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3/16/2015 3:21:43 PM EDT
I am planning to build a 20 inch flat top and want to put an optic on it. however I'm not sure what optic to put on it. I was hoping you guys could help. I don't need anything fancy and stuff, just something that gets the job done.
Thanks,
Nate
3/16/2015 3:25:58 PM EDT
[#1]
What do you want it to do?

Ring steel at 800yd?
Get the smallest groups at 100yd?
3 Gun?
Home defense?
3/16/2015 3:33:09 PM EDT
[#2]
What's the rifle going to be doing mostly?
3/16/2015 3:35:02 PM EDT
[#3]
Not home defense I already have that I'm really wanting to get tighter groups at 100 and 200.
3/16/2015 3:36:41 PM EDT
[#4]
What's your budget?
3/16/2015 3:54:52 PM EDT
[#5]
My budget is pretty flexible I would like to keep it on the lower budget due to having school debt but that's what jobs are for. So as long as its not outrageously priced I would give it a look.
3/16/2015 3:57:15 PM EDT
[#6]
Primary Arms and Nikon have some decent budget optics.
A Burris 3-9 or similar would probably be my choice, a step up in price but better quality.
3/18/2015 8:42:30 AM EDT
[#7]
Check out Vortex scopes, fantastic warranty and customer service, and prices that won't break the bank.
3/18/2015 9:35:15 AM EDT
[#8]
Viper PST 1-4 if you plan on shooting inside of 50. Their 2.5-10 if all your going to be doing is 100-300.
3/18/2015 9:21:20 PM EDT
[#9]
Quoted:
I am planning to build a 20 inch flat top and want to put an optic on it. however I'm not sure what optic to put on it. I was hoping you guys could help. I don't need anything fancy and stuff, just something that gets the job done.
Thanks,
Nate
View Quote


Still very vague.  Scopes tend to have specialized functions.  For instance, if you have home defense covered, you don't need close up focus and ability to shoot both eyes open.  But, if you hunt or shoot at moving targets, you might need a wide field of view and still have decent magnification.  That might mean something like a 2-7x33 or so.  For a bit more magnification, the general purpose 3-9x40 is hard to beat, but gives up some field of view.  For longer range shooting and virtually nothing under 100 yards, something like a 4-12x40 might be good for shots out to 600-700 yards at larger targets and smaller targets inside 300.  For just shooting holes as close together as possible at paper targets only at 100 or 200 yards a very high power fixed power scope or variable, like 6-24x50 might be better.  But at high power the field of view gets narrow, and eye relief can get short. For shooting in low light you might need that x50 (objective lens size) on scopes with high power above 10.

The higher the power, the more difficult it is to produce a good clear, bright image.  For instance, if you have, say, $400 to spend on a scope a 3-9x40 will almost produce a better image than a 6-24x50 at the same price point.  High quality larger lenses with higher magnification cost more to produce.

If you are uncertain, consider beginning with a simple hunting type 2-7x33 or 3-9x40 with capped turrets and a simple duplex reticle.  This is especially true if you are not going to shoot beyond 300 yards.  Special tactical turrets and hold over reticles add cost and complexity to design, unless you really need them. Those extra cost features result in lower quality of the optical performance compared to a similar scope of the same power, but without the extra cost features.  Its a matter of economics.  There is no free ride.
3/19/2015 3:47:38 PM EDT
[#10]
Thanks for all of the options and advice guys, this will defiantly help me figure out what  scope to put on it.
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