What is a good scope for an AR

[gym]

I have a red dot with iron sights set up on my AR. It's an M4. I have the quad rail with ergo pistol grip and front grip option.
Recentlly I have been thinking about adding a scope, for some 300 yard shooting. I looked at several including Nightforce, and counter sniper, "on Midway".
I am looking under $300.00 for my first scope, being a piatol, shotgun guy for 43 years, I never really was a long gun shooter, "don't hunt" other than birds, "very are", mainlly because no one to go with here where we moved. But would or could get into longer distance shooting if ammo returns to it's old prices. So I looked at some mildot scopes, and want to ask what you guys think, I know the brands just not the differences. My neighboor, and future partner, was a marine sniper, but he doesn't have anything less than a grand. And doesn't know much about the newer scopes that can be had for less money.

 

[RainDodger]

I know you said $300.... and I'm going to immediately say to go a tiny bit higher. I just put a Leupold Mark AR scope on a 20" barreled rifle. It was $369. A tiny bit over your $300 limit. Mine is a 3-9X, but there are a couple of other models available too, perhaps less. Take a look at the Leupold web site.

You're going to get a lot of other suggestions as well.... but remember... with optics you generally get what you pay for.

 

[silicosys4]

Look into the Hi-Lux CMR.
Its been good to me so far, a lot of scope for the money.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/72...illuminated-green-cmr-ballistic-reticle-matte

 

[MtnCreek]

Stay away from counter sniper. Really, don't give them any business.

I bought a lightly used Burris 1-4 from a guy here for about your budget or less. Not mil dot, but it does have 'hold dots'. I can put lead on steel with it at 300, but further than that and it gets tricky. A larger target would help...

Good luck.

 

[Outlaw Man]

The guys I know out west who coyote hunt all have the Leupold Mark ARs on their modern sporting rifles. It's a surprisingly low price for the quality. I'd have expected well into or past the $400 price range.

If you're stuck with the $300 limit pretty firm, you might look into something from Vortex. I've been pretty happy with mine on my deer rifle.

 

[gym]

Thanks, the vortex line was one that interested me, they are on Midways website. I looked at counter sniper's stuff, but some of the guys over on AR15 had some not nice things to say about them.
Also what magnification is best for all arount shooting? "just a general range of magnification"? thanks

 

[adelbridge]

Weaver, Nikon and Vortex have not been mentioned. I have a Weaver 40/44 that I have run side by side with some $900 scopes and there was no noticeable optical difference in day light or last light. I am also a big Vortex fan. Longer eye relief is a plus so you can mount the scope to clear the charging handle.

 

[Skylerbone]

For an entry level scope to learn and grow with for your purposes I'd put this one up against any for the money, and it's $100 under your range. That leaves room for something like a set of ARMS QD rings to facilitate ease of swapping back to the RDS.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/950843/bushnell-elite-3200-tactical-rifle-scope-10x-40mm-1-10-mil-adjustments-mil-dot-reticle-matte

 

[snakeman]

mark ar, vxR, I would stick with leupold anyway.

 

[Outlaw Man]

Also what magnification is best for all arount shooting? "just a general range of magnification"? thanks

The traditional answer is something in the 3x to 9x or 10x range. I kind of like the idea of something like that fixed 10x40 Bushnell. The lack of "frills" may enable you to get better glass within your budget. Plus, as a beginner, it will be easier to learn. Still, thousands of people have learned to shoot with a 3-9x40. Thousands.

 

[Skylerbone]

If your neighbor was a Marine Sniper he'll know the mil-dot system well. Unfortunately the Leupold Mark AR mildot model is a second focal plane variable power with MOA adjustments. How do I know? I bought one.

 

[silicosys4]

When I picked my optics, I went with 1-4x. 1x works like a red dot scope since my scope has an illuminated reticle, and is great for up close fun...
And I decided I didn't need more than 4x, since I don't need more to stay precise within the limitations of the cartridge and the barrel length.

 

[Warp]

When I picked my optics, I went with 1-4x. 1x works like a red dot scope since my scope has an illuminated reticle, and is great for up close fun...
And I decided I didn't need more than 4x, since I don't need more to stay precise within the limitations of the cartridge and the barrel length.

Pretty much what I did, but I wanted something I never have to turn on/off, worry about batteries with, has no electronics, etc.

Trijicon Accupoint TR24G. 1-4x with a "true 1x" unmagnified 1x. Reticle is dual illuminated with fiber optics and tritium. The only time the reticle goes black (works just like a front sight post then) is at night indoors in the dark looking at a light colored wall with a bright weaponlight activated.

 

[gpjoe]

I have a Vortex Strikefire on my "up-close" carbine and a Leupold 3-9x40 Mark AR on my "long-distance" carbine. I should mention that I am also a bit if a newb when it comes to rifle scopes, but I am very impressed with the Mark AR.

Note that with a decent mount it will put you a bit over budget - but very much worth it, IMO.

 

[gym]

Thanks guys, some good ideas, it will be one of the one's mentioned. I looked through my neighboors, and was amazed that I could see across a lake at a woman in her kitchen like she was next to me, at 1000 yards. I could read the distance inside the scope as I moved it. It felt weird, like I was violating her privacy.
He always says the glass should cost 2 times what the rifle costs. That doesn't work for me.
He picked up one of those Leatherwood jobs because I sent him an ad I saw for them, said it was like the ones in Nam, any experience with those, I know they are more money.