i need a new scope for my ar10. it will be for 1,2,300yrd. i am looking to kill 2 birds with one stone. i want a super high power that will double as a spotting scope. i am looking at these two: bec 10-40x52with illuminated center dot for 134.97 or tasco 10-40x50 for 152.97.  $150 is my limit here so they both fit. i am concerned by the bec 52mm lense because of the odd size. i know these are cheap but is there anything i should know about them..good or bad.

save yer money till you can geta better scope. Honestly thats my advise.

Ditto photoman's comments......

Ya spent 1200 bucks on an AR10 and want to spend less than 200 bucks on a scope?

What's wrong with this picture????? I think there's a loose nut between the seat and your steering wheel.  

My scope for my "first" long range 308, cost MORE than the rifle....., the rifle's long gone now, but the old Leupold is still tossing accurate rounds downrange from 100-1000 yards.

Listen to photoman!

Mike

uggh! my bud just got a springfield 9-40 almost as much as a new gun.

YOu can pick up a used Bushnell 3200 in the EE for around that maybe.

Both are less than good, with the BEC being utter crap 99% of the time.  Also, as a general rule, the greater the magnification, the higher quality glass you require, the worse the budget scopes are gonna be.

I've used a 10x scope to spot .308 holes at 200 yards without too much problem.  Bushnell 3200 is a good suggestion, and (I know this goes against what I said before) but a used Tasco Super Sniper 10x might be within your budget.

Another option (and I HATE MYSELF for doing this, because it always bugs me when people do it) BUT if you could wait a TAD longer and save another $50, the Burris Fullfield II is a very good quality optic for the money.  The 3-9x40 model comes with a FREE 20x spotting scope that can easily see .223 caliber holes at 200 yards, so .308 at 300 shouldn't be too bad.  As another bonus, the Fullfield II has the "Ballistic Plex" with additional lines at 200 - 500 yards, so you just sight in, hold over, and shoot.  It's a sweet scope and spotter for a mere $199.

Quoted: YOu can pick up a used Bushnell 3200 in the EE for around that maybe.

That or a Leupy Vari-X II, BSA or Weaver would all be affordable quality optics.

I'd expect neither to last 1 year under 308 recoil, making it $150 lost. Clarity is very important as well, with a nicer 4x being better than a dusky 10x.

Anything past about 15x on a cheap scope is gonna be pretty much useless...I have a 36x BSA scope that you can barely see the target clearly at 100 yards.  I doubt the BEC or Tasco is gonna be any better, so you might want to reconsider trying to find a scope in your budget that can double as a spotter.  

If $150 is your absolute limit, try to find a used 3200 or Nikon Buckmaster...those are both pretty good scopes for what you'll pay for them used.

Unfortunately, with only $150 to spend, you're gonna have to stick with a 3x9 or so to get anything approaching quality.  RS38 is right, you can make do with less zoom if the glass is better.  

My suggestion for a good affordable scope is the already mentioned Bushnell 3200 10x40 Mildot. Good scope for the price, you get mildot reticle and a lot of adjusment for longer ranges.  They sell for less than $200, and I think if you search you could find one for a price not far from $150.

There's a 3200 3x9 for sale right now for $150 in the EE!!

If you want inexpensive high fixed magnification, I suggest either the Super Sniper 16x42, or the 20x model.  SuperSnipers are good scopes.  They are not Leupold, or USO, and won't get you in the 'club', but they work real well.  They are inexpensive ($300) and won't fall apart.  They have adjustible ojectives, and also offer a 10x model in two different models.