Rifle Scopes Help choosing a scope

[catalyst81]

Hi, brand spanking new member. I need help choosing a scope to put on an AR 15. It will be used for plinking/target shooting in the desert (100-400 yds) and possibly coyote hunting. I'm pretty sure I'm interested in a mid range around 3-9 magnification. I have around $500 to spend. I've researched a lot and the following options are what I have come up with:

Weaver Grand Slam Tactical 3-10x40 $300.00
Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 (plex reticle) $340.00 (Sample)
Bushnell Elite 4200 2.5-10x40 $358.00
Vortex Viper HS 2.5-10x44 BDC (30mm) $370.00

The prices are the best I've found for them and the Zeiss is a sample. Suggestions? I'm leaning toward the top three. From what I can tell they are all pretty good choices. Any option stand out? I don't have a lot of scope experience so I want to make sure I make a good choice.

I also should mention I was thinking of pairing this scope with a Bushnell TRS 25 red dot sight.

 

[Shooter_308]

Re: Help choosing a scope

out of those i'd have to recommend either the Bushnell of the Weaver. I love my Bushy 3200 Elite and Weaver 4-20x, both perform very well. I've also heard great things about the 4200 from a lot of owners here and at other gun stores.

 

[throwback]

Re: Help choosing a scope

If you are going 1x dot as well, the 4200 is hard to beat for the $.

 

[catalyst81]

Re: Help choosing a scope

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: throwback</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you are going 1x dot as well, the 4200 is hard to beat for the $. </div></div>

Yeah, I'm really leaning toward that and the Weaver grand slam. The Bushnell I found has the firefly reticle. Anyone have experience with it?

 

[throwback]

Re: Help choosing a scope

If there is any way you can wait/save a bit longer - the SWFA SS 3-9x42 is an amazing value. FFP/30mm/Mil/proper turrets. More than any other piece of gear, the rifle optics lend themselves to buy once, cry once.

 

[sawman556]

Re: Help choosing a scope

The Sightron SII Big Sky 3-9x42mm would also be a good choice. You can get one for around $400 and it looks like they have a $75 mail in rebate.

 

[catalyst81]

Re: Help choosing a scope

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: throwback</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If there is any way you can wait/save a bit longer - the SWFA SS 3-9x42 is an amazing value. FFP/30mm/Mil/proper turrets. More than any other piece of gear, the rifle optics lend themselves to buy once, cry once.
</div></div>

I've been considering it. Do you know if they ever put it on sale?

 

[Sgt. 0811]

Re: Help choosing a scope

I vote bushnell. I shot the 10x fixed before and it was pretty impressive.

 

[highridge1]

Re: Help choosing a scope

Tought to beat a zeiss conquest at that price

 

[TestnDoc]

Re: Help choosing a scope

Zeiss is the way to go of those listed.

 

[throwback]

Re: Help choosing a scope

I would call the vendor and see what they have for you. I have had good experiences with all Hide vendors when I called and spoke with them directly. Again though, if you are getting into the sport to learn long range shooting, getting a ranging or bdc reticle and exposed turrets will prevent you from ever NEEDING to upgrade. Of course, it don't work that way. Once you get addicted you can always find a reason to upgrade.

 

[throwback]

Re: Help choosing a scope

One other thought, if you plan to mount your red dot at 45 deg., alternatively you can just mount a set of backup irons on either end of the hand guard and achieve similar results. I actually prefer this to an offset dot. this would leave you some extra $ to invest in the optics. Couple months from now you find you still want the dot, get the dot.

 

[Tactical_Tom]

Re: Help choosing a scope

Get something which has a parallax adjustment like the Minox ZA-5 2 -10 x 40. You can get one for under 400 if you look around. It also has a BDC reticle and nice german glass.

If it was me I would spend something more like 500 - 700 and get a better vortex or a weaver tactical 3 - 15.

 

[catalyst81]

Re: Help choosing a scope

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tactical_Tom</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Get something which has a parallax adjustment like the Minox ZA-5 2 -10 x 40. You can get one for under 400 if you look around. It also has a BDC reticle and nice german glass.

If it was me I would spend something more like 500 - 700 and get a better vortex or a weaver tactical 3 - 15.

</div></div>

How much difference will I see in the optics by spending a little more? When do you start seeing diminishing returns? I have been looking at SWFA's SS 3-9x40.

 

[throwback]

Re: Help choosing a scope

"When do you start seeing diminishing returns?"

This is something only you can answer. On my bolt gun, my answer is 'never'. I have upgraded the optics several times over the past 5 years and have noticed improvements each time. In your price range I wouldn't be that picky on 'glass quality' (they are all fine) and focus on a reasonable feature set. What TTom says is true on Parallax though, it's really nice for long range shots. Frankly with any of the choices listed you can't go wrong IMHO.

 

[sawman556]

Re: Help choosing a scope

This Bushnell might be a good option if you can come up a little more cash. It has a great reticle, FFP, side focus, illuminated, tac knobs. I have the 6-24x50mm version and it does what it's supposed to do. You have a year to not like it. You should be able to find one a little cheaper then my link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCUZmH8n8g0&feature=plcp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGBYzbnSYGE&feature=plcp

http://swfa.com/Bushnell-3-12x44-Elite-Tactical-30mm-Rifle-Scope-P51678.aspx

 

[kvwpwr]

Re: Help choosing a scope

The weaver is a great scope for $300. My dad got one for his ar. Good glass nice turrets an its mil/mil. I've been thinkin about replacing my ss10x with it.

 

[ms6852]

Re: Help choosing a scope

For the money and your specific needs at this time you would get the most out of the bushnell. I only know zeizz by word of mouth that they are good. Sightron I have 1st hand experience and have great optics and warranty as well as customer service.

 

[catalyst81]

Re: Help choosing a scope

Now, I had an acquaintance recently recommend I go with 1-4 scope rather the 3-9 w/red dot. Would that be a better option?