Best Scope for 100 Yards?

[spruce3311]

I am new to rifle scopes. I love taking new people to the range.

I have always used iron sights but age is slowly catching up to me. Also, I feel my new shooters will likely have more fun when they can see hits on target through the rifle scope they are using.

Would that be possible with a 3-9x or 4-12x scope?

I'm currently deciding between the Nikon prostaff 3-9x or a Vortex model. Are there other options I should look at?

Primary use is punching holes through paper. Years down the line likely hunting (but I can buy another scope if needed then).

[Milsurp1]

Do you qualify for the Leopold or Vortex military/LE discounts?

But yes, for 100 yards most any scope will work for casual target shooting. What kind of rifle are you shooting?

[spruce3311]

I dont qualify for military/le discount.

I'll be shooting my first 5.56 AR build. I'm trying to make it as fun as possible for new shooters. I'm leaning towards the Nikon Prostaff 3-9x because it's supposed to be optically the same as the newer p223 series and I see a few websites trying to get rid of them at $120.

[Divernhunter]

It will work. "I" prefer more power for paper punching only. Do not expect to see the bullet holes.
I have 3X9X40 and such on a number of my hunting rifles and they work ok at the range. To really be able to see the smaller bullet holes I use my Leupold VX3i 4.5X14X40 set on 14X.
For the purpose and the money it looks like you found a scope to get

[jimmykan]

I think the most important thing about a rifle scope for new shooters is forgiving eye relief.

I find that most new shooters have a hard time finding the proper eye relief distance when shouldering a rifle. They either have their eye too far or too close, and the higher the magnification, the harder it is for them to find the proper scope image.

Since the shooting distance is only 100 yards, I would recommend a red dot sight or 1X magnification optic with the reticle etched into glass. These types of optics have the most forgiving eye relief.

Depending on the glass quality, you will need about 16X magnification to see 22 caliber bullet holes at 100 yards, and that's a bit too much magnification for an AR-15 in 223. New shooters will have a hard time finding the proper eye relief on such a scope, I guarantee it.

If you want to see hits on target, use reactive targets like Shoot-N-C targets, steel gongs or spinning rubber chickens or something. Or have a separate spotting scope set up next to the shooter with enough magnification to see the bullet holes, that's how NRA highpower guys do it.

[spruce3311]

I have seen Nikon is fairly forgiving regarding eye relief. Cabela has the Nikon prostaff 3-9x for 120.

I just found a wierd site attempting to be Amazon with a wierd category system.

The Nikon prostaff 5 (3.5-14mm) and a mount cost 118 after discounts at checkout.

If it is legitimate, I'll post the website for you guys. If not, I'll contact my CC.

Thanks for all the advice. Any more advice is appreciated.

[stevebla]

Get more magnification than you think you need.

[86frankiej]

I used Leupold VX-R Patrol 3x9 with 1/10th MIL Click Adjustment. its a great optic for the range you need.

[therealnickb]

I dont qualify for military/le discount.

I'll be shooting my first 5.56 AR build. I'm trying to make it as fun as possible for new shooters. I'm leaning towards the Nikon Prostaff 3-9x because it's supposed to be optically the same as the newer p223 series and I see a few websites trying to get rid of them at $120.

I put that scope on a marlin 60 recently. Love for the range. Simple, easy to use. Decent glass for the price.

[Boarhuntor]

what about Vorex Diamondback in 3-9 flavor? Best kept secret.
But if you go this way do not get 4-12. They are not so good.
I have three of them. IMO Nikon not as good as Vortex.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vortex-Diamondback-3-9x40-Rifle-Scope-w-Dead-Hold-BDC-Reticle-DBK-01-BDC/172180168851?epid=79885002&hash=item2816bce093:g:bRYAAOSwDuJW1JRB:sc:USPSPriority!95139!US!-1

...

[TJthe1st]

I would go with a LPVO for 100 yards. 1-4x, 1-6x, 1-8x

[marc.]

The Primary Arms Silver Series is a really great scope at a cheap price. Probably won't find a comparable first focal plane scope near this price without a military/vet/LEO discount.

https://www.primaryarms.com/primary-arms-4-14x44mm-riflescope-mil-dot-pa4-14xffp

[radicalray]

I would go with a LPVO for 100 yards. 1-4x, 1-6x, 1-8x

[TomReloaded]

9x is hard to see the holes at 100, unless they're shoot n see targets. At that range, you can get the bigass 100 packs of 4 inch targets and hit them consistently. Its difficult to see on a normal black/white paper target though.

For 223, id just count on using the shoot n see's, even with a 12x (kinda overkill for that close).

[The War Wagon]

100 yards or less, I just go with a 1x Aimpoint.