Any other scopes in this price range? Should I go better?
So I'm looking around for a scope for my new AR build. I'd say I'll be spending $500+ on the scope at least; probably won't have enough up for it until March of next year since I'm getting irons first. And I'm not sure about the mount I should use. But is a $500 scope good enough on a $1,500 rifle. Some are under the impression I should buy a scope that costs at least $1,500 if not $2,000. But I don't make $250,000 to $1,000,000 a year like they do.
I've been looking at the Leupold Mark AR MOD 1 6-18x 40mm rifle scope with the mil-dot. Granted I'm looking at a couple others such as the Nikon M-223 4-16x 42mm but the Leupold stands out the most in my budget range. Wondering if it's any good since it is right at my pricerange. I doubt I'll be taking it out to 800 yards but is that enough or should I budget up to 1k for a scope? Am I going too cheap?
Comon' Fate, you know better than this. What do you want to do with your scope? Is the rifle chambered in 5.56 or what? If it is, you aren't going to have much use for a 16-18x scope. What ranges do you intend to be shooting at? Is it a carbine or rifle? Does it have a match barrel or just a whatever barrel? Are you plinking or trying to compete in something?
I have no problem with $500 or much cheaper optics. Back 'in the day', a decent scope cost you a fortune. Nowadays with good quality glass coming from Japan, even low-mid grade scopes are way better than the best scopes of yesteryear. Because of this, the law of diminishing returns is pretty strong at the high end.
I have a $300 SWFA SS on my $1700 6.5 Grendel that does its job just right. I have a $850 Sightron SIII on my Savage FTR build. I have a $320 Nikon Buckmaster on my wife's plinking rifle. I had a $800 PFI RR-800 on my 308 R700 before I sold them both. I have a $300 Leupold IER Scout scope on my hunting rifle. I have a $70 Burris TRS-25 on my Mechtech CCU. I have a $100 Tasco scope on my Ruger 10/22.
I'm not going to claim to be an expert in glass quality, but I will say that all of those do their jobs without fail and with enough clarity that I've never felt for want with any of them.
If I were building an AR, even a nicer AR, I would be looking at the Nikon M223 1-4x or 2-8x. I have a 50x scope (the Sightron) and a 2.5x scope (Scout) and it is pretty apparent to me the difference in practical magnification and the tradeoff between magnification and how fast you can acquire something to point at. I've had no problem shooting and hitting 9" plates at 300 yards with the 2.5x scope (even though being able to count the rays off the bullet impact at 50x is pretty amazing).
I have a Leupold 10x target scope on one of my ARs. I bought it used for $350. I also have a $100 8x Russian surplus scope on another AR. My friend has the Nikon 3x Carbine scope on his. I have iron sights on my two other ARs. All of those rifles hit my 250 yard gong every time. You don't need to spend a fortune on glass, and $$$ doesn't always equal quality. It's hard to beat Nikon lately when it comes to value. I've used several of their scopes over the last year or so and come away impressed each time.
Them jones' are quick huh?
Until you have a very specific need for a particular scope, I'd save money and get this:
http://www.primaryarms.com/primary-arms-1-6x-scope-with-patented-acss-556-545-308-reticle-advanced-combined-sighting-system-paps1-6x/p/kt-paps1-6x/
Just as good as the Nikon M223 and almost as good as the Leupold at half the price.
If you really want to save, get this: http://swfa.com/...47383.aspx
Konus glass beats Nikon and Leupold glass costing 3x as much.
If you have more specifics on the use for the rifle, suggestions can be better tailored for you.
I think your budget is too high. You don't need to spend that much. Vortex makes some decent glass for the price. I have a Vortex Diamondback HP 3-12x42 on my AR and it is all I need. I had an older Leupold VX-III 3-9 on it and took off the Leupold and put on the Vortex and I like the Vortex much better. Good luck.
http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/vortex-diamondback-hp-3-12x42-riflescope-with-v-plex-moa-reticle
On the AR that I use a scope, I have a Nikon M223 with the Nikon mount. That is all I need for me.