My buddy asked that I asked on here cause neither of us know squat about AR15’s. He just got a PSA 18” and looking for some sort of optic. Its mainly a battle/3 gun setup. What flip up sights or optic on a budget would you recommend? I told him a 1-3 scope would be my choice.
AR Optic
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Larry in wyoming
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Utg flip ups and a Burris 1-6 rtac
Lo-Profile
Member
The best 1-8 LVPO he can afford.
Then some BUS mounted on 45° for close in
Then some BUS mounted on 45° for close in
LiveLife
Member
This Shooting Illustrated article talks about 3-gun scopes - https://www.shootingillustrated.com/content/choosing-a-3-gun-scope/
- ... multiple, mandatory close-range targets require a double tap on each
- With a true 1X ... view through the scope should be exactly the same as with the unassisted eye. This enables the shooter to keep both eyes open, which, in turn, allows faster acquisition of the next target in transition.
- Jerry Miculek ... talks often about the visual aspects of this technique. With both eyes open, you can pick up the next target fast and see it as the crosshair slides into place for the shot
- In years past, most 1X scopes maxed out at 4X. Now, the top end is usually 6X
- Most ... big 3-gun matches try to stress all aspects of shooting, so they include some long-range rifle targets in the mix ... out to 600 yards and bonus targets out to 800 ... At those distances, 4X is not quite enough.
- Swarovski set the standard with its 1-6x24 mm Z6i scope ... Many manufacturers followed suit, so now the 1-6X scope is the accepted standard and is suitable for just about any target you will encounter in 3-gun
- 1-8X scopes ... second-focal-plane reticle, 1-8X scope is the next horizon for 3-gun optics.
Pew Pew Tactical best "budget" 1-6x comparison with real views/reticle comparison - https://www.pewpewtactical.com/best-1-6x-scope/
1-8x comparison - https://huntingmark.com/best-1-8x-scopes/
Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8x24 (SFP, 30mm tube) $299 (And 5% off with THR discount code THRFORUM on $50+ order) - https://www.opticsplanet.com/vortex-strike-eagle-1-8x24-riflescope-30mm.html
UTG/Leapers 1-8x28 (SFP, 30mm tube) $179 - https://www.amazon.com/UTG-1-8X28-S...7H14LRQW?tag=huntingmark01-20&geniuslink=true
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LiveLife
Member
BTW, what is the budget?
As word "budget" could mean different things to different people from sub $200 to over $500.
He said about $100-150. I told him he won’t get a “scope” worth a darn for that price. Maybe a nice red dot is in order. I have a 3-9 illuminated that I’m going to give him.BTW, what is the budget?
As word "budget" could mean different things to different people from sub $200 to over $500.
LiveLife
Member
At that price, you may be looking at NcStar 1-6x illuminated for $146 (With 5% THR discount code THRFORUM = $138) - https://www.opticsplanet.com/ncstar-str-series-full-size-scope-1-6x24mm-rifle-scope.html
LiveLife
Member
Here are some low budget options:
Bushnell AR 3-9x40 for $87 and 3-12x40 for $110 - https://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-AR7...ef=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8&th=1&psc=1
NcStar 3-9x42 illuminated scope for $70 - https://davidsondefense.com/NcSTAR-...se-Mount-Blue-Green-Illumination_p_32253.html
TruGlo Illuminated 3-9x42 illuminated scope for $105 - https://lockedloaded.com/product/tr...black-matte-finish-illuminated-duplex-mil-dot
45/30-06OKIE
Member
I have two Leupold RDSs on my Remington 870 slug barrel and my 6.5 creedmoor AR10. They are just under 300 bucks so still not quite in budget... You really aren't going to get a quality optic for 150 bucks unless you get a super cheap fire sale item.
troy fairweather
Member
At that price id just stick to sights
1KPerDay
Member
I’d get a SIG Romeo 5.
small town life
Member
If you go with a 2x and maybe a 3x (not any variable) and keep the mbus up you can magnify them. You might need to adjust the gap between the iron sites for clarity, but it works! No need doing that 45* crap! KNS has an adjustable 2 hair (if you will) front post. Out to 300 there's no need for a variable optic and out to 600 no need for anything more than 4x (maybe 5x). Lots of low cost (not cheap) optics that do a good job!
You're correct. You can't get any decent optic, red dot or variable for that price. It's better to use irons while you save for a decent optic than to waste money on a cheap optic.
There's plenty of good scopes in the $150 range, bunch of decent red dots too. Shop the sales.
Cheaper than that, this is one ive used and had good results with.
Cheap metal flip up sites work pretty well, but since they're soft putting them up and down wears them out pretty quick. Still that's primarily what I stick on a gun that's got a red dot, and I like co-witness so I can use the rear sight to sharpen the dot.
Cheaper than that, this is one ive used and had good results with.
Cheap metal flip up sites work pretty well, but since they're soft putting them up and down wears them out pretty quick. Still that's primarily what I stick on a gun that's got a red dot, and I like co-witness so I can use the rear sight to sharpen the dot.
conan32120
Member
First ar? Cheap red dot and magpul buis. One can always upgrade optics as any ar owner will attest
Anchorite
Member
What rings are you guys using for quick on-off your rail if you have, say, a 3x9 you want to fool with?
gotboostvr
Member
I like my ADM mounts, but they're hardly a "budget" option.
They are quick, and do return to zero though.
If you just need something that's quick to take off, and aren't worried about going back to zero (they might, but I wouldn't bet my hunt on it) there's a number of options.
Since he's either going to battle or playing 3 gun, in that price range, I'd go with a sig romeo 5. They can take a beating. I know that low cost 1-6x and 1-8x LPVOs are the rage right now and lots of comments are being made about glass quality, but LPVOs are a compromise by design and even the best examples have short comings, with this being more true for the cheaper ones.
If the rifle is gonna get banged around, you really don't want something that the zero can easily slip on.
If your friend could up his budget to say ... $400, that would open many doors. Burris RT-6, PA Nova or even the little Gen 1 PST 1-4x, which goes for under $300.
I'm also surprised at the number of those that still recommend BUIS. I haven't run those in a long time. These days, my ARs wear some sort of ACOG with a piggyback red dot. BUIS just seem overly redundant.
If he's gonna get irons, get fixed ones. They're more robust. When he gets a red dot, either co- witness or go lower 1/3. When he upgrades later, the red dot can go with the scope and the open sights can go in the parts bin for the next time he's in this situation.
If he's gonna get irons, get fixed ones. They're more robust. When he gets a red dot, either co- witness or go lower 1/3. When he upgrades later, the red dot can go with the scope and the open sights can go in the parts bin for the next time he's in this situation.
Charlie Martinez
Member
I too have similar budget issues and had the idea of putting a scope on my AR. I ended up with a Red Dot and iron sights but I am also considering the Nikon 300 BLK that happens to be very reasonably priced and looks good on an AR platform. If I do it I would place the Red Dot at 45 degrees for closeup work. I realize the 300 BLK only dials down to 2X magnification, but considering it's price and decent quality wouldn't that be a good option for the OP?
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