely literally.

I said YOU won’t shoot inside a 24x with a 36x. If you were that kind if shooter, or at least with that kind of rifle, you wouldn’t need our advice on scopes.

That is self evident, and not intended as an insult, because I’m not necessarily different. There’s not a bench on any of my firing lines, and I don’t own a bipod. The purpose of my shooting and rifles has never been to agg in the teens, even if I’ve had some of those groups.

The difference between you and me is probably experience. My experience has shown that with the right targets, a good rifle, wind flags, and a plumb bob, a guy can shoot some DAMN small groups with very little magnification.

That being said, I do I ENJOY magnification, and a silver T36 just popped up:

SELLING - WEAVER T36x T-Series Rifle Scope SILVER | Shooters' Forum

 

[Vigilant]

The cheapest you can get NEVER equals the results you hope to achieve.

 

[SSE]

Thanks Nate for the heads up on the Weaver, I had already seen it, good price too.
I was looking for advice on CHEAP scopes as I do not have much experience with cheap scopes.
There is a bench on every one of my firing lines and most of my rifles have bipods.
Don't feel bad about not having as much experience as I do, keep plugging away and you will get there.
As I said in my 2nd post, I own rifles that will shoot VERY well with much less magnification.
Aii of the above being said, I'm still looking for a cheap 36x that I can use when I might need it.

 

[natdscott]

Yeah, I thought the Weaver was priced fairly well. Hate silver, but w/e; irrelevant for what you want...


So we've been going at this 3 days now and I think you are seeing few responses, despite the size of the forum, because you are asking for a unicorn. I mean, go post it on accurateshooter or targettalk and see if you get more results.

You are trying to use a cheap sh** scope to, I assume, make differentiation between loads on the sub-0.100 Minute scale.

To trust what your rifle is telling you about the cartridge you just fed it, or diagnose fine problems with the bedding, barrel joint, etc., you have to have a good scope. You're right that "good" does not have to equal expensive.

Having said that, the scope is always the weakest link in the whole setup. As I said, for current production, Sightron and Weaver are the very bottom of the pile for doing what it's supposed to reliably enough to trust..most of the time. And guys still drill and tap them same as they do the Leupolds. Only one's that you don't ever see with that are maybe the March..I guess I've never seen a Nightforce drilled either.

I mean, that IS an option for you.

Get yourself a cheap something with crappy glass, and drill it. You have to back your screws out when you want to re-zero for another rifle, but just don't glue them. You can use a jam nut if you want to make very sure the screws don't move under recoil.

Only thing is, that doesn't solve the issue of the tube moving fore and aft. That's a problem (well, can be a problem) with a lot of scopes.



-Nate

 

[churchmouse]

The cheapest you can get NEVER equals the results you hope to achieve.

Pretty much.

And the term.....”Cheap” when used in relation to a firearm makes my hair stand up.

No knock intended as it is just me. Every time I have ever “Cheaped” out it has been a failure.

 

[SSE]

Yeah churchmouse, I now exactly what you mean. Every once in a while you might get lucky but generally NOT.
As I said in my first post "I might be looking for something that does not exist"
Thanks guys

 

[natdscott]

Best of luck to ya.

 

[churchmouse]

Yeah churchmouse, I now exactly what you mean. Every once in a while you might get lucky but generally NOT.
As I said in my first post "I might be looking for something that does not exist"
Thanks guys

That was not directed at you. But yeah, you may be on a grail hunt.

 

[Vigilant]

I recommend very thick magnifying glass lenses and if you want illumination, a candle. Cheap as it gets.

 

[patience0830]

Weaver is your best "inexpensive" option. The ones I have owned have been fairly durable and repeatable.

Don't let Nate scare you. If 36X is what you seek, be not dissuaded.

 

[natdscott]

Don't let Nate scare you. If 36X is what you seek, be not dissuaded.

Oh, don't get me wrong, I have a fair chubby for one of the March 5-40's, but that's nevvverrrr gonna happen, and it sure ain't cheap.

Good, Fast, Cheap.

....ya only get TWO choices, and have to let the other one go.




-Nate

 

[patience0830]

Oh, don't get me wrong, I have a fair chubby for one of the March 5-40's, but that's nevvverrrr gonna happen, and it sure ain't cheap.

Good, Fast, Cheap.

....ya only get TWO choices, and have to let the other one go.




-Nate

I didn't see fast in his OP. Just good enough and cheap. So we're good, right?

He knows good glass. Says he has some.

My problem with his theory is that he's sighting in a rifle twice when the scope he intends to use on the rifle will be sufficient to develope load data and once will do. AR in this case does not stand for America's Rifle. The weak link in load development is almost always the nut behind the trigger, not the scope magnification.

 

[natdscott]

I didn't see fast in his OP. Just good enough and cheap. So we're good, right?

Not sure I'm getting your tone right. If you have a problem with me, shoot me a PM.

 

[natdscott]

Hey SSE, the deals are gettin' better!

There's another T36 on accuratshooter, for $320, and it has a DOT:

SELLING - Silver T36 Weaver | Shooters' Forum