Simmons Scopes: What say you? Yah or Nay

My scope needs are not nearly what most folks here are. My targets are usually well under a hundred yards, and called in the daytime.

I liked the Simmons Whitetail Expedition (daddy to the Aetec) very much. I use the 1.5 x 6 on 2 of my callin' guns to this day. Always holds zero, reasonable optics, rather thick crosshairs which I prefer for callin'.

'Course they are on baby calibers 243 and down. No big boomers, so I don't expect problems. Although I've had some hard falls over the years on the ice, and checked zero and they stayed true.

The few lesser Simmons models I tried were mediocre at best.

My favored scope is now a Nikon Monarch which you can pick up at a bit over 200 now. Thats a sure bet. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
One thing to keep in mind is that most makers make a wide selection of scopes in different grades. Just talking about a brand may not mean too much. You pretty much have to talk about specific models.

Jack
 
I have a Simmons Aetec in 2.8-10x44 on my 7mm-08 and .243 Encore barrels. I deer hunt in the mountains of
West Virginia so shots are 15-100 yds. These scopes are probibally the best ones thst Simmons makes and for the price you cant beat them.



BLACKSHEEP
 
I dont mean to be a turd but it would not matter to me what model, because if it says Simmons I would not waste my money. Now, no need to flame its just my opinion.
 
I agree with IDBob on the 2.8-10 Simmons earlier model AETEC!! The new "Master Series" AETEC is a different scope with a funny soft rubber power adj. ring. I have experience only with older model and would reccommend a new "older" model on clearance or online auction even try calling Cabelas. The purpose of the scope also changes everything.

I appreciate but cannot afford to put $500 glass on all my rifles but there are scopes that will do the job in the $200-250 range (depending on power)that are accurate, durable, and bright enough for most situations (entry Nikon, Burris, Leups. etc.) Many people have great success with
 
I have a Simmons 3-10x44 44 Mag that I bought about 9 years ago when I bought my first centerfire rifle. I think I paid $189 for the scope then. I have sold the gun by now but I have kept the scope. I have mounted it on close to 15 different guns from a Ruger 10/22 all the way up to a .300 Win Mag. I have never had any trouble with it. It always keeps its zero and is clear as my Nikon's. Maybe I lucked out and got a good one. I don't know. But I know that it has been a great scope and I will probably never get rid of it. It is now on my Remington 700 .243 and works great for my calling rifle.

coyoteman23
 
Like Sled Dog, I have three of the Whitetail Expedition 1.5X6 on three different calling rifles. Natchez doesn't seem to peddle them any more, or I'd have three more. Great glass, clear,and like Sled mentioned, I like the bold cross hairs, mine have held up extremely well.
 
I used to run "cheapy" optics, til I learned better.

Way to much quality available in various locales, buy a used Leupy for some of the prices you all are talking.

I've Burris, Leupold, Zeiss, and one old Weaver 4X, on the guns that get used most.

Simmons is out, NAY.

Clayman
 
Yotecallr is right, IMHO, I have 6 or 7 Simmons and I used to really like them untill Leupold woke me up. Every time I shoot one of the Simmons I think, "The Leupold would be better on this Rifle" But then they cost a ton and I don't always get what I want. I wait now for the time when I can have a good one. Lesson Learned the hard way.
Danny
 
Just my opinion... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Over the years, I've only had 6 rifles that had scopes.
One Bushnell; one Tasco; one leupold; one Weaver; two Simmons. {the POS I had on my SKS doesn't count} /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif


The Bushnell was new & I thought was a decent scope.
Don't remember the "type", just that it was 3x9x32.

The Tasco was new, & was a total POS from the start. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif
Little 4x32 I put on a Marlin 60.
After 2 months of cussing it, I took it off, & just shot with open sights. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/angry-smiley-055.gif
Funny thing is, I could actually shoot better without that scope. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif

The Leupold, a 3x9x40, was used.
I "borrowed" it from my (@ the time) father-in-law.
Had it on a Ruger .243 for a winter.
Tried to buy it, but he wouldn't sell it. So he got it back.
Sweet scope, but at the time, I seriously thought they cost too much. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

The Weaver was used, already mounted on a Rem. pump-action 30-06 I bought from a pawn shop. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/angry-smiley-055.gif
Only kept the entire set-up 1 winter, because I thoroughly hated both items. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/angry-smiley-055.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/angry-smiley-055.gif

The first Simmons I had was new, put on a .243 Remmy.
It was 3x9x50.
I used that set-up for deer, several years. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Never had a single problem with the scope, even in low light. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Currently I have an older Simmons 3x9x50 "Blazer" (cheapy) on my Stevens .223. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif
Bought it used @ a gun show...$25. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-006.gif
Quite frankly, once I got it sighted-in, I haven't had any problems. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
Even though there certainly must be something wrong with it /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif...I nearly ran out of adjustment (L-R) getting it sighted. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
{and yes, I know the "proper" way to sight-in} /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

So, I guess I say "yah".
However, I do think there are "lemons" & "good ones" regardless of brand/cost. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
Unless you're willing to spend over $500 just for a scope. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
And IMO, for predator hunting, it's just not needed. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Great to have those high-powered/high-cost scopes, but needed. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Simmons is ok for what you pay. I had a 3.5X10X40 whitetail for +10 yrs on a 7 mag and when it finally gave out I sent it back to Simmons and they sent me a new 3X10X44 mag free of charge. I have made the switch to the higher quality optics now and only run the simmons on the rimfires but in my experience they are serviceable for the price and I have had good results with their customer services.
 
i had a simmons whitetail 4-12 on my 1903 springfield 30-06 and it lost 0 this spring i sent it to the factory and they replaced it with a new 4-12-40 prohunter wich i am now very fond of. the new simmons scopes are a huge improvement over the old ones! the clicks are very precise on the new one and the eye relief is not as picky as some of the higher dollar scopes i have, it is a great hunting scope due to how much light it gathers, holds 0 great and has a very flexible eye relief. i have been thinkin of taking my $$$ bushnell off my 243 and putting the simmons on it because the simmons is so much easier to get into in a hurry
 
I would have to vote both ways on this one. I have had good Simmons Scopes and I have had bad Simmons Scopes. For the most part I have had about a half dozen ATECS over the years and of those had one that just wasn't as bright, crisp and clear as the rest. I had an old Japanese Made 8x32x44mm AO Target/Silhouette Simmons Scope (actually had two at one time) that were actually quite good. When the last one I had crapped out after 6 years Meade Optics replaced it with a Weaver 6x20x40mm Grand Slam free of charge. I have had very good luck with a couple 6.5x20x44mm AO 44 Mags, but had a 4x12x44mm AO 44 Mag that was junk. I also have had older 10/22T 3x9x32mm AO that was quite good.

Now for the bad. I have had a couple Whitetail Classics and Whitetail Expeditions and had to send both of them back and ultimately got my $$$ back after they came back to me no better than when I sent them in. In addition I have had not so good experiences with their Pro Hunter Series.

As per the New Master Series Simmons, I only have experience with one and it was a 4x14x44mm SF ATEC. This scope is on a buddies Remington 700 VLS in .223 AI. I was actually quite impressed with the sight picture in this scope as it is very crisp and clear.

Now I have Weaver and Nikon Buckmaster Scopes and am quite happy with them.

Larry
 
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