A rifle is only as good as the optic riding on it, and nothing sours a hunt faster than realizing your zero has wandered off—again. Some scopes look great in the store, have fancy marketing claims, and might even shoot fine for a few days. But once they’re exposed to recoil, dust, or a truck bed full of gear, they start shifting like a bad compass. Weak internals, loose turrets, and poor shock resistance turn what should be reliable glass into a guessing game.
You can spot these optics by their track record. They lose zero from minor bumps, can’t hold adjustments, and often drift as temperatures change. Hunters end up chasing accuracy that was never there to begin with. Whether it’s bargain-bin glass or a “tactical” scope that looks tougher than it is, here are the optics that won’t stay honest through a week of hard use—let alone an entire season.
Barska Huntmaster Pro
The Barska Huntmaster Pro looks tempting for the price, but it’s notorious for losing zero under moderate recoil. Even on mid-caliber rifles like .308s, the reticle can shift after a few sessions, and the adjustment turrets rarely track true. Bump it once or ride it in the back of a truck, and you’ll be re-sighting before the next hunt.
Its internals simply can’t handle shock. Springs loosen, seals fail, and by the second or third trip to the range, accuracy starts wandering. It’s fine for rimfire or light .223 duty, but anything more and it falls apart fast. Hunters who try to “make it work” usually end up wasting time and ammo chasing a zero that drifts every outing. It’s one of those scopes that teaches you why spending more upfront saves you a lot of frustration later.
Simmons 8-Point
The Simmons 8-Point is often found on combo rifles, and while it’s functional at first, it doesn’t stay that way long. The glass is serviceable, but the internal mechanics can’t hold up to repeated recoil. After a handful of range trips or one bumpy ATV ride, your groups will start scattering.
Elevation and windage knobs feel vague, and small temperature changes can shift your zero. Even rimfire shooters complain about having to re-sight too often. In mild conditions and short sessions, it’ll get you by, but anyone serious about accuracy finds out quickly that it won’t hold up. The 8-Point is a fine loaner scope or range toy, but for anyone who hunts hard, it’s one of those optics that costs more in lost confidence than it’s worth.
NcStar Mark III Tactical
The NcStar Mark III looks tough with its tactical styling and features, but it’s built more for looks than longevity. The turrets often feel mushy, and the zero won’t stay locked under recoil. After a few boxes of ammo, you’ll see point-of-impact drift that makes every shot a gamble.
It also suffers from poor return-to-zero when adjusting elevation or windage. Once it’s dialed, you’d better not touch it—or bump it. Hunters who run these on AR platforms often find them off target after every trip. It’s fine for casual plinking, but not for precision or reliability. The Mark III is one of those scopes that teaches you quickly that tactical styling doesn’t mean tactical durability.
Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn
The Bushnell Banner line has clear glass for the money, but the Dusk & Dawn versions have a habit of losing zero under heavier recoil. The internals don’t handle repeated shock well, especially when mounted on magnums or even high-volume .30-06 rifles.
Temperature swings can also affect its point of impact, with groups drifting slightly as the day warms up. For fair-weather deer stands or light calibers, it’s acceptable—but if you’re bouncing around in rough terrain, it won’t stay steady long. Many hunters end up tightening mounts, re-zeroing, and wondering why their rifle suddenly “shoots off.” The answer is usually in the optic, not the barrel. It’s a serviceable entry-level scope, but not one to rely on for consistency week after week.
TruGlo Tru-Brite
The TruGlo Tru-Brite is compact and affordable, but that’s where the good news stops. Its zero retention is questionable, especially when mounted on centerfire rifles. After moderate use, reticle shift and inconsistent tracking are common. The turrets lack precision and can even back out over time if not checked.
The optic is fine for rimfire or air rifles, but recoil from even moderate calibers knocks it out of alignment fast. Hunters often praise its clarity early on, then complain about wild point-of-impact changes a week later. It’s one of those optics that seems solid on day one and leaves you scratching your head by day seven. A fine choice for casual shooting, but not for anyone who needs a zero to stay put through a season.
Leapers UTG BugBuster
The UTG BugBuster has a big fanbase in the airgun community, but it doesn’t hold up well on rifles that actually kick. Its compact design and spring-mounted reticle are great for small recoil, but centerfire rifles eventually shake it loose. After a few hundred rounds, the zero starts creeping, and adjustments lose consistency.
It’s also sensitive to temperature and vibration—exactly what you don’t want in the field. While it’s built to survive some abuse, it’s not truly shockproof. Hunters who mount these on .223 or larger often find they’re spending more time checking alignment than shooting. It’s a fun optic for plinking, but not something you trust when a hunt depends on precision.
Sightmark Core TX
Sightmark has improved over the years, but the Core TX line still struggles to maintain zero on hard-kicking rifles. The glass is decent, but the adjustment system is fragile. After a few trips through rough terrain or repeated recoil, point of impact starts drifting.
The scope’s turrets also have a habit of slipping without you noticing, especially on models without locking caps. Even on lighter platforms, a week of handling and transport can throw it off enough to miss clean shots. It’s marketed as rugged and tactical, but hunters learn quickly that the Core TX doesn’t have the internal stability for serious work. Fine for range play—but not a long-term hunting optic.
Tasco World Class
The Tasco World Class line has been around forever, but consistency isn’t its strong suit. While newer models have improved coatings, they still suffer from weak internals that lose zero after recoil or temperature swings. Hunters report the scope shooting fine one weekend and being six inches off the next with no explanation.
Even the mounting rings included with many versions can work loose, compounding the issue. It’s a budget optic meant for casual hunting or plinking, not extended use in rugged terrain. When exposed to cold, dust, or frequent transport, it simply doesn’t stay steady. The Tasco might be “world class” in name, but in real hunting conditions, it’s one of the first scopes to betray your zero.
Barska Varmint 6-24×50
The Barska Varmint series promises precision at a bargain, but the reality is disappointing. These scopes are prone to shifting zero after even mild recoil. The adjustment turrets feel gritty, and the tracking is inconsistent enough to make dialing elevation unreliable.
The glass clarity is decent for the price, but the internal components don’t hold up. After a week of use, especially on anything bigger than .223, groups begin wandering. Some users report the reticle physically shifting inside the tube after rough handling. For bench shooting or rimfires, it’s acceptable—but on a hunting rifle that gets bounced around in the field, it’s a liability. You’ll spend more time confirming zero than pulling the trigger with confidence.
CVLife 3-9×40
The CVLife 3-9×40 floods online marketplaces because it’s cheap and looks like a real scope. Unfortunately, it doesn’t act like one. It struggles to hold zero on even light calibers like .223 or .243. The turrets lack precision and often move slightly under recoil, causing small but cumulative shifts.
You can get it sighted in, but it won’t stay there long. A week of regular handling, a bumpy ride, or a few dozen shots will show its limits. It’s not sealed well, either, meaning temperature and humidity wreak havoc on the internals. It’s an optic made for appearance, not endurance. Hunters who mount one for real use quickly learn that cheap glass costs more when it costs you accuracy.
Pinty 3-9×32
The Pinty 3-9×32 looks like it belongs on a serious rifle, but its internals say otherwise. The zero drifts after minimal recoil, and even hand-tightening the turrets can throw it off. The adjustment system is vague, with audible clicks that don’t always correspond to actual movement in the reticle.
After a few trips to the range, most users find it shooting wide. The seals also fail easily, allowing fogging and moisture intrusion. It’s a fine budget optic for air rifles or rimfire plinking, but not for hunting. Once you’ve re-zeroed it for the third time in a week, you’ll realize why it’s better left in the “looks cool” category.
BSA Sweet 17
The BSA Sweet 17 is made for .17 HMR rifles, and that’s where it should stay. Mounted on anything with more recoil, it immediately starts losing zero. Even with rimfire use, the adjustments are inconsistent—what you dial isn’t always what you get.
Its turrets are loose, and over time, the reticle can shift slightly inside the tube. It’s also sensitive to vibration, so even a few bumps can throw off your sight-in. The glass is adequate, but the construction isn’t. It’s fine for casual small-game shooting but unreliable for any serious application. Many hunters mount one, enjoy the first week, and then spend the next month chasing groups all over paper.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
