Best mid-priced rifle scope? Nikon, vortex, etc..

Not on your list. . . .but I vote a Leupold, used or new.

I've never owned a satisfactory scope that wasn't at least a Leupold (or better). The others look great until you spend a half-hour on the rifle and your eyes are killing you from the strain of cheap glass.

Used is a great way to pick up a really good scope for a big discount.

If you shop around Vortex has been having deals on their PST and HST lines for close to $500, it is a step up from the Diamondback and not that much more expensive. I also like Sightron S-TAC models, I have one of the 3-16 and one of the 4-20 and they are both sub $500.

https://www.swfa.com/sightron-3-16x42-s-tac-30mm-riflescope-3.html?___SID=U

https://www.swfa.com/sightron-4-20x50-s-tac-30mm-riflescope-3.html?___SID=U

https://www.eurooptic.com/vortex-viper-pst-4-16x50-ffp-rifle-scope-ebr-1-moa-pst-416f1-a.aspx

The Vortex above is a FFP for $499 if you are set on that feature.

I haven't had experience with the other three on your list, but I have been very happy with the entry level Nikon scopes.

Leupold isn't on your list, but I have 2 rifles with their entry level (one Rifleman and one VX1) scopes and am very pleased with both of them as well.

Nikon is not good in low light. FACT!

It’s real easy. Look through each of the scopes you’re considering. If you can’t look through the exact model you’re interested in, look through another model of the same brand. Then make your decision based on the glass and the other features you want.

I wouldn't touch anything on your list. Too much magnification and too much objective lens. Those things run up cost, force quality down and aren't needed for your goals. You can easily get hits at 400 yards with a fixed 6X scope, certainly no more than 9X or 10X is needed at those ranges. In fact above 10X starts to create issues with mirage. The 50mm objectives will give you 3-5 minutes of use at the end of the day shooting in low light compared to a 40mm lens, but only with the scope set on 9X or 10X. At any other magnification it offers no advantages and unless you're shooting targets at night is a non issue.

A little more than your others, but by far a better scope.

https://www.swfa.com/meopta-3-9x40-meopro-rifle-scope-108555.html?___SID=U

Other good options

https://www.swfa.com/swfa-ss-10x42m-tactical-30mm-riflescope-6.html?___SID=U

My brother has this scope on a Tikka 223. He has shot some 1/2" groups with it at 200 yards.

https://www.swfa.com/swfa-ss-6x42-tactical-30mm-riflescope-3.html?___SID=U

Well got to tell you. I just happen to try one of the cp scopes. You know, one of those in plasic packaging hanging behind the sports counter at wm. Think it was $80. Like 6-14 x 40 with the battery powered cross hair color change. Good enough I've killed deer at 350 yards.

mdThanatos said:

If you shop around Vortex has been having deals on their PST and HST lines for close to $500, it is a step up from the Diamondback and not that much more expensive. I also like Sightron S-TAC models, I have one of the 3-16 and one of the 4-20 and they are both sub $500.

https://www.swfa.com/sightron-3-16x42-s-tac-30mm-riflescope-3.html?___SID=U

https://www.swfa.com/sightron-4-20x50-s-tac-30mm-riflescope-3.html?___SID=U

https://www.eurooptic.com/vortex-viper-pst-4-16x50-ffp-rifle-scope-ebr-1-moa-pst-416f1-a.aspx

The Vortex above is a FFP for $499 if you are set on that feature.

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I bought the MRAD version of the Viper PST 4-16X50 a few months ago during the same $499 sale from Eurooptic. I mounted it in an ADM recon mount and use it for load development on several ARs. It really is a nice scope for the money.

TBL65 said:

That the gen 1 Viper PST?

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Yup, Gen 1

I shoot .223 and .204 at 400 yd prairie dogs. The .223 has a Bushnell Elite 4-16X with side focus AO. The .204 has a Bushnell Elite 6-24X with AO on the front. I prefer the .204. It shoots flatter at 400 than the .223 and with greater magnification I can see better. I guess some guys can see well enough with a fixed 6X, but that is not nearly enough for me...unless the target is a barn

Athlon will be your best bang for buck, but you might have to send it back. I love the 1-5 diamondback, but hated the 4-12.
I tend to agree with jmr40, high magnifications don't typically do real well in budget scopes.
I'm not a big fan of Leupold. I cannot comment on their high end stuff because I cannot afford it, but their low end stuff has always disappointed me in terms of value. It is easy to do better optically for less money with many other companies. They are nice and svelt though.
Only sightron I had was the s1 Hunter. It was all right. About like a diamondback or a ff2. Not as good as my Mueller apv's optically, but the tracking and turrets were better.

I use Crossfire II 2-7x32 & Nikon P-223 1.5-5X20

I recently picked up a new old stock 2.5x10 nikon monarch 3 mildot for a shade over $200. I have another monarch bought 10 years ago.....good experience with that scope, it's been on several deer guns, which is why I did not hesitate on this latest purchase.

I have had good luck with Weaver Grand Slam scopes. They are very good for the money. I understand they may be discontinued, Nathez Supply has good deals on them.

My suggestion starts with don’t expect 1 scope to do everything you’re asking. If you can’t spring for the Viper PST now, I’d suggest you consider a very different course: start with a red dot.

Now we don’t know at all what AR you have or its capability, or even what you’ll be shooting at 400 yards (12” steel? 6” targets?) but even so most ARs in 5.56 are meant for closer in. Spending $400 won’t really get you a 1000 yard scope, it’ll get you $400 further from that scope whereas a Sig Romeo keeps you around $120 and is well suited to the rifle you have.

weeelllll Cameralandny has the Ares btr 2.5-15x50 on sale at 399

I'm going to have to right the urge to get one, I really don't care for ffp scopes, but at that price......

In this price range I like the SWFA 10X42. I have owned them in the past and currently own a SWFA 6x42.

I found the 6x very good for hunting and target shooting to 300. It would work fine to 400 yards.

That said, no reason to not get the 10x if you are just doing target shooting. The 10x could do 1000. Check the SWFA Sample list and get good condition scopes for very reasonable prices.

I have had a couple Nikon scopes and didn't care for the thickness of the reticles. YMMV.

... honestly, a shooter needs a vastly different scope at 400yds vs 1000 yds. Then there are additional concerns.
I get the need for a 223 Rem scope at 400yds, but 223 Rem at 1000 yds just doesn't compute. Other than to say it's possible or if a 224V is in the future.
Going back to 223 at 400yds. With a top magnification of 9x or 10x, you can see what you are shooting as long as the target is large enough, but I would agree that a higher top magnification is better for that distance. If shooting targets at 400yds, it's doubtful that a person could see bullet holes through any of those scopes.

The biggest deal I see is the budget barrier. Why is it always $400? - haha!. For $400, a person can get a quality, 3-9x40. However, that same budget doesn't get a higher magnification scope with the same quality. It gets a high magnification scope on the low end. Just being honest, I wouldn't drop $400 on a high magnification but low end scope. I would save and wait for a holiday deal, unless it absolutely has to be used within the next month.

I would try to go to a big box outdoor store and look through as many scopes as I could. It helps to see what you like and what you don't; what is quality and what is overpriced. That alone has saved me money and kept me from buying into scopes that just weren't that good, or no better than I had, even though they were the new hotness. Even though it's in a store, a lot can be seen by comparing scopes. Scopes are a technology product of sorts. Very few hold value because there is always a next generation with better coatings, more ratio, and a bigger price tag. There are few consumer situations worse than buying a new scope; being disappointed; and not being able to get out nearly what you have in it.

Another vote for Leupold. They do sell new scopes in that price range. With retailer discounts and sales you might be able to get some VX3i in that price range, but certainly their Rifleman or Freedom series. They can also be had used. An older VX3 should sell below those prices.

Another way to find some good older scopes is on rifles at gun shows. While the typical finds in my experience are junk rifles and junk scopes, I have come across 25 or 30 year old Zeiss and Leupold scopes on depreciated rifles. A high-end scope from 30 years ago at least matches today's mid-priced scopes and after you resell the rifle without it, it's possible to have it for $100 or less.

SCgman said:

I recently picked up a new old stock 2.5x10 nikon monarch 3 mildot for a shade over $200. I have another monarch bought 10 years ago.....good experience with that scope, it's been on several deer guns, which is why I did not hesitate on this latest purchase.

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I have the same scope with BDC reticle and it's got very good glass.