Rifle Scopes Yet another scope recommendation request

[TriggerHappy1]

Hi. I have an AR15 and AR10. I plan on buying a long range precision/target rifle this year. I need your advice on a scope to use with the AR10 and precision rifle. I know very little about scopes aside from the basics I read online. The scope marketplace is confusing since they have more than one series or model lineup. My budget is between $999 and $1,499. What about the Leupold Mark 4 LR/T 4.5-14x50mm? I use that as a reference because Leupold seems like a decent mid-range brand. What other specific brands/models should I look at in that price range? I'm looking for most bang for the buck in features, quality, etc. From my research I see that NightForce, US Optics, Vortex are very popular, high end brands.

Something that surprised me is that I read an article "Best Rifle Scope – What The Pros Use" (Best Rifle Scope ? What The Pros Use | PrecisionRifleBlog.com) which shows that Schmidt and Bender is the most widely used in that particular comparison, followed by Bushnell over Leupold, US Optics, and Vortex. Is Bushnell that good? Or is it because Bushnell is relatively cheap?

Thanks for your advice.

 

[samnev]

I have 7 Nightforce scope, 2 NXS 8-23X56, 2 NXS 5.5-22X50, 1 NXS 3-15X50 all with zs and hst's and 2 NXS 1-4X20's. I love all of them. When I got my last carbine an H&K MR556 and ATLAS bipod after the outlay of cash I decided to try the Bushnell Elite FFP G2DMR 3.5-21X50 based on the glowing reports on the Hide. Since I felt the zero stop and the illuminated reticle wasn't important for this carbine this scope would suite my needs. I was pleasantly suppressed at the robust build, the excellent glass (very close to Nightforce quality), excellent brightness through out its range, no noticeable chromatic aberration and the tracking is spot on. Is it equal to a Nightforce? No, but it is a great scope at half the price of a Nightforce and much better overall than the 2 Vortex Viper FFP PST's I own.

 

[CSTactical]

I would recommend getting a NF 5.5-22x or 3.5-15x. The 2.5-10x are also very good scopes and would work great for what you are doing. The Bushnell HDMR 3.5-21x would be another great option I use one on my AR10. If dollar value is a concern you can also look at the Vortex HS-T or the PST.

Mike @ CSTACTICAL