What's the best scope for an AR

[Mr. T]

Hello Everyone,

I'm in the market for a mid range priced scope that will be adequate for ranges up to 300 yards. I've been looking at the BSA sweet .223, but don't have any experience with them. I've also been looking at Bushnell and Nikon as well. Does anyone have any advice on this.

Pictures of set ups are also appreciated.

 

[matrem]

I hope by "midrange", you are willing to get close to the two hundred dollar point?
If so, there are several that should fill your requirement.

 

[R.W.Dale]

The "best" is probably going to be a $1000+ optic

I like the Leupold vxI 2x7x33 for around $200

but either way there's many many better options than chinese made garbage optics. You'll go far if you will follow my advice ad never buy chinese optics. I learned the hard way don't follow in my footsteps

 

[Z-Michigan]

There is no one best scope. It depends on your uses, the compromises you prefer, and your own shooting technique and eyesight.

Among conventional scopes, good deals under $300 are going to be Weaver, Leupold (some models), Burris, a few Bushnell models, and Nikon. You will get more quality for the money with a fixed power scope like a Weaver K4 than with a variable.

 

[Maverick223]

I would opt for a Zeiss Conquest, SuperSniper, Bushnell Elite 3200/4200, or perhaps a Leupold VX-III. The Zeiss is the best deal for good optics IMO. If you don't want high-magnification (which you don't need for 300yds.), target turrets, FFP, et cetera you have a lot of good options...if you want any of the above, the price will start to go up steadily to retain good glass quality.

 

[Mr. T]

Actually I was looking for something that would be adequate to take into the field hunting, but could still do the job when I go to the rifle range. I'm looking to keep costs in the $200 - $300 price range. I would like to find something that has a BDC on it also. Am I asking too much?

 

[Maverick223]

Am I asking too much?

In a word...yes. You need to expand your budget a little to get good optics, let me see what I can find, BRB.

BDCs, typically come at a premium...or on mediocre optics. The best I can find is a Bushnell Elite 3200 3-9x40mm with the DOA-600 reticle, which is probably tuned for .308 at max magnification, but with .223 you can determine what the drop is and compensate for that by using a different magnification (keep in mind that ballistic reticles are only really useful when you have a FFP optic...which is way out of your budget). It has good glass, hunting turrets (which you want so branches and such don't make your adjustments for you), a ballistic reticle, and is a well built optic.

 

[matrem]

You should have no trouble finding a great scope in that range.
VX1 in the 200. range & VX2 in the 300.
You'll be fine with either.

 

[R.W.Dale]

I THINK you can order a Leupold with a ballisticly matched reticle and come in under $300 if you stick with the right line

https://customshop.leupold.com/


The leupold pictured above on my rifle has a generic "BDC" reticle

 

[Shadow Man]

A BDC equipped scope for under $300? I'm no scope guru, but the only one I know of that has a good BDC is a Trijicon ACOG...and there is no way you will get one for under $300.

Orr...maybe there is and I should just keep my mouth shut

By the by, Krochus, gorgeous rifle sir.

 

[Smeh]

The Leupold Mark AR line will come close to the 300 dollar mark if you look around. I have limited experience with AR-15's but I've got the Leupold Mark AR 3-9 x 40 with mil-dot reticule and it works great!

 

[Mr. T]

By the way Krochus that's a sweet looking setup you have. What ranges are you shooting at with it?

 

[taliv]

i'm kinda with shadowman on this one... krochus, can you really get custom BDCs under $300 from leupold?? that's amazing

i tried to get their custom shop to make some stuff for me a couple years ago, but they always old me what i wanted wasn't available on the particular model of scope i'd purchased.

 

[R.W.Dale]

i'm kinda with shadowman on this one... krochus, can you really get custom BDCs under $300 from leupold?? that's amazing

i tried to get their custom shop to make some stuff for me a couple years ago, but they always old me what i wanted wasn't available on the particular model of scope i'd purchased.

I went through this awhile back and it appears as though you can even on the vx1 line

here's the link on buying through optics planet
http://www.opticsplanet.net/custom-...th-matte-black-finish-and-duplex-reticle.html

EDIT there seems to be a large price disparity from opticsplanet and the custom shop page?????? leupold shows $249 for a vx1 2x7x33 with a custom BDC reticle

 

[Smeh]

Here's a rather cruddy photo of my AR setup. And no, the rail is not a UTG. I hate how similar their rail looks to my YHM rail.

 

[Shadow Man]

Learn something new every day, don't you? I can go home now

 

[matai]

I think in that price range a Bushnell 3200 would be your best bet

 

[Maverick223]

I think in that price range a Bushnell 3200 would be your best bet

LOL, see the "revised" post no. 7. That is exactly what I concluded.

 

[EdLaver]

And no, the rail is not a UTG.

What's wrong with UTG rails?

 

[highorder]

What's wrong with UTG rails?

At the very least, they are very heavy.

The fact that they are designed for airsoft use is enough to put most people off.

 

[benzy2]

For a BDC, field use, in the $200-$300 range I have one option that sticks out in my mind far and above EVERYTHING else. The Nikon Team Primos 3-9x. It is the older style Nikon Monarch before they went to a 4x erector. Amazing glass at $200 shipped from www.SWFA.com. They are also adding in a camo coat but I have no clue on the quality of that. For $200 I think the Team Primos is the clear cut winner. This scope is on par with Leupold VXIII, Bushnell 4200, (it is the 3x erector Nikon Monarch), Sightron SII Big Sky, etc. If you were to buy an equal scope from one of these other brands you are going to pay at least twice as much(other than for the 4200 3-9x which I think is at the $250 price range).

 

[bratch]

I was going to recommend the Primos as well. I've have one on a SPR build but haven't gotten a chance to shoot it yet.

 

[matrem]

Mr T
I have to ask...
Why are you even considering BDC for .223 at 300yds?

 

[eastbank]

i have a 2 1/2 compact leupold in a quick take off mount on my light weight match target carbine and out to 300yds it is a good 6 inch group shooter. eastbank.

 

[eastbank]

pic,s of my light weight carbine. eastbank.