What would you do? (scope stuff)

[Ohio Varmint Shooter]

I had a Mueller 8.5x25 power scope on my Savage model 10 in 223. The thing never shot well. Long story short, I find out it's not me, it's not the gun, it's not the ammo, it's the scope. Sometimes it would group reasonably well for a few shots, but then POI would keep changing!!

I sent it back to Mueller to see if they would honor their warranty. (purchased from authorized dealer, I had receipt...etc.) Had no idea how long I would have to wait, or if they would honor it, or if I would have to fight...etc.

In the mean time, I purchased a Burris Fullfield II in 4.5x14 power. Less power, but what a deal: It was already on sale, and had a $100 rebate. And Cabelas even gave me a $10 off coupon when I walked in the door! Original price: $350. My purchase price: $170. With this setup, I went to the range 1 time, zeroed it in and was pleased to shoot about 3/4" groups with factory ammo. Finally!!! (and it was consistent!!!)

But less than a week from when I shipped the Mueller back for warranty work, a package arrives. It's a complete replacement scope from Mueller with a diagnostic report that basically said the scope was bad, brand new replacement issued.

So now I'm sort of second guessing myself. Do I want to put the Mueller back on the gun? The gun is mostly a groundhog gun...so the extra power of the Mueller will be nice. But I will be coyote hunting soon, and I think the burris' lower power would be better for that. In either case, I won't be shooting past 300 yards.

When searching for groundhogs, being able to crank up to 20+ power will be nice when all you see is a head sticking up over a log. But I will admit, the Burris seems awfully nice.

Many of you may say "Buy another gun!!" And that sounds nice, but a 223 does everything I want it to. Can't hunt deer in Ohio with centerfire. (although they just approved 'straight walled pistol cartridges'.)

Part of me says sell the Mueller on Ebay.

 

[Larryh128]

Cheap scopes are cheap for a reason. Ebay all the way.

 

[357Mag]

Ohio -

Howdy !

A ( used ) Leupold 6.5 - 20X would work. Served me well on NE Indiana " Soybeanus Digestus ".

A Bushnell " Banner " or " Elite" 6 - 24X would work, also.

To name a few.


With regards,
357Mag

 

[dkhunt14]

I would sell the Mueller. The Burris should be a little better. Matt

 

[jonbearman]

I say why not give the Mueller another chance, cheap or not , it is new. Punish it and see if it holds up. Now if it fails again, get them to send a new one again and then sell it. I have read a lot of threads on other sites and people seem to like them albeit cheap.

 

[seymour fish]

ditch the Mueller ASAP

 

[people]

Sightron did the same thing for me one time and then fixed it one time. Low cost usually means cheap. There are some good scopes for lower costs than NF. I would sell it and get something better.

 

[Mr.270win]

I have a Mueller 8.5-25 on a TC Contender super 14 223 & very pleased with it for groundhogs. If were me I'd keep it. You might use it on another project?

 

[Ohio Varmint Shooter]

Thanks for all the comments, but it comes down to this:

Mueller: more power, but perhaps less quality
Burris: less power, but perhaps better quality.

I have a Mueller 4.5x14 on my 17hmr....and it's great. (but this is a 125 yard or less gun) Between the gun, scope and me...(and no wind) it will shoot 5 shot groups under a nickle all day long. Often under a dime. I'm thrilled to have such an accurate gun.

Can't wait to get more shooting time with the new scope (which ever one I choose) and really dial it in.

I will more than likely sell the Mueller. There is a slight chance I may keep it because my grandson (12 years old) will be going groundhog hunting with me this year. If he takes to it, I'll have to get him his own groundhog gun. (probably an Axis) I would put this Mueller scope on it. But who knows, he may find it boring. (in this day of internet/wifi/cable tv/cellphone/texting...etc.) But he already really liked squirrel hunting this past season.

 

[fredhorace77]

personally id sell both of them and buy something even better than the two of them. if u were suprised by the burris then ull be even more pleased with another higher quality scope.

 

[CaptainMal]

Been using Burris scopes of all kinds for hunting for decades. I mean they just never seem to fail and I mean a whole lot of different ones.

Sure I have many Leupolds and Nightforce. It's just that for most hunting rifles, good does not have to be the best.

Good is Burris. I have proved it to myself over a lot of years.

 

[sundance]

I just bought a Burris 4.5-14 from a gentleman on this site 2 weeks ago. Amazing how clear those Phillipine made scopes are.

 

[SS427]

My Fullfield II 4.5-14x is one of the first scopes I bought seven or eight years ago and I still have it. Remarkably clear for the money and I like the ballistic plex reticle. It has worked its way down the food chain and now resides on a Savage .22LR. Great scope for what I use it for.

 

[2506]

I would stick with the Burris because I think that it is a better scope plus 14 power is plenty for your use. I have done a lot of ground hog hunting over the years and in the summer the heat mirage plays the devil with high powder scopes. For the yotes the 4.5 power will be golden. Keep the scope set on 4.5 because those boogers sneak in close sometimes or come running and with high power scopes you can't find them quickly. Learned a long time ago that you always have time to turn the power up on a scope but never have time to turn down the power when game comes a running.

 

[Ohio Varmint Shooter]

I would stick with the Burris because I think that it is a better scope plus 14 power is plenty for your use. I have done a lot of ground hog hunting over the years and in the summer the heat mirage plays the devil with high powder scopes. For the yotes the 4.5 power will be golden. Keep the scope set on 4.5 because those boogers sneak in close sometimes or come running and with high power scopes you can't find them quickly. Learned a long time ago that you always have time to turn the power up on a scope but never have time to turn down the power when game comes a running.

Thanks. Your comments (on top of what others have written) make a lot of sense. Looks like I'll sell the Mueller. And if the grandson takes to groundhog hunting, I'll buy a scope and gun when the time is right. And I really don't think I want him to start out with a 8.5X25 power scope!

 

[ssv1761982]

An old timer always told me this:

There are good optics
There are cheap optics
but
There are no good cheap optics.

I was always sorry when I tried to save a couple bucks.

 

[Gabe22BR]

Checking the classifieds here, I have seen a Leupold, 10 , 12, 16, power scopes woth the money. Also seen a Leupold 6.5x20. I have used a straight 12 power for a long time on one of my varmint rigs. You can see the 22 bullet holes @ 150yds.

The other scopes you have make great rimfire scopes

 

[CSM19Z5M]

I have gone to all Leupold scopes and love them. But I have a Mueller 8.5X25 on a 17HMR heavy varmint gun and it shoots tight groups and repeats all day long. I would not buy another one because I have just decided to stick with one scope line but I wouldn't get rid of the Mueller I have either. When you buy the more economical scopes your risk of a bad one goes up substantially as the price goes lower. But if you are worried about it then sell it. You have to have confidence in your tools.