So, Upon the evening of my nuptials, I was gifted a Howa 1500 .308 that came with a Nikko Stirling Gameking 3.5 10x44 scope (with a compass in the stock ). Will be going to the range Friday before heading to the lease to dial her in, but I was wondering, what has been y’alls experience with this particular scope? So far I’m diggin’ it just to spot with, good clear glass and red/green reticals that Provide MOA. What y’all have to say???


BTW GO ASTROS!!!! 0-2 ^7

Black Friday is only a few weeks away

Generally, any scopes that come in the package with the gun are low-quality, but I've actually heard decent reviews of the Nikko...relative to other package scopes.

Personally, if I really wanted performance above & beyond a basic, cheap hunting scope, then I'd consider finding something else. But if you want to shoot deer under the feeder at 75 yards, it's just fine.

You can probably shoot a littler further but he is pretty much right on. Until you spend some time with it at the range and in the field, you won't know for sure. I don't know of anyone that bought a Nikko without it coming on the HOWA.

friend bought the howa with one 3 days ago JUNK on the scope

I’d replace the scope most rikky tik.

That scope is junk! Get rid of it.

I generally agree with the others. But, scopes have improved in recent years just like newer rifles. Go shoot it and then decide.

This^^^

I got a $100 simmons I bought when I was 14. Its not good glass not clearest and not brightest. It has never had a problem holding zero. My Brother and SIL shot a few deer with it last year. Its not nice and I wouldn't buy one again but its serviceable for what it is and what we ask of it.

Whenever this subject comes up on a forum I have to laugh. Over the years the lightbulb finally went on and most of my favorite rifles have Leupold 3i's on up on them. Some have Zeiss HD's etc. lurking in the background all of these years was my turkey shotgun. It is an original SBE. Most fearsome butt kicking recoil I have ever owned. I bought a 338 Win once and thought this thing is really going to bark at both ends. It was nothing compared to sitting at a bench sighting in the scope on that SBE with 3 & 1/2 inch, 2 & 1/4 turkey loads. Sitting on that shotgun for probably 20 years and never losing its zero was a $75 Simmons turkey scope. I finally replaced it as my eyes got older and I began to notice it's lack of light transmission but I've got to say that scope took a licking and kept on ticking. Would I put a Simmons on a high power? No. But I often wonder if a higher priced scope would have held up to intense recoil like that one did.

Update on this topic

So the week leading up to opening weekend i finally got some range time with the Howa/Nikko combo. Firstly, I'd reccommend Howa to anyone looking for a mid-range .308, great shooting gun, I know many folks don't care for the Hogue Stocks but i personally dig them. Secondly, the Nikko. so its hard to find any literature on the Game king scope that ive got, i think they've stopped production on them, so it took some time to figure out how to properly use the thing. But I've gotta say, for a sub-150$ scope its not bad at all. Glass is fairly clear, doesn't fog up like most cheaper scopes ive used, I'd put it at a 6.5/10. That being said, I'm a huge Redfield fan and I think I may be swapping the nikko for one of those. Mind you, I believe the furthest shot we have on my lease is right around 200yds., nothing terribly difficult. Thanks for the feed back guys!

BTW was able to harvest a good 4.5-5 year old 9pt. opening weekend, best buck I've had to date! Happy hunting guys! Good luck!