What sub 400$ 1-4x AR scope?

[Mags]

I want to get a 1-4x scope for my AR the scope must be; less than 400 dollars, reliable, and have a 1moa reticle or less. I either want a dot, donut, or mil dot reticle no duplexes.

I want to put the scope in a LaRue QD mount which runs around 200 dollars, so far the only scope that meets my demands is a 100 dollar Sightmark, I think it to be pretty ridiculous to put a 100 dollar scope in a 200 dollar mount.

I have looked at the Leupold but they only offer duplex reticles in my price range. The Nikon and Burris both have huge reticles and the Millet has had some negative reviews in the reliability department.

Maybe someone can attest to the opposite of the beforementioned scopes.

 

[Z-Michigan]

You need to look at this Burris:

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productnumber=460800

I understand it may violate your reticle desires, but it's an absolutely terrific scope for the money (yes, I have one) and if you use the ranging dots in the reticle, the dots get quite small once you get to the distance where they need to be small.

 

[Mags]

Z, that's the Burris I'm looking at. What do you think of the reticle size? The reviews on the black model state the reticle is too big. Maybe they're talking about the whole reticle and not the crosshairs inside the circle?

 

[kwelz]

Nikon just came out with a 1-4 optic and Primary arms has one as well. Both are in the price range. Other than that maybe look for a used trijicon TR21?

 

[Mags]

The Nikon M223, also a big looking reticle. Didn't know about PA how is their reliability, I know their website states their red dots are just for plinking.

 

[kwelz]

They seems to hold up well. I am getting one for my M&P22. But honestly in your price range you are going to be pretty limited.

 

[Mr_Pale_Horse]

The Nikon M223, also a big looking reticle.

Have you handled or looked at the subtension data, or is this based on the graphic image at the OEM or a seller site?

Get the subtension data and compare it to a scope you have on hand, if you cannot get to a scope to inspect in person.

 

[Z-Michigan]

Z, that's the Burris I'm looking at. What do you think of the reticle size? The reviews on the black model state the reticle is too big. Maybe they're talking about the whole reticle and not the crosshairs inside the circle?

The reticle is overall a bit big and chunky, but I think that's intentional since at 1x, with illumination, this works much like a red dot (optically it's different, but functionally it works about the same). The chart of reticle size I have shows the center dot as 2/3 mil or 2.4" at 100 yards (~2.4 MOA) and the graduated dots below are significantly smaller, going to .7" for the 500 yard dot (last dot before the open circle in the outer reticle).

If you want this scope for deer, hogs, or 3-gun, I think you'll find it near perfect. It would be awkward at best for really small game like prairie dogs.

Optically it seems great, with hardly any aberrations I can see. There is some edge distortion at 1x, which is true of most/all 1-4x scopes, and the 1x is not a true 1x at all distances - it seems to be a true 1x for object over 25 yards away, but at inside the room distance it seems to be more like 1.1-1.2x. At 1x it will focus on objects as close as 5' or so, which is pretty good.

Although the Larue mount is certainly good, consider the $80 Burris PEPR mount as well if you don't need instant quick-detach.

 

[Z-Michigan]

If the attachment worked, a diagram for the Burris reticle is below.

 

[Mags]

That helped alot Z, I think I will go with the Burris if nothing better comes along between now and purchase time.

 

[HorseSoldier]

I think the Horus Talon is still out of your price range (think they're $600 now) but you might be able to find a used one for sale on some board or another.

 

[Mags]

Also what about magnifers? I don't care for them with the Aimpoint but I heard something to the effect that Eotech dots aren't magnified with a magnifier.

 

[CraigC]

I think the Millett is a good scope for its modest price. Just wish it was a little lighter.

 

[Z-Michigan]

EOTech says their dots are not magnified due to the holography. I haven't tested it.

A high quality magnifier for an EOTech is several hundred dollars. A sub-$100 Mako or something isn't going to work very well, at least if you believe the reviews on Midway USA's website.

The Burris scope we're discussing is a Midway exclusive and well priced for what it is. It would probably retail around $400 if it were a general production item. If you want even nicer, the Vortex Viper PST is worth a look, but apparently not on the market til late this month or even January. And I don't know how much better it will be. I really can't find any optical defects in my Burris, a very pleasant surprise.

What is your intended use?

 

[Mags]

I was thinking about the Vortex 3x magnifier for 119$ with a PA FTS mount for 49$, but the Burris with Burris PEPR is looking attractive even for more $$$. Maybe it will be the Vortex for now and the Burris later I can always use the magnifier on something else.

 

[Z-Michigan]

I'll add: I own a 2x red dot from Tru-Glo (low end quality), a Vortex Strikefire that includes a 2x doubler, and I briefly owned an Aimpoint 9000L of the 2x magnifying model. The Tru-Glo 2x actually works OK, but the 2x doubler on the Vortex is awful, and the Aimpoint 2x wasn't much if any better. I just don't think the optical design of an RDS works well with magnification.

 

[CraigC]

...but the 2x doubler on the Vortex is awful...

I agree, I have no idea why they even bother. Maybe they ought to keep it and drop the price by twenty bucks.

Didn't look at the above-linked Burris until now. At that price, I'd definitely choose it over the Millet at only $60 more.

 

[LiquidTension]

I'm running a Millett DMS on one of my ARs. I'm happy with it.