optics advice.

[chicane]

I am currently building a Varmint AR. And I know every part that I am going to use except the optics. And honestly I don't know much about quality long distance scopes. Or which rings/mounts will work well.

Looking for something that can shoot 100yrds very easily, and possibly stretch out to about 400yrds acurately. Is it possible to find something in the $150-$200 range? Or is it nieve to think you can get this kind of performance under $650? When i look through lists of scopes, They all end up looking somewhat alike. A cheap-o Simmons has the same specs as some of the Leupolds. and I know that they aren't the same.

Any advice would be apreciated. Thanks, Jon

[1911Sooner]

You should be able to get a low end Burris or Nikon for that.

[MarkV]

I was just about to ask the same thing.

[1911Sooner]

Look at these...

http://www.riflescopes.com/products/SS16X42/super_sniper_16x42_30mm_rifle_scope.htm

http://www.riflescopes.com/products/200161/burris_3-9x40_fullfield_ii_rifle_scope.htm

http://www.riflescopes.com/products/6420/nikon_3-9x40_buckmaster_riflescope.htm

[MarkV]

Thanks but that's what I was getting at. The first one is a 16X42 and the next two are 3X9's Not even close.

What kind of power do you need to do shooting in the 100-400 yard range?

[1911Sooner]

16x42 would be plenty to 400 yards. 3-9x40 would be good to at least 200 yards. That's the problem with the price range you guys are looking at. To get at past 400 yards you really need to step up in optics. Personally I shoot an Aimpoint out to 200 yards, not precision but it puts it in the 10 ring every time.

[Subsonic]

Go with a 3-9 or 3-10 power scope. Military uses fixed 10X on their 7.62 rifles and they shoot those to a 1000 yards. I believe some other foreign armies only use up to 6X magnification on their sniper rifles. If it was just for plinking then I would'nt worry too much about spending a whole lot on a scope but you will notice the difference. If you don't mind a fixed power scope then Tasco Super Sniper scope is supposed to be pretty good. You might also look at IOR Valdada scopes. They have very good glass in them and they are fairly inexpensive.

[olyeller]

look for a SIMMONS 44MAG in 6.5-20x Nice scopes around $150.
A big 44mm objective, so you will want high rings.
check out midwayusa.com

[rlt7272]

+1 on the Simmons 44mag. I have 2 and both have held up well thru lots of rounds of .30-06 and .243, even had one on my .300H&H before it got retired.

I have seen and heard some people knock them for the low price, but they work.

[DRC458]

I have always sworn by Leupold. I own several and have never been disappointed. I own a BUNCH of different rifle scopes, and Leupold always satisfies. They have a new "Rifleman" series which I know nothing about, but they are more 'modestly' priced. I just bought a Nikon ProStaff 3-9x32, which is their lower priced model ... $150 ... haven't even shot it yet. But, I've been a photographer for years and if these optics match their cameras, I'm good to go!

[Hoov]

I personally would stay away from the Rifleman series, the coatings are not that great. The Nikon Pro-Staff series is a much better deal for the money. If you want a great deal, the Bushnell Elite series is hard to beat. They used to have a bad reputation, but after they hooked up with Bausch & Lomb a few years back, they have made huge strides. I think for the under $200 range the Bushnell and Nikons are hard to beat.

[YukonGlocker]

I have had several excellent Bushnell scopes. I think they are the best scopes for the price range you are looking for.

After having such good Bushnell scopes, these are the only scopes I will buy; until I win the lottery!!!

[Randall]

+1 for the Bushnell, try the trophy series too.
Randall