what say ye? ive heard good things about nikon monarch series and leupold mark ar series. anyone ahve any experience with these? im probably looking for something up to about 12 magnification.
also, while on this topic, if i am shooting out to 300 yards, what would you guys recommend for magnification? im semi new to ar world and have always used cheap optics, but now that i am getting to be a better shot, i thought its time to invest in a decent set of glass.
Have you looked at the Burris XTR14?
i think its just a smidge out of my price range
For magnification for the range you are shooting the 1-4 fits the bill. The XTR is a good piece of glass and can be found discounted but you may have to go above five bills. At the half that price range the 1-4 Millett DMS can be had but I have read mixed reviews. The GRSC Scope looked really good and was based on the Millett but it too had issues. I am in the market for a similar piece of glass that will give some magnification but won’t cost me as much as a new rifle. If you find something, let me know.
IOR/Valdada 4x24 is the only thing I can think of that comes close to being a decent optic for so little money.
am i mistaken, or did burris not used to have a great rep? all of the sudden i see them everywhere, and for more money than i would expect from some russian garbage
maybe i’m thinking of something else…?
What exactly do you want to hit at 300, in what conditions, and what are your requirements for sub-300?
at 300 yards i am shooting at a 2 foot x 2 foot target. conditions are almost always good, minimal wind, generally warm and dealing with the sun occasionally.
im surprised people don’t think you can get a good scope for around 500 bones considering leupold and nikon have several available and i was under the impression those were good scopes
I think you can meet your requirements for less than $500.
What a lot of people are paying for is illumination, an accurate BDC or turret, clarity, light transmission, large exit pupil, proper eye-relief for the AR platform, a fast and accurate reticle, and robustness.
Your stated requirements do not force you to shell out for these.
In all frankness, you will probably be happy with any semi-decent optic- from Burris to Super Sniper, with a decent mount.
are you just trying to hit the 2’ x 2’ target or looking to get tight groups on it with match ammo? if 300 yds is the furthest you’re shooting and you plan on shooting closer in the future, an unmagnified optic like an aimpoint will also work just fine.
I have a Nikon Monarch 4-16x42 on my RRA 18" heavy varmint gun. Its around $440 for standard reticle. Adjustments are positive and accurate. It also has a side focus. Excellent scope in my opinion. On a good day w/ my Hornady 75gr bthp handloads I have been able to hit a 16oz soda bottle @300.
yeah i heard the monarch is very nice.
as far as just an aimpoint or something, you think thats really much different than just using iron sights at 300 yards? i now the aimpoints and such help a lot at close range but didn’t know at longer range.
the real kicker is i just got this money from selling some things, and being a grad student often don’t come across ample funds. i see myself shooting farther than 300 at some point since im just beginning to load my own rounds. that being the case, im leaning more towards triyng to get a scope with decent zoom in case i do end up shooting longer range. otherwise id be stuck with a close range scope and no money to buy a new one.
i appreciate the input here though
I’ve had two Monarchs on my ARs, and it is a good optic for the money. I found a Zeiss on sale once, wish I still had that. I tend to go with high magnification as my old eyes ain’t too good. I like to be able to use it to identify things at extended ranges, even if I don’t engage.
were the monarchs still clear at maximum magnification?
I think you have several options in the price range of $500. You realize that you are giving up substantial performance and reliability in this price range, but you can still get some decent scopes if you adjust your expectations accordingly. Talk to Scott at LiberyOptics.com, but here are a few suggestions:
Leupold (a few of their VX-3 scopes, some of the Mark II tactical series, and some of the new “AR” series scopes, fall into your price range). I would check out their “AR” series.
Burris: check out their “fullfield tactical II” scopes. They have a “tactical” series as well, but they are outside your price range, and if you’re going to spend that much, just step up to a Sightron SIII or a Leupold Mk 4 or an IOR Valdada. I’ve had good luck with Burris, but just on a plinking rifle that doesn’t get abused too much.
Vortex: Vortex is making some great scopes, especially their “Viper” series, which is currently their highest end scope line and comes in just under your price range. I just bought a Vortex Viper 6.5-20x44 w/ Mildot reticle from Liberty Optics, for a varmint rifle. Scott thinks very highly of these scopes, for an option in this price range.
Sightron: I’ve owned a couple of their products, you especially want the “Big sky” series, you should be able to find some around your price range. The SIII series is outstanding, but will cost you more. Many dealers say Sightron is making the best glass in the “under $1k” category of scopes.
Nikon: see the Monarch series, or the Buckmaster series. Several scopes in your price range.
If I had to go with one of the above, in the $500 range, I’d check out either the Vortex Viper series (which is what I recently bought), the Sightron Big Sky scopes, or the Leupold “AR” series scopes.
Just to throw out another option, there is the Bushnell elite 4200 6-24x50 scope with a 30mm tube. I have one on my varmint AR and the glass is very clear, even in low light conditions. I know other options exist but I have had great success with mine.
Just did a search for one and it’s available for $500.
Im a novice but I can vouch for the Mark AR 1.5-4 leupold. I used an AD mount and im very pleased with it. I see your looking for more magnification; but just to comment on the AR series…target acquisition is much faster than I thought it would be, partly because the glass is very clear; (it was my first time to use a scope on an AR platform and I wanted to go cheap in case i couldnt adapt). I dont normally do anything outside 150 yards with this rifle, but 100 and IN proved quite successful for me. Im in Texas, my shooting conditions seem similar; no issues in full sunlight. I was hesitant since I imagined my A2 fsp to obstruct my view, but it doesn’t at all. Eye relief was fine, but i already sniffed the CH with irons so it didnt bother me to be that close. I use a Vltor emod as well; I think without the Vltor things may be a little different as the cheek weld is perfect for me. I havent found a more comfortable stock.
my vote would be for a used leupy…
Super Sniper just released their 3-9x42. if it’s anything like their other scopes, it’ll be a good’un