Based in California, Barska Optics has been producing sporting related optical products since 1994. Like many optical manufacturers, Barksa produces a full line of rifle scopes, binoculars, spotting scopes, and telescopes. At the time of this writing, Barska was not producing any pistol scopes or rangefinders.
The Barska scopes line includes a number of different models that include nearly every possible shooting application including air rifles, military and LEO, tactical and long range shooting, and hunting. Barska rifle scopes also come in a variety of different reticle options.
Barska scopes offer a good value for the money and come with a lifetime warranty. If you take the time to do some internet research, you will find some good and bad reviews of various Barska scopes. For this reason, Barska appears to have somehow developed a reputation as a “cheap” or budget brand of scope. Having owned and tested a number of different Barska scope models, here are my thoughts:
Just like anything in life everyone has a unique perspective on just about everything. With that being said, some people in various forums seem to have had poor experiences with Barska scopes, while others sing their praises. I found that I definitely preferred some Barska models over others.
For example, I had the chance to shoot a 17 HMR rifle equipped with a Barska Huntmaster Pro in a 3x12x50IR configuration. I really didn’t care for it. Why? Because I don’t like rifle scopes with illuminated reticles and this model was an IR model. In my humble opinion, the illumination set-up adds unnecessary weight. The illuminated model I shot weighed 21.34 ounces while a non-illuminated model only weighs 19 ounces. I know that 2.3 ounces isn’t alot a weight, but it starts to add up after you’ve been carrying a rifle for 4 or 5 hours.
I happen to own a Varmint Barska rifle scope in a 4x16x40 that was the first Barska scope I ever purchased. I paid $59.00 for it about 3 years ago, and it’s been the best scope I’ve ever owned in that price range. It holds zero year after year and works very well for its intended purpose. I mounted it on a Ruger 10-22 that I use for squirrel hunting. Is it as good as a Nikon Monarch or Leupold VX-3? No, but it didn’t cost anywhere near that either.
If you are interested in a Barska scope model, here are a few that are available on line:
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