Low magnification scopes

[~tc~]

I have been "trying out" scopes in the stores in preparation for the gun show this weekend. I want something I can shoot "both eyes open" at low magnifcation, then zoom in for longer shots where I have more setup time.

Illuminated reticle or red dot would be nice.

1.5x seems to be a bit too much for both eyes open for me, so I'm looking for something 1x to 1.25x on the low end and 3x-4x on the high end should be plenty good.

From my research, it seems the following options are out there:

Leupold Mark 4 CQ/T 1-3x14
- The "two eye open" king from my trials, but ~$900

NC Star 1.25-4x32
- Like the looks the best, largest objective and exit pupil, great price (seen $95 on line)

Millet 1-4x24
- Was "OK" - certainly not what all the internet hype would lead me to believe

Vector Optics "Arbiter" 1-4x24
- Appears to be a knockoff of the Millet
(Vector appears to have a knockoff of the Leupold also)

Burris 1-4x24
- Brightest of any I have tried. Spendy @$700+

I've looked through a TON of scopes actually, from $49 shotgun scopes to ~$1000 ... you seem to hit diminishing returns pretty damn quick. The cheapest ones have chromatic aberration and seem dim, the most expensive ones are truly transparent, but the $800 ones are not nearly 8 times as good as the $100 ones!

So, anyways - why am I posting?
- Have I missed any?
- What have your experiences been with scopes in this particular magnifcation range?

The goal is to go to the Gun Show this weekend and see what all is there and come home with a good deal. Kinda "if you see ____ at ____ price, snatch it up!" advice ...

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

PA has 1-4x
Primary Arms 1-4X 24 Illuminated Scope

One thing that I have found is that few if any seem to be a "true" 1x that will co-witness real well.

 

[reelman]

Take a look at the Leupold Mark AR 1-4X. Great optics and you can probably find them for a little less than $300. IMHO it doesn't pay to go with one of the cheapy no name scopes.

 

[~tc~]

Mark AR only comes in 1.5-4x, tried one and couldn't do two-eye open - the magnification is just too much (my guess is that it's closer to 2x than 1x)

 

[reelman]

No variable scope can actually start at 1X, it's a mechanical thing they are all 1.2, 1.5 or something like that.

It might be your eye's as I can shoot both eye's open up to about 6X.

 

[Brett248Vista]

1X is no magnification that means straight glass no curve. For the scope to magnify the glass has to be ground to magnify thus it has to start at something other than 1 power (no magnification).

 

[~tc~]

So, I ended up getting a Swift 1.5-4.5x32.
Riflescopes at Swift Sport Optics
Manufacturer rebuilt (appears to be last year's model) - $75!

I was comparing to the NC Star 1.25-4x and a Schoenfeld 1-4x. Optics looked brighter and clearer, but no illuminated reticle.

 

[Heith]

Vortex Viper PST.
I agree with you (OP) on the Millet. I ended up going with that to save a few bucks because the the reviews. I was debating with the Mark AR and now I wish I had gotten the more compact AR, well, until a friend of mine got the Vortex. The Vortex is even brighter than the Mark AR and has a way cool radical.I ended up buying the strikefire right after very nice also. i'm going to get the Viper PST for my next build

 

[rwb1971]

well, i guess i'm the only one who opted for the ncstar 1.25-4. it was 119 bucks. MY experiences with it are as follows...
1) it has a nice firm quick dissconnect that holds zero. at least for me,
2) the illuminated recticle is red/green...very bright and clear,
3) it is possible to shoot with both eyes open at 1.25x,
4)the 4x is more than adequate for longer range,
5) it is not as expensive as some, but, in my opinion, not cheap either,
6) it came with another battery and a nice set of sturdy bikini covers.

I was in the same predicament,e.g. wanted a 2-eye and a 1-eye scope with red/green, quick mount, in my price range.


ok, now the bad.....
1) I need a 1/2 inch riser with it to really be comfortable,
2) I cant use my MBUS rear sight with it because, for me, it has to sit close to my eye( the MBUS still fits on the rail just in front of it tho)
3) the scope covers are not see through, hence, i have to remove them every time i shoot.

FINALLY....I recomend this scope as a product that fits MY criteria and needs.
hope this helps!!!

 

[borntoraisehogs]

I have done a lot of hunting with a 2 1/2 power . I recommend Jack O'Conner's book "The Rifle" . I could never to say it half as well and every shooter enjoy having that classic in his library . He writes eloquently about the relative benefits of lower magnification at most hunting ranges . I would bet most of us have experienced the phenomena of shaking less , shooting faster and better at some distances with lower power .

 

[mikehoncho]

for anyone considering a leupold, check out their website. they list the actual magnification versus the advertised magnification.

i have a vx-1 1-4 power which is actually 1.5-4.2 power.