I aquired an Optex 3-9x32 scope today and am putting it on my 222. I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on the brand. It was on my Dads 30-06 which he aquired from my Uncle. My uncle used the setup to kill moose successfully I might add. He purchased the setup back in the 70's. I was looking on the net for info on Optex scopes with very little luck. The scope is more then functional for what I want it for but I was just trying to find out what I can so that I know what to expect from the scope over time.

Your right, tlo7mm, not much data out thee. Obviously, it has stood the test of time. The Weaver Scopes from that era are still providing good service.

Everyone knows that scopes will fail eventually. It isn't a matter of "if" so much as a matter of "when". Even the most expensive can let you down occasionally. Some just manage to outlive others and we can enjoy them while they do. I have an old Montgomery Wards (remember them?) 4X scope that I bought in 1967 that has ridden on the back of a sporterized Springfield '03 since 1970 and still works just fine. Use your scope and remember that it has a history of its own to share with you!

Tell ya what great topic.

I have a Bushnell Elite 3200 Tactical scope on my 300mag sniper. I thinks it was 299$ on sale.

I was inspecting the rifle last night, reached accross the table for some water and snagged the top turret with my sleeve and knocked my prized posession over while on the bipod- WHABAM!, flat on the left side resting on the objective bell. (bolt and mag were out of course)

Did that really just happen?

Ol lady just left the room, not saying anything, closed the doors and windows for the ensuing cuss-storm then went downstairs...

I kinda sat there absolutely stunned for a second. Picked it up. Looked it over and as far as I can tell zero damage, zero bendage, might still be zero'd! It made an awful sound, I mean it was loud and it hit hard and I went instantly ill to my guts. I expected to see glass bits and a broken reticle.

Zero damage. A 10# rifle came down on it's side tipped over off a bipod and the front of the scope took the brunt on a hard surface- not something I'd wanna repeat but- holy smokes I tought that was a gonner- highpower next week so- we'll see but so far so good.

I also has a Bushell Trpohy 2-6x on my 44m and that thing takes some God awful abuse too....love the finger clickers under the caps on it too..no coins! It was I think 160$.

I'm sure the other makes in similar applications are good to great but for the prices I paid Bushnell makes some freakin' tuff stuff! And if Kabong's still in zero and sealed up they gotta customer for life...ever drop test a scope? I have!

from what I can gather optek still do glassware looks like microscope parts.
Ive killed my fair share of scopes my ol smoke pipe has worn about 10 so now she has a leupold and hopefully that will be the last one I ever need for it.

tlo7mm wrote:

I aquired an Optex 3-9x32 scope today and am putting it on my 222. I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on the brand. It was on my Dads 30-06 which he aquired from my Uncle. My uncle used the setup to kill moose successfully I might add. He purchased the setup back in the 70's. I was looking on the net for info on Optex scopes with very little luck. The scope is more then functional for what I want it for but I was just trying to find out what I can so that I know what to expect from the scope over time.

Well its a 40yr old scope, probably made in Japan which I recon is still a step up on what the chinese are currently producing.
As long as all the adjustments still work and the focusing ring isnt corroded solid and you look after it, you'll probably get another 20 yrs out of it.
I recently retired an old 6x C clear scope on my .222 soley because the focus adjustment had corroded threads and was no longer adjustable to what my eyes are now, damn thing was crystal clear 2 years ago.
Also dont let it act as a airbag to save the rifle if you drop it, I lost a good quality 1970's era weaver that way.

dhc4ever wrote:

Well its a 40yr old scope, probably made in Japan which I recon is still a step up on what the chinese are currently producing. Also dont let it act as a airbag to save the rifle if you drop it, I lost a good quality 1970's era weaver that way.

My Bushy's got Japanese glass in it I think and oh GOD don't even say that I just got another metal pic from last night *uurp, barf!*

Ive bent them, fogged them. dunked them and even had the front lens fall right out on me!!!! new scope that was too still siteing in at the range I couldnt work out why my shots were going left then Bang ping... f#*%...

And I thought I was hard on 'em... El you've had everything happen sans one catching on fire just about.

Someone tell me Kabong's eye's are gonna be ok...*whimper snivel* Gad's that sound it made tipping over....yuk!

if not you will just have to bite the bullet and buy her a new set of eyes, something fancy should keep her happy and stop the fighting with the newby in the cabinet.

...yeh, yer right.

Seeing what all you've been through with them I guess I shouldnt get too attached! Just started using glass a couple years ago since my eyes finally gave it up. Sights worked fine for 49 years at all kinda ranges, but not no mo!

Great- glass on a rifle of mine. Just what I needed.

stovepipe wrote:

Sights worked fine for 49 years at all kinda ranges, but not no mo! Great- glass on a rifle of mine. Just what I needed.

Look at the bright side, if you can see it you can shoot it, if you cant you wont.

I'm not happy with middle aged eyes either.

Good outlook mate!

And is 51 middle aged? I feel a lot older! Still aint crazy about glass on my guns...who needs that liability to worry about?

I do love the mildot reticle...how easy is that? Miss open sights though. I can still do ok with the Merrit device when there's lots of light and brother is that thing a God send. I love sliding the leaf up on the ladder and futzing with the sights...man that's fun. Esp when ya connect and the target is smaller than the front post....boom-pang! Did I do that?

I have an old Anchutz .22 my dad bought back in the early 50's, trigger has more creep than a horror movie and basic open sights.
These days I cant focus on the foresight, my 13 yr old punches out 4in groups at 50 mtrs.
My new CZ .22 has a 2.5 to 10x on it and it shoots 1/2 inch groups at 50 mt, so if you can see it you can shoot it rings true.
Yeah middle aged is 51, thats what I am apparently, personally I still think I'm 18, but bits keep sagging, dimming, ringing or aching.
Youth really is wasted on the young.

dhc4ever wrote:

I have an old Anchutz .22 my dad bought back in the early 50's, trigger has more creep than a horror movie and basic open sights. These days I cant focus on the foresight, my 13 yr old punches out 4in groups at 50 mtrs. My new CZ .22 has a 2.5 to 10x on it and it shoots 1/2 inch groups at 50 mt, so if you can see it you can shoot it rings true. Yeah middle aged is 51, thats what I am apparently, personally I still think I'm 18, but bits keep sagging, dimming, ringing or aching. Youth really is wasted on the young.

Brilliant post and man nails on the head each one!

"more creeps than a horror show"....buwahahahaha!

Get a new trigger for that Anshu- that's a keeper man!!!!