Burris Quality control

[Bat Rastard]

I bought aBurris 8x40.
I like it, but I can't recommend it. The glass is clear enough and I like the features. They manufactured the reticle way off center.

I mounted it with cheap rings, and I used ALL of the windage to dial it in.
I blamed the cheap rings and bought better rings. The better rings took all but 1" of the windage to dial it in.

I have had 2 other scopes on that rifle previously. I know the rail and receiver to be relatively down the middle.

Burris had me send it in. 5 weeks later they said it was "in spec" and sent it back. They suggested I buy their $90 shimmable rings to fix the problem of their poor manufacturing.

I will not be purchasing their rings. I would have accepted them for free to compensate for their poor manufacturing.

I fabricated shims for the base of my rings and ended up 8" from the limit of the adjustment.

I probably have 30 years of shooting left in me. I am done with Burris and will tell my story of dissatisfaction to all that will listen for the next 30 years.

 

[Sandstorm]

Do they have a lifetime warranty,??

 

[Bat Rastard]

They do. That is a huge factor in my disappointment.
Even though the reticle is no where near the center, it is "in spec" and my problem.
It is not a high end scope, but it's not a $30 Tasco either.
I do good work at my job and expect that from others.
You shouldn't have to shim a scope to find the center.
I want to stress that 2 other scopes had been on that rifle. I know the receiver and rail are right down the middle.
I thought I was upgrading?!

 

[Sandstorm]

Perhaps it will need that warranty down the line's my guess.
You just never know what could happen.

 

[CaptainMal]

Burris is the maker of most of my hunting scopes. Great "bang" for the buck and rarely have an issue. Even the old ones hold up. Had one that was abused and leaked. They fixed no charge.

Kind odd sad to read you got something like the old 1950's FFP scopes where the reticle moved down into a side when adjusted. It should be centered optically.

 

[nettle]

I bought a new Burris online years ago and and the sight picture was blurry. I sent it back to Burris for warranty repair and when it was returned it was worse. Burris may be a lot better now but I can't afford to find out. All my scopes are Leopold now.

 

[ShtrRdy]

Can you swap the rings your using, (front to back), and see if the error goes the other way?

 

[Bat Rastard]

Can you swap the rings your using, (front to back), and see if the error goes the other way?

I believe I could.
I have it shimmed and functional, I am leaving it alone.

 

[Downeast]

Sounds like Burris and Vortex are kissing cousins. Except that Vortex does have a decent warranty as everyone who owns one uses it.

 

[Bat Rastard]

At least they always answered their phone and returned messages.
Oh wait, they didn't.

 

[rwj]

Sounds like Burris and Vortex are kissing cousins. Except that Vortex does have a decent warranty as everyone who owns one uses it.

Own 3 Vortex rifle scopes going on 10 years… no issues to report/none have been returned… perhaps I’m just lucky?

 

[D-4297]

Own 3 Vortex rifle scopes going on 10 years… no issues to report/none have been returned… perhaps I’m just lucky?

No . You aren't just Lucky . I also have three Vortex Scopes . Two Golden Eagles , and One HST . Had a issue with the HST several years ago , and sent it in for repair . They sent me a NEW one . My two Eagles have been shot in Competition for over five years now , without so much as a hiccup . There were just as many Vortex on the Line at this years SWN as any other scope , and they are gaining rapidly with F-Class shooters . Cost and quality matter , just as much as a "Name" .

And from the FWIW Dept. ? All of my Vortex are mounted with Burris XTR Signature Rings . They may have a problem with their scopes , but I don't think anyone makes a better set of rings , than the XTR . None of my scopes have moved at all in four years , since going to the XTR Rings .

 

[Knotwild]

Vortex makes scopes in 4 places: China, Philippines, Japan, and USA. I think the Golden Eagle is USA manufactured. Logic should indicate where the scopes with problems are likely to come from.

 

[pokadex_]

Vortex makes scopes in 4 places: China, Philippines, Japan, and USA. I think the Golden Eagle is USA manufactured. Logic should indicate where the scopes with problems are likely to come from.

The GE is made in Japan. I believe the only American made Vortex was the AMG and that is no longer available. Strangely, my Chinese-made Vortexes have been great, had to return my GE for a lens alignment issue.

 

[Knotwild]

The GE is made in Japan. I believe the only American made Vortex was the AMG and that is no longer available. Strangely, my Chinese-made Vortexes have been great, had to return my GE for a lens alignment issue.

Thanks. I have personally had problems with cheaper Vortexs and Chinese scopes in general. So I stick with the brands that have been around a while. I remember when Vortex didn't exist and in the grand scheme of things, it wasn't that long ago. It's just my personal opinion/experience and I'm glad you are happy with the Chinese stuff.

 

[pokadex_]

Thanks. I have personally had problems with cheaper Vortexs and Chinese scopes in general. So I stick with the brands that have been around a while. I remember when Vortex didn't exist and in the grand scheme of things, it wasn't that long ago. It's just my personal opinion/experience and I'm glad you are happy with the Chinese stuff.

I think I either got lucky or I just have low standards after growing up on cheap Tascos and the like lol I've had some other Chinese junk break right out of the box so I try to stick to Japanese now. The euro stuff is great but I just can't justify the expense. As long as we're all having fun shooting guns I can't complain.

 

[Knotwild]

I think I either got lucky or I just have low standards after growing up on cheap Tascos and the like lol I've had some other Chinese junk break right out of the box so I try to stick to Japanese now. The euro stuff is great but I just can't justify the expense. As long as we're all having fun shooting guns I can't complain.

I don't have anything Euro other than Meopta I got some a deal on. I did have a Swarovski stolen, and another Swarovski that I sold to a friend who needed it for his wife's rifle. I wish I still had them both now. Nothing ticks me off like going to shoot, or check the zero to hunt, and having the scope not work. I've found that if you are patient and look around, there are some good deals on some good scopes.

 

[std7mag]

I have 4 Burris scopes that I'm rotating through for warranty.

At least one of the adjustments on each is stiff to the point that you almost need pliers to move.

Note that these are on/for hunting rifles.
When they come back, if good will be getting sold off and replaced with Crimson Trace scopes.

 

[davidjoe]

Have you tried the problem scope on another rifle to see if the same issue exists?

If a scope if off center the way you describe, I think it would have almost no ability to be adjusted side to side.

Conversely, if it can be moved the expected amount side to side with the knob, then it cannot be very far off center, because there is not very much extra space between the erector tube, and the wall.

If the crosshairs themselves were far off to one side, yes, that would be a problem, but you would have already noticed that the reticle isn’t close to the middle of the field of view.

 

[Kittitas George]

I tried to do some business with Burris quite a few years ago. Their customer service man, John, was such a jerk it turned me off for good. I was in a retail gun store that also did a lot of wholesale sporting goods, they had 8 or 10 outside sales people, the clerk also had trouble with John. They didn't push Burris. Since I've bought quite a few scopes, never a Burris. Poor employees can cost a company BIG BUCKS.