AR scope recommendation

[MrLars]

I'm looking for a plinking scope recommendation. Max distance would be 100yrds. Unpowered red-dots just won't work for me, as I have bad eyesight.

I'm not looking for anything special, and under 300$ would be ideal.

Although I'm aware the NC Star mk iii scopes are crap, although I really like the looks of them. If anyone could recommend a decent scope with a similar look, that would be fantastic. Otherwise I had considered This.

Any thoughts or help would be appreciated.

 

[RIATAC45]

I have a 4-12x40 Redfield Revolution on my Colt hbar and it works great. Any of the Redfield line would fit in your budget and they have very good glass for the price. My dad has a VX-3 Leupold that doesn't look any better than my Redfield at 3 times the price.

 

[ugaarguy]

Why go all the way to 9 power if your max distance is 100 yards? The Millet DMS-1 is no S&B Short dot, but at 1/10th the price it's not expected to be. It's still a rather nice optic for folks on a budget (me included). You might also look at the Leupold Mark AR 1.5-4x20.

 

[hso]

3-9 seems a bit much for 100 yds with an AR.

Take a look at the Leupold VX II 2-7X for quick close and nicely magnified images at 100 yds.
http://www.opticsplanet.net/custom-...th-matte-black-finish-and-duplex-reticle.html

or

The Bushnell 3200 Elite 2-7X http://www.opticsplanet.net/bushnell-elite-3200-2-7x32mm-riflescope-w-rainguard-322732m.html

 

[popeyespappy]

I just put a Millet DMS-1 on mine and am pretty happy with it so far. There is an 80 plus page thread discussing its pro and cons over on the AR15 forum.

 

[MrLars]

A cheap mount recommendation would also be grand. I hate the idea of spending as much on a mount as I do on the scope.

 

[popeyespappy]

Millet DMS-1 Combo

 

[ugaarguy]

Just found this Little guy from Nikon - M223 - 223 calibrated BDC or Duplex reticle available. I kinda wish Leupold would do the Mark AR treatment to one of their 2-7x32 models to compete. Burris has added low profile adjustable target knobs the Fullfield II line, and named them Fullfield II Tactical. I had several years of great service from a Fullfield II 3-9x40, so I see no reason why an FF II Tac 2-7x35 wouldn't serve you well.

ETA: Re: The DMS-1 Combo linked by popeye above, the PEPR is a great mount, and, while inexspensive, is far from a cheap piece of gear.

 

[MrLars]

Thanks folks.

I'm really kinda new to the AR platform. I inherited one last week and want to do some basic plinking at the ranges here.

Would this be the same scope? With one of their mounts?

 

[popeyespappy]

Yes

 

[Sky]

The Nikon 223 series of scopes are nice. I purchased the 2.5-4x?? its the cheapest of the 223 series and normally sells for $279? Buds sold me mine for $238 or there abouts. The 223 scope mount normally sells for over $89 but Bud sold me two for $68 each. The mount is solid but does not come with a quick disconnect. So far good scope with good eye relief. Check out the promo on youtube.

 

[MrLars]

Thanks folks, think I'm going to go with the DMS-1 bundle at Primary Arms.

I appreciate all the help!

 

[Bear70]

I have the nikon prostaff 2-7x32 on mine. The 2 power is good for up close both eyes shooting and the 7 is plenty for distance. Plus it is a small scope that doesn't look out of place on that rifle.

 

[scottyk]

I used a scope from eXplore optics on my .223 for a while then moved that scope over to my .458 Scocom. Works great on both! It's 3x9 has illuminated reticle and easy adjustments. I spent like $239 on it. Worth the money!

 

[MoDerN_WarRioR]

I know you dont want just a 1x Red Dot but...

I have a Vortex Strikefire Red dot i use for 25-75'ish yards and close quarter use and when i want to reach out and play with the targets at 100-300 yards ill throw on my 3x Magnifier. The full set up i got was $150 for the red dot $30 for the mount that moves the sight forward to make room for the magnifier, and $100 for the 3x Magnifier. This is a great set up for me, a little bulky and heavy with everything attached but it works for the range.

Alot of times ill just use the red dot and hit 100-300 yard targets just fine though w/o the magnifier.

Hope this gives you some sort of new ideas!

 

[Maverick223]

If you haven't already purchased the Millet, I would strongly suggest the Vortex Viper 2-7x32mm. Other good options are a Sightron S-II fixed 4x or a Nikon Monarch UCC 1-4x20mm if you can find one (I believe they were discontinued). IMO all afford better glass quality than the Millet and all clock in at sub-$200.00USD.

 

[Welding Rod]

Leupold VX II 2-7 x 33... great scope for the money, reasonable small and light, and American made. It is good enough you won't need to plan on replacing it with something better later.

 

[kwelz]

Millet DMS is a good suggestion. I don't normally suggest them but for your needs I think one will be fine. It gives you a lot of flexibility and is of good quality for plinking and range use.

 

[slvrbulit12]

For the maximum distance your looking at a Weaver V3 1-3x 20mm would be perfect. Both eyes open at 1x and the scope only weighs 8 ounces and 9" in length. Scope should run well under $200.

 

[CraigC]

The Millett DMS is a good one but it is deceivingly large and heavy. Much moreso than the Leupold 1-4x on my AR. I already had the Warne rings so all I needed was the cheap little YHM picatinny riser. The above-mentioned Weaver 1-3x would also be a good choice.

 

[TonyAngel]

I don't mean any disrespect to any one, but I really have to say that the DMS-1 is a piece of crap. The best that can be said for it is that it's usable. It's much larger and heavier than it has any right to be and will cause eye strain if used for extended periods. The lack of clarity and the distortion that it exhibits caused me to give mine away.

What you should get depends on the type of shooting that you will be doing. If you're just going to be shooting at soda cans and clay pigeons and such, a good 4X is all that you'll need. Since you have a budget of $300, you can get a better than decent scope, but it won't have many bells and whistles.

The Weaver V3 is a very good scope for the money, but spend more and get better. The Leupold Mark AR scopes are pretty nice for their price point, but the eye relief shifts when you dial in the magnification. This isn't too bad with the low magnification scopes though. For the money, I like the Nikon African 1-4X. I think it has better glass than the Leupold and the eye relief doesn't shift when you dial in the magnification. The do make an "AR" version but it has a funky reticle. Personally, I'd stretch the budget a bit and go over to manventureoutpost.com and check out a Sightron SII Big Sky 1.25-5X. I ran this until I got my Nightforce. The Sightron is a really nice scope. Good clear glass, very repeatable adjustments and very little distortion. The clarity was better than that of my ACOG.

If you are going to be shooting at really small stuff like golf balls and target shooting for groups, the best budget scope that I know of is the Bushnell Elite 3200 fixed 10X with mildot reticle. At $200, it can't be beat.

 

[Maverick223]

Tony, I don't know that I would call the Millet a POS (just too big/bulky and costly for having the clarity and brightness that it affords), but it is far from my first choice, as is the Leupy (again not a POS, just a poor value IMO). I haven't much experience with the new Weavers, but they have great reviews, OTOH Sightrons are great (as are Vortex products). The Nikon African scopes are nice, but they are more costly and near identical to the Monarch UCC 1-4x20mm (in fact I believe they are re-tagged Monarchs with different turret covers).

 

[HJ857]

For a good and inexpensive option check out the Bushnell Banner line of scopes. Very durable and good optically. I have a 1x4 that I used for a year and while it isn't a true 1x scope, it was definitely worth the 79 bucks I paid for it.

 

[Water-Man]

The Nikon Buckmaster you considered is fine for your intended purpose. As a matter of fact, unless you use binos or a spotting scope to see where your bullets are hitting on your target, the 9power can be used for that purpose at 100 yds..

 

[millertyme]

+1 on the new M223 scopes from Nikon. I really like the BDC model, but I wish they'd gone all out on them and made them with 30mm tubes. I still might get one.