I have never owned a Simmons scope but I have had several Bushnell's. I still have one of their 1.5-4.5X32 that I took off a 30-06. It has been a good scope but was underpowered for a 30-06 so I put a 3-9X40 Leupold on it. The 1.5-4.5 would be a good blackpowder or short range scope. I once had an old 2.5 fixed power Bushnell, I liked it and it did not cause any problems. I would rather buy a used Leupold or find a good sale on the VX-1's then put much trust in a Simmons.