1) the bushnell ar optics 3-12x40 with BDC
or
2) nikon p223 3-9x40 with BDC

heres a quick overview..

bushnell: has side parallax adjustment, more magnification, 1" tube, reset zero turrets

nikon: no parallax adjustment, open circles for the BDC reticle (which i would hardly use), 30mm tube, reset zero turrets

both: very clear, BDC reticles, about the same eye relief

which would y'all chose? i have handled them both in my local academy, but cant decide... i will mostly shoot 100 and in, 300 every now and then..

If these are your only options, they are close enough to not matter. The Nikon seems to be more popular among the cheap scopes.

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Freedom isn't free.

If they are the same price, I am willing to bet that the Nikon is brighter without even looking through it.

I have a Bushnell 4-12x40 on my .22. It also has the adjustable objective for parallax. Good scope for what I am using it for, but an equally priced Nikon without the AO is much brighter. Adjustable objectives and side focus add complexity to a scope, which should add cost...

I have a Bushnell AR Optics 4.5 - 18X40mm Rifle scope with Drop Zone 223 Reticle with Burris AR P.E.P.R. Mount. I LOVE it! Great scope for the money.

I have had good luck with Nikon scopes. P223 fixed 3x has performed very well for me.

There are good scopes and there are great scopes depending on your needs or the conditions you shoot under.If all you do is range shooting there is no need to put a scope on your rifle that costs way more than the rifle cost.If you are clumsy,have a tendency to bump into things a lot or shoot in adverse conditions you'll want a scope that can handle the abuse.

I have the Nikon P-223 3-9x40 and like it a lot.We all got where we are by experimenting ( some more than others).Buy what you like and/or can afford.

While there is a lot of sage advice on the Forum what works for others might not work or be necessary for you.Take the advice but do your own research.

Here's what she looks like with the Bushnell AR Optic, Burris mount, and a Bushnell TRS-25 Red Dot.

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thanks for all the replies, these are within my price range, both listed at 199.99 and and to top it off i get 20% employee discount at academy.. i think i will go with the bushnell, i like having the side focus. both scopes seem to be very clear while testing them out. i will pretty much only be shooting on the range in daylight, thats the main purpose of my rifle.. but its also a secondary home defense/shtf rifle.

I have the Nikon P-223 3x32 on three of my rifles.

I like it because I shoot under 150 yards, so 3x is plenty. Plus, the short tube I think is a better fit on my AR's - it just looks better than having a long tube on there:

My 8" PDW


My 15-22:

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M&P's and K Frames Pleeze!

Added features without added cost always makes me wonder what they gave up to make it cheap? This usually means that the main purpose, sighting, has been handled as a secondary feature. This is always bad for a scope.

This right here is quality advice. It doesn't really matter what I think about a particular device. If you like it, then it's working for you.

This won't stop me from talking about pros and cons of a particular device.

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Freedom isn't free.

Of the two, I would pick the Nikon. You would have to give up something to get the extra feature the Bushnell offers. Nothing wrong with Bushnell, they do make some decent products.

I think most would choose the Nikon simply based on the name and their reputation. But have to say, I've looked through some Bushnells the last couple years and they've really improved. I'm a Leupold guy but bought a Bushnell for my .222 Rem bolt rifle and am quite happy with it. Good luck on whatever you choose!

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Webfarmer

I AM A LEUPOLD GUY FOR CENTERFIRES, BUT I HAVE GOTTEN GREAT SERVICE OUT OF BUSHNELLS THROUGH THE YEARS ON RIMFIRE RIFLES. I WOULD NOT BE AFRAID TO GO WITH BUSHNELL. THEY ARE A VERY GOOD, MODESTLY PRICED SCOPE. I BELIEVE THAT NIKON IS PROBABLY BENEFITTING MORE FROM CAMERA BRAND RECOGNITION (A FIELD THAT THEY TRULY EXCEL IN), RATHER THAN ANY SIGNIFICANT EDGE THAT THEY HOLD OVER THE LIKE PRICED BUSHNELL. I DO LIKE THAT SHORT NIKON ON THE AR, POSTED ABOVE, HOWEVER…...

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

I'm new here but thought I'd comment. I've been using Vortex optics for a few years now and am absolutely sold on them. I have an RWS Diana magnum air rifle that has destroyed a half dozen different brand named scopes. A friend recommended the Vortex Diamond back so I bought one and put it on there. After a few thousand shots it still maintains the same point of impact at 40 yards with no adjustments. Recently bought a Vortex Strikefire II red/green dot for my M&P 15 Sport and it's every bit as good as the higher priced Aim Point.
Don't let the "Made in China" sticker turn you off because the quality is there and they are practically bullet proof.