Wanted a new scope for my Savage Muzzleloader. Found an A1-Optics 3-12x50 that looked pretty good for the price and it had some nice features like multi-coated lenses, an illuminated reticule and a parallax adjustment. Anyone have experience with one of these?
Came in a few days ago and I tried to compare it to the 3-9x40 Simmons that came on my rifle. With the parallex adjustment properly set it seems to be somewhat clearer than the Simmons, but still in the same optics class. Kinda hard to evaluate with it not mounted on the rifle. The eye relief varies quite a bit with the change in power, more than the Simmons, but I think I can get used to that. I love that illuminated reticule. It will likely be a good help from my stand down in the bottoms early and late in the day.
It was advertised as to have multi-coated lenses to give excellent sun glare rejection and low light capability, but time will tell. I had to order new Weaver grand slam extended scope bases to make it fit it on my gun. They should come next week and then I can really see how well it works.
The supplied aluminium rings are really quite nice. The design appears very secure with the screws attaching the scope being totally separate from those clutching the base. Looks like they could be removed and replaced with much less shift in the zero than the originals. There's a lot more metal in them and they should handle the considerable Savage recoil better.
I'm looking forward to trying this thing out. It is obviously not up to the optics quality of a Leaupold or Nikon, but appears pretty good for an inexpensive scope. It has a lifetime warranty, but if it turns out to be a dud that just means they will replace it with another one just like it. For the price I figured it's worth the risk and at worst case it will be an inexpensive one-season scope while I save up for something better.
A1-Optics Scope
