Shopping for a scope for the new AR, and I have to admit, I'm totally lost :laughing: . I'm going to lay out what I'm kind of looking for, and I hope you all will share some thoughts and opinions.

I'm thinking of magnification in the area of 9 - 14x. I tried a friend's 4x scope a while back when we were shooting out in the desert and 4x just wasn't enough zoom for me. I'm not whacking targets at 9 million yards, but 300 to 400 yards might show up sometimes.

I like the idea of being able to range targets with the scope, so a mil-dot reticle makes sense to me. Since the mil-dot measurements only work on max zoom on a second focal plane reticle, having adjustable magnification seems like a waste. My guess is that I'd leave the magnification on max all the time anyway, so I can't really see the use of adjustability. One more thing to screw with, one more thing to break. Those who have used mil-dot scopes: how useful are they really?

Illumination: not sure what I think about it. It seems useful, but it also seems like something to break, and the idea of requiring batteries to use it kind of turns me off. Those of you with illuminated scopes - care to share any thoughts?

I want to spend $250 - $350 on a scope, which I know is on the low end. I don't expect to get Nightforce quality for that money, but it seems like there should be something decent out there for the price.

Some scopes I've found that I'm interested in:
Millett TRS 10x-50mm (http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=341927): This one is illuminated, but whatever. I've heard some complaints about the weight of 50mm glass, but this will mostly be a range plinker. How much better low-light performance can I expect with 50mm vs. 40mm? How's Millett's quality these days?

Nikon Buckmaster 4-14x40mm (http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=760482): Adjustable magnification, which I can live without. People seem to like Nikon stuff.

Bushnell Elite 3200 10x-40mm (http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=129037): I like the price on this one :laughing:. I also like the fact that it seems to get good reviews.

Falcon Menace 4-14x-44mm (http://www.opticswarehouse.co.uk/proddetail.asp?prod=falcon_menace_414x44ffp): This is a first focal plane scope, so it eliminates my concern about the uselessness of adjustable magnification, but the fact that it's FFP means the reticle gets larger with greater zoom. Not sure what I think of that. I also cannot imagine attempting to accurately measure a target using mil-dots at anything but max magnification. I'd also never heard of the brand before, but a lot of people seem to like it. Thoughts? Is it worth an extra $100 over the Bushnell?

Any thoughts? Any others I should be looking at? Thanks!

Out of those companies listed, I've only ever had good luck with Bushnell. Yes, it is on the lower end of the quality scale, but I had this:

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=273033

And it worked damn good on the top of my Varmint AR.

I can't see the fixed 10x being any more different quality wise then the one I had, so for your price range, I'd say go with the Bushnell.

SWFA Super Sniper (http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-10x42-Tactical-Riflescope-P499.aspx)

Have a look at this one.

SWFA Super Sniper (http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-10x42-Tactical-Riflescope-P499.aspx)

Have a look at this one.

+1 I have one and love it.

SWFA Super Sniper (http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-10x42-Tactical-Riflescope-P499.aspx)

Have a look at this one.

My suggestion

I'd skip the tacticool stuff for plinking with an AR at up to 400 yards. Get a laser range finder and a quality varmint/target type scope with target turrets.

4-16 with an AO or side focus.

Sighton S2 would work nicely.
http://www.opticsplanet.net/sightron-sii-4-16x42mm-riflescopes-sii416x42.html

Nikon has some pretty looking glass for cheap.
________
Colorado medical marijuana dispensary (http://colorado.dispensaries.org/)

I have the Bushnell 3200 listed and have used it on targets up to 800 yds away. It's about as simple of a scope as someone could imagine for target use: fixed power, fixed parallax. The plus side of a fixed power is that there are half as many lenses in the scope, making it lighter and by very nature, clearer. With this scope, a 2" target paster is clearly visible at 800 yds and the reticle is fine enough not to obscure it. The adjustments are positive and return to zero is dead on, I have dialed this scope up and down countless times and it has never failed me.

The Nikon would be my second choice, although you have to go to the 6-18x to get full fledged target turrets (it includes two sets, one set fits under the turret caps, the other is larger and won't) I know a few who own this scope and they like it a lot. Midway puts it on sale every now and then, so if you aren't in a hurry, that could save you some cash if you go with this scope.

I don't have any experience with the Millet, but what I have heard about the Falcon is that it is pretty hit or miss. If you do some research on snipershide, you will find the same.

Thank you all for the input - it's been immensely helpful. This site is awesome at wading through the bullshit and getting down to real performance. I appreciate it.

I have removed the Falcon from the list, both on account of reports from Napoleon047 and others about varying quality control, as well as the fact that it's variable magnification and FFP.

In its stead, I have added the Super Sniper to the list, and from what I can tell, it's an impressive little scope. Right now, it's the way I'm leaning. I'll snag whatever I decide in a week or so, and I'll report back with what I think.

Thanks again for all the help!

Mueller has a new side-focus that is in your price range. I'm thinking about grabbing one for my coyote rifle soon. Been pretty happy with the Muellers I have.

Edit: Midway actually has them in stock now -- http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=835407

I also have the Bushnell E3200 on a 3gun AR. Love it

X3 for the super sniper, I love mine.

I've got the 3200 10x and the falcon 4-14.

The falcon is a fantastic scope, and I must have gotten one made on a good day because it tracks perfectly.

FFP is what you want when you have a variable power scope, since the reticle stays accurate throughout the zoom range.


However, when it comes to sub-$200 scopes the bushnell 3200 10x mil dot can't really be beat.

I've got the 3200 10x and the falcon 4-14.

The falcon is a fantastic scope, and I must have gotten one made on a good day because it tracks perfectly.

FFP is what you want when you have a variable power scope, since the reticle stays accurate throughout the zoom range.


However, when it comes to sub-$200 scopes the bushnell 3200 10x mil dot can't really be beat.

Hrm. You're making my decision hard for me. :laughing:

I understand the benefit of FFP when it comes to a mil-dot scope, but what makes me shy away from FFP on a variable scope is that the reticle gets larger with more magnification, thus covering more of the target. It seems like when you want more magnification is precisely when you would want a finer crosshair. Do you find the reticle of the Falcon at max zoom to be obtrusive at all?

Of course, the inability of use a mil-dot reticle at anything but max magnification on a second focal plane scope is precisely what leads me to a fixed magnification scope. Too bad some genius can't figure out a way to have the mil-dots on the first focal plane and the crosshair on the second! :laughing:

Just get the bushy for now and squirrel your pennies away for the nightforce you know you want.

Hrm. You're making my decision hard for me. :laughing:

I understand the benefit of FFP when it comes to a mil-dot scope, but what makes me shy away from FFP on a variable scope is that the reticle gets larger with more magnification, thus covering more of the target. It seems like when you want more magnification is precisely when you would want a finer crosshair. Do you find the reticle of the Falcon at max zoom to be obtrusive at all?

Of course, the inability of use a mil-dot reticle at anything but max magnification on a second focal plane scope is precisely what leads me to a fixed magnification scope. Too bad some genius can't figure out a way to have the mil-dots on the first focal plane and the crosshair on the second! :laughing:

My Bushnell Elite 4200 6-24x needs to be set at 12x to use the mil dots for ranging, not at max magnification.

x4 on the Super Sniper. I don't personally own one, but a friend I shoot with has two and they're great for what he paid for them.

Alright, I think the Super Sniper will be the ticket.

I'm sorry to keep asking dumb questions, but I'm concerned about whether or not the scope will clear my MBUS rear sight. I'm planning on using this Bobro cantilever mount (http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=1510), but I can't find dimensions on the ocular end of the scope, nor the amount of rise of the scope base. Does anyone have these handy?

It's a range gun with a 10x scope... set down your koolaid and skip the buis.

It's a range gun with a 10x scope... set down your koolaid and skip the buis.

Start a new trend.

Call it "strateigic" :idea:

I have the same SS scope my my SPR clone. I'm still not completely sold on it, but it is a nice scope.

Helpful thread. Thanks for the knowledge base.

Picked up the Elite 3200 from Midway. I have a SS on the .50 and its great. 3200 going on the .223 Stevens 200. People really seem to love the Bushy. Can't wait to use it....the BSA Huntsman it is replacing has been a POS ever since I brought it home. The BSA Sweet .22 has been great though.

I have the TRS and it is a great scope...the Super Sniper is about equal to me, so whichever one has the best price is the way I would go...if I were buying another scope right now.

Mueller has a new side-focus that is in your price range. I'm thinking about grabbing one for my coyote rifle soon. Been pretty happy with the Muellers I have.

Edit: Midway actually has them in stock now -- http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=835407

Been looking at the same scope for a bull barreled .308 I'm gathering parts for. If its anywhere near as nice as the APV, I have on my 10/17, I'll be EXTREMELY happy with it.
JoeBob Outfitters (http://www.joeboboutfitters.com/Mueller_8_32x44_Target_Dot_p/mu83244td.htm) has them with free shipping & a 3" sun shade :grinpimp:

Oh hey, my thread is back.

Got my SS 10x42 mounted in a Bobro cantilever mount, and I am extremely satisfied with it. The glass is amazingly clear, the adjustments are nice and repeatable, and the quality of the scope seems really excellent for the price.

The Bobro mount is also really impressive. It was expensive, but it seems to return to zero every time, which is nice, as I like to practice with irons. It's overkill for a $300 scope, but it'll work should I ever decide to upgrade. Buy once, cry once.

The only downside I can find with the scope is that the ocular end is HUGE and it's just about impossible to float it above irons. The only ones I could find that would fit were the Troy irons, so I upgraded from the MagPul sights I had. The Troys are really nice, and I like that they lock in the up position.

Some pics for y'all:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/623607/bobro.jpg
The Bobro mount is decidedly fancy, but one handed operation is uncomfortable, since the lever is spring-loaded and likes to smack the thumb you depress the safety catch with. Two hands alleviates this problem.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/623607/reticle.jpg
These tanks are ~375 yards away from where I'm standing. The glass is amazingly clear.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/623607/ar1.jpg
oooh oooh tacticool!

I love the Mega atom logo.

I'm also trying to figure out what scope I want for one of my 16" AR carbines.

I think I've got it nailed down to one of these three, but having a hard time deciding between them -


http://www.opticsplanet.net/leupold-3-9x40-mark-ar-riflescopes.html

http://www.opticsplanet.net/nikon-2-8x32-matte-nikoplex-bdc-riflescope-8486-8487.html

http://www.opticsplanet.net/nikon-3-12x42sf-nikoplex-bdc-riflescope-8488-8489.html

Helpful thread. Thanks for the knowledge base.

Picked up the Elite 3200 from Midway. I have a SS on the .50 and its great. 3200 going on the .223 Stevens 200. People really seem to love the Bushy. Can't wait to use it....the BSA Huntsman it is replacing has been a POS ever since I brought it home. The BSA Sweet .22 has been great though.

Used the 3200 yesterday and really like it. ez to zero. Much better to look through at 100 yards for targets than 25 and 50 for zeroing.

Just looking through it around the garage I didn't have much hope for it....after yesterday it performed well and was great to use. I really like the fixed power and mil-dots.....but have to learn their use.

I just ordered a Leupold Mark AR 3-9x40, Alumina flipback covers, and a Larue QD LT-104 mount, it all should be here sometime next week.

I'll update with a review after I take it out to sight it in.

I just ordered a Leupold Mark AR 3-9x40, Alumina flipback covers, and a Larue QD LT-104 mount, it all should be here sometime next week.

I'll update with a review after I take it out to sight it in.

I'm looking at that same scope for a 16" carbine. How do you like it now that you have had it awhile?