Need Help 1-4X SCOPE

[thegreyman2013]

Shooters-

Time to ditch my old and cheap chinese made scope. It looked cool, was good for a range, but never could hold its zero for sustained periods.

My budget: up to $600

Scopes:
Burris: MTAC
Vortex: Viper PST
Leupold: AR and patrol ( anyone know the pros and cons between the AR and patrol platforms?) Why is the patrol 200$ more expensive?

Only interested in a 1-4X scope. Will use a quick release mount with it. The purpose will be for hunting/home defense/range. ( in that order) Up to 350yards. Will concentrate on fast moving targets around 100-150yards. That's my intent. I will hunt HOG, Yotes, and maybe the occasional jack rabbit. Ohh and of course, let's not forget the ZOMBIES..but then again, those are slow moving and not fast movers lol

Please help me out.

[urbancommando]

http://www.riflescopes.webyshops.com/Brands/Burris-TAC30-European-Rifle-Scopes/BURRIS-Fullfield-TAC30-1-4x24-Scope-w-FastFire-II-Sight-Illum-Ballistic-CQ-5-56-Reticle-200433-FF

[SilentPea]

Burris has "I'm staring into the sun" illumination available on the reticule, but relatively large markings. Definitely a minute of man/hog at larger ranges. Close to true 1x

Vortex has really fine lines (I have moa/moa), and at 4x mag the central dot is only 1MOA giving you the option for a bit more precision. The illumination isn't really daytime visible, though it is great for shooting into shadows or at dusk. Closest to true 1x of the bunch

Leupold AR has really nice glass, and slightly better feeling turrets, but is 1.25x (actually 1.5 according to detailed specs page) instead of 1x at the low end. Also you only get illuminated dot in the middle of the crosshairs, no lighted "donut". 20mm objective means slightly less low light performance (probably not noticeable unless you're under 40) and 1inch rings (harder to find AR style mounts in 1inch)

Leupold Patrol has 1.30x magnification, 30mm objective, same reticle, but the illumination has a fancy motion activation. Turn on the light and it will go to standy after 5 minutes of stillness -- comes back on when you move the rifle.

[SuperSet]

The Burris TAC30 and MTAC are hard to beat in that range. Good glass, BDC, visible reticle. Illumination will wash out in bright sunlight but the reticle is large enough that it doesn't matter.

[HK Dave]

Take a close look at a used SWFA 1-4x with Donut Reticle. It's the cats meow of 1-4. With a switchview, you go from red dot to mil scope.

It's so well done, and the glass is HD.

Only reason I got rid of mine was to pick up their new 1-6x version.

[thegreyman2013]

Burris has "I'm staring into the sun" illumination available on the reticule, but relatively large markings. Definitely a minute of man/hog at larger ranges. Close to true 1x

Vortex has really fine lines (I have moa/moa), and at 4x mag the central dot is only 1MOA giving you the option for a bit more precision. The illumination isn't really daytime visible, though it is great for shooting into shadows or at dusk. Closest to true 1x of the bunch

Leupold AR has really nice glass, and slightly better feeling turrets, but is 1.25x (actually 1.5 according to detailed specs page) instead of 1x at the low end. Also you only get illuminated dot in the middle of the crosshairs, no lighted "donut". 20mm objective means slightly less low light performance (probably not noticeable unless you're under 40) and 1inch rings (harder to find AR style mounts in 1inch)

Leupold Patrol has 1.30x magnification, 30mm objective, same reticle, but the illumination has a fancy motion activation. Turn on the light and it will go to standy after 5 minutes of stillness -- comes back on when you move the rifle.

Wow. Great overview. Thank you. It's really a tough call now. I guess they are all good and I will need to find a place that stocks them so I can see them in person.

I live on the central coast- pretty sparse here. Headed to SD/OC next week. Can anyone recommend a good gun shop that has plenty of scopes?

[thegreyman2013]

Take a close look at a used SWFA 1-4x with Donut Reticle. It's the cats meow of 1-4. With a switchview, you go from red dot to mil scope.

It's so well done, and the glass is HD.

Only reason I got rid of mine was to pick up their new 1-6x version.

Cool, will check this out as well

[SilentPea]

I live on the central coast- pretty sparse here. Headed to SD/OC next week. Can anyone recommend a good gun shop that has plenty of scopes?

Last time I was at turners in Oxnard they had both of the leupolds out on display (they mount them to plastic half-rifles) and the Vortex behind the counter.

[TZL]

for just a little bit more, like $700-800 you can pick up a Trijicon TR24 series, super clear glass and great for point and shoot if you don't need all the mil dot and ranging features (it can be done, not as straight forward)

[negolien]

looked at the Nikon M or P series?

[k1dude]

Take a close look at a used SWFA 1-4x with Donut Reticle. It's the cats meow of 1-4. With a switchview, you go from red dot to mil scope.

It's so well done, and the glass is HD.

Only reason I got rid of mine was to pick up their new 1-6x version.

Then you don't have a scope if you sold your 1-4. SWFA has really pissed people off by not delivering. They've been promising the 1-6 for something like 2 years now.

Also $800 (1-4x) to $1,000 (1-6x) is far above the OP's budget.

[HK Dave]

? I received my swfa 1-6 a while ago. I love it!

I've seen used 1-4s go $600

Btw they promised the 1-6 less that 10 months ago. . sure I wasn't happy about the wait, but it was worth it.

Shoot ok at 2 years on my wait for my Jae 700 stock.

[ExtremeX]

Then you don't have a scope if you sold your 1-4. SWFA has really pissed people off by not delivering. They've been promising the 1-6 for something like 2 years now.

Also $800 (1-4x) to $1,000 (1-6x) is far above the OP's budget.

For what it’s worth... the SWFA 1-6x FFP was well worth the 11 month wait from order placement to delivery...

And it was a pre-order so a wait was expected, even with the delays, it was worth it, it’s probably one of the best scopes I own. If the 1-4x SWFA is anything like it I would give it serious consideration. The glass is considerably better on the SWFA optic (Vs Vortex PST 1-4x), very close to what my ACOG is delivering.

I also have a Vortex PST 1-4x… out of all the scopes the OP listed, the Vortex PST gets my pick.

[ExtremeX]

Vortex has really fine lines (I have moa/moa), and at 4x mag the central dot is only 1MOA giving you the option for a bit more precision. The illumination isn't really daytime visible, though it is great for shooting into shadows or at dusk. Closest to true 1x of the bunch

[thegreyman2013]

I am still in research phase, but leaning towards VORTEX mainly cause the warranty. For biggest bang for buck the Burris MTAC is hard to beat, but damn man, that VORTEX warranty is hard to pass up