Rifle Scopes Scope for under $500

[1_greg_1]

There is so much good info here my question has probably been answered but if so I did not see it. I am trying to decide on a mid range cost scope for a Rock River Arms .308 Varmint w/20" barrel. I will probably do mainly target shooting at 25-300 yards/meters. I think in yards, not meters. I may shoot longer distances later on. After having read about Milradians , MOA, Parallax MRAD, FFP, SFP, MIL/MOA MIL/MIL MOA/MOA I realize I know just enough to know that I don't know much about this after all.
I THINK I have decided on a MIL/MIL type scope 1/10 turret adjustment. Probably because in my limited knowledge I think that it will be simpler to learn. I am more about pulling the trigger than doing the math, which I know, may be the wrong approach. Anyway, if my thinking is not faulty up to this point, I have narrowed the choices to the following, listed in order of preference: 1. Millett 4-16x50 Illuminated Tactical 30mm Tube 1mil Click TRS11; 2. BSA Tactical Mil-Mil 30mm 4-14x 44mm side focus 1/10 mil Adj First Focal MRAD; 3. Primary Arms 4-14X44 Mil Mil FFP 1/10 mil. 4. Weaver Tactical Grand Slam 3-10x 40mm 1/10 Mil Adj Mil-Dot. Could I get an opinion on my thinking? Does any one of the scopes listed stand out as better that the others? Is there a scope I have not listed that would suit my purposes better? Thanks for any help!

 

[BCP]

Re: Scope for under $500

http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-10x42-Tactical-Riflescope-P53712.aspx

I think there is a used one of these on the marketplace here for 450$

http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-3-9x42-Tactical-30mm-Riflescope-P50716.aspx

 

[cooper_257]

Re: Scope for under $500

SWFA 10X or 12X with mil-quad reticle for $299.95

 

[Nuke Man]

Re: Scope for under $500

Look into the vortex scopes. I think you will be much happier. I have a RRA LAR-8 standard operator. I run the vortex Viper HS 5-15x44 in a Larue Tactical LT158 mount. Only midway usa sells that particular model. It is now listed at $499 I believe. However a friend of mine has their bottom line Crossfire model on his DPMS and it has pretty nice glass and has had 0 issues with it. The best warranty around also.

 

[Don-n-Texas]

Re: Scope for under $500

I can tell you from first hand experience you do not want the Millet.

Raise your limit up $800.00. Then look at Vortex, Bushnell, Weaver in that price range.

I have a Vortex PST 6x24 on my RRA Varmint and really like it. You will wish you had that 300.00 to go on a good scope.

 

[Nuke Man]

Re: Scope for under $500

^ I agree 100%^

 

[Mil.Dot]

Re: Scope for under $500

From our options, the Weaver gets consistently good reviews for bang for the buck.

Otherwise, the SWFA scopes are really worth considering at $300.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BCP</div><div class="ubbcode-body">http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-10x42-Tactical-Riflescope-P53712.aspx

I think there is a used one of these on the marketplace here for 450$

http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-3-9x42-Tactical-30mm-Riflescope-P50716.aspx </div></div>

The advice to save up some more and buy a next tier scope is very good as well. Just depends on if you think that is feasible for you and your needs.

 

[Grump]

Re: Scope for under $500

If you don't want to do a bunch of math,

and don't want to risk making silly errors with that math,

the scope MUST be an FFP model.

I don't have that element memorized for everything on the market and haven't looked up all of your listed models, so disregard if you're already there.

I took the $3-400 route and have had to USE warranties four times, with two different makes of scopes. The Weaver wasn't out yet and I wanted more than 3-9, having had one for a few years and not liking now hard it was to "range" with its zoom function (SFP model, calibrated reticle).

With the benefits of hindsight, I now wish I would have looked away from the "bargain" FFP scopes and gotten one from Vortex, SWFA, or the newer Weaver models.

If you "need" something NOW, want variable power, and nothing FFP and mil/mil above 10x is available from them or maybe one of the other "big" names here on the 'Hide, then buy some cheap $100-200 PoS and keep saving your money to replace it after the 3-18 months it will take for it to fail in some usually-minor way.

I have *heard* some good reviews of the highest-end BSA scopes, including specifically one tactical-type model that might have been available (then? still?) exclusively from Midway, but my own experiences with BSA, solely from looking at them at the Fun Store (especially trying out the side-focus parallax adjustment) makes me NOT want to take the risk on the hope that the one I get is an aberration from their usual junk.

 

[1_greg_1]

Re: Scope for under $500

Thanks for all the quick responses and good advice. After reading the responses, and much more research to find the best place to make the purchase. I am strongly considering saving $ and getting a Viper PST 4-16 FFP MRAD (buy once, cry once).
I am worried about eye relief, cheek weld, being able to mount the scope far enough forward, and having enough adjustment for long range scope adjustment.  I have read comments about LaRue, Bobro, Warne and DNZ and also about a canted 20 MOA base. If I got this scope would the ADM-RECON-20 (20 MOA) single mount be the correct mount or is there another mount that would be better?
Seems like a long process from deciding on THE rifle and actually getting to pull the trigger on a target. Thanks again.

 

[BCP]

Re: Scope for under $500

You will have enough eye relief with standard x-high rings but a cantilevered mount like an ADM or Bobro would be good insurance.

Vertical adjustment is up to you but for a 20" 308 I'd allow for 40MOA/11mils of up to get to 1k. You will be borderline with that PST.

 

[Defcon424]

Re: Scope for under $500

I'm no expert but just from my personal experience I have been happy with both of the Weaver Tactical Grand Slams from midway that i have owned. Had one on a R700 SPS AAC SD and now one on a Weatherby Vanguard series 2. They are ALOT of bang for the buck when on sale for $299.

 

[Don-n-Texas]

Re: Scope for under $500

Scott@Vortex recommends Vortex medium rings and a Badger 22 MOA rail for mounting on AR.

Thats how I mounted my Vortex.

I'm doing this on my phone or I would post that link.