Budget LPVO recommendations please
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Category: Scopes
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Forum Description: Police and military tools of the trade
URL: http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=46134
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Topic: Budget LPVO recommendations please
Posted By: ATEXAN
Subject: Budget LPVO recommendations please
Date Posted: January/30/2020 at 22:45
| I am new to the LPVO scene and and would like to get the most rugged/reliable 1-6 or 1-8 as possible. Just got a 10.5" 7.62x39 upper and want to go with a smaller scope for night hunting and target shooting. So far I'm leaning towards the Burris rt-6 but like the idea of a 1-8 since I do a lot of target shooting. Budget is under $400 but would also like to get recommendations for the under $300 and under $200 range. |
Replies:
Posted By: Rancid Coolaid
Date Posted: January/31/2020 at 09:03
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SWFA makes a 1-4 that squeaks in under $400. For the money, it is a reliable scope, turrets aren't bad, reticle isn't bad, it does eat batteries - or mine does. Dropping below $400, I have found nothing in a 1-4 or comparable that I like. On the "less than $200", I wouldn't do it. Get a decent (or good used) red dot and call it good. If you are an occasional shooter or this is a safe queen, optic quality doesn't matter as much. If you plan to shoot in any volume, consider holding out a bit longer for a better optic. I would say $400 is about the floor for decent stuff in the market. And don't forget the mount. Is your upper an AR/AK hybrid or other? ------------- Freedom is something you take. Respect is something you earn. Equality is something you whine about not being given. |
Posted By: RifleDude
Date Posted: January/31/2020 at 10:11
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Welcome to OT, Texan! I'm pretty familiar with your neck of the woods, and believe every Texan who enjoys fine BBQ owes it to themselves to make a trip over to Snow's BBQ! I agree with RC. You're going to have a tough time finding anything worth buying in your stated budget. Unfortunately, when you go beyond a 4:1 zoom range (1-4X, 2-8X, etc.), that extra zoom comes at a high price. When you go to 8:1 zoom...significantly higher price tag. When combining a high zoom ratio with low retail price, serious concessions have to be made, and the resulting optic is typically not very good. At $400 and below, you're better off staying with a 1-4X. Bushnell (AR), Vortex (Strike Eagle), Falcon, and maybe a couple others offer 1-8X24s for a shade under $400. I've not seen the Falcon or that particular Bushnell scope, but I don't care for the Vortex Strike Eagle series at all. The biggest problem you will face with a LPVO with 1X on the bottom is finding one that's truly 1X for "both eyes open" shooting and doesn't tunnel significantly. ------------- Ted Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle. |
Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: January/31/2020 at 10:25
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Did someone say BBQ? I am in. As far as scopes go, under $400 your best bet is indeed Burris RT-6, although I have been looking at SwampFox Arrowhead 1-10x24 and it is a surprisingly decent scope. I think it is a little beyond your price range, but if you are really looking for more magnification in a LPVO, the Arrowhead is the only budget option that seems decent to me. With the 1-6x24, aside from RT-6, new Delta Optics Hornet 1-6x24 is looking pretty good. In lower price ranges, stick with tried and proven 1-4x24 scopes like SWFA's: https://www.samplelist.com/swfa-ss-1-4x24-riflescope-demo-b-1.html?___SID=U - https://www.samplelist.com/swfa-ss-1-4x24-riflescope-demo-b-1.html?___SID=U and Hi-Lux CMR 1-4x24 Since you are shooting 7.62x39, all the 5.56 BDCs out there are not terribly useful, but CMR1 is available with an AK reticle that is perfectly usable. I have one and like it. https://www.swfa.com/leatherwood-1-4x24-cmr1-30mm-rifle-scope.html - https://www.swfa.com/leatherwood-1-4x24-cmr1-30mm-rifle-scope.html ILya ------------- http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com https://odysee.com/@DarkLordOfOptics - Odyssee Video Channel |
Posted By: Rancid Coolaid
Date Posted: January/31/2020 at 10:43
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Koshkin, tell me about the swampfox - scope and company. If you will. ------------- Freedom is something you take. Respect is something you earn. Equality is something you whine about not being given. |
Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: January/31/2020 at 11:04
SwampFox is a house brand of a good size Chinese OEM. The owner of the company is American, I think. All their stuff is made in China, but by them, so they have good control of the process. I know what they have made for several of their clients and historically, while unglamorous, their products were fairly durable. They seem to be making a good step forward now and they claim to be really focusing on making sure their stuff does not fall apart as the first priority. The guy in charge of their marketing in the US is Mike Branson (used to work for PA) and he is a pretty straightforward guy with a good grasp of what is important. In other words, I am cautiously optimistic. I talk to Mike occasionally and talked to the owner of the company at SHOT. They are moving upmarket a little with the upcoming Warhawk scopes and seem to be doing so in an intelligent manner. Arrowhead is not for you, probably, but it looks very good for the money. Warhawk, when it gets here, might be worth a look. They had 5-40x56 and 2-10x44 prototypes at SHOT and I really liked what I saw. ILya ------------- http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com https://odysee.com/@DarkLordOfOptics - Odyssee Video Channel |
Rancid Coolaid wrote:Posted By: Rancid Coolaid
Date Posted: January/31/2020 at 11:59
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It appears there are several good options coming to market shortly, my hope is that at least one company gets it right. Their website appears - to me, at least - to play to the "veteran-owned" crowd while not saying it explicitly. I appreciate the details, I'll keep searching for the unicorn. ------------- Freedom is something you take. Respect is something you earn. Equality is something you whine about not being given. |
Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: January/31/2020 at 12:18
What is it that you are searching for exactly? I am kinda up to speed on most things coming up in the optics world. ILya ------------- http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com https://odysee.com/@DarkLordOfOptics - Odyssee Video Channel |
Posted By: Rancid Coolaid
Date Posted: January/31/2020 at 12:38
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To the original poster, sorry to derail, or partially derail; but: I want a 1-8 or 1-10 with true 1X, no tunneling, very well defined "red dot-type" aiming point at 1X, and mil-based reticle, and no fisheye effect at magnification. Capped turrets are best, size and weight in line with other comparable offerings is good enough. A large ocular - similar to Razor 1-6 - is ideal, throw lever is a plus, unless someone figures out the ergonomics of a good power ring that moves when needed and doesn't when not. The spare battery compartments on the SWFAs is a great idea, that too would be a nice addition, but not a demand. It needs to function flawlessly on an AR platform, most preferably an AR10. At present, the best fit is a 2-10 or 3-9 with offset red dot. Ideally, all that would be one optical platform. It need not have awesome low light capabilities, so the 24mm objective is fine. The primary demands are at the very top and very bottom of the mag range, so it needs to do exceedingly well at the ends, the middle is just marginally useful. The closest thing I have found to perfect out now is the Vortex Razor 1-6. That said, I haven't torture-tested anything else. I've run several 1-4s and always wanted a good 1-8 or 1-10, but the pick'ins are slim. The true 1X seems to be the real problem. ------------- Freedom is something you take. Respect is something you earn. Equality is something you whine about not being given. |
Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: January/31/2020 at 16:57
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It sounds like you want the new Razor Gen 3 1-10x24. I'll let you know how I like it when it gets here. ILya ------------- http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com https://odysee.com/@DarkLordOfOptics - Odyssee Video Channel |
Posted By: Rancid Coolaid
Date Posted: January/31/2020 at 17:12
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Yea, my assessment as well. Was hoping someone would compete with them on it, but I guess not. Maybe the Nightforce. Maybe. ------------- Freedom is something you take. Respect is something you earn. Equality is something you whine about not being given. |
Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: January/31/2020 at 18:07
I will also be testing S&B 1-8x24 Short Dot at the same time. I do not think you will like the price very much, but it is an exceedingly nice scopes. I like the MDR-T6 reticle though. ILya ------------- http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com https://odysee.com/@DarkLordOfOptics - Odyssee Video Channel |
Posted By: ATEXAN
Date Posted: January/31/2020 at 18:54
| I tend to agree on staying away from the less than $200 as I had to send a 3-9x50 Crossfire II that I had on my 6.8 back twice. Once for debris showing up in the reticle and the other time for it shifting on me. It will be shot a lot as I have a range out my back porch and two stands on my little spread. So it definitely won't be a safe queen. Magnification is a must though. Snow's bbq is awesome as well. Once the kids are out of school I definitely plan on stepping to the $1k range but that will be a while. Right now really just need durability that I can depend on. |
Posted By: ATEXAN
Date Posted: January/31/2020 at 18:56
| Thanks for the welcome. I've been lurking/using ot in my research for years but figured being a member would end up costing me too much. |
Posted By: ATEXAN
Date Posted: January/31/2020 at 18:59
| Y'all went to S&B in a budget optics post. Lol. Only can afford S&B ammo here |
Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: January/31/2020 at 21:40
That didn't take long, did it? If you can stuck to your $400 budget, RT-6 and Delta Hornet will work well for you. ILya ------------- http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com https://odysee.com/@DarkLordOfOptics - Odyssee Video Channel |
Posted By: Scrumbag
Date Posted: February/01/2020 at 04:33
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For night work I might advocate a bigger objective ------------- Was sure I had a point when I started this post... |
Posted By: ATEXAN
Date Posted: February/01/2020 at 09:59
| Thanks guys going to look into the delta hornet as well. I would love a bigger objective but don't want a scope longer than my 10.5" upper. I like 50mm objectives normally but this one needs a short scope. |
Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: February/01/2020 at 12:22
If you do not need 1x, there are other options that might work better for you, like some sort of 4x prismatic scope. Those usually have larger objectives and they are short. Finding a good one for $400 is a little tricky, but if you can find a deal on Crimson Trace 3.5x Battlesight, it is worth a look. This one is on sale and worth a look: https://www.swfa.com/burris-300178-ar-536-combo-with-fastfire-iii-5x-36mm-obj-illuminated-ballistic-cq-red-green-black-matte-cr2032-lithium.html?___SID=U - https://www.swfa.com/burris-300178-ar-536-combo-with-fastfire-iii-5x-36mm-obj-illuminated-ballistic-cq-red-green-black-matte-cr2032-lithium.html?___SID=U There are others of 3x, 4x and 5x variety. ILya ------------- http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com https://odysee.com/@DarkLordOfOptics - Odyssee Video Channel |
Posted By: ATEXAN
Date Posted: February/02/2020 at 21:45
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Would the ar 536 be more durable than the rt-6 since it is a prismatic scope with less parts? I really like fixed power scopes as well because I can get more glass for my money and I usually set my scopes on the power I like and leave them anyway. Also, I couldn't find the delta hornet 1-6. Just the titanium and it's about double my budget.
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Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: February/07/2020 at 10:13
Both are well built scopes, so I do not think you will see any practical durability difference. Delta Hornet is very new. They are probably not widely available yet. ILya ------------- http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com https://odysee.com/@DarkLordOfOptics - Odyssee Video Channel |
Posted By: DCAMM94
Date Posted: February/07/2020 at 10:22
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I just got the AR-536 that Ilya linked to to go on my DDM4 Pistol. Should arrive early next week from the good folks that run this site from down US287 a ways. Debating whether to mount the fastfire on the 536 or putting it on as a direct mount to my new MkIV Ruger. I have one on my MkII and love it. Can't beat that deal. I can't speak to it's usefulness, but I've had good luck with Burris in the past. ------------- Although personally I am quite content with existing explosives, I feel we must not stand in the path of improvement. -Winston Churchill |
Posted By: ATEXAN
Date Posted: February/17/2020 at 23:17
| Let me know what you think about that 536 when you get it up and running. Thanks for all your help Ilya. What is there to know about that Delta Hornet? I would have already bought the rt-6 but life happened. I'm about to make the purchase again though. |
Posted By: SgtDog0311
Date Posted: February/18/2021 at 12:34
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"In lower price ranges, stick with tried and proven 1-4x24 scopes like SWFA's: https://www.samplelist.com/swfa-ss-1-4x24-riflescope-demo-b-1.html?___SID=U - https://www.sam... " Thanks for the link Ilya, was considering the SWFA SS 1-4 but found an SWFA 1-6 HD at the link and stretched the wallet a bit. Being as new to this as the OP - deciding was driving me crazy. ------------- Best Regards, John |
Posted By: ATEXAN
Date Posted: February/18/2021 at 13:38
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Update: I've had the Burris Rt-6 for about a year now. It came with the Burris P.E.P.R mount for under $400 after taxes and everything. This scope has done everything I've asked of it and more. Even left on low and put back in safe it was still illuminating when retrieved. It works at all temps even when coming out of warm house to cold outdoor temps. This is my bump in the night/home hog rifle and it works every time. Thanks for the help. The only thing I would prefer is a single illuminated dot like my 3-9x50 crossfire II had but that one was not reliable enough to count on. Thanks for the help
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Posted By: ATEXAN
Date Posted: February/18/2021 at 13:45
| Going to build another 6.8 once the barrel I prefer becomes available. Thinking of a 3-9 or 4-12 VXR. I like those because of the single dot. And that magnification range for hunting use out to 300 yards which is the mpbr of my hand loaded ammo. A fixed 10x or 12x would be ideal but illumination is necessary because most of our hunting is at night with rail mounted flashlights but we shoot during day a lot as well. |
Posted By: Clunz
Date Posted: January/08/2022 at 14:33
Does anyone here know anything about this one?Sig Sauer Tango MSR Rifle Scope 30mm Tube 1-6x 24mm 1/2 MOA Adjustments Illuminated MSR BDC6 Reticle with Cantilever Picatinny-Style Mount Black------------- Chris L |
Posted By: Urimaginaryfrnd
Date Posted: January/08/2022 at 21:41
No but I just sent a Bushnell 1-4 back to Bushnell, I had two of them one works the other not so much you get a choice at 100 yds either the reticle is fuzzy and the target in focus or the target is fuzzy and the reticle sharp .... never both but I know is their fault cause the other same model scope works fine.  ------------- "Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do". Bobby Paul Doherty Texas Ranger |