Most important features on a budget scope?

[Unsilenced]

I'm looking to get my first "real scope" to put on a mini-14. When I bought it I slapped a $50 Barska on it and haven't had any real problems besides not tightening it enough (never put a scope on a centerfire rifle before) and the reticle being a bit out of focus sometimes.

I'd like to get something a bit better, possibly up to $300, or more if there's absolutely must-have features on the line. I realize that this puts me well in the "budget" range when it comes to real scopes, but considering that I've never used anything but cheapo rimfire scopes before it's still a big step up for me.

What I'm wondering is what are the absolute must-haves on a scope that I plan for target shooting between 50 and 300 yards, both sitting and standing? What brands should I look at or stay away from?

I'd also love to get it in a silver finish, to match with my mini, but if push comes to shove I'll take function over form.

[HK Dave]

There is only one feature that matters if you plan on dialing any corrections: tracking.

If a scope doesn't track and hold zero, it's just a tiny telescope.

[Siberian23]

You said you haven't had any real problems with your Barska...what are you hoping to gain by changing it out with a more expensive scope? That answer will be the features you are looking for.

[Guns and guitars]

Repeatability.

[Unsilenced]

You said you haven't had any real problems with your Barska...what are you hoping to gain by changing it out with a more expensive scope? That answer will be the features you are looking for.

I would like better clarity, both in what I see of the target and in the reticle, which sometimes seems out of focus. At x9 power especially things get a bit hazy, to the point that it feels like I can get a better view by zooming out.

All scopes are going to say they're super clear though, so that alone doesn't really help me narrow down my choices. I also assume it's something that generally scales with price, so it's a matter of how much I can get for my money.

I also thought higher zoom might be good, but better clarity would probably solve my problems as far as that's concerned and is more important to me.

I've only just started dabbling in 200 and 300 yard shooting, but from my understanding parallax adjustment is something I'm going to want. I plan to shoot this rifle both standing and on a bench, so adaptability in ranges is a plus.

Lastly, I understand that more expensive scopes typically hold their zero better than cheaper ones, and that it's important that the adjustments of a scope be regular. This is also something that probably scales with price, but I wondered if any particular style of scope/adjustments were just naturally superior in this regard.

[tamalpias]

to me tracking it not really an issue since i seldom ever adjust my scope back and forth once it is dialed in. I just sight in 2 inches high at 100 yards and know anything within 300 yards my 7mm rem mag will hit it. Mine is hunting applications not target shooting so if i have to sit there and do constant adjustments the game is gone. I want a nice clear glass that is bright at dawn and dusk settings. Any leupold vx2 or 3 will do that, nikon elite is clear glass too.

[b1gdave32]

Vortex for $300 range

[God Bless America]

Warranty

[Kwikvette]

I'll echo what was said above; tracking.

It's not a feature, it's a requirement.

There are two scopes that come to mind that I can recommend. What's funny is, I own both as well as several that are worth more than triple.

If you're wanting variable zoom, you can't go wrong with a Vortex PST. To stay at your budget, you'll want to look at the 1-4x model which is great if you're keeping your shooting distance short (50-300). At 1x, you'll enjoy shooting especially while standing or on the move and then going to 4x when you're at the bench or prone. A quality scope will yield greater contrast and clarity on a lower magnification vs a cheap scope at higher magnification.

If you're ok with going fixed (which you may not like at such a short distance like 50), you will love the glass and price of an SWFA SS 10x. Solid scope with great features, glass that rivals scopes costing more, and repeatability you can rely on.

Again, I own Leupy's, Burris XTRII's, Nightforce, etc. and the only budget scopes that made the cut are those I listed above.

[Unsilenced]

A quality scope will yield greater contrast and clarity on a lower magnification vs a cheap scope at higher magnification.

This is something I've been thinking about. When I have trouble seeing what's going on through my Barska or the scopes on one of my .22's, my usual first thought is that I'd like to zoom in closer than the x7 or x9 they allow, but my vision isn't that terrible and I wonder how a x6 or even x4 would do for me if it were just better quality.

I'd have to think about giving up the 3-9x range of magnification though, and which direction to go if I did. A 10x fixed would probably work because I usually keep my 3-9's at 9x 90% of the times anyways, but I'd feel like I was giving up something important.

This has been something of a frontrunner in my own research because it seems like just a better version of what I already use and meets my bonus criterion of coming in silver as well, but you mentioned that you've used budget Leupolds and that they "didn't make the cut," so I'm wondering if you've had bad experiences, or just didn't find them up to the standards of those two you mentioned.

[Droppin Deuces]

Tracking is important, but remember, we're talking about a Mini14. Not a bad rifle, but not exactly a precision instrument. For a rifle like that, which I assume you're using to shoot 55 FMJ, your most important feature is going to be your reticle. Either a BDC reticle calibrated for that ammo and general barrel length that you won't need to dial at all once it's zeroed, OR something with enough of a ranging/milling style reticle that will to get you out as far as you will want to shoot without having to dial more than a few clicks up or down to get you to the closest graduation mark(Example: if you're shooting 500 yards and your solution calls for 2.4 mil, you'll simply dial down four clicks and hold on 2. Or, if it's a half mil graduation, just go up one click and hold on 2.5, etc.)

I love the Vortex PST 1-4 that someone else mentioned, but I think the reticle is lacking and it's very fat, so you'll sometimes not be able to see smaller targets.
If I were going to go 1-4, I'd definitely check this one out:

https://swfa.com/leatherwood-1-4x24-cmr-30mm-rifle-scope.html

It's a combination of both BDC and Milling reticle AND it has a massive amount of holdover range on the reticle that will take you way out beyond what the 55FMJ is realistically capable of without having to dial if you don't want to.

If you're wanting to get into a higher magnification, you'll start seeing the price increase really fast for a precision reticle. Maybe look into the Leupold Mark AR series with the TMR reticle:

https://swfa.com/leupold-3-9x40-mark-ar-mod-1-riflescope-mount-kit-3.html

[FishnHunt]

Any Leopold, vortex, nikon, burris will you do better in every category.
all depends what you want.
I think a nice 2-8 would be good on a mini 14

[Unsilenced]

So, after thinking it over, I think I want a 1-4x. It should be more than enough to see holes in paper at 100 yards, and I do have a spotting scope for when I want to go out further. A 10x fixed would make things easier, but at the end of the day I'd be learning to shoot a not-particularly-useful gun.

Unfortunately, the ones mentioned in this thread have been largely out of my price range, or at least the range I had in mind when I set out.

Leatherwood one is $400 about, Vortex about $500. I had initially been hoping to get something around $200, stretching towards $300.

I guess at this point I'm wondering how much more I'm getting for those versus a $200-$250 Bushnell or Black Spider or some such. I've seen various complaints about the Bushnell and Black Spider scopes, ranging in severity from "not as good as my Trijicon" to "package contained actual black spider instead of a scope," but a lot of people also seem to really like them and they mostly have positive reviews with the "for the price" caveat.

I'd consider a fixed 4x if that got me a little more quality in the price range I'm looking for, but they seem to come exclusively in "$5 air rifle scope" and "$1500 Trijicon" varieties.

[Darkstar5012]

Primary arms makes a great 1-6x. Better glass than a vortex strike eagle (not by much, but the sight picture is noticeably brighter on the PA) and a bit cheaper than vortex too

[MJB]

+1 on the warranty......it's always good to have a cheap pair of truck binos instead of abusing a 1,800 pair