low(er) budget scope for 308 ?

[Slimshady]

thanks guys. been eyeballing the bushnell AR's due to budget concerns, but wasn't sure if they hold up to 308 recoil.
it would be nice to hear if any shooters have run those for a decent amount of use (500+ rounds?) without damage, like reticle shift.
also, read that the trajectory differences between 223 and 308 were small under 600 yards, so the 223 AR BDC reticle could still be useful within that range for 308.
(i think primary arms has 308 users sighting in 5" high at 100 yrds to make that happen?)

 

[legi0n]

thanks guys. been eyeballing the bushnell AR's due to budget concerns, but wasn't sure if they hold up to 308 recoil.
it would be nice to hear if any shooters have run those for a decent amount of use (500+ rounds?) without damage, like reticle shift.
also, read that the trajectory differences between 223 and 308 were small under 600 yards, so the 223 AR BDC reticle could still be useful within that range.
(i think primary arms has 308 users sighting in 5" high at 100 yrds to make that happen?)

no "off the shelf" bdc reticle matches your rifle and ammo
as such you learn to match your rifle and ammo to the reticle (that is compute (and then test) at what distance each "hash mark" is bang on)

 

[LordEvilPepper]

I found the nikons fullfields work well. A lot lighter then the Bushnell as well

 

[frabill]

I'm thinking of getting an SWFA SS 3-9 for my Stag

 

[fastmax]

I second the Nikon . Have a P308 right now. I use the Nikon spot on app with it. No complaints here.
Its a nice clear low budget optic. ( its on the ol norc M14) It takes a beating and holds zero!! Ya I know its more xx than your looking for.

 

[Beater]

been beating the hell out of a cabellas covenant on an M14 so far so good. bought it on sale 279$ think I'm up around 300 rounds now

 

[xdmer]

Yeah, I failed to mention it here before, they're a decent buy for the money, especially the 4-16x ffp, hand select one at the counter if you can. Pair with weaver tactical 6 hole rings, and have a lot of fun for the money. I've had this optic and ring pair on a couple of my xcr's.

been beating the hell out of a cabellas covenant on an M14 so far so good. bought it on sale 279$ think I'm up around 300 rounds now

 

[cr5]

I have a Nikon M223 1.5-6x24 on my XCR-L and it seems good so far, uses a reticle that can work with any cartridge. Think they're around $700.

 

[Epoxy7]

3-9X is your best deal for an all around scope. Once you get into the 1-8X and tactical orientated scopes they seem to fall into two groups. 1) Too cheap and expensive in the long run or 2) Much more expensive than a traditional scope. It's a bit different with the AR15 than the 308 for the simple fact that eye relief on the less expensive 223 based versions tends to be less and many wouldn't be suitable for 308. Again not always but something else to keep in mind. This scope has 3.1-3.4 eye relief. I wouldn't want any less for 308, especially without a brake.

My go to general scope is the Burris E1 (formally the Fullfield II). 3-9X 40mm I find the glass to be bright and clear (however this is subjective and can vary from scope to scope). It's a simple scope without parallax adjustment. Etched glass drop down reticle. I was also picking them up on sale for $220. I believe regular retail is over $300 these days. There is just enough eye relief for 308. I wouldn't want any less. There is a liftetime warranty. A buddy of mine had the reticle go on the older Fullfield II and they replaced it with an E1.

I would be cautious with anything less expensive.

If you want a more tactical look, you can dress it up a bit. Which brings us to another point. You will need to add good rings or a good one piece mount. The mounts in those photos are close to what the scope cost me. There are more cost effective solutions such as Warn/Zeiss or Leupold PRW quick release rings or TPS for the Night force look which also works well with a torque screwdriver or wrench. Since it's a 1" tube, you can find mounting solutions inexpensively. Cost goes up with 30mm and 34mm tubes. As does availability.

 

[Bartok5]

Lower budget is a relative term without a firm dollar figure attached to it. The high-end "tactical" optics like the Schmidt and Bender Short Dot cost several thousands of dollars. Mid-range offerings such as the Trijicon AccuPower or Bushneĺl SMRS 1-8x will set you back $2k. Personally, I view anything below "mid-range" to be "lower budget", but your criteria may be very different.

Based on personal experience, I highly recommend the Vortex PST-2 1-6x24mm if the purchase price ($999 new / $750 used) is achievable for you. Optically, this scope is excellent and it does everything that the Razor HD-2 1-6x does, but for exactly half the Razor's $2K retail price. I am very impressed with this "tactical" AR optic, so much so that I sold my Razor 1-6X and bought 2 of the PST-2s!

 

[Beater]

Yeah, I failed to mention it here before, they're a decent buy for the money, especially the 4-16x ffp, hand select one at the counter if you can. Pair with weaver tactical 6 hole rings, and have a lot of fun for the money. I've had this optic and ring pair on a couple of my xcr's.

they are amazingly good glass for the price

 

[Rotorwash]

I was going to put on a bushnell 10x40 that I picked up when they were on sale but now Im thinking of going with something else.
maybe a Nikon Prostaff 5 4-18 or one of the new bushnell engage scopes.
I just dont know how well that nikon will hold up 308 AR

 

[Epoxy7]

Lower budget is a relative term without a firm dollar figure attached to it. The high-end "tactical" optics like the Schmidt and Bender Short Dot cost several thousands of dollars. Mid-range offerings such as the Trijicon AccuPower or Bushneĺl SMRS 1-8x will set you back $2k. Personally, I view anything below "mid-range" to be "lower budget", but your criteria may be very different.

Based on personal experience, I highly recommend the Vortex PST-2 1-6x24mm if the purchase price ($999 new / $750 used) is achievable for you. Optically, this scope is excellent and it does everything that the Razor HD-2 1-6x does, but for exactly half the Razor's $2K retail price. I am very impressed with this "tactical" AR optic, so much so that I sold my Razor 1-6X and bought 2 of the PST-2s!

Hey what happened to the LAW folder?

Great photo and rifle.

 

[commandac]

I second the Nikon . Have a P308 right now. I use the Nikon spot on app with it. No complaints here.
Its a nice clear low budget optic. ( its on the ol norc M14) It takes a beating and holds zero!! Ya I know its more xx than your looking for.

I am still waiting for my BCL...
The rifle, P-308, and my Barnes TTSX 168 grain are almost SPOT ON at max zoom...
AND, Nikon optics are very good, even at full zoom.

Now that my rifle is on it's way any day now, I need to get my P Series mount...

 

[Bartok5]

Hey what happened to the LAW folder?

Great photo and rifle.

It's on my Christensen Arms CA-10 .308! ��

Note: I no longer own the Vortex Razor HD2 1-6X24mm scope pictured.

 

[Epoxy7]

It's on my Christensen Arms CA-10 .308! ��

Note: I no longer own the Vortex Razor HD2 1-6X24mm scope pictured.

Very nice. Although your collection makes one recall the old expression "Keeping up with the Joneses". Not a good idea in this case! You have too many nice rifle setups!

 

[Slimshady]

Thanks for the feedback, guys.
(And nice builds, Bartok !)