Inexpensive MOA based AR optic

[esheato]

I'm not very well versed in this category, so I'm soliciting for opinions...

My friend just bought a 20" S&W M&P15 Performance Center AR:

He wants to outfit it with some optics...we've been shooting to 500 yards with his 270 Win but he wants to run this AR instead. His reasoning is it's cheaper to shoot and he can spot his own shots.

Also, he has a Redfield with the accu-range reticle on his 270 Win:

While that reticle is working great, he's starting to outgrow its limitations...ie, how you're locked into a certain bullet weight and velocity.

He's wanting to get a standard MOA based reticle so he can dial his dope based off of his load data. He watched me run my NF 5.5-22 today and while he thought it was awesome, he also thought it was ridiculously expensive. I politely informed him that getting to 500 yards was cheap...shooting past that starts to add up and that there is no substitution for good glass.

What he's looking for:

4-12 or so
SFP
MOA based reticle and turrets
Hash mark design similar to NF NP-R1 or NP-R2
Illumination not necessary
Price point: $600 or less

Leupold? Burris? Vortex?

Thanks in advance.

Ed

 

[TXdefender]

Inexpensive and precision rifle glass should not be used in the same sentence. That being said for the money I don't think you'll beat a Bushnell 3200 fixed 10x with mil-dot reticle.

 

[esheato]

Inexpensive and precision rifle glass should not be used in the same sentence.

I've been making that point to him...but making hits at 400 don't require a $1500 investment either.

What he's looking for:

4-12 or so
SFP
MOA based reticle and turrets
Hash mark design similar to NF NP-R1 or NP-R2

I should have specifically mentioned he doesn't want a mil-dot.

Ahh..forgot about Bushnell as I know the Elite series are decent.

 

[NWdude83]

http://www.opticsplanet.net/vortex-riflescopes-vpr-m-06fp.html

On sale for $500

 

[esheato]

I was browsing their site earlier...they have some nice stuff and the feature list is exactly what I was looking for. Unfortunately, some of the reviews were less than spectacular.

The one you linked was only avail in fine plex or target dot which wouldn't work.

The Viper PSTs were more along his requirements but then the price is getting up there. Maybe he'll just have to save a few more pennies and do it right.