Vintage rifle scopes: What do you prefer?

[Winger Ed.]

As so many modern rifle scopes are treated as a dispoable commodity,

That reminds me-
We live in a disposable society.
We throw away everything---- even each other.

I had a clean Weaver K4 that came to me, but like old cars and new ones-
When people say, "Ohhh. They don't make 'em like they used to".
I think, 'No, and I'm glad they don't. The new stuff is head & shoulders above the old ones'.

Awhile back, my neighbor inherited a 50s era Winchester .30-30, that nobody will never shoot again.
We put it on his .30-30 just because it looks cool and is from the same era.

My older scopes I actually use only go back to the 80s. They were real good, and sort of expensive back then.
A Redfield 5 Star, and a Simmons Presidential that was crazy expensive back then.
I'd line 'em up with a new production scope of the type I use.
They might not be quite as capable, but I doubt I could tell the difference.

[marlinman93]

I was at one of our monthly OAC collector gun shows back in June, and after the show I was wheeling my cart out the door when I looked over at the "donation table" where guys leave stuff for the club to sell. The setup is you see something you want, you drop money in a donation box that helps the club.
So sitting on the table was what looked like a brand new scope! I picked it up, and saw it was a 3x-9x, and had a knob with markings for adjusting an electronic crosshair. The side of the scope read, "Leapers", which I'd never heard of? I looked through it, and turned the light adjustment, but nothing changed. No center to the crosshairs, and I figured that's why someone left it there.
What the heck, I might see if I could fix it, so dropped a donation in the box and took it home. When I got home I set it on my desk, but before setting it down I turned the knob to zero. The next day I picked it up, and turned the knob to a low number and the crosshairs lit up! I turned it up and they got brighter! Appeared that someone left it turned on, and the battery ran down. I looked through our drawer of various batteries we keep around, and found one for our alarm sensors that is the exact same battery. Put in a new battery and the scope is perfect!
I looked online for Leapers scopes, and found their website. It's actually a pretty expensive scope when it was new, and seems to be very high quality! Lucky me!

[cheggie]

I have a JW Fecker 10x on a Winchester 1885 Hiwall in .22 Lovell. It has screw on caps that seem to seal it pretty well when stored. The glass is still clear and bright, and I have been able to hit a target with it. I noticed the scope creeps forward in the mounts - since it floats free in the external mounts. I think I've seen a spring on some of these to keep the scope against the stop. Anyone know where to find one?

[Good Cheer]

The Unertl 3/4" tube small game is just the cat's meow.

[Green Frog]

For hunting, an old Weaver K-4 or -6 fits the bill. My Schuetzen rifles have Lyman Super TargetSpots and TS Jrs. On my full benchrest singleshot, I’ve got a Unertl BV-20.
Froggie

[Repass]

I love vintage Redfield and Swarovski rifle scopes. They’re rugged, clear, and still functional decades later. Most of these can be serviced by companies like Iron Sight, Inc. or the original manufacturer (if they still exist). Fixed magnification is a plus for reliability in my book.

[Green Frog]

My Peregrine bench gun has a Unertl BV-20 mounted and my classic Schuetzen rifles all sport Lyman Super TargetSpots and TargetSpot Jrs.

For modern rifles I lean toward Leopold and Texas Weaver scopes. I’m hoping to get a classic Weaver K6 on my newly built Ruger #3 in 327 Fed Mag.

Froggie

[Pirate69]

PECAR Berlin 4X81.
This is an old scope that I am trying to determine its history. Still in good shape.

https://i.imgur.com/dY4jdHO.jpg

[atr]

I have several K series Weaver scopes I use for hunting. They do the job which is all I ask. I agree they have limitations and the newer scopes are technically better but as long as these older scopes can get the job done I don't feel a need to replace them. Most of these older scopes are fixed power which I prefer.
Happy New Year all

[MrCreosote]

John Unertl Optical Company

[Green Frog]

Well, I was over on the “For Sale” section of another Forum and lo and behold a member there was offering a Texas Weaver K6 with post & cross hairs reticle. It was reasonably priced and apparently I was the first to see it.
It’s on its way from MO (probably by dogsled). I got my 310 reloading set for 32 S&W L completed, so I should be able to mount the scope and as soon as the glacier recedes go out to the club range and do some sighting in and load development. Don’t you just love it when a plan comes together?
Froggie

[auggiesp51]

I have 2 old Red fields one 2-7 one 3-9 and two old Weavers one fine cross hairs and one with cross hairs and a dot.