New Skinner optics, 1-6x24 rifle scope

[John E Davies]

This was news to me, it looks like a very neat and tidy setup for field use on a lever or single shot rifle.

E8618996-8D3B-4BF5-9954-8E45EAAF4219.jpeg (431.61 KiB) Viewed 2813 times

https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/skin ... fle-scope/

I already have a Leupold 2-7x33 on my BBX .44 Mag, or I might consider this one.

John Davies
Spokane WA

[Sir Henry]

I like the idea of it. I wonder where it is made? With the 30mm tube it allows for a larger objective lens which should help in low light situations.

[leverjc]

I like the idea. I have 1x6's with illuminated reticles on my AR's and like them a lot. Very fast target acquisition at 1x and enough magnification at 6x to print 1" groups at 100yds. Looking forward to more reviews.

[JEBar]

interesting concept .... Skinner should do well with it

[North Country Gal]

30 mm tubes have the function of allowing more MOA of scope adjustment, but on this one, the 30m tube is about making room for that illuminated dot in the scope. Almost all illuminated reticle/red dot riflescopes have a 30m tube for this reason.

As always, check the specs to make sure a scope is right for you, though. Despite having a 30mm tube, this one is a bit anemic with only 60 MOA of scope adjustment. This could be an issue if you decide to go with high see through rings to co-witness with iron sights, meaning you might run out of elevation adjustment on the scope. It's happened to me with rimfire scopes using high see thru rings, which usually have that same 60 MOA of adjustments in elevation. (A comparable Leupold centerfire with a 30mm tube will have 120.)

Also note that at nearly 18 ounces, this is no lightweight. By the time you add rings and a base, you're pushing a pound and a half or more added to your lever gun.

Hey, not knocking the scope. Love Skinner and nice to see them expanding their line. As I said, check those specs, though, to make sure it's a good fit for your application. This one should work fine for most lever gun applications and Skinner, fo course, is a name you can trust.

[leverjc]

I was sorry to read that it is made in china. Oh well I will buy something else.

[Travlin]

I am glad that you noticed that and brought it to our attention. I will not be buying one even if they were ten dollars including the mounts. What good would it be to buy a rifle "made in the U.S.A. or not made at all" and then put a scope on it made by them?

[Sir Henry]

I’m wondering who else might be slapping their name on it also. How much input has Skinner added to the development of the scope? Was it designed by Skinner or is it just marketed by them?

I’m not knocking Skinner as I have several of their iron sights and highly recommend them. I talked to Andy a few years ago and there was just him, his wife and one employee. He modified a few front H001 sights so they could take a Lyman globe.

[John E Davies]

I’m wondering who else might be slapping their name on it also. How much input has Skinner added to the development of the scope? Was it designed by Skinner or is it just marketed by them?

Did you read the article?

“ I wanted to bring forward a scope that would be suitable for the lever-action platform, with clear optics, useful yet simple reticle, good, crisp adjustments, affordable, and with the quality [necessary] to wear the Skinner brand name. [Designed by] drawing on a lifetime of experience in the outdoors and the hunting and shooting sports, this scope features the high points of what we always wanted in a scope. We have been extensively field testing this optic with great success. The proof is in the freezer.”

Sounds like a whole lot more than just rebranding an existing scope.....

John Davies
Spokane WA

[Sir Henry]

I’m wondering who else might be slapping their name on it also. How much input has Skinner added to the development of the scope? Was it designed by Skinner or is it just marketed by them?

Did you read the article?

“ I wanted to bring forward a scope that would be suitable for the lever-action platform, with clear optics, useful yet simple reticle, good, crisp adjustments, affordable, and with the quality [necessary] to wear the Skinner brand name. [Designed by] drawing on a lifetime of experience in the outdoors and the hunting and shooting sports, this scope features the high points of what we always wanted in a scope. We have been extensively field testing this optic with great success. The proof is in the freezer.”

Sounds like a whole lot more than just rebranding an existing scope.....

John Davies
Spokane WA

Yes I read it and still have the same questions. What does “bring forward” mean?

[North Country Gal]

As someone who worked inside the optics industry, I can tell you that very few brand names have the financial muscle to contract for specs over and above the standard list of menu options offered by these oriental wholesale optical companies who actually make the products. Going custom - veering off the standard menu of options - is a hugely expensive proposition. Even specifying extra QC above the standard menu option will cost you. Again, I have the greatest respect for Skinner, but I seriously doubt there was any design input by Skinner beyond choosing from the menu list of options. That's certainly not a putdown of this scope. It's SOP for most brand names who contract products on a wholesale basis from the Orient. Again, if it has the specs you want at a price you can afford, go for it. Beyond that, the important thing for the customers, is how well the brand will back their product and I'm sure Skinner will be top notch, here.

As for a nearly identical scope, but one with greater MOA of adjustment, check out the Vortex Strike Fire 1-6x24.

[EasyEd]

Hey All,

Yeah I think this is reality. If a good product buy it if you need/want it. Good luck finding and buying almost anything manufactured that is not in part or whole made in the Orient commonly China for a truly competitive price. I too am looking for a scope like this only I'm thinking 1-8 power.

-Ed-

[Sir Henry]

I just bought a 1.5-4x20 scope and might have considered the Skinner if I had known about it. A 1-8x24 would have certainly met my needs in power and light gathering. In the end the scope I did buy did not go on an American made rifle. It went on a CZ.

Also in my six scope lot was two scopes made in the Philippines. The other four were made in Oregon.

I do not object to buying foreign made but I do choose the foreign country.

I wish Skinner good luck even if it’s not for me.

[Oldbrass]

Country of origin isn't important outside of politics, quality control is what makes quality products. I can't see Andy putting his brand on a sub par optic. This may be a real gem. Time will tell

[Yornoc3]

I like the idea Skinner's advocating, but this one is about twice as heavy as I would want to mount on a light hunting rifle. And as Jeff Cooper once said, it's a bad idea to put a flashlight in a rifle scope .

[Sir Henry]

Country of origin isn't important outside of politics, quality control is what makes quality products. I can't see Andy putting his brand on a sub par optic. This may be a real gem. Time will tell

You are right about the country of origin. No glass is made in the USA. Even Leupold buys foreign made glass blanks from the Orient. They however grind them in Oregon.

For decades Germany has been the quality leader in optical glass.

[North Country Gal]

Country of origin isn't important outside of politics, quality control is what makes quality products. I can't see Andy putting his brand on a sub par optic. This may be a real gem. Time will tell

You are right about the country of origin. No glass is made in the USA. Even Leupold buys foreign made glass blanks from the Orient. They however grind them in Oregon.

For decades Germany has been the quality leader in optical glass.

Don't forget Japan. Japan is actually a bigger player in the prestige glass arena, these days. All the big name camera companies, with the exception of Leica, use Japanese glass for their premium line of lenses. Even some prestige German binocular and riflescope makers like Zeiss now make most of their their lenses in Japan. (Those vintage Zeiss binoculars and riflescopes made in West Germany are now getting quite collectible, though the technology is dated.)