I recently got a new Ruger AR 556 AR 15. I want to get a scope for under $170 dollars. I looked at Bushnell scopes designed for .223 also Vortex Crossover II scope. Budsgunshop seems to have good deals on Nikko scopes. Any suggestions on AR15 scopes? My rifle is carbine length. I want to use it for both plinking and hunting.
Scope for AR15?
- Thread starter DavidB2
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Skylerbone
Member
DB2, if that's your price range and you're sure you don't want a red dot then I'd recommend a Nikon P223 series scope. Their 3x runs $150 and the 3-9x (if you feel you want more magnification) is $200. The kicker is that both currently include free AR mounts which will save you the money you would otherwise have to spend and that's generally more than the $30 over your budget price tag. I've heard decent things about the Bushnell AR series but I got rid of all my Bushnell scopes a while back. Still have 4 or 5 Nikons though and I'm sure I'll add to that number in the future.
SWFA has a combo with the Bushnell 1-4x and mount for $200 as well if you decide to go that route and if you don't plan on spinning the elevation dial too often it'll probably hold up fine, I simply prefer Nikon's glass quality at that price point and I own a P Series rimfire that works great. I topped my AR off with a Leupold Mark AR but found the rifle far more enjoyable to shoot with a red dot sight. Just preference.
SWFA has a combo with the Bushnell 1-4x and mount for $200 as well if you decide to go that route and if you don't plan on spinning the elevation dial too often it'll probably hold up fine, I simply prefer Nikon's glass quality at that price point and I own a P Series rimfire that works great. I topped my AR off with a Leupold Mark AR but found the rifle far more enjoyable to shoot with a red dot sight. Just preference.
I have the P223 by Nikon on an AR. It is the jack of all trades but master of none. If you want fast target acquisition, open sites are better. If you shoot long range, 3 power is not enough. But I found it to be a good trade off and does a bit of both. FOV is still pretty wide so you can still aquire the target and at long distance the cross hairs and 3x are better than open sights. It does not cost much and the mount comes with it. I don't think it is a bad buy. It is Nikon so it is well made and the glass is above its price.
MachIVshooter
Member
I like the fixed 3x P223 for carbines. Reasonable price, compact, lightweight. I'm running it on my 12.5" BCM:
No, it's not enough magnification for printing itty bitty groups at long ranges, but it's enough to be useful, especially if you have decent vision. I can see clay pigeons or soda cans just fine at 100 yards, and a 3x optic makes a 300 yard target appear as 100.............
No, it's not enough magnification for printing itty bitty groups at long ranges, but it's enough to be useful, especially if you have decent vision. I can see clay pigeons or soda cans just fine at 100 yards, and a 3x optic makes a 300 yard target appear as 100.............
BigBL87
Member
I have a Mueller Multishot 2-7 on mine. Unique reticle, the magnification falls in a nice multi purpose range. The illuminated dot is a nice bonus too.
I know it's out of your price range, But I'm going to throw a plug for my favorite chinese scope supplier and BDC.
Primary Arms 4x ACSS
I really like these reticles, they are fast and easy to use, and in the entry level scope game they are a lot of bang for the buck. I had both a PA and a Nikon on my .300BO the same day, and the difference was notable enough I sent the Nikon back and just went without a scope until the PA one I wanted was back in stock. They are also really nice guys. If you can stretch the pennies you won't be sorry.
If you have to stay in the $170 range, the nikon is your best bet. IIRC It's calibrated for XM193, so 55gr@3200-ish FPS
Primary Arms 4x ACSS
I really like these reticles, they are fast and easy to use, and in the entry level scope game they are a lot of bang for the buck. I had both a PA and a Nikon on my .300BO the same day, and the difference was notable enough I sent the Nikon back and just went without a scope until the PA one I wanted was back in stock. They are also really nice guys. If you can stretch the pennies you won't be sorry.
If you have to stay in the $170 range, the nikon is your best bet. IIRC It's calibrated for XM193, so 55gr@3200-ish FPS
BigBL87
Member
The Primary Arms 1-4x scope gets pretty good reviews as well. Had I not gone with my Mueller, the PA was my next choice. I just wanted the extra magnification if I needed it and wasn't overly concerned about the difference between 1.2ish (low end on the PA isn't quite true 1x) and 2x on the low end.
Back on the Mueller, if you wanted more magnification the Mueller APV and APT are great options as well. I have the APV on my Savage Mark II FV.
dodge
Member
I have a Primary Arms 1x-4x on my carbine and it works great. It normally sets a 1x for home defense but by turning it up to 4x I'm good out to about 200 yards or maybe further
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greyling22
Member
I really like a 2-7x scope on an AR. turn it down to 2x and you can take a quick shot or run with both eyes open. dial it up to 7 and you can hit coke cans at 100 all day long off a rest.
that said, this 1.75x5 vortex diamondback for $130 is a heck of a scope. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/24...-scope-175-5x-32mm-matte?cm_vc=ProductFinding much brighter with a wider field of view than my burris ff2 2-7x at 5x.
that said, this 1.75x5 vortex diamondback for $130 is a heck of a scope. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/24...-scope-175-5x-32mm-matte?cm_vc=ProductFinding much brighter with a wider field of view than my burris ff2 2-7x at 5x.
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cdb1
Member
Burris FF2 2-7x35.
OpticsPlanet
Member
The Burris FullField II is a good AR optic. It has a versatile magnification range and is still within your budget.
Mike C.
Mike C.
MachIVshooter
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