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Discuss: Best Low Variable Tac Scopes UNDER $500 |
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shooter07
Optics Jedi Knight Shooting Sprout Joined: June/12/2010 Location: PA Status: Offline Points: 5120 |
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Posted: February/20/2012 at 09:50 |
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I got to thinking we could use some threads that discuss users opinions on scopes in different price brackets. I'll post different price levels for each thread.
We'll start off with all tactical scopes UNDER $500. Let's keep the discussion to only those scopes that fall under that price point and are low variable power (ie. 1-3-4x etc). This is a price range that most people fall under, especially these days with the economy being pretty stiff and money tight. If you don't have any experience with a certain optic, please don't pass judgement as i'm really looking to make these threads based on first handle knowledge for everyone who passes through and wants to get some insight on tactical scopes. At the very least you should have looked through a scope to have a legit opinion. Please keep everything civil and friendly, as i'm sure opinions will vary. Thanks, and let's start the discussions!
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Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum
"Issac Newton invented gravity because some asshole hit him with an apple" -Chris Moltisanti |
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koshkin
MODERATOR Dark Lord of Optics Joined: June/15/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13182 |
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Kickboxer
MODERATOR Moderator Joined: February/13/2008 Status: Offline Points: 23679 |
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I have this scope on my .375 H&H. Right at 60 rounds fired with no detriment to POI. Great scope for "snap shots", which is why I put it on the .375. It is a great hunting set up and everyone I've showed the CMR to has liked it. Nice reticle. Edited by Kickboxer - February/21/2012 at 08:28 |
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Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.
There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living |
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shooter07
Optics Jedi Knight Shooting Sprout Joined: June/12/2010 Location: PA Status: Offline Points: 5120 |
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Just found out via CFII today, that the above scope is being discontinued by Vortex. I was confused when i checked out Vortex's main website and saw that it wasn't listed. I asked Chris if it was on backorder but he made mention that it's being discontinued by Vortex (no real reason given). Ilya, not sure if you can garner more info but i know you actually like the HS version more than the PST. I'm wondering if they;re just rolling the scope back into the PST line....
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Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum
"Issac Newton invented gravity because some asshole hit him with an apple" -Chris Moltisanti |
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koshkin
MODERATOR Dark Lord of Optics Joined: June/15/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13182 |
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1-4x24 HS and PST scopes are essentially the same thing except the HS has covered knobs. The PST version of this scope also sneaks in under your $500 mark. ILya
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Urimaginaryfrnd
MODERATOR Resident Redneck Joined: June/20/2005 Location: Iowa Status: Offline Points: 14964 |
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for fifty over I like this
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"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do". Bobby Paul Doherty Texas Ranger |
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Sapper524
Optics Apprentice Joined: January/25/2010 Status: Offline Points: 218 |
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lumberjack149
Optics Apprentice Joined: December/04/2009 Location: Virginia Status: Offline Points: 110 |
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Yes, to answer this question.
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Urimaginaryfrnd
MODERATOR Resident Redneck Joined: June/20/2005 Location: Iowa Status: Offline Points: 14964 |
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May be its just my eyes but on a 1-4 scope I really dont see much need for a mil dot type reticle or adjustable knobs. I know on my SS 3-9x42 how small the reticle marks are at 3x so I really fail to see how someone could mil dot range find at 4x or below where at 6x it really starts being realistic and by 10x pretty darn good. And as much as I like adjustable target knobs having covered knobs on these low power variable makes huge sense to me. I really think a lot of thought went into the new 1-6 Super Sniper with its covered tactical knobs - pretty cool design. I find that I am not much of a 1-4x person although I do have two, one of which was a recent purchase Trijicon 1-4 red post.
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"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do". Bobby Paul Doherty Texas Ranger |
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shooter07
Optics Jedi Knight Shooting Sprout Joined: June/12/2010 Location: PA Status: Offline Points: 5120 |
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I agree 100% Wes. To me dialing is going to be minimal on a 1-4x power scope. I honestly don't care much for the T post reticle SWFA currently employs but that's just a personal preference. The donut makes a lot more sense to me for a CQB application at 1 or 2x. And with the pics that Jon A. has put up on the 1-6x we're seeing that the donut will actually disappear on 6x which is a tremendous upgrade.
I've pretty much convinced myself i'm going to wait until the 1-6x covered knob, donut reticle comes out to sink my money into an optic. I just don't see anyone being able to compete with SWFA when they'll likely come in at or under $1K.
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Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum
"Issac Newton invented gravity because some asshole hit him with an apple" -Chris Moltisanti |
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SVT_Tactical
MODERATOR Chief Sackscratch Joined: December/17/2009 Location: NorthCackalacky Status: Offline Points: 31233 |
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After using the Tpost and using it for a practice 3 gun run at a range, it quicker than one might think, instead of getting teh target in teh center of the target, get them between the three bold post and your doing the same thing. all personal preferance.
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shooter07
Optics Jedi Knight Shooting Sprout Joined: June/12/2010 Location: PA Status: Offline Points: 5120 |
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Hence my dilema when you offered up that 1-4x
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Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum
"Issac Newton invented gravity because some asshole hit him with an apple" -Chris Moltisanti |
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SVT_Tactical
MODERATOR Chief Sackscratch Joined: December/17/2009 Location: NorthCackalacky Status: Offline Points: 31233 |
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BeltFed
Optics Retard Joined: February/12/2008 Location: Ky Status: Offline Points: 22287 |
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For a Tac scope at or under 500, I agree with Sapper, but I also agree with Wes about the Mil dots in a 1-4x scope.
As for target turrets or capped turrets, I'm a little torn. I think the turrets on the new SWFA 1-6x is a good idea. While the turrets are capped you don't have to worry about your zero, but if you need to make an adjustment, you don't need tools.
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Life's concerns should be about the 120lb pack your trying to get to the top of the mountain, and not the rock in your boot.
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Sapper524
Optics Apprentice Joined: January/25/2010 Status: Offline Points: 218 |
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The deciding factor would be whats the application?
I like the mil reticle for the longer ... 400 and 500 yard shots. I can hold for the shots and hit 10x10 steel at 400 and 500 easy enough. Its not specifically a mildot for this application that I like but more just some hold points. I like the SS dounut reticle on 1x. The longer im in this game the more I hate batteries ... Im sure that having to pack around 6 different batteries for NVGs, Thermals, Aimpoints, Radios, blah blah blah in the Army has me SLIGHTLY jaded .... but thats just a theroy - YO TRIJICON ... Put a M4 RCO type reticle in the 1-4 scopes !!!!! Sorry those are in the $1000 and under thread ... same concept applies though. - I prefer the capped turrents to protect the knobs on a packin rifle for 3 gun and yotes, etc. In hind sight I wish had gone capped on my dounut 1-4 ss
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JonnieTyler
Optics GrassHopper Joined: July/17/2011 Status: Offline Points: 6 |
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I've got the SWFA 1-4x with mil-reticle. I don't use the reticle for ranging, but it's great for holdovers. For my 5.56 ammo, 18" bbl, my holdover at 300yd is 0.3 mil and at 350 yds it's 0.6 mil (I round off to 0.5). At 4X, determining a 0.5 mil holdover is easy, determining 0.3 mil is a little tougher, but doable. I use the scope mainly for 3-gun competitons and all the distances are known. Don't know off an illuminated 1-4x with mil-reticle (with 1 mil increment hashmarks) for under $500 though. Looking forward to the SWFA 1-6x with hashmarks at 0.5mil increments. |
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Urimaginaryfrnd
MODERATOR Resident Redneck Joined: June/20/2005 Location: Iowa Status: Offline Points: 14964 |
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At 6x Mil Dots and Tactical knobs begin to truely be useful and just about anything I could do with a 1-4x I can do better with a 6x :
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"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do". Bobby Paul Doherty Texas Ranger |
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JonnieTyler
Optics GrassHopper Joined: July/17/2011 Status: Offline Points: 6 |
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For 3-gun competition and CQB, 1-4X dominates a single power 6X scope. You're not getting a 1-6X for under $500. Maybe under $1000 when the SWFA 1-6X comes out. For the under $500 range, the Burris MTAC would be in the running for best variable power tac scope. Very popular with the budget-minded 3-gunner: http://swfa.com/Burris-MTAC-Rifle-Scopes-C3927.aspx |
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