Recommendations for a low-power variable scope

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usmcag2010

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I am looking for something close to a 2.5-10x40mm tactical scope for my AR. I'd like to spend less than $100 but will pay $150 if I must.

I was looking at the Barska Contour (http://www.barska.com/ac10634.html) but I read some things in reviews that persuaded me to keep looking.

Any recommendations?
 
In that price range? Get real good with your irons. I am not trying to be a jerk, but if you want even decent glass that will last you are going to have to shell out more money than that. The optics I want for my rifle vary between $800 and $1200, but having had cheap glass before I would rather save my money and buy good optics once.
 
Good advice given above. A scope with those capabilities at that price will be complete crap. It will not reliably hold zero, so you will find yourself wasting a lot of $$$ on ammo to chase the crosshairs. Better to learn to shoot iron sights.

If you MUST have an optic, look at one of the mid-priced 3-9x40 hunting scopes from a good brand name, or a robust fixed power scope. Save some $ for decent rings too.

IMHO, the only variable worth considering anywhere near your price range is the Weaver V3 1-3x low-power variable. I have been running one on my backup 3-gun rifle for a couple of years, and I like it a lot. Really nice Japanese (not Chinese) optics, good FOV, hold zero. It dies need a cantilever mount or riser, though, which on an AR will cost you maybe another $100.
 
3 X 9 scopes are the best bang for the buck. Make sure you mount it well forward, the ocular lens should be forward of where the rear sight is now. Test it in the prone position to make sure it's not mounted too far back (you'll need an extended rail).
I'd recommend a good airgun scope that will take the beating a semi-auto gives.

Thanx, Russ
 
The closest I know to what you want is a Leupold Rifleman in 2-7. They can be had for under $200 easy and carry the Leupold lifetime warranty.

Bragging - :neener: I got 2 for $100 each from 2 different local Walmarts. They were closing them out and I got the display models. I prefer 4-12 models but these were so cheap I had to buy them.
 
Good advice given above. A scope with those capabilities at that price will be complete crap. It will not reliably hold zero, so you will find yourself wasting a lot of $$$ on ammo to chase the crosshairs. Better to learn to shoot iron sights.

If you MUST have an optic, look at one of the mid-priced 3-9x40 hunting scopes from a good brand name, or a robust fixed power scope. Save some $ for decent rings too.

IMHO, the only variable worth considering anywhere near your price range is the Weaver V3 1-3x low-power variable. I have been running one on my backup 3-gun rifle for a couple of years, and I like it a lot. Really nice Japanese (not Chinese) optics, good FOV, hold zero. It dies need a cantilever mount or riser, though, which on an AR will cost you maybe another $100.
Horse Feathers...

Nikon, Leupold and Bushnell all make quality scopes that will do what you want in your price range (well maybe if you add $50). I'm partial to Nikon myself but you can't go wrong with a Leupold (overpriced IMO - you're paying a premium for the name). Bushnell will be cheaper than the other two but is a good scope for the price that will work fine and last a long time.

The one thing stated in this thread so far than none of us will probably disagree with is that you get what you pay for when it comes to optics.

But inexpensive doesn't mean bad. The number two guru guy in Quality Control on the planet behind Juran is a guy Named Phillip Crosby. He said good enough is good enough. That boils down to don't pay for more than you need.
 
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I've got an NcStar 3x9 rubber coated that cost like $40 on my 20" AR flattop. Its held zero just fine and while not the of the optical quality I'd want on my DSLR camera, even lousy optics is better than 50+ year old eyeballs :)

Don't rule out a cheap scope to get started with while you save up for better and learn what your real needs are.

--wally.
 
A 10x scope is low-powered? Good glass can cost a bunch and for no more than $150 not much can be exected. I like the Leupold 1.5x4. Not exactly A Zeiss, but at About $275 it offers decent quality at a fairly reasonable price. I also like the looks of the 20mm lens on a Euro style rifle.


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i would get a trijicon accupoint, i think they go all the way down to like 1 or 1.5x while still zooming to 9x...so you could use it like express sights
 
I see a lot of "scope creep" (sorry for the pun) in this thread. The OP set a budget of $100, and at that price point the closest fit is going to be a mid-priced 3-9x40 hunting scope plus some cheap, brand name rings. If he can stretch to $200 then a lot more and better options open up, of course, but that's not the question he asked.
 
I'd get this one. http://www.opticsplanet.net/nikon-riflescope-prostaff-3-9x40.html

I'd stack that nikon up against any $200 scope. it's $130 shipped.

(and I am not an optics connoisseur. I do not shoot at targets 400 yards out in the dark while the Enemy is firing on me. I'm more of a hogs at dusk kind of guy. and I'm cheap.)

or maybe off the sample list http://www.samplelist.com/default.a..._type=-1&hide_sold=False&sort_parm=swfa_price

item numbers:
11310
11126
10758 << not awesome, but it sure is cheap. optics are actually decent on the one I saw.
 
I have been using this Center Point that was ether $79 or $89 & have no complaints about it.

You my want something simpler. I can't find something exact to your description but this is close.
 
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