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Discuss: Best Low Variable Tac Scopes UNDER $500

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shooter07 View Drop Down
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    Posted: February/20/2012 at 09:50
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! Big Grin
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/20/2012 at 13:38
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/20/2012 at 14:24
 
 
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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote shooter07 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/20/2012 at 14:40
Originally posted by koshkin koshkin wrote:

http://swfa.com/Vortex-1-4x24-Viper-HS-30mm-Rifle-Scope-P48290.aspx
 
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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/20/2012 at 16:24
Originally posted by shooter07 shooter07 wrote:

Originally posted by koshkin koshkin wrote:

http://swfa.com/Vortex-1-4x24-Viper-HS-30mm-Rifle-Scope-P48290.aspx
 
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....

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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/20/2012 at 16:47
for fifty over I like this
Trijicon 1.25-4x24 Accu-Point Rifle Scope Amber Triangle Trijicon 1.25-4x24 Accu-Point Rifle Scope
Stock # - TR21
  • Matte
  • Amber Triangle
  • 1"
  • Discontinued closeout price
    $549.95   

     
    Trijicon 1.25-4x24 Accu-Point Rifle Scope Green Triangle Trijicon 1.25-4x24 Accu-Point Rifle Scope
    Stock # - TR21G
    • Matte
    • Green Triangle
    • 1"
    • Discontinued closeout price
      $549.95

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      Sapper524 View Drop Down
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      Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sapper524 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/20/2012 at 17:20
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      Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote lumberjack149 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/21/2012 at 08:14
      Originally posted by shooter07 shooter07 wrote:

      I'm wondering if they;re just rolling the scope back into the PST line.... 

      Yes, to answer this question. 
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      Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/21/2012 at 09:39
      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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      Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote shooter07 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/21/2012 at 09:48
      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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      Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SVT_Tactical Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/21/2012 at 09:52
      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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      Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote shooter07 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/21/2012 at 09:58
      Hence my dilema when you offered up that 1-4x Wink
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      Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SVT_Tactical Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/21/2012 at 10:26
      Originally posted by shooter07 shooter07 wrote:

      Hence my dilema when you offered up that 1-4x Wink
      Now its posted for allBig Grin
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      Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BeltFed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/21/2012 at 10:38
      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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      Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sapper524 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/21/2012 at 12:14
      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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      Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JonnieTyler Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/27/2012 at 13:28
      Originally posted by Urimaginaryfrnd Urimaginaryfrnd wrote:

      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...


      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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      Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/27/2012 at 19:00
      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 :
      SWFA SS 6x42 Tactical Riflescope SWFA SS 6x42 Tactical Riflescope
      Stock # - SS6X42
      • Matte
      • Mil-Dot
      • 30mm
      • Rear Focus
      • OK for .50 cal
      • 1/4 MOA
      $299.95 
      Well this is not a variable but its AWESOME in low light:
      Leupold 6x42 FX-3 Riflescope Heavy Duplex Leupold 6x42 FX-3 Riflescope
      Stock # - LEU66810
      $399.95 

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      Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JonnieTyler Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/27/2012 at 21:41
      Originally posted by Urimaginaryfrnd Urimaginaryfrnd wrote:

      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 :



      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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