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  #1  
Old 09-15-2018, 1:05 PM
Alpha Male Alpha Male is offline
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Default budge friendly variable scope for up to 150 yards or so.less than $100 .556 or .308

im in the process of sourcing out a optic for my brother in the militarily. he is looking for the above. its more like a present for his bday that is long overdo. let me know what you recommend

Last edited by Alpha Male; 09-15-2018 at 1:10 PM..
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Old 09-15-2018, 1:36 PM
ChuckDizzle ChuckDizzle is offline
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Nothing, everything in that price range is pure hot garbage.

Since it is a gift ask some other family members to pitch in with you and get something at the very least in the $200-300 range.
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Old 09-15-2018, 2:33 PM
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Take a look at UTG scopes from Leapers (http://www.leapers.com/index.php). Some of their products can be bought on Amazon. I've been using a couple of their BugBuster series scopes for several years without any problems. Even worked well on my Mini 14, which has a reputation for being tough on optics.
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Old 09-15-2018, 4:56 PM
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At around $100 there's not a lot of decent variable powered scopes even used, but there are some

I don't know what kind of shooting this will be intended for so I'll just throw out a range of decent affordable scopes I've come across during my own search for good affordable scopes over the years.

If you do a lot of research you might be able to find a decent entry level fixed power like Simmons 4x Eight Point and you might have enough for a decent mount, like an Aero Precision, or brand name rings (a good proven mounting system makes a big difference).

For about $89-$120 without rings the closest acceptable variable power scopes in your price range would be either a Primary Arms 3-9X44mm SFP or a
Primary Arms 1-4x, best thing about PA is their customer service and warranty.

If you can stretch to a little over $200, there's decent Japanese made stuff from Weaver like the Weaver Grand Slam 3-10x 40 or Weaver V3 1-3x20mm.

Around $250 your options will greatly increase into entry level scopes from Nikon, Leupold, and Vortex.

Holiday sales are a good time to shop for new stuff.

With some haggling you might also have some luck in the Equipment Exchanges on firearms forums and/or online auctions. Also if you go used, some older glass often is superior in quality to their current iterations that have moved current production to China, but it takes some research to learn which ones.

Good luck!

Last edited by Mr. Meeseeks; 09-15-2018 at 5:33 PM.. Reason: Add Links
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  #5  
Old 09-16-2018, 4:55 AM
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The least expensive scope that’s decent in my view is the Burris Fullfield II for around $200.00.
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Old 09-16-2018, 8:23 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChuckDizzle View Post
Nothing, everything in that price range is pure hot garbage.

Since it is a gift ask some other family members to pitch in with you and get something at the very least in the $200-300 range.
I agree. You can get a very decent scope for $200. Anything less is a crapshoot that I would not risk giving as a gift.

I have a Burris FFII on a MINI-14 and it has yet to fail. It was less than $200 shipped.

Last edited by God Bless America; 09-16-2018 at 8:39 AM..
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Old 09-16-2018, 8:35 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Horrendo Revolver View Post
The least expensive scope that’s decent in my view is the Burris Fullfield II for around $200.00.
I like those, but the Vortex diamondback is a little better in my opinion. Either is very good.

OP, these are the least-expensive, best all-around rifle scopes in my opinion:

Vortex with BDC

Burris with Ballistic Plex

Optics Planet has good prices, you can find them for less sometimes, and I have read that they can work on the price if you call.

I have both of those scopes, and can recommend them 100%. I trust them enough to hunt with them and they have not let me down.

If you are truly wed to the $100, the closest I can recommend is a holosun 2 MOA mini red dot like the 403 or the SIG version. Can be found for $120 on sale.

I cannot think of an actual scope worth using for less than $100 new.

Last edited by God Bless America; 09-16-2018 at 8:43 AM..
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Old 09-16-2018, 11:02 AM
ChuckDizzle ChuckDizzle is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by God Bless America View Post
I agree. You can get a very decent scope for $200. Anything less is a crapshoot that I would not risk giving as a gift.

I have a Burris FFII on a MINI-14 and it has yet to fail. It was less than $200 shipped.
There's quite a few decent red dots to be had at any price, even down to the $100 or less on sale TRS-25. Unfortunately, OK wants magnification, and variable at that.

There are decent fixed scopes to be had even at $150, but adding zoom makes good glass that much more expensive. I picked up a used Japanese Tasco fixed 4x for my wife's 10/22 and she couldn't be happier for $50.
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Old 09-16-2018, 11:25 AM
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Burris $189-$199 shipped:
https://www.cabelas.com/product/Burr...1.uts?slotId=4
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  #10  
Old 09-16-2018, 11:28 AM
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Vortex Diamondback $179-$250
https://www.cabelas.com/product/Vort...2.uts?slotId=0
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Old 09-16-2018, 11:31 AM
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Vortex Crossfire $129-$229:
https://www.cabelas.com/product/Vort...9.uts?slotId=3
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Old 09-16-2018, 11:37 AM
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Search Google for scope videos by nut n fancy, he made two videos that are very helpful, and he makes some lower cost scope recommendations.
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Old 09-16-2018, 11:46 AM
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With a 150 yard max, I personally would go with a red dot.
The only reason I use magnification at this distance is for spotting my shots on paper (and eyes almost 60 years old)

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Last edited by wpod; 09-16-2018 at 11:48 AM..
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  #14  
Old 09-17-2018, 6:04 AM
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Bushnell make some variable focal length AR scopes. Not expensive at all and quality appears pretty good. I've handled the 3X9 and the 4X12.

Here's the 3X9:

https://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-Zone.../dp/B00BD55L82
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Old 09-17-2018, 10:23 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Horrendo Revolver View Post
The least expensive scope that’s decent in my view is the Burris Fullfield II for around $200.00.

Had a 3-9x40 Fullfield II with the Ballistic Plex Reticle on my AR15 and recently moved it over to my T/C Compass in .308. Nice clear glass and the reticle works very well at estimating holdover at known yardages.


You can get it for $160.94 shipped here - https://www.gunprodeals.com/product-details?id=512079
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  #16  
Old 09-17-2018, 11:34 AM
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As previously mentioned, the UTG Bug Buster seems to get very good reviews. People who have them like them. For around $75 it's hard to beat.
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  #17  
Old 09-18-2018, 4:46 AM
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The Vortex Crossfire totally sucks IMO. Subpar glass, insufficient eye relief and very narrow eye box. The Diamondback compares well to the Fullfield II in good light but doesn’t do as well in low light. Everyone’s eyes are different, this is how they stack up when I’m looking through them.
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Old 09-18-2018, 5:02 AM
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I thought the discontinued Minox ZV3 scopes were all gone but just found out Natchez has some. 3-9x40 for $120.88. To me they compare optically to a VX-2 and I’ll take a ZV3 over a Fullfield II any day, and I think the Fullfield is a good scope.
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Old 09-18-2018, 5:04 AM
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This might serve you well http://muelleroptics.com/products/mu...hybrid-3-9x40/. I have a couple Mueller scopes on my varmint rifles and for the $$ they're not bad.
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Old 09-25-2018, 6:01 PM
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I've put Bushnell Trophy 3x9x40 scopes on 223,, 243 and a Marlin 30-30.... Not a problem ever... Check Natchez for under $100 prices or sales... Also a great scope on 22's...
Cheers...
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  #21  
Old 09-25-2018, 7:38 PM
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Can't go wrong with eBay for an older Bushnell "Japan" scope selling well under $100.
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Old 10-17-2018, 4:18 PM
Alpha Male Alpha Male is offline
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thank you all . appreciate the info
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