Choosing period correct optics and mounts for your vintage rifle is now simple at Vintage Gun Scopes. But, just because you found a scope, doesn’t mean it is functionally reliable. Even the new old stock in the box Redfield pictured above isn’t field ready. Out with the old dry grease and in with the new to insure adjustments are working, then clean, seal and nitrogen purge. We make scopes that are ready for the next 40 years, not the past 40 years.

I would estimate that 99.9% of our customers at Vintage Gun Scopes ARE NOT ok with putting a modern scope on a blued steel, wood-stocked vintage rifle. To them, and to us, not only do they look out of place, but there’s just something silly about it. The problem of course, is that old scopes are not useable in the condition they are commonly found in today. They are in fact useless coming off the shelf, wherever that shelf may be. Gun shows, online selling platforms, estate sales, etc. Virtually every single one is no longer “functionally reliable”. Time has taken its toll. Grease has dried, seals have too. Oxygen is in the tube reaking havoc on everything from glass to metal surfaces. And even a scope that has never been used isn’t spared any of this. A new in box scope gets you a perfect exterior finish guaranteed, but unless it has been refurbished, its just as useless as the one that was used for that same 40 years that this one was sitting in the box.

Now, if you have an old rimfire safe queen that simply needs paired with a rimfire scope that looks nice and it won’t be shot so function doesn’t matter; a scope to fit that bill can be found and probably for only a few bucks. Although, I would argue that even a scope of this type should be made functional again. The reason for this, I often illustrate to folks with a simple story that is easy to understand.

Let’s say you have a mint condition 1950’s rimfire in your collection that you are very proud of. It never gets shot but it occasionally comes out of the safe to show off to a friend or relative. After admiring the beautiful rifle, what’s the next thing that happens? The beautiful rifle, it’s equal having never been seen before by the holder is shouldered to look down or through the sights or optics.

At this point one of two things can happen. The holder can sight through a cloudy, dirty vintage scope and say “hmm it’s amazing that anyone could actually shoot anything back then,” followed by handing the rifle back to the owner in disappointment Or, they can shoulder the beautiful rifle, look through a clean, bright optic on say a ¾” tube blued steel scope that looks like it almost grew right out of the receiver, see a simple but crisp and clear vintage reticule, possibly in a configuration they’ve never seen before and instantly be transported back in time. Not only do they see what hunters actually saw back then, but they know the package is completely functional and they want to shoot it. They want one like it. Who wouldn’t? It’s beautiful AND functional.

Matching a vintage rifle with a period correct scope and mounts creates historical works of art, but also simplistic functionality that cannot be found anywhere else today.

Pairing a rifle made this year with a scope made this year is daunting enough. Now consider 100 years of optics, rifles and mounting systems from various companies, some in business, some out of business and the task can seem monumental. But now, it is not. At Vintage Gun Scopes we give you the resources you need to create your own vintage build. In our Resources section of the website, you will find mounting charts, etc., for the major manufacturers from back in the day. Additionally, you will find our three-step process for selecting the proper scope and mounting setup: Step one, date your rifle, so that you can choose an era-correct scope and mounts. Step two, select an era appropriate scope. Step three, select the appropriate mounts.

All of the above is made simple and represents the mechanical or objective portion of the process. That said, there’s a little more to it. When folks call here and we help them with the process, we start by asking what rifle and caliber they have followed by what kind of hunting/shooting are they doing with the rifle. For instance, if you are plinking and shooting squirrels with a dainty Browning SA-22 then you’ll probably want a 4x ¾” tube Redfield or Browning branded scope. The scope is sealed, bright, and perfectly sized to that little rifle. Now, let’s say you have a pre-64 Winchester in 30.06 that you plan to take elk or deer hunting. In this case we will probably be having a conversation about a 3x9 in either a Weaver or Redfield.

To me this is the most fun part of the process because this is where you get to envision and/or dream about the purpose of the setup and the fun you will have with it. For one person it might be mounting a pre-war, undrilled Savage 99 with a Weaver 330 on Stith mounts to go still hunt deer in Pennsylvania the way his grandfather did. For another it could be putting a Weaver K10 on a Winchester Model 70 in .270 for “long” range mule deer hunting out west. For still another, a 6x18 Redfield for coyote shooting.

The combinations are endless but if you follow this simple system there are very few wrong combinations, just the combination that puts you, your rifle, caliber and scope in the situation you are wanting to be in, and with success at the end. Yes, success! Contrary to popular belief vintage scopes are incredibly functional and deadly. Add their inherent reliability and stubborn accuracy due to their simplistic design and lack of plastic internal parts and a properly selected and refurbished or restored vintage scope may well become your favorite target shooter, or hunting scope.

Choosing the Perfect Scope for Your Vintage Rifle