Mid range scope opinions.

[dogmush]

I need a new scope for my .50. The crappy, temporary scope I had on it is no longer giving me repeatable adjustments.

I understand that great scopes cost money, and I can't have the best in the world for cheap. Also, this rifle is a range toy. I don't hunt with it, I'm not taking it to combat, I won't be competing in any matches with it. It's just for my own fun. 600-800 yds usually with the occasional 1000yd shot at a larger target.

I have $400-$450 to spend. That's it. There will be no more money, ever. So it's not a matter of saving up a little more, that's all the money I'm going to spend on this optic.

That said, I know I'm not looking at NightForce or USO (or even Leapold) quality glass here. I just want something that will hold together and let me hit people-esque targets.

Features I'm looking for, in descending order:

Mil-dot Reticle. (I like them)
Better then 15X mag, less then about 24X
Sturdy
As good glass as my price point can get.

skip a little to "nice to have" features.

30mm tube (fits the Burris rings I already have)
finger adjustable turrets
variable power
illuminated reticle

Don't really care about size and weight, it's a 40 lb rifle. So with those in mind, and having read a bunch of reviews I've com up with the following options that I think might work:

Super Sniper. Either 16X or 20X
Vortex Viper 6.5-20X44
Millet: Either the LRS-1 or TRS-1

Since I'm definitely at the price point where quality starts to suffer I'm trying to avoid going for a scope with every single feature they could pack in, on the theory that none of those features will be as good as a scope with less crap at the same price. I'm kinda leaning towards the 16X Super Sniper. I don't think I need a super high magnification scope, and would hope that the money they didn't spend on building in bells and whistles would have been spent on optical quality.

So on to the questions:
At my price point, is there another model worth looking at, over 15X?
Is there one of those models that's a definite "Don't buy"?
There's lot's of love for the SS 10X from users. Does the 16X or 20X have similar optical quality?
Do ya'll think those will stand up to a .50? I've got a brake on, so it recoils about like my old .338 win mag did. Less sharply but a good solid push.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Sky]

Before you buy the Viper ( which I have and really like on a long barreled AR) please call Vortex and ask them if it will hold up under the recoil and impulse of you .50. I would like to say it would but a guy I respect put one on a (??? don't remember) but it did have some serious recoil. He had problems with the first Vortex scope. Good news is they replaced the scope. I have never had anything but good service from mine.

 

[Bill_Rights]

Mil-Mil or MOA-MOA but not Mil-MOA

Mush,

Every one of your candidate scope choices has Mil reticle and 1/4 MOA turret adjustments. Cut limb from tree, sharpen end to sharp point, poke in eye. Do not do this to yourself! :banghead:

One reason these scopes are cheap is that manufacturers and resellers are dumping them because demand is down because shooters are finally wising up and demanding either Mil-Mil or MOA-MOA, not mixed reticle/turret graduation systems.

In fact, the Vortex write-up even apologizes for the mixed graduations:

Although it has an MOA turret/MIL reticle setup (which is a bit trickier than having mil/mil, MOA/MOA)...

To prove my point, here is a MidwayUSA-exclusive BSA scope that is set up properly (Mil-Mil) TMD414x44/30 for $250, and here is the ~identical BSA scope with the :banghead: set-up TMD624x44/30SP for $150. Go figure....

By the way, I have two of the TMD414x44/30, liking the first so much I went back to the well. But I have NO IDEA whether it will stand up to .50 BMG and, actually, I cannot yet vouch for its long-term stability of holding/setting adjustments. I use it with a .30 cal semi-auto, which is not particularly a hard banger. So far, with expensive rings and good installation with a torque tool, the oldest one has been rock solid.