BalScope Sr.

[StuBach]

This is a for what it’s worth comment.

My dad raised me that the BalScope Sr was the spotting scope to have and while he had one when I was a kid, he had only had only dreamed of one when he was a kid. Today I realized why...

These fantastic scopes which are still around and often sell for around $200-$250 on eboy, cost $115 new in 1957 (when my dad was a boy). Using an inflation calculator, that means the scope would cost $1,046 in 2019 dollars. That is insane to me to think about that. And these scopes were what most heavy shooters used in that era for 4-position competitions.

Just goes to show how they just don’t make them like they used to. For those who haven’t had the pleasure, I highly recommend seeking one out and giving it a try. I still prefer them to the modern leupold spotter my wife has and have even gotten a few of my younger “Millennial” friends seeking ones out for themselves.

[roysha]

I can't comment on your scope since I don't believe I have ever seen one, much less looked through one.

However, in my world in those days the Unertl 63mm spotting scope in various powers and eyepiece arrangements, straight, angled or 90 degrees was the holy grail of spotting scopes. I suspect they were/are optically comparable. I still wish I had bought one when they were more readily available but I was taken with the "glitz and glamor" of the latest variable at the time and kept trying to get a "better" one. Still have my Bushnell which works quite well but I really miss the old stuff.

Bad case of nostalgia!

[Markopolo]

I actually went over to the bay and looked and saw them at a great price... but I was too broke to buy...

[roysha]

I actually went over to the bay and looked and saw them at a great price... but I was too broke to buy...

There you go, following me around again!

[uscra112]

B&L really knew their business back then. I've collected several of their riflescopes - the ones that mounted on adjustable double cones. Why that concept didn't catch on still mystifies me.

[StuBach]

For those who aren’t familiar here is a photo of my two. One is an original version mounted on a Freeland Tripod with lambskin cover and the other is a newer model mounted in a different Freeland Mount (not sure specifics of mount as it came with scope but this version also accepts standard threaded tripods.

[Markopolo]

This is the one I saw...



Interesting that this one has the different mag eye pieces mounter on a rotating disk... it sold for 106 bucks...

[Nueces]

I have a pretty Zoom 60 here with the angled eyepiece, perfect for bench work. I used it in cowboy long range competition for a while until it went cloudy. Do any of y'all recommend a feller to refurbish these fine old scopes?

[StuBach]

I have a pretty Zoom 60 here with the angled eyepiece, perfect for bench work. I used it in cowboy long range competition for a while until it went cloudy. Do any of y'all recommend a feller to refurbish these fine old scopes?

Zoom 60s are nice for convenience so you don’t have to carry around the lenses but I still prefer the senior over the zoom (though the zoom 60 went for a fair chunk more than the senior in its day I read). Never had a chance to try one of the turret rigs mentioned in earlier post, anyone have any insight on how useful they are?

As for a restoration specialist. My dad knows a guy who still restores them and even has a ton of old backlog factory parts from when B&L got out of the game. I asked for the contact info and will send along once I have it.

[StuBach]

Larry Reich, 508-254-9726, has restored several scopes for my family. Not sure what models he can handle but I know he’s taken care of some Zoom 60s and some Seniors for my family. Does a great job!

[Nueces]

Larry Reich, 508-254-9726, has restored several scopes for my family. Not sure what models he can handle but I know he’s taken care of some Zoom 60s and some Seniors for my family. Does a great job!

Thank you, Sir!

[kokomokid]

We used the B&L scope to good effect for many years. With the straight scope you can watch wind flags and be on target soon as your shooter fires. The 20x reads mirage well and you can see hits on metal target at 1000yds. We used to buy good ones for $100.