Simmons Whitetail Classic 1.5-5x20

[Sir_SwampThing]

I studied photography many yrs ago, so I understand fully that there are good and bad lenses and if you want quality you have to pay for it (usually). For just plinking in my field for practise and close range ratting/rabbit hunting I really didnt think there would be much advantage to using premier glass. I was so wrong...
On my Alros and my Skan I have used:-
unbranded 3-9x40......acceptable(just) but crosshairs seem to waver, mechanics were poor and I constantly felt the need to blink
Edgar Bros Optitoo 3-12x40......excellent on my Trailsman with its longer construction but of limited use on my Skan.
Hawke Pro Stalk 5-20x50....looks great on my Skan (if I want to look like someone out of Robocop), optically excellent but just makes the whole kit unbalanced so pointless.
Simmons Whitetail Classic 1.5-5x20.........its beautiful!!..the construction is solid and reassuring yet it seems to weigh nothing, the mechanics of the zoom are as smooth as silk, the zeroing is easy because the adjustment is so precise, and optically it is stunning. Edge to edge sharp, the reticle is pinsharp at all times despite no eye-adjustment, its bright and clear until late evening. And it suits my Skan wonderfully, the balance of the rifle remains, shooting freehand is so easy..
And all this because I popped into a gunshop for a tin of pellets and spotted this little gem lying on a shelf, unloved, so I made an offer and got it for £35!

ps......I just found three old eggs in my fridge so placed them on mounds of sand and from 50 yds took three eggs with three pellets, who needs huge magnification???

[Dave]

As you say great scope, but I think you'll find it does have eye adjustment, take another look, the eyebell rotates and is secured by a knurled lock ring.

[conor1]

These are fantastic scopes.

I put one on my AA TDR for squirrels.

I wish they would make a version with a mildot reticle as I prefer them to duplex reticles.

[maximus otter]

One of my all-time favourite 'scopes was the Tasco 1.75 - 5 X 40 on my old Weihrauch 80.

Too many shooters go for excessive magnification in my opinion.

maximus otter

[Rapidnick]

The little Simmons is a fantastic scope as you say and these days amazing value for money too.. I personally like a bit more mag and mildot so probably the 'best small light' scope is now the Bushnell Elite 2-7x32. A little bit larger but still very compact and excellent quality.

[bigglesworth]

Be careful which rifle you mount your Simmons on ,my "lively" BSA 0.177 Supersport wrecked my WTC.My smooth 0.22 HW95k would have probably been O.K.,I`m sure these scopes arn`t spring-gun rated,but they are still IMO the best compact scope on the market.

Take care

Kenny

[junglie]

picked one up secondhand from local gun shop for £60 with mounts about a year ago,love it so much I just got another from a freind for £40, with mounts for my sons R10 bsa, much better than his previous scope a leapers 3-12x44 30mm tube illuminated & hardly notice it's on gun the weight's so compact,shows up many a bigger scope in poor light.

[DCL_dave]

picked one up secondhand from local gun shop for £60 with mounts about a year ago,love it so much I just got another from a freind for £40, with mounts for my sons R10 bsa, much better than his previous scope a leapers 3-12x44 30mm tube illuminated & hardly notice it's on gun the weight's so compact,shows up many a bigger scope in poor light.

Snap!...yesterday I bought yet another example of the classic little Simmons WTC 1.5-5x20WA and a ProAir 4-12x40, at £100 for the pair I simply couldn't resist

These seem to change hands on the S/H market for around the £50 mark, and that makes them absolute bargain in my book.

[AD_K]

I've got one of these on my .357 Magnum - Marlin Carbine. Only had it a few weeks, its fantastic!!

[GATMAN]

I've had quite a few of these over the years - they are brilliant scopes

Paul.

[bigdogwoff]

I've had quite a few of these over the years - they are brilliant scopes

Paul.

me to very good for the price!
still have 3/10/50 on my rimmy and at 130m i can head shoot the bunnys no probs!with the bi pod,thay are very very good scopes.

[WINK]

if u think the whitetail's good try a aetec much better optically+build quality one's made in the phillipines are the best

[chris u'5]

I'm thinking about using one on a Theoben Evolution Carbine to compliment the size and weight of the rifle but despite reading all the positive reports I find it hard to believe that it has enough magnification

Is it really enough to shoot at a range of 30 - 35 yards?

[bullet boy]

I'm thinking about using one on a Theoben Evolution Carbine to compliment the size and weight of the rifle but despite reading all the positive reports I find it hard to believe that it has enough magnification

Is it really enough to shoot at a range of 30 - 35 yards?

YES!Got mine on my Rapid 17-Brilliant Scope!!!!!!

[Rapidnick]

I'm thinking about using one on a Theoben Evolution Carbine to compliment the size and weight of the rifle but despite reading all the positive reports I find it hard to believe that it has enough magnification

Is it really enough to shoot at a range of 30 - 35 yards?

Funnily enough I used my first one on an Evo Carbine (Fenman in those days). It was very clear with fantastic target acquisition and superb image quality. The top mag of 5 may not be enough but there again 35 yards isn't a long distance in shooting terms. Depends on your eyesight really.