High Power Scope options under $500 for a DDV7...

Curious what type of shooting you plan to do with this rifle? Slow, methodical, precision stuff or more action shooting oriented?

I'm planning on taking my time from the bench and while standing to see what I'm capable of with this rifle with open sights up to 100Yds. and with a scope from the bench at distances up to 300Yds. I may get involved with some type of CQ-B drills or competitions to keep skills up, however that would be done with open sights most likely. I will be looking into a scope mount that can be removed and re-attached simply that will still keep zero, the LaRue brand comes to mind IIRC. I really just want to see how accurate I can be (any sight/optic can group well if the shooter is consistently capable of shooting) I hope to be able to hit small targets from 25Yds. to 100Yds. and produce accurate shoots on slightly larger targets at 100Yds. to 300Yds.

I choose the DDV7 because it was the best AR rifle (IMO) for my budget (I had an Armalite on Lay-a-way for $1,199 until the latest sale appeared). Due to budget constraints it will be my one center-fire rifle therefore no other option or desire to own a bolt gun for better accuracy at this time. I'm not so concerned with the best accuracy (as I realize a good bolt gun will do much better), all I want to know is exactly how good MY accuracy will be with this rifle.

I recognize that higher magnification shows more movement when acquiring the target, but once you master those skills (and I do recognize this will take significant practice/trigger time) am I wrong in thinking a higher power scope would be more beneficial to being able to place the round exactly where I want it? It just seems to me that if I can zero-in on my target more acutely I should therefore be more able to hit exactly what I'm aiming for (all things being equal regarding trigger pull, breathing and sighting etc. etc.). Saying that I'm not looking for the most powerful scope in the world, but since I've not used anymore then a 3-9 power before I was thinking maybe a 4-16 or 6-20 possibly a 6-24 at most.
The more I read about firearms and optics the more I realize how much information there is to learn, having the fine members of GUNNUTZ assist me in this endeavour often times accelerates the learning process.

Thanks for your input Bolivar it is appreciated.
 
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Some of the F-class shooters are going away from max magnification I understand so they can have a wider field of view and see wind indicators. Wind isn't a HUGE deal at 300 but you are best to pay attention to it. Another skill/art that I have yet to get even a little good at.

I think at a budget of $500 you are going to hard pressed to get good quality and high magnification. For what you describe, the Bushnell fixed 10x will do for bench shooting to 300 and be well under your budget, as suggested by a member previously.

Dry fire practice costs nothing but time, and can be done with irons at home.
 
http://www.millettsights.com/scopes/trs/

http://www.lebaron.ca/pdf_files_fall12/simmons_millett.pdf


millett are good and in the price range your looking for plus there tacticool

Sorry, but in my opinion the only thing a Millett has going for it is the Bushnell warranty. I've had 2 of them and they both had problems. When I got a brand new one from Bushnell to replace my TRS-1 I sold it before even opening the box. They are at best on par with a Bushnell 4200 series for clarity but built cheaper.

OP, If you want a little more than a 1-4 I would look at a 2-7, I have a Burris 2-7 and it is a pretty good little optic but I wouldn't use it for any CQB type stuff.
I really think a Sightron 1-7 is the best solution to your needs, it is a true 1x at the bottom end and Sightron have excellent glass. I would use the irons for a couple more months while you save up some more money and then give Jerry at Mystic a call.
If you buy a cheap optic you will just end up replacing it later anyway. Better to wait a little longer and be happy with what you get than to buy what you can afford now then replace it later.
With a higher quality optic you don't need as much magnification because the image is much sharper making it easier to see the target in better detail at longer distance.
I had a Bushnell 2.5-16 Elite 6500 and sold it in a few months because it was not clear and crisp. I couldn't stand looking through it after using my Sightron.
 
With a higher quality optic you don't need as much magnification because the image is much sharper making it easier to see the target in better detail at longer distance.

I had a Bushnell 2.5-16 Elite 6500 and sold it in a few months because it was not clear and crisp. I couldn't stand looking through it after using my Sightron.


The Info regarding quality magnification and a sharper image is exactly the kind of quality intel. I'm looking for. Thanks cr5.

Good to know as I was looking at that model of Bushnell, I will be waiting a little longer for more info. and to save more funds probably up to $1,000 with taxes.
 
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for hundred dollars more you could get one of these
h p://www.meoptasportsoptics.com/shop/us/4-12x50/MeoPro-4-12x50/ctgRus.html

i have one on my HKsl8 and been shooting at 25yds no problem and scope is good out to 400yds if not further.
 
try a Nikon m-223 in the 2-8 model. worked great on my old gun. prophet river is where I got mine.

I have and still do use this with great success. It's about as big as I'd go on an AR. I'm starting to find that it's holding me back for 3 Gun however. It was absolutely fantastic for service rifle out to 500 yards, however, a lot of the time I found myself running it around 5X, which is why I'm very interested in the new XTR II coming from Burris.

I'm definitely moving away from the Nikon though, as, the BDC reticle is just way too busy for 3 Gun, and I'd like something illuminated as well.
 
If you are going to consider higher quality optics - you HAVE to consider Trijicon. I just put a 1-4X on my Tavor with the tritium triangle reticle...and that is the BEST glass I have ever put on ANY gun I have ever owned. I say that having experience with Leupold, Swarovski and Zeiss. (I'd be curious to see where Nightforce would fall in my version of the hierarchy but they carry prices that make ME gag).

I used to believe that if you were doing load testing at the bench you HAD to have at least a 3-9X...but after the Trijicon it just isn't so. Don't just try the scopes in the store - make the gun counter clerk bring a few outside and THEN compare them. I found it made a difference.
 
If you are going to consider higher quality optics - you HAVE to consider Trijicon. I just put a 1-4X on my Tavor with the tritium triangle reticle...and that is the BEST glass I have ever put on ANY gun I have ever owned. I say that having experience with Leupold, Swarovski and Zeiss. (I'd be curious to see where Nightforce would fall in my version of the hierarchy but they carry prices that make ME gag).

I used to believe that if you were doing load testing at the bench you HAD to have at least a 3-9X...but after the Trijicon it just isn't so. Don't just try the scopes in the store - make the gun counter clerk bring a few outside and THEN compare them. I found it made a difference.

Nightforce is a little brighter but they are both very clear. I have a NF 5.5-22x56 and a Trijicon 5-20x50 and I can tell the difference between them but I'm not sure the slight increase in quality is worth double the price.
You're 100% right about taking them outside though. You can't really tell much in a store at 20 yards looking at a wall or out a window.
 
How would you rate them for robustness of construction, CR? That might have something to do with the increased prices too, maybe...

You could use the scope to build a fence with a Nightforce NXS, the Trijicon seems like it would be quite tough but I would treat the other brands like a Leupold, well built but not built to take a lot of abuse.
 
You could use the scope to build a fence with a Nightforce NXS, the Trijicon seems like it would be quite tough but I would treat the other brands like a Leupold, well built but not built to take a lot of abuse.

I've always found Nightforce a little expensive (for me) and very heavy, but I suppose the weight (overbuilt) is one of the reasons why they have a good reputation for taking abuse and as for the price I've met very competent long range shooters that swear by them as being the only scope they will use ("you get what you pay for" seems to be ringing true with optics).
I don't like the idea of spending more on optics then on the actual rifle (DDV7=$1,200+), however if it is what is necessary to find a scope that does what I want then so be it (saying that I'm still going to try and keep it under $1,000 if possible).

Thanks to those that replied, I'm going to $ave and research for another month and will update when I'm getting closer to making a choice...
 
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If you are going to consider higher quality optics - you HAVE to consider Trijicon. I just put a 1-4X on my Tavor with the tritium triangle reticle...and that is the BEST glass I have ever put on ANY gun I have ever owned. I say that having experience with Leupold, Swarovski and Zeiss. (I'd be curious to see where Nightforce would fall in my version of the hierarchy but they carry prices that make ME gag).

I used to believe that if you were doing load testing at the bench you HAD to have at least a 3-9X...but after the Trijicon it just isn't so. Don't just try the scopes in the store - make the gun counter clerk bring a few outside and THEN compare them. I found it made a difference.

What version of zeiss did you compare? The Victory Diavari is better quality than Trijicon.
 
Okay all you Gunnutz that were good enough to take the time and respond to my thread, it's time again to give me some more feedback on a purchase I recently made.

So due to personal health issues I have not yet taken my DDV7 to the range for some fun and ammunition evaluations. I'm hoping that will change this month and to help assist in that endeavour I purchased a Vortex 4-16x44 VMR-1 (moa) scope. My reasons for the Vortex in this power versus the 1-4x power traditional AR scope which many you all recommended are this.

1.) Vortex scopes come with an excellent warranty (I'm generally hard on things, yes even a range rifle) and this scope is generally kept in stock where I live making warranty replacement easy (even if the need is unlikely it's good to know I won't be left waiting).

2.) Vortex are easy to find where I live which many of the other recommendations in this thread were not; this is an important point because I'm not someone who will order an item like a scope w/o first seeing/handling it (no matter how good it's reputation).

3.) As I'm wanting to used this rifle more for target shooting at distances from 100yds. to 300+yds. while standing un-supported and bench rest shooting versus shooting CQB style I believe it will allow for better groups at these distances (particularly due to the fact my eyes are not what they once were).

4.) Vortex scopes seem to come across much like Daniel Defense rifles do in that they are a very good value for the money, maybe not the very best for sure but an excellent value and that's what I'm looking for here not the best scope ever made, but one with excellent value.

So if any of you have experience with this particular scope or something very similar would you please chime in and let me know if I've made a good decision with this model or do you think spending several hundred dollars more will prove to be a better investment (this Vortex scope retails for about $600 to $700).
I recognize spending a $1,000+ on a scope should offer me better optics (like spending $2,000 should offer better optics then $1,000), but for someone who is not going to be in competition and just wants the best groups for a reasonable cost they can manage is there anything else out there in this price range and magnification that is better?

Cheers and Happy New Year to all...
 
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