$600-$800 for AR Scope

[doorman]

I just ordered a 20" 223 wylde 1/8. I've got 600-800 to drop on the scope. Like anyone else I'm looking for the best in my price range. Would love an illuminated rectical but not if I have to drop quality in glass to get it in my price range. What are some scopes you guy's have had good success with shooting up to 600 yards?

[FMJBT]

In that price range, the Burris XTR II 2-10X42 will have much better glass and turrets than pretty much anything else available. Digital Oasis has them for $678.84 right now, which gives you some money left over for a mount (34mm).

[OpticsPlanet]

This Vortex scope has excellent optical clarity:

http://www.opticsplanet.com/vortex-viper-pst-6-24x50-rifle-scopes.html

Vortex has some of the best customer service in the industry.

Tim G.

[kozumasbullitt]

Trijicon accupoint 1-4

[TTundra]

Burris XTR II all the way. I was in the same boat, trying to decide on mount and optics for my SPR-ish build. had a 4-16 Vortex HS-T on there for some testing. Love the scope, have taken a nice Mulie with it, but definitely prefer the XTR II. Just moved into a new house, so forgive the background, but here's a snap of the rifle when I was trying out the HS-T.

ar15.jpg

[MauserMike]

Leupold Mark AR MOD 1 6-18x40mm would work well for you. its built for the ar-15 and comes with 223-556 calibrated turrets for super easy range and wind adjustments. Plus it will save you a bit of money and weight. Its not illuminated but is either fine duplex or mil dot reticle.

Here is a decent video on the mark ar scope: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mt6V-vFLpTU

Just zero it at 100 yards and your done! zero out the turrets and you can hit anything your 223-556 will allow you to reach with a quick spin of a turret

http://www.leupold.com/hunting-shooting/scopes/mark-ar-riflescopes/mark-ar-mod-1-6-18x40mm/

[MarkG35]

Leupold Mark AR MOD 1 6-18x40mm would work well for you. its built for the ar-15 and comes with 223-556 calibrated turrets for super easy range and wind adjustments. Plus it will save you a bit of money and weight. Its not illuminated but is either fine duplex or mil dot reticle.

Here is a decent video on the mark ar scope: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mt6V-vFLpTU

Just zero it at 100 yards and your done! zero out the turrets and you can hit anything your 223-556 will allow you to reach with a quick spin of a turret

http://www.leupold.com/hunting-shooting/scopes/mark-ar-riflescopes/mark-ar-mod-1-6-18x40mm/

Not to jack the thread,I'm guessing that's an 80 % lower.What is the black piece on the magwell?

Also ,I also have a Burris XTRii(like it alot)if your interested,contact Mike at CS Tactical( a vendor here)he will treat you right.

[RobertMW]

Not to jack the thread,I'm guessing that's an 80 % lower.What is the black piece on the magwell?

Also ,I also have a Burris XTRii(like it alot)if your interested,contact Mike at CS Tactical( a vendor here)he will treat you right.

Probably just a little magwell grip enhancement. Maybe some kind of Hogue piece.

It's normally just outside of your price range, but I did get mine for $800 on sale during new years, but I have the SWFA SS HD 1-6x24 scope on my 18" Wylde barreled upper, it's going to be used for multi-gun matches so I wanted the true 1x setting. I was just sighting it in at the 100 yd range, My point of aim was just some 1" diameter pasties on a shoot and see target, it was very easy for me to just put the center .15 MIL dot covering the pastie and squeeze. I was able to pull off about 3-4" inch groups out of a chrome lined 1-8 twist barrel and 55g ammo. Not bad I would say. Could easily take shots on a 12" target at 600 with good ammo. Only problem is that it is a MIL scope, so you have to know your holds, not BDC or calibrated turrets to make it easy on you.

[XD40Kyle]

I just got a Vortex viper pst 4-16. havent got to shoot with it yet but it seems like a great scope

[maxima]

Nikon Monarch 4-16, or Bushnel Elite Tactical 5-15x40 should sever you well, and you will still have money left for quality ammo and/or good trigger.

[Paperchasin]

Another vote for Trijicon tr24...

[klewan]

OP, if you can afford $800 for a scope, buy a cheaper scope and see how that does. Say a Simmons 4x12 44mag. Only about $100. Then get your expensive bling. Go out to the range and see what details you can see with both. Do the around the horn test; 4 clicks down, 4 clicks left, 4 clicks up, and 4 clicks right and see if you come back to the same spot. I can only afford the cheaper scopes; $800 is 10% of my property taxes, so I'm not blowing it on designer glass. And you can always return the scope you don't need....

[FMJBT]

OP, if you can afford $800 for a scope, buy a cheaper scope and see how that does. Say a Simmons 4x12 44mag. Only about $100. Then get your expensive bling. Go out to the range and see what details you can see with both. Do the around the horn test; 4 clicks down, 4 clicks left, 4 clicks up, and 4 clicks right and see if you come back to the same spot. I can only afford the cheaper scopes; $800 is 10% of my property taxes, so I'm not blowing it on designer glass. And you can always return the scope you don't need....

I'd actually go the other way.... If your budget allows for an $800 scope, definitely get the $800 scope, but be very selective about it. Research, research, research. Research some more. After all that research, you should have a good idea of what the best option is for your end use within that price range.

I only own a few mid level optics, most of my rifles wear glass that is extremely low budget. I build a lot of rifles. probably too many rifles, actually. As a result, the budget for optics typically gets cut short. I'm pretty happy with a lot of the cheaper scopes I've purchased, but there have definitely been some turds along the way. In the end, I don't think I've spent more money on cheap optics, but I've definitely spent more than I should have on replacing or just junking scopes that didn't live up to (low) expectations. The other thing about cheap optics is that steady feeling of unease during use, just waiting for it to potentially break or fail in some fashion. Stepping up the budget a bit typically results in a lot more peace of mind, at least for me anyway.

[spoiler559]

Also don't mean to crash this but would all of these scopes suggested be the same for a 308 ar? Or would you suggest something different?

[doorman]

Also don't mean to crash this but would all of these scopes suggested be the same for a 308 ar? Or would you suggest something different?

I'm going to assume it would be the same suggestions excluding anything that has a 223 specific bullet drop calculation.