Gunfighter

BRUN-HERI · Joined: 24 Jul 2007 Posts: 9 Location: Houston

I am searching for a good scope at a reasonable price. Does anyone have any experience with Barska optics? The scope in question is the Barska 30mm swat riflescope: 10-40x50/mil dot ir @ $350.

Semper_Fi · Last edited by Semper_Fi on Mon Oct 01, 2007 2:28 pm; edited 1 time in total

Brun,
Barska optics are popular and $350.00 for a 10-40 x 50 sounds good. For low light operations verify that the scope has an adjustable, lighted reticle.

BRUN-HERI · Joined: 24 Jul 2007 Posts: 9 Location: Houston

The Barska has a 7 position illumination function, mil dot reticle. The other scope I was considering is the Zeiss Diavari V 6-24x56T, it is of course much more expensive. I have used Zeiss scopes with magnum rounds and have had absolutely no issues, just not certain if the Barska will hold up shock load.

Semper_Fi · Last edited by Semper_Fi on Mon Oct 01, 2007 2:31 pm; edited 1 time in total

Brun,
Firing big bore cartridges transfer a lot of shock to components and it's crucial that optics stay in calibration for hundreds of rounds of firing.

If you're evaluating tactical optics for a weapon similar to what you fired at American last week, I'd stay with a high end illuminated optic that is built to take a lot of shock such as Leupold Mark IV, NightForce, U.S. Optics or Zeiss.

Heavy duty optical construction comes with a hefty price tag but high end tactical scopes are built for the long haul.

Equipment, equipment, equipment...

specrat · Joined: 29 Jun 2007 Posts: 201 Location: the shop

Hey Brun, I just came across this post. Since this is a place for opinions based on experience, I personally rate Barska right down there with BSA. Have I bought both in the past? Yes. Do I still use them now? No.
Hoff turned me on to a scope that I ended up doing a LOT of research and background on before I purchased one and put it on top of my .30-'06 bolt gun. Bare with me and hear me out first... yes, the name of it is the "Super Sniper" and from what I've gathered the company either originated as, or is an off-shoot of, Tasco. Now that I'm over 13 yrs old, I would never buy another Tasco but this is not Tasco.
I read all of the available customer reviews and testimonials and I was impressed. These testimonials came from L.E. snipers, military snipers (as well as military sniper instructors), hunters, avid rifle shooters, etc. I read about the standardized and sometimes rigid tests they put these scopes through and if that kind of shooter was blown away, it's good enough for me.
One thing about some of these tests that sticks with me is the OTHER scopes that this one was up against. Bausch & Lomb Tacticals... Leupold Mk4s... Night Forces, etc. Granted, the Super Sniper ("SS") did not beat these scopes overall, but for a scope to stand up to scrutiny against these others and to be compared against them, coming close to their quality and reliability - ANNNND to be approx one-fifth the cost - well, I was sold.
OK, I'm shutting up... just go read for yourself and decide. Hope this helps.

http://www.swfa.com/c-231-super-sniper-rifle-scopes.aspx

if I may suggest, don't miss this review by Scott Powers if you are considering this scope: http://www.swfa.com/ss_review_sniper_country.aspx

Hoff · Joined: 28 Jun 2007 Posts: 526 Location: Warrior Nirvana

Specrat is very wise. The Super Sniper is a high quality Mil-spec scope designed for military contracts. The word is that the military contract got awarded elswhere when it was suppossed to be a done deal, hence the GOOD deal on the market for the scope. The military seems to be stuck on fixed power so these scopes are of course...fixed. For the price they are a good buy.
Hoff

Semper_Fi

In reviewing 10x42m Super Scope tech specs and links, the advantages I see in this scope are:

1) 120 minutes of MOA windage and elevation travel which enable shots beyond 500 yards;

2) Salt water resistant to 15 feet with sealed turrets;

3) Etched glass reticle which is proven to best maintain zero under continuous shock;

4) The 10x42M model is USMC tested and certified for issue;

5) A $300.00 price tag.

Hoff · Joined: 28 Jun 2007 Posts: 526 Location: Warrior Nirvana

Like I said, Good, dependable, well made, tough scope, at a good price. It's just that I'm one of those guys that like to dial up, especially at 1000, so I have not aquired one. Alot of snipers say 10X is all they ever need and all they will ever use...perfect scope for a great price.
*Side note I was shooting against one of those (I'm only a 10X power guy) and noticed that he snuck it up to 14X...I guess it magnification does matter...at least it seems bigger.
Hoff

BRUN-HERI · Joined: 24 Jul 2007 Posts: 9 Location: Houston

Bob/Cecil/Hoff,
Thanks for the information; saved me from buying a junk scope or overpaying by 5 times.
Stephen

specrat · Joined: 29 Jun 2007 Posts: 201 Location: the shop

Anytime Stephen. Don't get me wrong though; if you can afford one of the high-dollar scopes, I am not saying they are not worth it, not saying that at all. I remember checking out Hoff's Nightforce - it rocks! The mil-dots are actually tiny circles (hollow-center dots) - how cool is that?!

TOPO-sniper · Joined: 07 Sep 2007 Posts: 4 Location: League City, TX

Brun,

Agree with all Hoff said, however, I am in the camp that a precision rifle should have the best glass you can afford. If all you can afford is a few hundred, Super Sniper is a good choice; there are a bunch bolted to all kinds of rifles. But, if you can afford a grand or more you have many fine choices that will outperform the SS - you will get what you pay for. Depends on the weapon/mission/shooters desire.....

If you're buying a stock gas or bolt gun you can get away with it, but if you're looking at a custom precision rifle from the likes of GA Precisioin, KMW or PAI a cheaper scope will not allow you to use the weapon to its potential...you will end up buying what you should have at a later time anyway and just wasting money.

My shooting buddies have Night Force NSX & US Optics SN3. I made the mistake of buying the Zeiss Diavari 6-24x56, glass was so good I sold my spotting scope & both Leupold Mark4's on my gas guns as it was difficult to go back to them. Both NF & USO use Shott glass so they are really good also, I want a lit reticle scope for my next build so I am looking at the NF (USO is bullet proof, but ~ 1k more).

Hope this helps.

Randy

Semper_Fi · Last edited by Semper_Fi on Tue Sep 25, 2007 8:26 pm; edited 2 times in total

TOPO brings up an excellent point regarding quality glass so do your own testing. During early evening hours go to the range, post targets at 300 and 500 yards, and put your scope of choice next to a NightForce scope of equal magnifying power.

As available light decreases, compare the clarity of each target and field of view through each scope. In near dark conditions when the naked eye can not see 300 yard and 500 yard targets, the NightForce scope gives clear, high resolution target images using natural light only. Power up the reticle and low light operations are go.

Light gathering efficiency and other factors is why NightForce is one of the preferred optics in the recon community. My choice is the NightForce 5.5-22x 50mm, Mil-Dot reticle...tough scope with clean glass.

TOPO-sniper · Joined: 07 Sep 2007 Posts: 4 Location: League City, TX

Getting a few contender scopes together is a great way to "see for yourself", great point Semper_Fi.

Something I forgot to mention more was mission. My Zeiss is on an F-class TR rifle...not intended to jump it, stalk with it, ect as there is not as much (that I could find) combat toughness reports on the scope; it is just a really good scope for shooting. However, if you are looking for a "tough" scope NF has a really good reputation with operators in both LEO & military circles....for a hard use scope that is where I would go if I could not afford to almost double that for a USO or S&B.