good scope for a budget

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Trashman4015

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so i see scopes out there for less than $150, my question is, how good are they? i dont want to spend over that, but kinda looking into getting a scope for the ar. looking at possibly an ACOG scope.
 
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First, a question. Are you looking for a scope or some type of red dot? Remember you get what you pay for. And, a ACOG is going to cost you a lot more than the $150.00 you mentioned. There are some decent red dots out there as well as scopes in that price range. Do your homework and read the reviews.
 
What type of optic are you looking for? Do you want a red dot? Do you want a magnified optic with an illuminated reticule? For a budget red dot, Primary Arms is hard to beat. I've owned a couple from them. While they do not have the same exact adjustment controls as the big-brand optics on which they're patterned, they've held up for my use and hold zero.

Primary Arms, Red Dot Sights, Holosights, Rifle Scopes, Sights and Accessories. More than 90 brands in stock! Trijicon, EOTECH, Magpul and More!

I also own a Bushnell Trophy "T" dot, 1X power. It has a 1MOA dot, and is very easy to use. It looks ACOG-ish. If you want some magnification, they're offered in a 2X power.

Bushnell - 1x MP

Bushnell - 2x MP

I paid about $179 for mine.
 
JaPes said:
What type of optic are you looking for? Do you want a red dot? Do you want a magnified optic with an illuminated reticule? For a budget red dot, Primary Arms is hard to beat. I've owned a couple from them. While they do not have the same exact adjustment controls as the big-brand optics on which they're patterned, they've held up for my use and hold zero.

Primary Arms, Red Dot Sights, Holosights, Rifle Scopes, Sights and Accessories. More than 90 brands in stock! Trijicon, EOTECH, Magpul and More!

I also own a Bushnell Trophy "T" dot, 1X power. It has a 1MOA dot, and is very easy to use. It looks ACOG-ish. If you want some magnification, they're offered in a 2X power.

Bushnell - 1x MP

Bushnell - 2x MP

I paid about $179 for mine.
Click to expand...

The bushnell is the style I was talking about. Seen one like that at a gunshow I went to yesterday. Don't know why I didn't just buy it.

The question I have ( at least one that I have) is won't my front sight get in the way of it?
 
Trashman4015 said:
The question I have ( at least one that I have) is won't my front sight get in the way of it?
Click to expand...

Your A2-F front sight post will be in the sight picture. I used to run an AR with a dot and an A2-F front sight. For me, it doesn't affect the use of the dot. My AR has a folding rear sight. What I do:

1. Deploy rear sight.

2. Sight in using the iron sights.

3. Mount the red dot.

4. I look through the iron sights, red dot on. I then position the dot on top of the front sight post.

5. Fold the rear sight. Look through optic. Fire test shot.

The dot just hovers in the right position. I don't pay attention to the front sight post at all.
 
I bought a Nikon Prostaff 3-9x40 scope with a BDC for $150 that's been fantastic. I also have a Primary Arms scope that's been equally great.

You can't go wrong with either company and their $150 scopes are quality builds. Personally, I think I'd give Nikon the edge at this price point as the glass is just a tad better, but that's just my opinion.
 
Just to build a little on what's been said already about wanting and ACOG...

ACOG is a scope made by Trijicon. The run $1000 and up. What it is, generally, is a fixed 4x32 scope with an illuminated reticle. A 4x32 scope with illuminated reticle can be found much cheaper. It won't be as good, but you can get that look and those features in the budget you mention.

Like this, for example:
Amazon.com : NcStar 4X32 Compact-Red and Green Illuminated Mil-Dot/Green Lens/Quick Release (STM432G) : Rifle Scopes : Sports & Outdoors@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41WQ6mSMbgL.@@AMEPARAM@@41WQ6mSMbgL

Good luck! picking an optic is sometimes the hardest thing to decide on
 
Redfield scopes are excellent for the money. and made by Leupold from what i understand
here's mine

and i like primary arms red dots to, here was mine
 
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Trashman4015 said:
The question I have ( at least one that I have) is won't my front sight get in the way of it?
Click to expand...

The focal point of the scope at 4x magnification is generally beyond the front sight post, and you won't see it when looking through the scope. Many people also report not being able to see the front sight post at 3x magnification even.

As mentioned, if you use a red dot that has no magnification, you will see the front sight post but (also as noted) likely it won't affect you. I run a red dot sight (Amazon.com: Sightmark Ultra Shot Sight QD Digital Switch: Sports & Outdoors@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41uaubKMNvL.@@AMEPARAM@@41uaubKMNvL) with the same front sight (A2), and don't notice the A2 sight even though it's right there. My eye focuses on either the dot or the target.
 
BF0F9F64-462E-49D7-BB1B-912C2069720E-9048-0000077F6394E85C_zps5203550d.jpg


The primary arms micro dot is a good option on the cheap.

For a magnified scope I'd recommend a red field 2-7 or 3-9.
 
You can get a Leupold Vari X1 3X9 for $199.00 with no shipping from Midway and never have to worry again. Leupold has a lifetime warranty and I've used it a few times, twice on a roof prism bino that I dropped and they fixed two times and once on a 2X7 scope that they couldn't fix but replaced! You can't beat that .In my opinion there is no reason to own another brand.
Len
 
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Question:

What are your expectations from this optic? Quick target acquisition? Precision at distance? A little of both?
 
Trashman4015 said:
Little of both. Something with magnification that's clear and easy target acquisition
Click to expand...

I'd look at a variable, low power scope then. Really a red dot will do what you need out to +200yrds on a human sized target. The up side to a 1 power variable optic is that you can pick up targets quickly close in and still have some magnification if you want it.

Finding one for $150 that has good clarity could be tough. You will get what you pay for so I'd save up another $100 and you will be able to get a good scope. If you want something like a 3-9 the Redfield are great but you loose the close in abilities.

I have a Burris TAC30 1-4 scope that I love. The reticle is a lot like a red dot, little magnification at 1 power so it's easy to shoot close in with both eyes open, has hold overs already calculated, less cluttered than a standard cross hair optic. One huge up side is even though it's an illuminated reticle it's etched and thus if the battery dies you just loose the illumination not the ability to still aim. Some low end, low power ACOG like optics are basically a red dot and if the battery dies you're going to have to pull the optic since you can't co-witness with magnification.
 
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+1 For the Bushnells, especially the TRS 25. Lean, clean, simple and quality.
 
Just concerned about the front sight getting in the way honestly. I know I see a lot of scopes mounted on the carry handle, but is that really effective?
 
Ok let's see if I got this right. If I had say the bushnell scope I posted above, if I took the carry handle off I would end up with absolute co witness (dot would line up with front iron sight). If I took the carry handle off and put the scope on with a riser I would end up with 1/3 co witness, correct? Forgive me I'm still learning lol
 
Vinney47 said:
Just to build a little on what's been said already about wanting and ACOG...

ACOG is a scope made by Trijicon. The run $1000 and up. What it is, generally, is a fixed 4x32 scope with an illuminated reticle. A 4x32 scope with illuminated reticle can be found much cheaper. It won't be as good, but you can get that look and those features in the budget you mention.

Like this, for example:
Amazon.com: NcStar 4X32 Compact-Red and Green Illuminated Mil-Dot/Green Lens/Quick Release (STM432G): Sports & Outdoors

Good luck! picking an optic is sometimes the hardest thing to decide on
Click to expand...

Anything NC Star is not worth the price paid, regardless of the price.

STAY AWAY from it. You will thank us later.

The optics thing is gone over nearly weekly here; you can use the search function and see the ins and outs.
Suffice to say, best bang for the buck with the highest quality will be the Nikon. Best bang for the buck overall will be the Primary Arms or Leapers.
Beyond that, the range of optics goes via price range, from $200-500 for Leupold/ Weaver/ Burris, to going right on up the scale.
 
Trashman4015 said:
Just concerned about the front sight getting in the way honestly. I know I see a lot of scopes mounted on the carry handle, but is that really effective?
Click to expand...

Remove the carry handle for a scope; the parallax will be much lower with the scope as low as you can get it.

You WILL NOT see the front sight in any scope with a 3x magnification or greater. The optic's range of view starts about 2ft in front of the optic. You will be just fine.
 
Weaver Classic V 1-3x is a very nice scope that is below $200. It's small and light weight.
 
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