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June 9, 2018, 05:53 PM
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#1 |
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Member
Join Date: May 23, 2017
Posts: 46
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Budget AR scope
I just acquired my 4th AR on a pretty good deal. The purpose of this one will pretty much just be used for plinking. I want to get a 1-4x - 1-8x. I would like to keep the cost under $500, and ideally around $350. Obviously I want good quality and reliability. What would you suggest?
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June 9, 2018, 06:11 PM
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#2 |
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member
Join Date: June 12, 2000
Location: Texas and Oklahoma area
Posts: 8,462
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I think the Primary Arms ACSS is pretty much the king of the budget AR scopes and is squarely in your price range.
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June 9, 2018, 07:43 PM
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#3 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: March 11, 2013
Location: Near Heart of Texas
Posts: 870
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On sale for $150.
I bought one of these on sale for my AR-15 & I've been very happy with it. It comes with a single-point mount that is working okay, but I plan to replace it with a pair of 30mm rings eventually.
Bushnell Custom Gold 1.5-6x32mm - Ballistic-X Illuminated Riflescopes
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Visit my fictional blog "The dr Chronicles" about a laid-back Texan named dr - Enjoy! |
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June 9, 2018, 08:36 PM
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#4 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: March 20, 2014
Location: Kinda near Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 1,254
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Vortex Optics Strike Eagle 1-8x24 second focal plane riflescope. 1-8x24mm, $399.
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June 9, 2018, 08:46 PM
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#5 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: July 12, 2016
Location: Fort Bend County, Texas
Posts: 173
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I have been very happy with Nikon's P-223 line. I have one on my AR and it has been great.
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June 9, 2018, 09:13 PM
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#6 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: July 19, 2007
Posts: 332
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I joined the DVOR website, which is a subsidiary of opticsplanet.com, and gives exclusive prices and deals to those who join. Its free, and you have to know what you are buying as some prices aren't any better than other places. But I like to research the heck out of stuff anyways. I haven't mounted this yet, but have read good reviews.
https://www.dvor.com/steiner-1-4x24m...e.html?options[]=2179-8420-126571 Good glass, has an illuminated dot similar to a standard red dot which is supposedly "daylight bright". I was able to snag one of this several months ago for about 379.00, but they have this listed for 429.00 when everyone else wants over 550.00 for it. Might be an option. |
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June 9, 2018, 09:47 PM
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#7 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: July 24, 2012
Location: Parker, CO
Posts: 4,594
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For your budget, with the desire to stay around $350 tops...
The Primary Arms 1-6 gen III is your best bet. Runs a little under $300... They released a FFP model that looks nice, bit does cost more. |
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June 10, 2018, 12:28 AM
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#8 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: October 9, 2009
Location: North Alabama
Posts: 8,308
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leupold
If you are content with a conventional riflescope, and do not care about hashmarks, mildots, and all the current tactical whatnot, you should be able to pick up a Leupold 1-4x, 1.5-5x, or a 2-7x, VX-II or whatever they call them these days for well under $500. Also, one of the older Vari-X models, used, should come in around $250-275 on ebay.
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June 10, 2018, 07:41 AM
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#9 |
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Junior Member
Join Date: June 9, 2018
Posts: 13
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Just shoot my strike eagle 1-8 for the first time yesterday and was very happy with it. Only shot to 50 yds but was able to keep 10 somewhat rapid fire shots in about an inch group. With some deal shopping you can easily get this under 500 with a quality mount. I think mine in a Burris mount came in under 400
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June 10, 2018, 07:44 AM
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#10 |
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Junior member
Join Date: February 2, 2010
Posts: 6,846
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"I would like to keep the cost under $500,"
I'm not a "scope snob" and will freely admit to not owning a scope over $250 retail price. " The purpose of this one will pretty much just be used for plinking." So, it's not like this is a no fail, go to war set-up. $100 will get you a scope that's "good enough" (for the stated purpose). My winter EDC AR is equipped with a $100 scope that has never failed to meet my expectations(send a bullet where it's aimed). My summer EDC AR's scope cost $60 and hasn't required re-zeroing for years. The limitation on what I can hit with these carbines isn't the optics. |
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June 10, 2018, 11:23 AM
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#11 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: March 23, 2008
Location: Indiana
Posts: 697
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I also like the Nikon P-223 line of riflescopes. It looks as if Nikon may be discontinuing this line. At least, in the Nikon spot-on ballistic app the P-223 line now appears in the list of discontinued models. This is a recent development.
I have the P-223 3x32 carbine model on an AR. This is a fixed magnification 3 power which is nice and compact and fairly light. I have one other Nikon riflescope, a 3-9x40 Prostaff and the optical clarity of both scopes is very good. There is a Nikon P-223 1.5-4.5x20 model that might serve your needs. Cabella's has a limited stock listed for $199.99. |
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June 10, 2018, 12:53 PM
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#12 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: November 5, 2016
Location: DFW, TX
Posts: 1,147
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Vortex Optics Strike Eagle 1-8x24.
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June 11, 2018, 04:31 PM
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#13 |
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Member
Join Date: May 23, 2017
Posts: 46
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Right now I'm leaning toward the vortex. One brand that caught my interest while cruising the Internet was Atibal
1-6x, but I don' know or heard anything about them |
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June 11, 2018, 04:46 PM
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#14 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: October 19, 2005
Location: Tx Panhandle Territory
Posts: 4,159
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It's way below the OP's budget, but I came across a couple a Chinese scopes marked Monstrum. They aren't the greatest, but I haven't been able to tear one up yet or have it lose zero at 100m.
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Rednecks... Keeping the woods critter-free since March 2, 1836. (TX Independence Day) I suspect a thing or two... because I've seen a thing or two. |
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