My affordable scope choice

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manxjason

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Well, after many weeks of pondering I finally made my own mind up on a new scope to go on top of the .17 HMR.

Previously I was fixed on 'dialing' in with it, but only having a cheap Gameking I kept losing zero after making adjustments to dial in for a shot.

So on Saturday I tried using the mildots on the scope, in conjunction with a laser rangefinder, wind meter and the Sean Kennedy app.

The wind was blowing a good 15mph on a 90degree angle, but still I lasered a small patch of sand on an up-slope at 199 yards. After entering the data into the shooter app which gave me U1.2mils R3.2mils

I lined up the shot of *puff* goes the sand - happy days. That day lead to 23 rabbits, a personal best for me.

Anyway, getting back to the point of this thread, I decided to buy an MTC Taipan 4-16 as the SCB reticle will work really well on the hmr. I managed to get it brand new at £250 online (better than £380 my RFD quoted!).

I was on a real budget with this guys, and as i'm getting married next year I made the decision to buy what I can afford now rather than have to wait 12 months.

From what i've read online, a lot of people seem really happy with the Taipan - hopefully it does me well. Either way it has to be better than my £55 Gameking!
 
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you should have kept the game king until you had enough money for a better scope.

the mtc scope IMO: are a total waste of money,

i can't comment any firther as i may upset some folk,

bob.
 
bobjs said:
you should have kept the game king until you had enough money for a better scope.

the mtc scope IMO: are a total waste of money,

i can't comment any firther as i may upset some folk,

bob.
Click to expand...

the gameking is ***** mate, I shoot a lot and 12+ months is too longer test for my patience. I've read nothing but good reviews on the taipan.., hence the purchase.. Yes it's no s&b that you may be used to, but it'll be a nice upgrade for What I'm used to
 
Used to have a mtc viper on my PCP air rifle. It was great, no complaints at all. Very clear glass and the scb ret worked very well. Some don't like them, but it suited me very well.
 
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Samo.. I really can't understand why people rate the mtc scopes iv had a few thinking the next one would be better all not for me ...
 
if its works for you and suits your eyes , good choice, me tried a few vipers, lites, didnt get on with any
 
sadly you can't polish a turd.

i wish you well with it, and i hope it keeps its resale value.

bob.
 
The Singing Stalker said:
You have bought it so go and use it.
A good price too so no point in saying anything else
Click to expand...

Thought i'd post an update for anyone considering the same..

Scope is fantastic got it mounted and went out last night. Unfortunately I didn't get the double strap mounts so I'm going to get in contact with the seller. I got the normal medium height ones but I had to put the sunshade on an angle (rotate) so that it doesn't sit on the barrel
frown.gif


Other than that though I had a great time out with it last night. Longest shot (first shot too) was 195 yards using holder straight through the neck.

Also had 2 nice shots at 160 both dialled in and both clean headshots. Returns to zero perfectly.

The optics are super super clear when compared to the nikko gameking I was using and the focus/parralax is spot on.

The reticule is super sharp too.

It got too dark to use the range finder as a spotter at one time, but the scope was still really clear. I forgot all about the illuminated reticule until I was walking back to the car. When I switched it on it changed my mind completely about IR's - I thought it was a gimmick. Crisp clear.

Can't wait to get out on Saturday with it, despite the wet forecast.

I honestly have no idea why some of you guys think they're complete *****- I genuinely couldn't be happier with it. £250 has put a big smile on my face, while at the same time not demolishing my bank account / relationship with the missus!
 
The things that spring to mind here are:-

1) £250 to some is cheap to others a lot so some should bear this in mind.

2) Let's get real comparing scope optics to the new generation of Nikko Stirlings is not the best way yo go about it. The Chinese made Nikkos hardly have the best build quality and optics ............................... now do they?

3) Has the optics and scope bought by the OP been compared with a quality scope such as Meopta, Schmidt & Bender, Zeiss etc?

4) Let's face it until one has the chance to really compare them side by side one never knows just how good the scopes optics are.

Now as some may know over the last few years I bought quite a few of the more Budget priced scopes to try out for myself including those from:-

Falcon Optics
Bushnell
Nikko Stirling
Tasco
Hawke
Simmonds

In ever case each of them had issues and rather tellingly all had Chinese components or were made in China. The Tasco, Hawke and Nikko Stirling Gold crown were total junk. Of the three Simmons scopes, two Aetec models and one Pro Hunter the Aetecs were both faulty and had to be returned the Pro Hunter had the windage adjustment dials calibrated "dial" disappear in the wind whilst zeroing. Very poor build quality. The Falcon 7.5x CSS scope has bits of the black non reflective coating flaking off inside the tube. Falcon don't offer warranty on this model anymore as they cannot get teh parts for it. Seems they buy up a quantity of parts and have scopes built with them and when the its run out build a different model. Not impressed to say the least. They offer a rebate on a newer model but in all honesty it was worth much and the rebate amounted to little more than one could negotiate than a discount one could agree with some vendors. The Bushnell was also faulty and returned for a refund.

I went back to searching for good used scopes, even ones needing a service of repair are IMHO a better choice than some of the budget junk being offered. For instance I picked up a 7x50 Meopta and even after a service repair it has cost a lot less that £250.
 
Lets be honest it is better to have a cheaper scope and get shooting than not shoot at all.
it is easy to say 'get the better one every time' but if the funds are not available then get the best YOU can afford. All the gear does not make up for lack of practice/experience (golf, shooting, motorcycling or any other hobby you can name) though it will give you certain advantages of course.

Not so long ago I got into the prizes in a comp against many very sexy and expensive set ups using a factory .243 win model 70, with a cheapo Nikki Stirling scop that I got on eBay for £60 whilst skint (too many kids!!)

i am definately not the best shot around but I knew my MPI at different ranges and had practiced positional shooting in different environments.

Shoot what you can afford, buy the nice stuff when you can.
my s&b is far superior to the Nikko obviously but it got me out there.
 
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