i just bought a 15 sport. I want optics that i can accurately make a shot up to 250 yards for hunting coyotes or ground hogs. On the flip side, i want to use it in close range for home defense. is there anything out there that will allow me to accomplish both things for $300 or under?

I have an eotech on a 7.62x39 ar that I have and absolutely love the thing for hunting and 3 gun shooting. Very good for 300 yards an in. The eotech may be abit out of your price range but you could easily find a decent red dot for that price. I have a cheap(>$100) bushnell on my bullseye pistol that has remained flawless that would fit the bill.

Red dots are perfect for close shots and work very well for the longer ones as well. Others may disagree but I believe eotechs are the best for close in stuff, for some reason the shape makes it easier to keep both eyes open, aim points and the like just do not work for me but they may work for you. My first eotech has a few years and hunts under its belt and has been flawless.

I don't know your age but if you are under 40 a red dot may work for you. After 40, the chance of your vision going south is more than just probable. If you buy before 12/01 SWFA has a new 4x scope that looks good for $299 if you buy this weekend. Ground hogs are pretty small compared to hogs so you may want to go with a 3x9 or a straight 10x scope. You need to decide between hunting accuracy and precision accuracy as related to scopes. I accidentally became an SWFA fan as I now own 3 of their scopes and have a fourth one on the way. I think they are a good value for what you spend.

I'm a fan of low powered scopes in the 1-4 to 2-8 range. I've got a couple of AR's with dots on them, but they are used strictly for close-up work or target games.

I don't feel that I can achieve the precision needed for shots on varmint out to 250 yards with dots. A 1x or 2x scope will work just fine at short range, although you will probably end up point shooting at room distance.

I don't consider any magnified optic of much use for home defense. Suggest getting whatever higher powered optic you want for groundhogs and precision shooting, and forget about trying to make a compromise to accomodate HD too.

You can add a 3x magnifier to a red dot but that won't be precision enough for groundhogs, maybe coyotes. I suggest you just stick with a scope and not use anything for home defense unless you have a very very large house, a warehouse size house. In fact what you can do is use your front sight as a poor man's red dot. In the house don't bother aligning your front and rear sights, instead just aim down the front sight as if it was a red dot. It won't matter for distances inside a house

Agree with above. A 250 yard shot on a groundhog will require magnification, more than you get with the 1-4 power scopes that can also be used similar to a red dot. It "might" work for a coyote, but I would want more magnification for that as well.

I don't think there is a "does it all" solution for you... too much variance between the two types of shooting.

Yeah, I don't think there's a solution here considering what you're looking to use the optic for. 250 yards is a ways out there. A coyote is going to be a pretty small target, never mind a ground hog.
I'd want a 4-16 scope for that kind of distance to shoot with any kind of accuracy, which you can buy for 300, but a scope isn't going to do you any good in the home.

I just picked up a sport and have been looking for a good quality scope that won't cost as much as the rifle myself. Look at the Nikon P-223 or Prostaff models. They are available in different magnifications, seen them on amazon for under 200.00 less mounts.
Personally I feel shotguns or handguns are more suited for HD, but thats just me.

I AGREE WITH C-PHIL. I DON'T THINK YOU CAN MAKE A GOOD COMPROMISE. I WOULD GET THE BEST SCOPE THAT I COULD PURCHASE FOR HUNTING, WITHIN YOUR BUDGET. YOU CAN BUY A NICE USED HI-END SCOPE FOR $300. THEN PICK UP A WEAPON THAT WILL FILL THE BILL FOR HOME DEFENSE, MUCH BETTER THAN A SCOPED HUNTING RIFLE WILL…..

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

Thanks for all of the replies. Very good info. Thanks!

I have used a TRS 25 and take groundhogs at 80-100 yrds and my eye sight is not what it used to be. I also bought a Center Point 3-9 x 32 scope for a air gun and liked enough that I bought another one for my 15T, can bust a 8" balloon at 350 yrds. the Center Point was 50 and change at Wally World. I've put between 7 to 800 rds through it and still holding up. Would I like to have a high end scope or EOTech with a magnifier ?....sure but budget and the fact that I like to buy ammo and shoot a lot I go low budget.

I have the vortex SPARC, and the 2x magnifier is actually quite useful. I have shot 200 yards to verify my 50 yard zero, and I was shooting 3" groups no problem. You can always add a flip mounted magnifier for the best of both worlds. Lucid makes a variable power magnifier that is adjustable from 2x-5x. I'd love to hear some feedback on this if anyone has tried it. Here's the Vortex with the magnifier attached

EDIT: I got this setup on Amazon for $150 shipped, so well within your price range.

For 250 yard varmints I would suggest a 10x scope. Use quick detachable mounts and switch to irons for home defense.