Precision ar15 scope recommendations

[Travis Bickle]

First let me say that besides budget rimfire scopes, I have almost no experience with scopes so I have no idea what Im doing. Ill be shooting an 20" ar15 with a bipod at a distance of 100 yards (because thats how long my range is) At 100 yards I would like to be able to hit targets the size of 12 gauge shotgun shells with consistency. Being able to see the bullet holes on a regular paper target at 100 yards would also be a huge plus for me. Since this rifle will be shot with a bipod pretty much 100% of the time weight and size do not matter to me. I have a max budget of $300. Right now Im leaning towards this mueller 8x32
http://www.opticsplanet.com/mueller-optics-8-32x44mm-side-focus-fogproof-target-riflescope.html

Although I really dont know how much magnification I need I dont see how you could ever have too much. Can anyone point me in another direction or give me some advice on the minimum magnification I will need to do what I want?

 

[-Z/28-]

Nikon P223 is hard to beat for the money. The 3x9 would work for your use.

 

[Travis Bickle]

Nikon P223 is hard to beat for the money. The 3x9 would work for your use.

I can see shotgun shell size targets at 100 yards with my tasco 9x, but I cant really make out bullet holes in paper. Through the clearer glass of a nikon at the same magnification can you see bullet holes in a paper target at 100 yards?

 

[Boom Boom]

Based on your budget and what you're asking for, you're stuck with high-magnification, low-quality glass unless you buy used. Avoid Chinese if at all possible. Ammo will be more important for your intended task. Quality match-grade ammo is a must (i.e. 69gr HPBT Sierra Match King).

 

[Pmbspyder]

I can see shotgun shell size targets at 100 yards with my tasco 9x, but I cant really make out bullet holes in paper. Through the clearer glass of a nikon at the same magnification can you see bullet holes in a paper target at 100 yards?

No. You will need some serious power to see the bullet holes at 100yds. I would go with a decent 3-9 or the fixed 8x you listed and get a cheap spotting scope...

 

[Boom Boom]

I can see shotgun shell size targets at 100 yards with my tasco 9x, but I cant really make out bullet holes in paper. Through the clearer glass of a nikon at the same magnification can you see bullet holes in a paper target at 100 yards?

Tasco is not a yardstick by which to judge. Lower-magnification, high-quality glass will let you discern fine details much better than higher-magnification, low-rent glass. It's not more magnification that you need. It's clarity, brightness, and lack of distortion.

 

[Travis Bickle]

Tasco is not a yardstick by which to judge. Lower-magnification, high-quality glass will let you discern fine details much better than higher-magnification, low-rent glass. It's not more magnification that you need. It's clarity, brightness, and lack of distortion.

Thats what Ive been reading everywhere. But having never looked through any better glass Im hesitant to lay down the money without being really sure that the scope is going to work for me. Ive read a lot of great things about the swfa super sniper fixed 10x scope, I would of bought one by now but im unsure if it will be enough magnification for what I want to do.

 

[-Z/28-]

I can see shotgun shell size targets at 100 yards with my tasco 9x, but I cant really make out bullet holes in paper. Through the clearer glass of a nikon at the same magnification can you see bullet holes in a paper target at 100 yards?

The Nikon p-series is good glass. Not their top shelf glass, but way better than a tasco. They also make a 4-12x P223 now.

 

[Bisondice]

Nikon P223 is hard to beat for the money. The 3x9 would work for your use.

I have one of those, shoot 100yards and like it a lot. They also make a 4-12x

 

[Boom Boom]

Thats what Ive been reading everywhere. But having never looked through any better glass Im hesitant to lay down the money without being really sure that the scope is going to work for me. Ive read a lot of great things about the swfa super sniper fixed 10x scope, I would of bought one by now but im unsure if it will be enough magnification for what I want to do.

Let me put it this way. Trijicon uses very good glass in their ACOGs and scopes. Not great but still very good. If you're used to looking through tacklebox-grade scopes (Tasco) and look through a Trijcon, then you'll need a moment to pick your jaw up off the ground. The difference is profound. The view is bright and very sharp.

Keep in mind that the more magnification you have, then the more critical it is that the rifle be perfectly still and that the scope has high-end glass. Otherwise, it's a pointless waste of money. It's generally a fool's errand to seek high magnification above all else.

 

[stu929]

Never heard a bad thing about the super snipers. Only downside is the fixed magnification. For the price they are almost impossible to beat tho.

 

[Boom Boom]

Fixed magnification is your BFF for clarity and sharpness at lower price points.

 

[stu929]

Fixed magnification is your BFF for clarity and sharpness at lower price points.

This is true. I just wasn't sure if the op would be shooting much shorter than 100 yards in which case 10X would prove difficult.

 

[Boom Boom]

Agreed. Can't have it all for $300. Major tradeoffs are a given. In the OP's case, he's probably best off sacrificing all-around usefulness for something that's optimized for one task.

 

[Markp]

First let me say that besides budget rimfire scopes, I have almost no experience with scopes so I have no idea what Im doing. Ill be shooting an 20" ar15 with a bipod at a distance of 100 yards (because thats how long my range is) At 100 yards I would like to be able to hit targets the size of 12 gauge shotgun shells with consistency. Being able to see the bullet holes on a regular paper target at 100 yards would also be a huge plus for me. Since this rifle will be shot with a bipod pretty much 100% of the time weight and size do not matter to me. I have a max budget of $300. Right now Im leaning towards this mueller 8x32
http://www.opticsplanet.com/mueller-optics-8-32x44mm-side-focus-fogproof-target-riflescope.html

Although I really dont know how much magnification I need I dont see how you could ever have too much. Can anyone point me in another direction or give me some advice on the minimum magnification I will need to do what I want?

www.midwayusa.com/product/456482/bs...focal-mrad-reticle-matte?productnumber=456482

This scope is the biggest bargain going under $300. I promise you won't find any other scope at this price range with these features and good glass.

People reviewing say stuff like this typically: "I wish I had one of these for every one of my rifles."

Technical Information

Tube Diameter: 30mm
Adjustment Click Value: 1/10 MIL
Adjustment Type: Click
Exposed Turrets: Yes
Finger Adjustable Turrets: Yes
Turrets Resettable to Zero: Yes
Zero Stop: No
Turret Height: Medium
Fast Focus Eyepiece: Yes
Lens Coating: Fully multi-coated
Warranty: Limited lifetime factory warranty
Rings Included: No
Sunshade Included: Yes
Sunshade Length: 3"
Lens Covers Included: Yes, bikini-style
Power Variability: Variable
Min power: 4x
Max power: 14x
Reticle Construction: Glass etched
Reticle: MRAD
Illuminated Reticle: No
Holdover reticle: No
Reticle Focal Plane Location: 1st
Parallax Adjustment: Side focus
Finish: Matte
Water/Fogproof: Yes
Shockproof: Yes
Airgun Rated: No
Objective Bell Diameter: 51mm
Ocular Bell Diameter: 43mm
Eye Relief: 3.5"
Max Internal Adjustment:

Elevation: 26.5 MILs
Windage: 23.5 MILs


Exit Pupil Diameter: 11mm-3.14mm

Field of View at 100 Yards:
27.5' @ 4x
7.9' @ 14x

Image 1: Nighttime, Portsmouth, cell phone picture at 4x mag, distance to target apx .3-.4 mile ranging using google maps (edited for flawed memory, ranging with scope shows 550 yards to banners).
Image 2: 4x magnification, don't have the distance (but using the scope for ranging on truck about 325-350 yards)
Image 3: 14x magnification, don't have the distance (but using the scope for ranging on truck about 325-350 yards)

Ford 150 is about 6 feet tall, and 6 mils in height in the scope. 2 yards x 1000 / 6 mils = 333 yards

 

[photoracer]

I placed on the top 15 at a precision tactical match against some of the top shooters in this part of the country using my 3-gun AR and one of these BSA 4-14x44 scopes from Midway USA. In fact top 3Gun Nation pro LEO Greg Jordan using a .308 McMillian Rem 700 w/NF scope only outpointed me by 5 points each on 2 of the 4 stages (he finished 2nd individual and 1st in team). And I only had the chance to sight in the scope at 100y, yet the first focal plane reticle at 10x allowed me to successfully engage steel targets out to 270y. I like the scope so much that when I built by own .308 bolt sniper rifle I moved the scope over to that.
For sure the scope is not a Night Force, Zeiss, Swarovski, or Leupold, but you aren't paying $2000 for it either. For $249 you get similar features.

 

[Markp]

I placed on the top 15 at a precision tactical match against some of the top shooters in this part of the country using my 3-gun AR and one of these BSA 4-14x44 scopes from Midway USA. In fact top 3Gun Nation pro LEO Greg Jordan using a .308 McMillian Rem 700 w/NF scope only outpointed me by 5 points each on 2 of the 4 stages (he finished 2nd individual and 1st in team). And I only had the chance to sight in the scope at 100y, yet the first focal plane reticle at 10x allowed me to successfully engage steel targets out to 270y. I like the scope so much that when I built by own .308 bolt sniper rifle I moved the scope over to that.
For sure the scope is not a Night Force, Zeiss, Swarovski, or Leupold, but you aren't paying $2000 for it either. For $249 you get similar features.

That's awesome to hear... sometimes I wonder if I am the only one thinking that this scope rocks for what it is! I have the Bushnell/Horus HDMR as well as the BSA, and honestly, the Bushnell/Horus HDMR is the scope, but it's not $600 better, and most certainly is not $1200 better.

My other decent glass including Nikon Monarch, Nikon M-223, Bushnell, etc $300-600 scopes aren't in the same league as the BSA 4-14x, it's crazy.

Thanks for confirming that I am in fact not completely crazy!

 

[Balzer94]

I have a Nikon Prostaff 3-9x40 I'm trying to sell. With weaver 6 screw at tactical rings. I would like 200 for it. But I'm willing to take someone else's offer. He has offered $150. It is a very good scope. Clear as day well after the sun has started to fall for the night. Crystal clear image and holds zero really well.

 

[sailskidrive]

I have a Nikon Prostaff 3-9x40 I'm trying to sell. With weaver 6 screw at tactical rings. I would like 200 for it. But I'm willing to take someone else's offer. He has offered $150. It is a very good scope. Clear as day well after the sun has started to fall for the night. Crystal clear image and holds zero really well.

I also have one I'm going to unload; they are a pretty nice scope for the price. Replaced it w/ a Nikon M-223 3-12x. The tubes on the two are similar, but the M series definitely has better glass, erectors, and turrets.