best bang for the buck for a AR Optic?

I have a StrikeFire on my daughters JR 9mm Carbine. It works well, we haven't noticed it being dim or fuzzy but it is heavier and takes up a lot more space than the SPARC. In hindsight for her it would have been much better to get the SPARC (had it been available to us) for that reason alone.
 
Here is something that might be within your range.

BURRIS AR-536™ Prism Sight

“Bigger and badder” is the best way to describe the AR-536 which sets a new standard for tactical prism sight performance. Its 5x magnification makes it easier to find and engage targets out to 600 yards, while the larger 36mm objective delivers brighter, crisper images. Burris’ proven Ballistic/CQ™ lighted reticle is ideal for tactical operations or friendly competition. Shooters can choose the high contrast black reticle, or select red or green depending upon the situation. Five different illumination settings make it easy to match any light condition.

This ruggedly built optic will stand up to recoil, abuse and weather. Key features include multi-coated lenses, adjustable diopter, integrated lens covers and three Picatinny rail mounting points. Remove the bottom rail mount and it can be readily mounted to an AR carry handle. It is ready for the range right out of the box. One-Year Warranty. Battery type - CR2032.

For more info, check the link below.

http://www.burrisoptics.com/ar536.html

I run the 536 and it's great. I had the option of the 332 but decided that since I do most of my shooting at 100 yards the 5x is much nicer. I threw a spare NC Star pistol laser onto one of the side rails if it ever came to a CQB situation there would be an easy way to aquire the target.
Highly recommend this, here is what I was able to do at 100 yards with it

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I really liked my Burris AR-332 (recently sold) it was a good medium range compromise. However I now have a Burris Fastfire red dot on my 10.5" upper and a Millet 1-4X with Burris PEPR mount on the 16" upper. I like the wide field of view with the Fastfire at close range (both eyes open) and the increased magnification of the Millet. I had a Vortex Strikefire red dot, previously, that really did not provide a good field of view.

I think a great combination would be a Burris 536 (for long range) and a 45 degree offset iron sight for closer work. Another option would be a 45 degree offset Fastfire. I have been impressed with the value/quality of the Burris sights I own. Most of us who just take our restricted to the range don't really need the professional quality Trijicon/Elcan, etc.
 
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I think a great combination would be a Burris 536 (for long range) and a 45 degree offset iron sight for closer work. Another option would be a 45 degree offset Fastfire. I have been impressed with the value/quality of the Burris sights I own. Most of us who just take our restricted to the range don't really need the professional quality Trijicon/Elcan, etc.

the 536 has rails on it so you could mount a FasFire on top or either side of the 536 which saves extra rails if you wanted
 
millett dms 1-4x24 $269, good bang for your buck!
Ditto here. For a rifle that the Govt nuetered and can't be (legally) seeing more than range use, I sold my ACOG and Leupold Tacticle scopes. After a while I decided to put glass back on and for the price (under $300) I also chose a Millett DMS 1-4x24. Works fine and the illuminated donut/dot reticle is cool for beginners too.

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And mounted on a Stag 15 AR
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Another nod to the AR332.
The reticle is always there in black and also ill;uminates in both red and green.
Fixed three power is a good magnification without getting lost.
The horseshoe cicle focuses the eye like a red dot for faster responsive type of work like cqb while the reticle pattern still gives the ability to work out to five or six hundred.
Good eye relief.
It comes ready to mount to either a flat top or a handle rail.

It is a great bargain.
 
I was in the same position a while ago. Wanstalls has a 1-4 scope by Hi-Lux (the old Leatherwood company that made the ART's for the vietnam era snipers) in that $400 range. Etched reticle, and illuminated. Put it in a P.E.P.R mount from P & D and it's done it's job for the last couple years. I personally couldn't find a better value for the money.
 
Another nod to the AR332.
The reticle is always there in black and also ill;uminates in both red and green.
Fixed three power is a good magnification without getting lost.
The horseshoe cicle focuses the eye like a red dot for faster responsive type of work like cqb while the reticle pattern still gives the ability to work out to five or six hundred.
Good eye relief.
It comes ready to mount to either a flat top or a handle rail.

It is a great bargain.

You found the eye relief good on the AR-332? I found the opposite.
I had a Millett DMS mounted on my AR but had been reading good things about the AR-332 so I picked one up. To get the proper eye relief I can't have my stock extended all the way (I have to have it 2 clicks forward), I found this to be slightly uncomfortable and have since switched back to the Millett.

I have a Vortex Sparc on my SR-22 and love it on that rifle.
 
Lawn Gnome ... I like what I have heard about the scope (AR 223 PCL) but I dont care for the handle up top .
Only the PCL model has that illuminated reticle pattern the one with no handle doesnt have it.
 
I own one of these burris ar 332. The only things i do not like about it; the bdc reticle dot system. Lack of windage marks and dialing in you wind seem like a pain. But that can be dealt with by experience and getting to know it. The mount seem poorly designed. They should only sell them with the quickmount they have available for it. And the made in china sticker. beyond that its a solid optic.

Im looking for something better. The elcans are all 1 moa adjustments i believe so that is a huge turn off for a 1g+ scope. Im thinking acog but im not sure they have the equipment layout that i like. Some of the options im seeing so far in this thread appeals to me
 
I see you edited the original post, and now want red dot and scope info. I am learning about scope as I dont have one, but can offer red dot advice of what I own

bushnell TRS very compact and decent red dot, about $125
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vortex strikefire: rugged and canadian made (good warranty), included 2x magnifier (its ok only), but it is a bit bulky, about $199
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vortex sparc: similar to strikefire, but much more compact, about $220
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lucd HD7: this is currently on my AR15, rugged/waterproof, 4 reticule options, threaded for magnifier (sold separately), no end caps though, about $299
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of course after this you are getting into aimpoint, eotech, etc which go for ~$600 ish
 
Just hit MilArm and P&D and Cabela's and couldn't find any Burris products at all.

Was pretty disappointed with all the stuff I saw. Even had a empty credit card to boot!
 
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Well, as I previously stated I tried the Burris AR-332 on my AR and didn't like so I stuck with the Millet 1-4x DMS.

Dilema - I had an AR-332 sitting on the bench all sad and lonley.

Solution - I dropped a XCR-L (.223) under it. Perfect fit!!!! Now everybody is happy (except my bank account and wife but that's normal).
 
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