BSA Goldstar Scope Review

I searched the internet for hours looking for a review on the new BSA Goldstar line of scopes without having any luck.  I decided to be the guinea pig and posted this review after purchase.

BSA Goldstar 3-18x44 Rifle Scope Review

Mounted on my Savage 93R17 FV

Introduction

I needed a scope for an inexpensive Savage 93R17 FV I recently picked up.  I’ve been using Bushnell products for years now and know they offer a quality product for a reasonable price, but I hadn’t tried much else so how could I be sure?  BSA is an oft maligned scope manufacturer which I caught the CEO at the 2011 ShotShow talking about their topline scopes.  I’ve read the BSA horror stories like everybody else.  I’ve also read a lot of reviews from satisfied customers.  After listening to the CEO interview at the ShotShow, I decided to try a BSA for myself. 

The Savage 93R17 is chambered in 17HMR.  Its’ use would be mostly target shooting at 100 and possibly 200 yards.  I also had in mind some ground squirrel shooting at ranges probably less than 100 yards and more likely around 50 yards.  For target shooting I like lots magnification, at least 18x.  Most scopes with 18x or higher will have 6x on the low end at best.  For shooting the ground squirrels that constantly ravage the cabin, 6x could make it pretty hard to find the little varmints in the scope at close range.  Then I saw BSA’s new Goldstar line in 3-18x44 form that looked perfect for the job.  It also had side focus which looked awful handy after I’ve been reaching around to rotate adjustable objectives the last few years.  After searching for hours I couldn’t find a single review on the new Goldstar line.  Undeterred, I made the decision to try my first BSA scope.  I’d either hear a bunch of I told you soes, or I’d end up with a scope perfect for my application without spending twice what the rifle is worth.

First impressions

I ordered the scope from Midwayusa.com for $155.99 over the weekend and it arrived Wednesday.  I ordered the scope along with a set of Durasight Z-2 Alloy 1” Weaver style medium rings for $14.49.  The scope came in a good looking cardboard box with the scope inside cushioned with Styrofoam and packed inside more foam and a plastic bag.  My first thought was nice packaging.  This certainly wasn’t blister packed like the junk at Walmart.

Packaging and manual

Once I got the scope out of all the packing material I have to say I was a wee bit disappointed.  The matte finish was acceptable, but it just didn’t exude an air of quality.  You’d think the gold markings on matte black would look great but I think I’d rather see white markings.  The BSA logo looks good in gold.  Overall the finish is what you’d expect on a sub $200 scope.

I pulled the caps off revealing the low finger adjustable and resettable to zero turrets.  After turning both elevation and windage knobs I decided the clicks were both audible and positive.  It would be nice if target turrets were offered.  The side focus knob was stiff enough that you don’t have to worry about accidental movement but loose enough to be manipulated properly.  I was able to bring the cross hairs into sharp focus in no time flat using the quick focus eyepiece.  The zoom control has a small tab that protrudes about 3/16" giving a comfortable grip for adjustment.

Mounting

The rifle came with a set of two piece weaver style bases installed at the factory. So all I needed was a set of rings.  For a heavier recoiling rifle I might spend a few bucks, but for a 17HMR almost anything will hold.  I picked out a set of medium Durasight Z-2 Alloy Weaver style rings in medium height for $14.49 from Midwayusa.com.  These have the vertical split that I think looks good and I’ve been wanting to try.  The machine work and finish is good and they come with torx screws instead of slotted.  It takes a little more mucking around to lay the scope in the vertically split rings.  You can’t just mount the lower halves, drop the scope in, and screw the tops down.  It seems best to assemble the rings around the scope first, then mount the whole assembly onto the bases.  I won’t get into it here, but I like to lap my scope rings.  You can see a quick ring lapping video here. 

Durasight rings, side focus, power adjustment ring, and quick focus eyepiece

At just over 13” long the scope doesn’t look out of place on the little Savage like some others.  With an optimum eye relief of 4” combined with the rather short LOP stock, I had to mount the scope almost as far forward as I could to get a good sight picture.  There is a little left, but not much.  The objective bell clears the barrel with just enough room for me to squeeze on the included rubber lens covers.

Clarity

I don’t have any high end glass to compare the BSA to.  What I do have is a Bushnell Banner 6-24x40 that has good sharpness up to about 20 power.  This scope is available for about $175 so it is in the same class.  Since the BSA only goes to 18 power, I limited the power on the Bushnell to 18 also to make a fair comparison.  I spent the better part of two hours looking through both scopes at assorted objects between 50 and over 200 yards away.  Though it’s a little more touchy than the adjustable objective on the Bushnell, the side focus on the BSA is much easier to reach.  Good focus can be achieved with both.

At first glance both scopes looked great.  Clarity through both scopes was about equal, but somehow the Bushnell seemed better.  After peering through both scopes until my neck hurt, I concluded the Bushnell has better contrast and color rendition.  In addition its’ edge to edge clarity was quite good.  The BSA has good clarity in the center but not as good at the edges.  The Bushnell’s glass is slightly better, but not by a wide margin.  Anybody with a 17 caliber rifle is probably wondering if you can see the holes in the target.  When focused properly 17 caliber holes are easily visible in the white part of your target at 100 yards.  Holes in the black are a different story, but then that's case with most inexpensive scopes.  It doesn't matter to me because my targets don't have much black on them.  Here is my preferred target. 

Adjustments

At this time I haven't gotten the consistent accuracy from the rifle that I deem necessary to "shoot the square".  While cleaning after my last range session the front action screw literally fell out of the receiver.  The front bolt is only long enough to get about two threads started before the bolt starts to tighten up.  When I re-assembled the rifle I was afraid of stripping it and obviously didn't get it torqued properly.  I suspect this is the reason I seem to get so many bad flyers.  I have it torqued down now and I'll have an update soon.  Because of that I cant tell you how good the adjustments are, but I have no trouble adjusting the scope for the different points of impact seen by the 17g and 20g bullets.

Warranty
The Goldstar series comes with BSA's "CEO Signature Warranty".  I'll quote from the warranty card:

"BSA is proud to offer a new breed of optics worthy of our "No Questions Asked" CEO Warranty.  This Lifetime Full Warranty is valid in the continental United States, Alaska and Hawaii.  If this product is found to have defects in materials or workmanship, BSA Optics will at our option and without charge repair this product, or replace it with a BSA product of comparable specifications and value.  No warrranty card is required.  No time limit applies."

Warranty Card

Conclusion

The BSA has a very useful zoom range of 3-18 power with a 44mm objective.  The 30/30 type reticle with three fine lines below crossbar at -2, -4, and -6 MOA to assist in bullet drop are simple yet effective.  I'd like to see a mill dot reticle offered also.  Side focus is more convenient than an adjustable objective.  Glass is not quite as good as I hoped, but still plenty good for the application.  Good price at 155$ from Midwayusa right now.  So far it has held zero and with a glass etched reticule I assume it will continue to do so.  This is a feature packed scope at an affordable price.  I'm pleased as punch with the zoom range.  Because I lapped my rings I could take the scope off and return it without any ring marks, but I'm keeping it.  That says more than anything else I could write.

EZ Hunter Reticle