Schmidt and Bender 8x56 Hungarian Klassik

[Cut+Squirt]

Hi everyone, I'm currently in the market for a new scope, I recently found an advert for a - Schmidt and Bender 8x56 Hungarian Klassik for just over £500.00.

Has anyone had experiance with this scope as it seems to be quite cheap for a Schmidt and Bender.

Is there much difference quality wise between the Hungarian + the German versions?


Any advice positive or negative would be well received.

I have a max of £600 to spend on a scope..............any recommendations please?????

 

[Monkey Spanker]

Best describe useage mate, ie. Just deer or maybe long range foxing with a lamp too? Close range stuff? Poor light levels? Many factors should influence your choice really.
You don't mention if the S&B 8x56 is new or used.
You should be able to get a used Hungarian for £350-400, German £400-450, Illuminated slightly more. Don't worry about buying used as they are very robust and normally still have something left on the 30 year guarantee.

 

[Cut+Squirt]

Should have been a bit more descriptive about usage etc............... it is going to have to be a bit of a 'jack of all trades' mounted to a .223.........everything from rabbits to roe deer. £500.00 was for a new one.

 

[steyr]

seems two deer!! to me!!

 

[Eyefor]

This is a much better scope -

http://www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk/showthread.php?11968-Swarovski-8x56-pf-rifle-scope

I have no connection with the seller but for the money, that is a bargain.

 

[Ritz]

I use one of these on a .223 and have had no problems, it does everything i need!

I think i paid a bit more for mine though! OUCH!!!

 

[Monkey Spanker]

Should have been a bit more descriptive about usage etc............... it is going to have to be a bit of a 'jack of all trades' mounted to a .223.........everything from rabbits to roe deer. £500.00 was for a new one.

You should look at the vari mag range if it is to cover all those options. The S&B reticle will be too big for small game and you'll need more mag for small game at long range. Then, because you have a fine reticle, you might need it illuminated at night or low light too!
You'll struggle with one of the German/Austrian brands for just £600 to be honest.

I'd have a serious look at some of the Leupold VX III types. You should pick up a nice high power vari mag with illumination for that price. Do you know anyone in USA that could buy you one?
Good luck.
MS

 

[Moonraker68]

I paid £548 for a new one last year. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. It is worth putting a "wanted" post in the classifieds section, and having a look at Macleod's website though; you might be able to find a good used one and save a few £.

 

[flytie]

I bought a 7x50 german S&B, and have wished ever since that I had gone for the 8x56. I cannot tell the difference between German and Hungarian S&B's, I have a 7 reticle and its fine (enough) for foxes and deer. I consider them great value.

ft
http://www.shootingshop.com/product...BENDER-HUNGARIAN-1-Tube-A7-RETICULE-1800.aspx

http://gunmart.net/accessories_review/schmidt_bender_8x56_klassik/

If you are talking about a new scope, it's damned good value.

Or if you fancy the Leupold; http://www.amazon.com/Leupold-Rifle...ormance/dp/B002MSJLK8?tag=barskabinoculars-20 which is very good value!

 

[steyr]

You should look at the vari mag range if it is to cover all those options. The S&B reticle will be too big for small game and you'll need more mag for small game at long range. Then, because you have a fine reticle, you might need it illuminated at night or low light too!
You'll struggle with one of the German/Austrian brands for just £600 to be honest.

I'd have a serious look at some of the Leupold VX III types. You should pick up a nice high power vari mag with illumination for that price. Do you know anyone in USA that could buy you one?
Good luck.
MS

agree..leupold vxIII, i had Boone&Crockett 4.4-14,excellent scope!!

 

[mickthebrick]

I too think the S+B reticle is a bit thick. I have a 6x42 S+B and an old Swaro 6X42. Of the two the Swaro is a lot better due to it's finer centre cross hair but that also lets it down in bad light even though it's a really clear scope as you cant see the centre of the crosshairs.
I compromised and bought a Meopta R1 3-12X56 illuminated. The crosshair is in the 1st focal plane so doesn't get thicker as you zoom and there is a centre dot that illuminates. In my mind what you lose on scope clarity you may regain by having that dot that gives you a little more confidence in where you're aiming as the light fades. Or I could be talking crap of course, wouldn't be the 1st time......but for £700 I cant complain

£500 seems about right for a second hand 8X56 though. Have a look on York guns or Mcleods of Tain websites.

 

[caorach]

That is a great price on a great scope. There is no optical difference between the German and Hungarian, in fact I have seen it suggested that the Hungarians are a better buy as they get quality control before they leave the Hungarian factory and again in Germany before they are shipped.

This is a first rate scope and you will never regret buying it, or need an upgrade. The Swaro 8X56 is also a first class scope with a slightly wider field of view. I've compared the two at last light and they both see as well in the dark but the wider FOV of the Swaro makes it feel like the image is slightly better but it feels slightly less robust. Given the choice I'd buy a new S&B over the Swaro at that money. In a few years you will be able to sell either for pretty near to what you paid for them.

I would suggest that if you buy some of the lesser scopes you will end up buying a Swaro or S&B in the long term, and the lesser scope will lose you some money on resale. I would also suggest that you don't need a variable but your preference might differ to mine, many people with variables seem to leave them set at about 6 - 8 anyhow.

 

[1995rs]

thanks for the thumbs up eyefoe, if cadex100 wants to get in touch i may knock off another £25, may i just say the swarovski 8x56 pf is twice as good as the s&b 8x56, i know as i upgraded from one and i get at least 15 mins more at last light through the swarovski, cheers rich

 

[Offroad Gary]

thanks for the thumbs up eyefoe, if cadex100 wants to get in touch i may knock off another £25, may i just say the swarovski 8x56 pf is twice as good as the s&b 8x56, i know as i upgraded from one and i get at least 15 mins more at last light through the swarovski, cheers rich

i'll second that about the swaro's being better at vary last light than the S&B's - and if youre on a pay day, thats when its going to happen!

i changed my S&B's for swaros and havent looked back (through a S&B), but saying that, S&B are very good scopes and i would have one again - pay £350 for a mint hungarian 1", £400 for a 30mm.

 

[Thar]

i'll second that about the swaro's being better at vary last light than the S&B's - and if youre on a pay day, thats when its going to happen!

I will second that, my Swavo is better than my S+B, but the S&B is built like a Tiger tank, dropped my rifle off the top bunk of a bunk bed on to the scope, the zero didn’t move never mind damaging the scope, broke a couple of floor boards though.

ATB

Tahr

 

[Monkey Spanker]

Here you go mate, 600 quid too!
http://www.airgunbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=464354
This is what I use although mine has the illuminated ret.
If it is the PV it is about 1079 new!
http://www.sportsmanguncentre.co.uk/product/964b0fe819061f5369368090/Swarovski+3-12x50+PV/
MS

 

[MJ75]

i own this exact scope. Although I paid about £420 for it two years ago. You can tell the pound has dropped in value!!!

It's very good. I doubt anyone could tell the difference between a hungarian scope and a german one in all honesty. However I can also advise that the reticle is on the large size. It's too big for serious target shooters and small game at distance may be a problem. For deer I wouldn't hesitate to recomend one at all. The 30 year guarantee speaks volumes too. Just remember that decent mounts are worth their weight in gold, so if they factor in your budget don't skimp here.

Best
MJ

 

[Cut+Squirt]

Everyone.............thanks very much for the advice..........I think I may push the boat out a bit and buy the Swarovski PF 8x56. No one appears to have a bad word to say about it and it gets some rave reviews. My upper limit was £600.00 but for an extra ton fifty I could have the Swarovski. I will lay off the John Smiths for a month and that should go some way to making up the extra. Some great sound advice and links. Thanks again.

 

[Keltsman69]

Best describe useage mate, ie. Just deer or maybe long range foxing with a lamp too? Close range stuff? Poor light levels? Many factors should influence your choice really.
You don't mention if the S&B 8x56 is new or used.
You should be able to get a used Hungarian for £350-400, German £400-450, Illuminated slightly more. Don't worry about buying used as they are very robust and normally still have something left on the 30 year guarantee.

Have you used one of these scopes out to any distance, I have a howa1500 in 6.5creedmoor and was thinking about mounting one on it, I know they're great for low light hunting etc but would it be suitable for long range targets on the range ?

 

[Kjm041]

Reviving a 10 year old thread. Might be better to start a new one on the question you’re asking .
Would it work to say 600 yds. Yes. Is it the ideal scope. No.
If your hunting and long distance shooting a variable scope will likely be a better bet