OpticsTalk by SWFA, Inc. Homepage SWFA     SampleList.com
Forum Home Forum Home > Scopes > Tactical Scopes
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - $500 Tactical Scope Decision
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Visit the SWFA.com site to check out our current specials.

$500 Tactical Scope Decision

 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
bato762 View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper
Avatar

Joined: October/11/2007
Status: Offline
Points: 7
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bato762 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: $500 Tactical Scope Decision
    Posted: October/11/2007 at 09:19

Folks, I am buying a 24" Rock River Varmint upper for my AR-15.  I can afford, at most, $500 for a good scope.  I'd like to get a tactical scope with mil dots for distance shooting on targets and occasional varmints.  It will not be used in law enforcement, military, etc.  I'm looking at Burris, Millet, ATN, etc.  I'd like a variable power scope going above 12x and a 50mm objective to get more light.  I know my budget puts me in the mid-range and that there are higher-end scopes with better glass (USO, SB, etc.) but I need to compromise and buy what I can afford.  I'm looking for a good combination of visual quality, durability and reliability.

 

What would you recommend?  I'm open to suggestions on makes, models, etc.



Edited by bato762
Back to Top
cyborg View Drop Down
Optics God
Optics God
Avatar
Gaseous Clay

Joined: August/24/2007
Location: North Georgia
Status: Offline
Points: 12288
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cyborg Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/11/2007 at 09:34
burris, and Millett are good as is the elite 4200, nikon monarch gold, and the supersniper.
With Freedom comes great responsibility, you cannot have one without the other

An armed public are citizens. A disarmed public are subjects.

OATH KEEPER #8233 Support us, and join our cause.

Cyborg
Back to Top
bato762 View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper
Avatar

Joined: October/11/2007
Status: Offline
Points: 7
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bato762 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/11/2007 at 12:45

I've heard talk of Burris' recticles coming lose and other QC issues.  Is that more hype/griping or common?

Back to Top
cyborg View Drop Down
Optics God
Optics God
Avatar
Gaseous Clay

Joined: August/24/2007
Location: North Georgia
Status: Offline
Points: 12288
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cyborg Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/11/2007 at 12:56
No problems as yet with my brothers XTR, a friend of mine has a black diamond, none there as yet either. I like both scopes by the way. 
With Freedom comes great responsibility, you cannot have one without the other

An armed public are citizens. A disarmed public are subjects.

OATH KEEPER #8233 Support us, and join our cause.

Cyborg
Back to Top
bato762 View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper
Avatar

Joined: October/11/2007
Status: Offline
Points: 7
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bato762 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/11/2007 at 15:03
Thank you for your quick feedback Cyborg.
Back to Top
cyborg View Drop Down
Optics God
Optics God
Avatar
Gaseous Clay

Joined: August/24/2007
Location: North Georgia
Status: Offline
Points: 12288
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cyborg Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/11/2007 at 15:42
You're most welcome, you can research using the search function and find all sorts of opinions and experiences. I hope this helps, and best of luck to you.
With Freedom comes great responsibility, you cannot have one without the other

An armed public are citizens. A disarmed public are subjects.

OATH KEEPER #8233 Support us, and join our cause.

Cyborg
Back to Top
PolarBearBait View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper
Avatar

Joined: May/03/2007
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 12
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote PolarBearBait Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/12/2007 at 01:27
ACK  Remove ATN from your list!!!
 
David
Back to Top
bato762 View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper
Avatar

Joined: October/11/2007
Status: Offline
Points: 7
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bato762 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/12/2007 at 06:26
Will do PolarBear.  I see their stuff but virtually never hear people talk about them.  I take it you had a bad experience?
Back to Top
cyborg View Drop Down
Optics God
Optics God
Avatar
Gaseous Clay

Joined: August/24/2007
Location: North Georgia
Status: Offline
Points: 12288
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cyborg Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/12/2007 at 06:48

ATN is really poor in several areas, chiefly cs and qc. you may or may not get a good one.

Ask yourself Do ya feel lucky?

With Freedom comes great responsibility, you cannot have one without the other

An armed public are citizens. A disarmed public are subjects.

OATH KEEPER #8233 Support us, and join our cause.

Cyborg
Back to Top
PolarBearBait View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper
Avatar

Joined: May/03/2007
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 12
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote PolarBearBait Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/12/2007 at 08:22
Originally posted by bato762 bato762 wrote:

Will do PolarBear.  I see their stuff but virtually never hear people talk about them.  I take it you had a bad experience?
 
I got lucky and never bought one since I saw two friends throw their money away on them and curse the day they ever bought products from ATN.
 
David
Back to Top
Graysteel View Drop Down
Optics Apprentice
Optics Apprentice
Avatar

Joined: October/02/2007
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 200
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Graysteel Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/12/2007 at 13:50

Also, you might want to check out a Sightron 4-16x42 SII Riflescope 

http://www.swfa.com/c-1514-sightron-sii-riflescopes.aspx

I bought a couple of them a long while back, not bad scopes, really bright.
Back to Top
bato762 View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper
Avatar

Joined: October/11/2007
Status: Offline
Points: 7
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bato762 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/12/2007 at 16:49
Thank you Graysteel, I will.
Back to Top
yotekllr View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper
Avatar

Joined: September/27/2007
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 1
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote yotekllr Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/13/2007 at 01:12

I recieved my Millett 4 days ago and replaced the burris XTR 3-12 have fired 125 rnd to 300 so far so good exept the illume is not near the the burris quality, don't get me wrong its definetly not bad butttttttttttt.  much light comes throught thats not supposed too on every thing but the NV setting.  shot one box that was good but had problems with #2 and have too load more rnds.  Millett I think is worth - 400 over my XTR.

Back to Top
bato762 View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper
Avatar

Joined: October/11/2007
Status: Offline
Points: 7
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bato762 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/14/2007 at 16:52

Wow.  ATN is absolutely off the list.  Thank you for all the feedback on them guys.

 

As an alternative to the Millett TRS-1, has anyone tried the Millett BK30738?  It seems to have some great specs and I can live without illumination on the recticle.  The majority of my shooting is daytime.  Rarely at dust (like a few times in 40 years rare).



Edited by bato762
Back to Top
army_eod View Drop Down
Optics Journeyman
Optics Journeyman
Avatar

Joined: May/03/2006
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 448
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote army_eod Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/15/2007 at 03:53

For the .223, get the IOR 6x42 fixed mentioned in some other threads here.  No, it is not variable, but it blows most other 12X scopes away anyway.  You really must try one out.  I am saying this from experience.

 

You ain't shooting any 600 yard targets with reliability with the .223 anyway.  The IOR is good from 50 yds to 1000.  I could easily hit a stop sign with my .308 using this scope.

 

It is tactical and bulletproof.  Weighs 16 ounces and can be found for $500.00.  And check out the MP-8 reticle.  Much better than a mildot.  Basically a tactical milling reticle.

 

If you are military, you can get a screaming discount from Leupold.  That is another story.



Edited by army_eod
Princes and governments are far more dangerous than other elements within society.

Niccolo Machiavelli
Back to Top
bato762 View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper
Avatar

Joined: October/11/2007
Status: Offline
Points: 7
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bato762 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/15/2007 at 16:24
Thank you for the info Army_EOD.
Back to Top
cyborg View Drop Down
Optics God
Optics God
Avatar
Gaseous Clay

Joined: August/24/2007
Location: North Georgia
Status: Offline
Points: 12288
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cyborg Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/16/2007 at 06:59
Originally posted by bato762 bato762 wrote:

Wow.  ATN is absolutely off the list.  Thank you for all the feedback on them guys.

 

As an alternative to the Millett TRS-1, has anyone tried the Millett BK30738?  It seems to have some great specs and I can live without illumination on the recticle.  The majority of my shooting is daytime.  Rarely at dust (like a few times in 40 years rare).

I've looked through the scopes in question, I own a TRS-1, I can tell you that atleast from my comparison The TRS uses better glass.

Maybe that has changed recently. If ya wanna know check the Millett thread, and PM KBOWZL, He can give you the straight scoop.

With Freedom comes great responsibility, you cannot have one without the other

An armed public are citizens. A disarmed public are subjects.

OATH KEEPER #8233 Support us, and join our cause.

Cyborg
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.01
Copyright ©2001-2018 Web Wiz Ltd.

This page was generated in 0.520 seconds.