Hi- I'm wondering if the new offerings in Grand Slam & Classic Weaver scopes are worth buying? I want a 2-10 or 4-12 . I thought about a Bushnell 3200, but if they're good I'd buy a Weaver instead. Does Meade still own Weaver or is it ATK? Thanks for any advice......

Good question.
I just ordered a Classic V3 for an AR15. When I get it, I'll let you know what I think.
You might take a look here The Optics Talk Forums
I've learned much from these guys.

Thanks! I went to the website you listed. I'm sure I can find some info there. I would still be interested in hearing about you new Weaver when you get it.

I think Weavers are a good scope and I had a couple of them many years ago. I have heard wonderful things about Zeiss scopes and have always wanted one but didn't think I would ever own one because they are so expensive,...until recently. I saw a Zeiss Conquest 2.5-8x for $359 and a 4x for $299 on a couple of the internet scope sites. Other than Leupold, a lot of scopes don't have very good resale but I would think Zeiss would be pretty good.

Count on it Brother, and let me know what you end up with.
I always love a happy ending.

Hi Planted,
I like the Weavers but I recently was looking for something with a little more eye relief and found a 4-12 Burris Timberline. It is an inexpensive Burris with lifetime warranty and is a pretty nice scope for the money.
I think they are one heck of a deal.
Good luck
Mike

Well, I gotta be careful about the physical size of the scope. I want to use it on my AR15 and any other rifle down the line that I need to work up accurate handloads for. I was going to buy the Bushnell 3200 2-10 Compact, but like I said I got to thinking about Weaver. I 'll check out the Burris Timberline....didn't know they made it. Thanks!

Hi Planted,
I think I got it at Natchez Shooters or maybe Optics Planet.
I put it on a front grip XP100 in 7BR. It has up to 4" of eye relief.
I have had it for a couple of months and it is clear and has repeatable adjustments, 1/8" @ 100.
Good luck
Mike

I'm also interested in any firsthand experience in weavers.

I pretty much have my mind set on a super slam (4-20x50) for a varmit model rock river AR.

But if anyone with some knowledge could speak up before I lay my money down, I would greatly appreciate it.

Wish I could help but my only Weaver experience is with the K12 on my groundhog rifle and a K4 on my inline. As both are older fixed power steel tube models I doubt if they are anything like what your looking at.

I have 2 of their handgun scopes and a 4.5-14 Grand Slam. I think they are a very good scope for the price.

Now we're gettin' somewhere......Is lens definition nice & sharp out to the edges at all magnification settings on the riflescope?

Well, they say you can only shoot as good as you can see. BUT, there's overkill too. If your shots are going to be 300yards or under on groundhogs, I don't think you'll need 20x or the 50mm objective lens. For me, 12x would be the maximum I'd use and with a 40mm objective lens. Too high magnification makes heat waves even worse in the summer sun. That's why I'm looking for a 2x-10x in either 38mm or 40mm. There's also scope length/weight to consider as well. Mounting it on an AR15, some varmint scope would be almost as long as the action and most of the forearm. If you're going to shoot at groundhogs at 400-500 yads, then the extra magnification will help. Trouble is, the .223 will have a hard time making it that far. Not saying it can't be done, but it will be a major challenge.

Planted

Thanks for the heat wave perspective. Here in texas it does get pretty hot and I had not considered that.

Also, like you pointed out, I will most likely be shooting at 350 yrds or less.

As far as the overkill issue, I shoot a fully customized 10-22 with a 4-16x50 AO, never any farther than 100 yrds and usually between 50 and 75 yrds.I just love to place 10 shots into a nickel sized stick on.

I've got four of the Japanese Weaver Classic scopes...a 2.5x10, two fixed power 4X ones, and one fixed power 2.5X. They have fully multicoated lenses, are bright and work great. I think they are a great buy for the money.

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C & L

What is the diameter in inches of the objective lens on the 2.5x10 power scope? I believe it's a 38mm lens, but with the thichnes of the metal, etc., it'll be larger than 38 mm, whatever that would be in inches.That's the one I'm wanting to buy to use on my AR15.

The trend seems to be more magnification and definitely a larger objective lens 50mm or more. I can understand it if you're trying to shoot in extremely low light, but I'm far from convinced that you need a 50 mm lens for shooting in the daylight hours. I'm old & old school line of thinking. A couple years ago I shot a coyote with my .220 Swift that has an older Bausch & Lomb 6x-24x with a 38mm objective lens. It was almost dark when I spotted the coyote along the tree line @ 360 yards out. I had no problem seeing him, it was trying to get the shot in at the only spot there was that was open. I did get him. I also like the notion of keeping things as light & compact as I can within reason. Now for long range groundhog hunting, 500 yards +, you need alot of scope & gun. I had a nice rig back when I was young. Rem. 700 BDL, bull barrel, 25-06 with a Unertl BV 20x. A timney trigger set for a few ounces....Shot alot of groundhogs @ 400, 500, & a few a bit farther.

1 & 11/16"

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C & L

Thanks C&L!!

"The trend seems to be more magnification and definitely a larger objective lens 50mm or more. I can understand it if you're trying to shoot in extremely low light, but I'm far from convinced that you need a 50 mm lens for shooting in the daylight hours. I'm old & old school line of thinking."


+1 Why folks choose a 4-16x 50mm to hunt deer in areas where the average shot is 75 yards is beyond me!

Glad to help! I prefer the smaller objective bells so that I can mount the scope as low as possible. My Weaver Classic 2.5 x 10 is mounted on a Remington 700 .270 with Leupold bases and low rings.

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C & L

I have numerous Weaver scopes and think highly of them. In fact any time I choose to purchase something below the Leupold price range, the first place I look for an optic to meet my needs is Weaver.

I have a 4x16 on a heavy barrel .308 that has proven to be totally repeatable when running the turrets while shooting long range. One of the best things about Weavers is the fact that they are so repeatable.

The Weaver optics have proven to me to be a smart purchase. I currently have a 4x16, a couple of fixed 2.5s a 1-3 V3, and a 1.5x4.5 variable as well as a 2.5x10. that is off the top of my head. There may be one or two others around.

Last I heard Weaver's higher line Japanese scopes are made by LOW Optical works. They have a good reputation for quality. LOW also makes the Bushnell Elite 3200, 4200 and 6500 scopes, all excellent. I own 2 3200's and one 4200.
Their lower line scopes are probably Phillipine or Chinese. So you can usually tell the quality by the country of origin. The Filipino's range from good to average in quality.
I have one of the Japanese 3-9 rimfire scopes and it is a better scope than the Leupold on my wife's rile.

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Regards, Ron
USASA 1965/69

Just received my Weaver scope. 1-3 variable model V3. It is marked made in Japan.
Haven't had a chance to mount it yet but, so far I'm very impressed. One piece tube. The pwr adjustment is smooth. Amazingly clear and bright for the $$$.

I'll be back after I shoot under it.

I have an old Weaver 4X on my Ruger 77/44, it has the post reticle. I liked it so much that I got 2 Weaver 1-3.5X and mounted them on Remington 7600P and 7615, they are great, hold zero, and never fog up. They give enough field of view for close in stuff at 1X, and then you can get right out to 200 meters at 3.5X. Since I have other rifles for real precision work they are plenty good. BTW both of those Remingtons shot very well out of the box, then I learned that the barrels on both is full floating, which probably accounts for the suprising accuracy for 16.5" barrels. The .223 is livable, but I would have to be in real deep dodo before I fired that .308 indoors. BIG flash/bang.
When I was a kid-looong ago-I remember seeing an ad showing a guy driving nails with a Weaver. They are rugged and simple, I think they are the best bang for the buck in a scope.

We're Waitin'! How's the thickness of the duplex reticle? To wide or about right??

The Weaver 1-3X is one of the finest short range scopes ever made and it is only about 150 bucks. It has a "true 1x" which means you can shoot it with both eyes open with zero magnification and track moving targets about as fast as using a Red dot scope. The guys who shoot 3-gun matches almost universally agree it's one of the best scopes out there and is only outclassed by scopes that cost over 3 times as much.