We get asked a lot on "What Scope should I get". These are most of all the ones recommended here. If there is something I missed and should be added or removed from the list let me know.




Scopes
Weaver Tactical Grand Slam 3-10x40mm––-$300.00

Falcon Menace 4-14x44mm––-$300-600.00

SWFA Super Sniper––-$300-$1,500.00

Bushnell Tactical––-$250-$1,000.00

Bushnell Elite Tactical 3200––-$250-$400.00

Vortex Viper HS 4-16x44mm––-$499.95

Leupold Mark AR MOD 1 4-12x40mm----$499.95

Leupold Mark AR MOD 1 6-18x40mm----$549.95

Leupold VX-R Patrol 3-9x40mm----$599.99

Vortex Viper PST––-$600-$1,000.00

Burris XTR II----$700-$1,200.00

Weaver Tactical––-$700-$800.00

Bushnell Elite Tactical 6500 4.5-30x50mm ––-$800-$900.00

Valdada IOR ––-$800-$2,500.00

Trijicon Accupoint––-$800-$1,000.00

Nightforce SHV---$800-$1,400.00

Sightron Slll 6-24x50mm ––-$900-$1,400.00

Burris Xtreme Tactical XTR––-$900.00

Ziess MC Conquest––-$1,000.00

Leupold MK4 LR/T––-$1,000-$1,600.00

US Optics ST-10––-$1,000-$2,000.00

US Optics ST-17––-$1,300-$2,400.00

Bushnell Elite Tactical DMR 3.5-21x50mm----$1,449.00

Bushnell HDMR––-$1,400.00

Nightforce BR––-$1,400.00

Nightforce NXS––-$1,500-$2,000.00

Leupold MK4 ER/T––-$1,600-$3,000.00

Swarovski Z6––-$1,800-$2,500.00

Vortex Razor HD––- $1,349-$1,649.00

Leupold MK 6 3-18-44mm---$2,000-$2,600.00

Bushnell Elite Tactical XRS 4.5-30x50mm----$2,149.00

US Optics SN-3––-$2,100-$3,000.00

Nightforce NXS F1 3.5-15x50mm––-$2,300.00---Discontinued, Replaced by ATACR 4-16×42 F1

Nightforce ATACR 4-16x42mm F1 34mm----$2,328.00

Nightforce ATACR 5-25x56mm F1 34mm----$2,328.00

March Tactical 3-24x42mm----$2,340.00

Schmidt & Bender PM2––-$1,800-$4,000.00

Vortex Razor HD Gen 2 4.5-27x56mm----$2,499.99

Kahles K 6-24x56mm----$2,700.00

Premier Heritage––-$2,700-$3,400.00

Ziess Hensoldt––-$2,900-$12,000.00

Ziess Victory FL Diavari 6-24x56mm----$3,099.99

US Optics ER25 5-25x58mm----$3,135.95

Steiner Military MSR 5-25x56mm----$3,249.99

Valdada IOR RECON Tactical 4-28x50mm----$3,295.00

Nightforce BEAST 5-25x56mm----$3,783.00

Leupold Mark 8 3.5-25x56mm----$3,936.00

Hensoldt ZF 3.5-26x56mm---$6,999.00


Rings
Badger Ordnance----$160.00-$215.00

Seekins Precision----~$120.00

Nightforce----$160.00-$200.00

TPS TSR 'W'----~$80.00

US Optics----~$200.00

Ken Farrell---- $165.00-$245.00

Era-Tac----$332.93

Burris Xtreme Tactical----$60.00

Vortex Precision Matched 30mm Rings----$129.95

Warne Tactical 30mm Rings----$116.95

Talley Tactical 1", 30, 34, 35mm Rings----$164.00-$210.00


Base/Rail
Weaver Tactical Extended Multi-Slot Picatinny Base----$32.95

Badger Ordnance---$160.00

Seekins Precision---~$100.00

Nightforce---~$100.00

EGW HD---$60.00-$100.00

US Optics---~$90.00

Ken Ferrell---$100.00-$130.00

Warne Tactical 1 Piece Base----$117.95



Rings & Base combo
Alamo Four Star 30mm QD----$279.00

American Defense AD-RECON-S---$170.00

Bobro 1", 30mm, 34mm, 35mm QD----$209.95-$324.95

ERA-TAC----$283.00

GDI P-ROM L-Model 30mm, 34mm, 35mm----$570.00-$745.00

LaRue QD LT104----$210.00

LaRue Tactical QD Mount LT120---$264.00

Nightforce X-Treme Duty Ultralite 30mm, 34mm 20 MOA----$252.00

Spuhr 30mm, 34mm----$410.00------Has a built-in bubble level.

U.S. Optics one piece 20 MOA UMQDS---$380.00




Spotting scopes
Konus Konuspot 20-60x 80----$280.00

Vortex Nomad Spotting Scope 20-60x 60mm----$330-$340.00

Bushnell Legend T-Series 15-45x60 Tactical Spotting Scope (Straight Viewing, Mil-Hash Reticle)----~$500.00

Kowa TSN 82SV 20-60x 82mm----$679.00

Celestron Regal M2 100ED 22-67x 100mm----$679.00

Leupold Golden Ring----$800-$1,500.00

Vortex Viper HD 20-60x 80mm----$899.95

Leupold Mark 4  12-40x 60 Tactical Spotter----$1,699.95

Vortex Razor HD 16-48x 65 Spotting Scope----$1,199.95

Hensoldt spotter 60----$4,300.00  

Hensoldt spotter 45----$4,330.00



Rangefinders
Bushnell 7x26 Elite 1 mile ARC----$599.00

Leica 7x24 CRF 1000-R----$599.00

Leica 7x24 CRF 1600-B----$799.00

Leica 8x56 Geovid HD Binoculars----$2,227.95

Leupold 6x23 DNA RX-600i----$274.99

Leupold 6x23 DNA RX-800i TBR----$399.99

Leupold 6x22 DNA RX-1000i TBR----$499.99

Leupold 6x22 DNA RX-1200i TBR----$499.99

Vortex 6x22 Ranger 1000----$379.95

Ziess 8x26 Victory----$699.95




Please keep in mind that these are average prices. They can vary on options picked and different stores set prices.

Spreadsheet made by member- kearley83

https://www.dropbox.com/s/boxmxp63eemt63s/AR15%20recommended%20riflescopes%20-%20rings%20-%20mounts%20by%20name%20and%20price.xlsx?dl=0


I have no affiliation with the link below but it has some great reviews on high dollar scopes.

www.precisionrifleblog.com/2014/09/19/tactical-scopes-field-test-results-summary/

Good info for learning the basics of what a scope is.
http://www.centerfiretraining.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/riflescopes101.pdf

Reserved for extra space.

Add in the Bushnell 3.5-21x50 in G2 DMR reticle, or the ERS, same reticle w/zero stops.
Vortex rings are IIRC made by Seekins Precision, so not a bad deal if they have a height that works for you.

Thanks. Will do.

Good post and thanks for the time.

Chris

Leupold's one inch Mark AR series and the 30mm VX-R series (especially the two Patrol models) are very popular on this board,  especially those with Firedot reticles in the $400-$600 range. Milrad/milrad, good build quality, good to very good glass, accurate, repeatable adjustments at their price points.

LaRue's LT-104 may be the most popular AR QD base and has excellent durability and superb return to zero.

I was surprised to see these omitted from the list.

I left out Larue as honestly I think you can get the same quality for less.  I am adding some now to keep you guys happy.

Updated with more scopes.

Also if you guys think a scope, rings or bases should be added please let me know.

I made an excel spreadsheet documenting all of the listed items so far with worksheets sorting the names and prices, plus listing whether the rings are aluminum or steel.  Hopefully the link works.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/boxmxp63eemt63s/AR15%20recommended%20riflescopes%20-%20rings%20-%20mounts%20by%20name%20and%20price.xlsx?dl=0



Feel free to leave suggestions and use it freely.




 

Looks good. I like it.

Vortex Razor HD Gen 1s are now around $1349-1649, depending on reticle.

Thanks. I updated it.

What about the Millett TRS and LRS?

I have no experience with Millett scopes.  Do you?  If so what can you tell me about them.

bikerman9967 had a good idea.  I should add rangefinders to my list.  If you guys could tell me what you used and would recommend that would be great. Thanks guys.

I dont feel the Millets belong anywhere on this list.


As for recommendations, I have a couple. For scopes, I feel the Leupold Mark AR deserves a spot for a very solid mil/mil budget offering. For rings, I decided to try a set of Talley 34s last go around, and am quite impressed by them. For bases, the Weaver Pic base is actually a very solid piece of gear.

Thanks. I'll add them.
Which Mark AR have you used?

I currently own the Mark AR Mod1 P5 in 3-9x40 and 4-12x40, both with the Mil Dot reticle. I previously had a 3-9x40 with the TMR Firedot, and felt the reticle was too thick for precision work.

I use a Leupold DNA 600i. The DNA series runs between $240 up to around $500.

It's easy to use, nice and clear, and has adjustable reticles and measurement system (meters vs yards)

One piece mounts you could add..

GDI
Alamo Four Star
Spuhr
Bobro
Nightforce

Any experience with GDI or Alamo? Never heard of them. But will add them.

updated spreadsheet with all latest additions plus listings for whether the bases are steel or aluminum.

I have the alamo four star one piece mount with a 1-6 mk6 on my 14.5" ar and the gdi t1 mount on my 9" 300blk (but the t1 is coming next week).
Haven't tested the return to zero yet on either, but if you google them you will find positve reviews on both.

Those GDI mounts are pricey.  How it the quality? Thanks for that list of mounts.  The Spuhr has a built-in bubble level and looks like a beast.  Think my next build I will be using that mount.

The GDI is really nice, I have an ADM mount on another rifle and the locking lever/rail interface seems like a better design on the GDI. They are pricey though! Supposedly beat out all other mounts for return to zero in an independent lab test for what it's worth.

No ERA-TAC Mounts/Rings?

No Schmidt & Benders?

I go off what I have used and recommendations.  I'll add the mounts/rings.  What S&B should be added?

I've personally shot their PMII 3-12x50mm, PMII 3-20x50mm, and 1.1-4x24mm Short Dot.  The 3-12x and 3-20x where taken out to a 1000 yards a few times, and the optical clarity and tracking/accuracy of the "clicks" definitely made me realize why they cost what they cost compared to my Leupold Mk 4.  Also, everything on them is overbuild; the turrets, the ocular housing, the power ring, everything feels like it's built like a tank.

I took the 1-4x Short Dot to 400 yards at night with a half moon on indirectly illuminated targets.  When I say indirectly, I mean they had some little harbor freight head lamps on the ground, shining up at the paper & steel.  
Looking through my fellow shooter's 4x32 ACOG, the target looked a little fuzzy in the low light, while looking through the 1-4x Short Dot made the target look crystal clear even in the darkness.  We had several stages of fire, including known and unknown distances.  I can say with confidence that I would not have been able to land some of the hits I did without that S&B Short Dot.  The optical clarity and light transmission, especially at low light, is absolutely remarkable.  It's also worth noting that was with a 24mm objective lens, I can only imagine what a 50mm or 56mm would look like at night.

I also have it on good authority that their PMII 5-25x56mm and 1.5-8x26mm Short Dot are good to go as well.

Currently I don't own any, but they are high on my priority list, price being the only barrier.

ETA:  I know Era-Tac is used by some European forces.  They have a pretty cool set up for levels and mounting Aimpoints or RMRs directly on the rings.  I'm pretty sure EuroOptic sells them.

Thank you. I will add them up there.

Leupold Mark 4 rings and bases are just as good as anything in my opinion and can usual be picked up used for a good price.

Would it be possible to have the rings and bases listed in order from best to worst in quality. I know this can largely be personal opinion, but it's hard to pick what you want without any previous experience, just going off of what manufacturer makes bases for your rifle ( Savage 10 FCP in my case) and if you what type of scope you might use.

I can do that but like you said it does have some personal opinion problems.  Just so you know I only list ones that are worth buying.  So if it's in the list it's recommended by most here.

not sure if its too repetitious but you can ad the Spuhr rings to the rings only section

Will do.  When I looked them up before I was only finding the one piece and must of missed the rings.

Under scopes could you add the Burris XTR2 $700-$1200?

Will do this weekend.  Thanks

I'd suggest adding Burris Signature Series rings. They're extremely popular in the competitive disciplines I shoot in.

How about this  $896 nightforce? Priced well http://www.extremestore.us/nightforce-shv-scope-4-14x-moa1000-reticle/

Any one more serious than me laid hands on any of the primary arms FFP scopes? I've got the 4-14 mil dot, and I like it for under 300. Only shot it at 300 yds or so and may get another with the dmr reticle for my ar10.

No, I mean no offense.  I just haven't had a whole lot of hands on experience.  The ones I have used I didn't see the price justification when a similar mount was less than half the price and was just as good.  I do plan on getting a LaRue mount on my next build to test it out.  Again I meant no offense to you.

He's right.  Larue's mount tech is about 10 years dated. It was great when ARMS was the only other game in town.

Now, there are too many superior mounts to even consider Larue.  That is, unless you are mounting some weird or obscure devise that only they make a mount for.

Cool Marketing.....

There are plenty of subpar products that gets gov contracts.  Ever heard of lowest price technicaly acceptable?

https://www.acquisition.gov/sites/default/files/current/far/html/Subpart%2015_1.html

Matech must have made the greatest BUIS in the world, since they were on every M4 and M16A4.  Lets just ignore the little fact that about 75% of the mounting blocks crack and they fail.

A gov contract means little, other than some are better at playing the game then others.

I have sat on SEB/TEB's and recommended bidders for award, only for the Contracting officer to turn around and award it to the worst product/service/contractor we evaluated.  IDIQ's are notorious for ending up with useless garbage.

But if you want to discuss the Pro's / Con's of various mounting solutions, we can do it in another thread.

Hey Mark! Looks like you better start working on your "spork"

The reason I only use Larue mounts for my optics is because they return to zero. They allow me to make dope cards for different rifles and switch my optics between my rifles as needed. This also means I can buy a few nice optics rather than outfitting every damn gun with only one optic and killing my budget and limiting the rifle. Sometimes I may use a 5-25 or a smaller 4-16 or a 1-4 and even carry an aimpoint micro in my pocket. I can also travel with my rifle broken down and not worry about my scope needed the protection of a bulky pelican case or simliar because when I get to the range I can just simply snap it back on the rifle and shoot.  No tools required. The price is easily justified with every accurate shot I make.

Please add ken Farrell rings to the list. These things are BEEFY and beautiful. I'd say they easily hold abuse on .338lm and .50

Added the rings and the Bushnell spotting scope.  

If you guys have any more recommendations please let me know, thanks.