Rifle Scopes Budget 2.5-10?

[patrol120]

I am in the process of piecing together an SPR-ish AR. I am thinking something along the lines of the Vortex Viper HS 2.5-10 would be great, but would prefer mil/mil. The PST in that magnification is a bit over the price point I would like to be at. To be honest, a 2.5-10 version of the HS-T would be perfect...

The features I would like are a 30mm tube, mil/mil, and a mil dot reticle, at least. Is there anything out thee I am missing for around the 3-400 dollar price point?

 

[Crosshair]

I'm very happy with my 3-9x40 mil/mil Leupold Mk AR mod 1. It's fairly close to a 2.5-10x and is lightweight and has tracked fine so far. Glass is basically VX-2ish... Good enough for the price point. I paid $349 and got the free Mk2 AR mount with mine. The Weaver from Midway is its direct competitor, also very nice but with not as low-profile of turrets. I have 18.2 mils of adjustment in mine, 10.1 mils up up left after 200y zero; great for a 1" tube. Plenty to reach out there past 900 yards with 75gr Honady Superperfomance.

Leupold 3-9x40 Mark AR MOD 1 Riflescope & Mount Kit

 

[patrol120]

I have the 4-12 Mark AR Mod1 on my CZ527, and I like it a lot. That scope is definitely in the running, but would really prefer a 30mm if I can find one.

 

[JayCarver]

I would look for a used PST 2.5-10x44, great scope for the money, they sell pretty cheap used and vortex has a no bs warranty so you can't lose.

 

[Crosshair]

For 30mm tube midrange mil/mil variables under $599 you've got:

Vortex PST 2.5-10x44 mentioned above
SWFA SS 3-9x42
Leupold VXR Patrol 3-9x40
Burris MTAC 3.5-10x42

It'd be nice to find a demo or lightly used one of the above. My favorite in that lineup is the SS.