User Panel
Posted: 11/15/2015 10:49:58 PM EDT
Right now I have several ARs and I have recently started to reload for them. I'm trying to shoot for accuracy to develop accurate loads, but the only optics I have for the rifles are red dots (Aimpoint and PA). These are not the best for finding out what my rifles and loads can do as the 2 MOA dots completely cover small targets at 100 yards (the furthest range I have access to currently). So, with that in mind, I'm looking for a decent scope to swap between various ARs to help develop loads. I just want something with decent glass, forgiving eye relief, and repeatable turret adjustments. Anything beyond that is gravy. Looking for1x-6x, 3x-9x, 4x12 or something in that vicinity I don't really care whether it is MOA or MIL. I'm also in the middle of putting together a precision AR and this scope will likely end up at home on that rifle once load development is complete on the other guns. I normally look to PA for budget when it comes to optics, but their scopes seem to have a whole lot more negative reviews than their red dots. I have looked at Vortex and Bushnell as well. The Vortex warranty has me leaning in that direction...but I would rather have a decent scope where I never need a warranty than a POS that is constantly being replaced.
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I have a Nikon Prostaff 4-12 with mil-dot reticle on my AR 10. I have been very satisfied with it. IIRC I paid around $180 for it. Great deal and very reliable product.
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Weaver Grand Slam Tactical
One of the best bangs for the buck, Mil/Mil, great glass, repeatable, made in Japan. |
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This Nikon p-223 looks interesting. Any thoughts? Nikon P-223
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View Quote Somebody can correct me if I'm wrong but I think the P-series is a "tacticalized" Pro-Staff. I would think they would be fairly decent. The Weaver above will have much better glass though. |
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Good question OP.
I am in the same spot myself. Looking at a Nikon M223 3-12 from NAtchez for like $279 Primary Arms 4-14 Weaver Tactical All under $300 |
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Weaver Grand Slam Tactical from MidwayUSA at $299. There is no better under $300 midpower tactical scope. Bright, clear, sharp Japanese optic with accurate repeatable turrets. MRAD system with .1 mil per click, 5 mil per rotation adjustments and mil dot reticle.
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I use a vortex diamondback hp 4-16. very crisp clean optics, even in low light. I have one on my dams g2 sass. right around $330 but well worth it, and the warranty is un-matched.
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Check out the Leupold AR Mod 1 1.5 X 4.
A little more than your budget, but has been a solid scope for me so far. |
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View Quote FO. It's a great scope. Glass is very bright and clear. Spring-loaded turrets make setting for zero a breeze. Shooting out to 300yds is no problem. If you shop around, they can be found for around $130 on sale. |
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I'm really liking the look of the Weaver Grand Slam, though the Nikon P-223 is really tempting at approximately half the price. How much difference in optical clarity, turret adjustment/repeatability are we looking at here?
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I'm really liking the look of the Weaver Grand Slam, though the Nikon P-223 is really tempting at approximately half the price. How much difference in optical clarity, turret adjustment/repeatability are we looking at here? View Quote About $150 worth. Seriously. That Nikon is good in it's class. Probably would serve you well. But the Weaver punches above it's weight. ETA: To really make it a fair fight you would have to compare the M223 to the Weaver. And even then I would still give the edge to Weaver because I'm not a fan of Nikon's ballistic reticles. YMMV. |
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Just an FYI, I came across the vortex strike eagle for $267. Not a bad scope for under 300
http://www.slickguns.com/product/new-vortex-1-6x24mm-strike-eagle-waterproof-scope-26399-after-coupon-sk1677-members-only |
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Just an FYI, I came across the vortex strike eagle for $267. Not a bad scope for under 300 http://www.slickguns.com/product/new-vortex-1-6x24mm-strike-eagle-waterproof-scope-26399-after-coupon-sk1677-members-only View Quote Looks almost exactly like my buddies Millet 1-6 Nice scopes not so great for paper punching for groups if the OP is after that |
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Right now I have several ARs and I have recently started to reload for them. I'm trying to shoot for accuracy to develop accurate loads, but the only optics I have for the rifles are red dots (Aimpoint and PA). These are not the best for finding out what my rifles and loads can do as the 2 MOA dots completely cover small targets at 100 yards (the furthest range I have access to currently). So, with that in mind, I'm looking for a decent scope to swap between various ARs to help develop loads. I just want something with decent glass, forgiving eye relief, and repeatable turret adjustments. Anything beyond that is gravy. Looking for1x-6x, 3x-9x, 4x12 or something in that vicinity I don't really care whether it is MOA or MIL. I'm also in the middle of putting together a precision AR and this scope will likely end up at home on that rifle once load development is complete on the other guns. I normally look to PA for budget when it comes to optics, but their scopes seem to have a whole lot more negative reviews than their red dots. I have looked at Vortex and Bushnell as well. The Vortex warranty has me leaning in that direction...but I would rather have a decent scope where I never need a warranty than a POS that is constantly being replaced. View Quote For a budget scope used primarily for load development, look no further: SWFA SS 10x42 Mil-Quad Better yet, wait until they go on sale during Black Friday next week. |
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Weaver Grand Slam Tactical from MidwayUSA at $299. There is no better under $300 midpower tactical scope. Bright, clear, sharp Japanese optic with accurate repeatable turrets. MRAD system with .1 mil per click, 5 mil per rotation adjustments and mil dot reticle. View Quote You're gonna be real hard pressed to find anything better for the role you have in mind in your price range than this. |
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Say one could get a dead on a Weaver Grand Slam tactical 3-10 for $299 or a Nikon M223 3-12 for $279
Are they about even as far as quality? |
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What is the word on Leatherwood Hi-Lux scopes? I'm seeing a 4-16x44 on Sportsman's Guide for $90. Are they decent for what I would be looking at?
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Get a Primary Arms 4-14x44 FFP. They have a Mildot or ACSS reticle, click turrets you can zero, and First Focal Plane. Great scope for the $$$$. I have one on my .308, holds zero, very clear.
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Weaver Grand Slam Tactical from MidwayUSA at $299. There is no better under $300 midpower tactical scope. Bright, clear, sharp Japanese optic with accurate repeatable turrets. MRAD system with .1 mil per click, 5 mil per rotation adjustments and mil dot reticle. View Quote This. Best bargain there is in a magnified optic, IMO. |
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Just to throw another idea into the mix...
Redfield Revolution 4-12. Made in OR by Leupold. Typically sells for about $240, with your choice of reticles... http://www.opticsplanet.com/redfield-revolution-4-12x40mm-riflescope-matte-finish-4-plex-accu-range-reticle.html |
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Say one could get a dead on a Weaver Grand Slam tactical 3-10 for $299 or a Nikon M223 3-12 for $279 Are they about even as far as quality? View Quote There are two issues with the Nikon. First let me say that I have several Nikon Monarch (the M tactical scope uses Monarch 3 glass) scopes and like them. I do not like their proprietary BDC reticles, however. They are a series of open circles down the lower half of the vertical cross-hair. There are no subtensions for wind hold off. Either that or you get the Nikoplex with no hold over points at all. Check that $279 scope to make sure what reticle you have. Those circles are somewhat arbitrarily set to sort of correspond to certain loads and Nikon has a software program you can run to more closely approximate them. But the turrets are in MOA, which will not correspond with what you are seeing in the reticle. Second, I really do think that the Weaver has glass at least as good and probably a bit better than the M series (Monarch 3 equivalent) scopes. It is a close call. I've not compared them side-by-side. And the Monarch is a pig at 20 ounces weight, compared to 16.5 for the Weaver, just to get 12x rather than 10x on the top end. But, I think that you will really like having matching turrets and reticle. Having the standard mildot reticle on a tactical scope with turrets that match is a big plus. Add to that the good repeatability of the turrets and glass that compares to many scopes at least 50% more costly, and the scale tips in favor of the Weaver GST. Just one opinion. |
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Just an FYI. I ended up buying a Nikon m223 with BDC...for $129 from Cabelas. Get some while the getting is good!
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Quoted: Weaver Grand Slam Tactical http://media.midwayusa.com/productimages/120x90/Primary/598/598484.jpg One of the best bangs for the buck, Mil/Mil, great glass, repeatable, made in Japan. View Quote |
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Just an FYI. I ended up buying a Nikon m223 with BDC...for $129 from Cabelas. Get some while the getting is good! Are you sure? Link, please. I think it is done. It isnt on their site anymore. |
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I think it is done. It isnt on their site anymore. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Just an FYI. I ended up buying a Nikon m223 with BDC...for $129 from Cabelas. Get some while the getting is good! Are you sure? Link, please. I think it is done. It isnt on their site anymore. That price had to be a mistake. I am betting Cabalas cancels the orders |
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That price had to be a mistake. I am betting Cabalas cancels the orders View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Just an FYI. I ended up buying a Nikon m223 with BDC...for $129 from Cabelas. Get some while the getting is good! Are you sure? Link, please. I think it is done. It isnt on their site anymore. That price had to be a mistake. I am betting Cabalas cancels the orders Yes they just canceled my order for the m223... Guess I'll get the p223 |
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Yes they just canceled my order for the m223... Guess I'll get the p223 View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Just an FYI. I ended up buying a Nikon m223 with BDC...for $129 from Cabelas. Get some while the getting is good! Are you sure? Link, please. I think it is done. It isnt on their site anymore. That price had to be a mistake. I am betting Cabalas cancels the orders Yes they just canceled my order for the m223... Guess I'll get the p223 How do you know they cancelled? |
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Yes they just canceled my order for the m223... Guess I'll get the p223 View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Just an FYI. I ended up buying a Nikon m223 with BDC...for $129 from Cabelas. Get some while the getting is good! Are you sure? Link, please. I think it is done. It isnt on their site anymore. That price had to be a mistake. I am betting Cabalas cancels the orders Yes they just canceled my order for the m223... Guess I'll get the p223 You really should move away from mismatched 1/4 MOA turrets and the hokey thick BDC reticle. You can get serious about tactical shooting on a budget with superior glass with the Weaver GST. Please listen to those of us who have spent some time behind that scope. It is an insanely good $299 scope. |
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Vortex Diamondback is a good budget glass on AR. I think they were made in Philippines (not China). I have a 1.75-5 Diamondback on my 18" SPR.
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Quoted: You really should move away from mismatched 1/4 MOA turrets and the hokey thick BDC reticle. You can get serious about tactical shooting on a budget with superior glass with the Weaver GST. Please listen to those of us who have spent some time behind that scope. It is an insanely good $299 scope. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Are you sure? Link, please. I think it is done. It isnt on their site anymore. That price had to be a mistake. I am betting Cabalas cancels the orders Yes they just canceled my order for the m223... Guess I'll get the p223 You really should move away from mismatched 1/4 MOA turrets and the hokey thick BDC reticle. You can get serious about tactical shooting on a budget with superior glass with the Weaver GST. Please listen to those of us who have spent some time behind that scope. It is an insanely good $299 scope. I would either go with the Weaver or a fixed SWFA scope. Either one is a very good budget precision optic. |
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I have tried many different scope brands in the past and kind of started being a scope snob. Only Luepold or Zeiss. I am getting an SWFA SS 6x42 30mm Mil-Dot and their SWFA S.S.A.L.T. 30mm Scope Mount for my PA-10 just to try it out. Not sure if I should have gotten the 10X but most of my shooting going to be under 200 yards anyway and most likely in the trees so 6x should be fine. I know the glass and light transmission will not be up to my Luepolds or Zeiss but the objective lense isn't 50mm either. Based on reviews of the SWFA scope sturdiness and reliability not to mention the price point I had to give it a try. Worse case scenario it replaces the POS BSA I have on my Ruger 10/22.
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IF you can squeeze out a bit more, Cabelas is clearancing out the Vortex Viper PST 2.5-10x32 moa scopes for $350, normally $5-600. Absolutely screaming deal and you get free shipping right now.
They had the 2.5-10x44 illuminated for $250 but that deal sold out in a few minutes. |
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