Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Scopes and Optics => Topic started by: jds15151 on February 03, 2010, 07:24:15 PM

Title: Simmons AETEC or Pentax Pioneer?
Post by: jds15151 on February 03, 2010, 07:24:15 PM: My normal scope is a Burris Fullfield II on most of my rifles. But at the moment I am putting together a "new" varmint/light game rifle and wanted to try something different. It will be in .25-06 or .243, and since I am bringing it on my deployment to Yakima I thought I would ask those of you familiar with hunting in Washington what you would recommend? Thanks
Title: Re: Simmons AETEC or Pentax Pioneer?
Post by: bobcat on February 03, 2010, 07:31:41 PM: I'd get the Pentax, just because I'm not familiar with the AETEC and I really don't trust any Simmons scope. The Pioneer is the same as the Burris Fullfield II, and I have one of those in a 3-9x40. So buy the Fullfield II or the Pioneer, whichever you can find the best price on. For a 3-9x you shouldn't have to pay more than $199.
Title: Re: Simmons AETEC or Pentax Pioneer?
Post by: jackelope on February 03, 2010, 07:33:14 PM: :yeah:
Title: Re: Simmons AETEC or Pentax Pioneer?
Post by: bobcat on February 03, 2010, 07:36:17 PM: Have you looked on eBay? I just checked and there's a great deal on a Pioneer in the 4.5-14x42mm, the same seller has two of them on there at $199.99. That's a "Buy it Now" price so you won't be bidding against anybody and shipping is free. Damn I'm tempted to buy one of them myself. If only I wasn't broke. :'(

Here's a link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Pentax-Pioneer-Rifle-Scope-89620-Deer-Hunting-Varmint_W0QQitemZ110346789090QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item19b12e60e2 (http://cgi.ebay.com/Pentax-Pioneer-Rifle-Scope-89620-Deer-Hunting-Varmint_W0QQitemZ110346789090QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item19b12e60e2)
Title: Re: Simmons AETEC or Pentax Pioneer?
Post by: Woodchuck on February 03, 2010, 07:36:42 PM: i ahve always had good luck with simmons :dunno:
Title: Re: Simmons AETEC or Pentax Pioneer?
Post by: jackelope on February 03, 2010, 08:04:17 PM: some screamer deals on simmons aetec scopes here:
http://www.natchezss.com/specials.cfm?contentID=specials&spcGrp=2 (http://www.natchezss.com/specials.cfm?contentID=specials&spcGrp=2)

swfa has that pioneer scope for $189.95, but the shipping's not free.
http://swfa.com/Pentax-45-14x42-Pioneer-II-Rifle-Scope-P40327.aspx (http://swfa.com/Pentax-45-14x42-Pioneer-II-Rifle-Scope-P40327.aspx)
Title: Re: Simmons AETEC or Pentax Pioneer?
Post by: jds15151 on February 04, 2010, 04:00:08 AM: Thanks for the responses. I am aware of all the usual places to get bargains on these scopes. I guess my question was more of a comparison of the scopes under normal hunting conditions in Washington. I have always been satisfied with the Burris F II, but was wondering if any of you had used the other two scopes and if the larger objective lenses performed better up there? Thanks again.
Title: Re: Simmons AETEC or Pentax Pioneer?
Post by: Intruder on February 04, 2010, 08:49:56 AM: the Pentax is a better scope.

In the standard configs 3-9 or 3-10 w/ a 40 or 42 mm obj... some others worth looking at under 200:

-Sightron SI
-Vortex Diamondback (great warranty and good glass)
-Weaver Classic V (right now, gun to my head, I'd probably go w/ this for a scope under 200 for a med to low recoiling rifle.... although I strongly consider the Diamondback)

For a shade over 200:
-Buckmaster
-Elite 3200
Title: Re: Simmons AETEC or Pentax Pioneer?
Post by: Mookie on February 04, 2010, 12:11:58 PM: I know people who swear by the Aetec, even though they hate the rest of simmons. I think, THINK, it is the same scope as the Pentax Gameseaker, my memory could be fuzzy on that. I have no personal experience with these scopes, just going by what people I know say.

Another really nice scope to try is the Nikko Stirling Platinum Nighteater. I had one, sold it with a rifle, great scope, super clear and never had any problems with it.

Check Ebay and Gunbroker for Leupold VX I, I got a new 4-12x40 for 225 shipped last year.
Title: Re: Simmons AETEC or Pentax Pioneer?
Post by: Deep Forks on February 04, 2010, 12:27:00 PM: Take a look at the Vortex scopes they're excellent also Redfield now made by Leopold and the Weaver. In my opinion if your shooting a hard recoiling rifle I'd go with the Vortex, my son has been shooting one for 3 yrs. on a 300 win mag. with no problems. Good Luck :dunno:
Title: Re: Simmons AETEC or Pentax Pioneer?
Post by: jackelope on February 04, 2010, 12:33:00 PM: elknut1 is a vortex dealer on here and gives members good deals. check him out if you're interested in a vortex. the diamondback 4-12x40 is what i am running and am very satisfied with it.
Title: Re: Simmons AETEC or Pentax Pioneer?
Post by: Deep Forks on February 04, 2010, 07:47:58 PM: Quote from: jackelope on February 04, 2010, 12:33:00 PM
elknut1 is a vortex dealer on here and gives members good deals. check him out if you're interested in a vortex. the diamondback 4-12x40 is what i am running and am very satisfied with it.

That's the same scope my son has on the his 300 win. mag and it's good to know about elknut1. I have been doing my vortex business with The Outdoorsman in Phoenix Az, now I have a choice. :) :)
Title: Re: Simmons AETEC or Pentax Pioneer?
Post by: carpsniperg2 on February 04, 2010, 08:03:21 PM: i would get the pentax over the simmions but i really don't like either one very much myself :twocents:
Title: Re: Simmons AETEC or Pentax Pioneer?
Post by: jackelope on February 04, 2010, 08:23:45 PM: Forks-
Paul will give hunt-wa members a deal as far as i remember.
Don't hold me to that but I do believe thats the case. I also have mine on a 300 wm
Title: Re: Simmons AETEC or Pentax Pioneer?
Post by: ecnclan on February 07, 2010, 07:19:23 PM: I've had an Aetec on my swede for a number of years and it has been a good scope. It's been banged around and hunted in all conditions with no problems. Pentax scopes aren't bad, quality for the money. I would say whatever you find the better deal on between the two. :twocents: