Compact Rifle Scope Options

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Adam123

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What is the best compact rifle scope that has a long eye relief (6" or more) and is priced around $80.00-100.00... or less would be even better. I'd like a 3-9 power, but would consider a scope that has a fixed magnification. I'm definitely not looking for anything extravagant. So, keep my price parameters in mind when posting suggestions.

Just to add, I have a very compact NC Star 3-9x42 that cost only $29.00-ish. It's clear at high power out to a 300-400. I beat the crap out of it, have it mounted on a 7.62x39 rifle, and it holds zero. If the scope had better eye relief, I would not be posting this thread. Thanks
 
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I am tired of these constant posts on what gun or scope is the best but keep in mind the CHEAPEST.

You want 6" of eye relief!

:rolleyes:
 
If you are tired of it, don't look... or better yet, don't comment. I am tired of AR threads that constantly rehash the same B.S. (Best AR for under $800.00, What Should I Know About ARs, AR Accuracy, Teach Me About ARs, - the list goes on and on), but I don't complain in those threads. I know that I want 6" eye relief (or better). That is fairly obvious from my OP, isn't it? I am asking for scope suggestions, not for a reiteration of my wants. If you can't post something useful/helpful, go post somewhere else.
 
Might I ask what is the planned use for the rifle/scope? I only ask because if it's hunting or personal defense, a $100- scope has a good chance of not working when you need it. Such a scope may be well and good for plinking or having fun at the range, but if you're making shots that really count, I would trust better glass.

Sorry that's not really an answer to your question, just my thoughts on the matter.
 
A PA red dot will get you the eye relief you want at the price you want, but doesn't have any mag.

6" of eye relief is hard to do, optically. Your list of requirements may prove to be defeated by physics and the current state of the art in optical manufacturing.

At any rate, I'd personally be surprised if it can be done.

BSW
 
Ragnar, I understand your concern, but I am not an optics snob. I have a swift scope on an AR that has held perfect zero for four years now - and it's been banged around a fair amount. Yet, some try to convince me that I need a $800.00 Leupold. I have a Bushnell Banner 6-24x40 scope on a Romanian PSL-54C that is clear well past 400-500, hold zero, and has given me no issues. I hear it all the time about one needing to spend $300.00+ on optics, but I am just not buying in to all that hype.... not from my experiences. If my optics magically fail when *really* need, so be it. I'll chalk it up to destiny.
 
You might want to look at BSA Edge, pistol scopes, 2-7x32 with 1.55 to 14 inch eye relief for $79.95 at SWFA. I have one of their long range variables that has been pretty good.
 
Brian, thanks for the post. To be honest, I've never been that interested in 1x power red dots. I'd rather become proficient with irons.

I've seen fixed 4x power compact scopes that have good eye relief, but was hoping for the same results out of a variable power scope.
 
Xfyrfiter, thanks for the suggestion. I looked and didn't see anything. Could you provide a link? Would a scope that's intended for a pistol be alright on a 7.62x39 rifle?

Edit: Nevermind, I found it.
 
It sounds like you are looking for a scout or pistol scope. Those terms might narrow your search.

I had a fixed two power BSA Edge on a Mosin rifle that kept it's zero (even though the rings did not). It was like $40. The higher power ones might be okay too.

I'd be surprised if an AK kicked that much more than a heavy bore pistol.
 
Ragnar, I understand your concern, but I am not an optics snob. I have a swift scope on an AR that has held perfect zero for four years now - and it's been banged around a fair amount. Yet, some try to convince me that I need a $800.00 Leupold. I have a Bushnell Banner 6-24x40 scope on a Romanian PSL-54C that is clear well past 400-500, hold zero, and has given me no issues. I hear it all the time about one needing to spend $300.00+ on optics, but I am just not buying in to all that hype.... not from my experiences. If my optics magically fail when *really* need, so be it. I'll chalk it up to destiny.
Click to expand...

There's a happy medium between an $80 ChiCom scope from Dunhams, and a $800 Leupold. If it's just for having fun, go as cheap as possible as long as it works. But if missing your shot could mean missing your deer, or even losing your life, I would not go cheap. I got a Konus M30 for my Remington 700. It was in the $280 range when I got it. It works well, holds a zero, and I trust it for shots that matter. I didn't have to spend $800 to get a good scope, but I still wanted a good scope and got it.

I am by no means trying to tell you you're wrong. I have no idea what your intended use for this rifle scope combination is, so it is entirely possible I'm spouting nonsense. But I will say that I read in somoene's THR signature last night "the bitterness of poor quality lingers when the sweetness of a cheap price fades". I just don't like seeing someone throw good money after bad as the saying goes. But good luck =)

I would run a search on OpticsPlanet for that price range and see what they have to offer. That's a pretty good place to find scope of all kinds.
 
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6" eye relief on a rifle scope is RARE. You'll see it more on handgun scopes. My bushnell trophy has about 4" relief. I think my elite has even less. Both of these scope supposedly have long eye relief.

Best of luck.. Like I said, look at handgun scopes.. they might be the right direction for you.
 
What you want does not exist. The best you can do is around 4.7" of eye relief. The only scopes that will do that are Leupold or the new Leupold made Redfields. You can find a Redfield for around $160.
 
Ragnar, I have a Swift 3-9x40 that has held up remarkably over the years. It cost me $90.00 and is a fantastic scope. It's very clear at all magnifications and distances, holds zero on every rifle it's seen, collects plenty of light, and has never failed. It's been tossed in boxes, thrown in closets, banged around and disregarded. It's a great scope that just works. Never in a million years will someone convince me that I need to purchase more reliable optics.

Like I said before, I've had great experiences with very affordable scopes. This whole idea of needing "good" optics when it "really counts" just seems to be a marketing ploy to me.

Jmr40, could you be more specific? Are you talking about standard or compact scopes. If talking about normal scopes, I have a Swift 3-9x40 that easily has 6" of eye relief and a Bushnell 3-9x40 that is listed at 6", but is more like 8". Now, if you are talking about compact scopes then I would like a link. Thanks.
 
I didn't take the time to research all models, but every Bushnell I've ever seen had around 3-3.5" at 3X. Even less at higher powers.

http://swfa.com/Bushnell-3-9x40-Elite-Rifle-Scope-P48263.aspx

This is one of Bushnell's best, I'd think the budget sub-$100 scopes would be worse.

The Swift scopes are all about the same, 2.9-3.5" at 3X

http://www.swift-sportoptics.com/rscopes1.html

Be sure you are comparing comparable scope powers. Some 1X or 1.5X scopes may offer better eye relief, but the OP is looking for a 3-9X scope.

The Leupold and Redfield scopes in the 3-9X range have 4.7" and 4.2" of eye relief at 3X

http://swfa.com/Leupold-3-9x40-VX-II-Riflescope-P50859.aspx

http://swfa.com/Redfield-3-9x40-Revolution-Rifle-Scope-P44468.aspx

I don't care what the specs may say, nothing else in a standard riflescope gives you as large an eyebox for quickly finding your target as Leupold. If you are comparing pistol scopes or scout scopes then that is different.
 
with a long eye relief (ie scout or pistol) in a high magnification (3-9x) you're going to get a super tiny field of view.

From your caliber and scope request, are you trying to scout scope an sks?
 
Jmr40, the Bushnell that I was referring to is this one:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002IKQBS/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

... at 3x, I have an easy 8 inches of eye relief.

Greyling, I am not doing a scout setup. I am just looking for a compact scope that has good eye relief. The scope will be going on the rifle pictured below:

6175222987_67e5bd09e6_z.jpg

Since the photo, I've gone with the Midwest Industries mount (which I quite like) and have decided to look for more compact optics. The problem in going to more compact optics is that I don't have the eye relief that I need with this particular setup - a couple more inches and I'll be good.
 
You already seem to know what you want. Go buy it. You arguing with everyone is a waste of disk space.
 
Go to a gun show and look for a older Weaver 4x. I got one at a gun show. It is a great scope.
 
You already seem to know what you want. Go buy it. You arguing with everyone is a waste of disk space.
Click to expand...

Agree,most posters who start a thread like this have there minds set at that point just want agreement. I owned one scope under $100 that has any value at all, an Intensity made by weaver I'm told, 5-20x44 got it on sale for $89, Banners, Nu star all very poor that I've used.

Clear glass is out there at a fair price but more in the $200-300 range,Mueller's have very clear glass edge to edge, eye strain on very low cost scopes is common.
 
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HKGuns said:
You already seem to know what you want. Go buy it. You arguing with everyone is a waste of disk space.
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Scythefwd, I measured the eye relief on mine and it is 8". I know Bushnell says 6". I apologize if this is perceived as "arguing". I wouldn't want to offend the High Road Courtesy Police. ^^^^^

Able, that Swift is not a *COMPACT* scope. In fact, it's the very scope that I have on the rifle pictured.

HKGuns, how do you figure that I am arguing? I can state a point and politely disagree without it being an argument. At no point did I argue. Conversely, it seems like a few guys came in this thread looking for an argument. I am guessing that you are a bit short on reading comprehension skills - something that is quite lacking today. Since you are off topic and clearly uninformed, let me restate what I do and do not want:

I want a 3-9 power COMPACT scope that has good eye relief. I still find it utterly amazing that so many people posted links to full-sized scopes.
I don't want to argue.
I DO NOT want talked into a higher price bracket.
I do not want you posting nonsense.

If some of you could actually read and reply with an answer based on the criteria that I provided, there would not need to be "arguing". If you can't post something informative or constructive, take a hike. The only reason I am "arguing" is because most of you don't read.

GoTigers, thanks.

Wingman, please refer to my reply to HKGuns.

Anyway, we can let this thread die. I was politely pointed in the direction of the BSA Edge by Xfyrfiter and will, most likely, go that route. Thanks.
 
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