Most durable rifle optic?

scooby_d

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Just looking for some opinions as to who makes the most durable rifle scope. I don't intend to jump up and down on it but I also don't want some thing that will pee its pants if I tip over and land in the dirt.

For insight, I intend to put it on an m14 with a decent mount (I've heard that is the key to keeping zero) and am looking for something with decent eye relief and good for an effective range from close in out to 500m or so.

Cheers!
 
http://www.tangenttheta.com/

Formerly known as Premier Reticles, from what I hear these things are built like tanks. Also, the cheapest one they have is $3,600 so that's not really friendly to first time buyers. Unless the internet is wrong, these guys supply the US Marine marksmen.
 
Is this a Springfield or a Norinco M14? Is this 500 yards for hunting or target shooting?

Maybe a Trigicon ACOG with 308 reticle for a tough sight that will give you a little magnification and stay under the $2000.

Going to need more information about your rifle, intended targets, and shooting ability (experience) in order to give a better recommendation.
 
Hey thanks for the responses so far! I probably should have mentioned that at this point $1000 is the absolute price ceiling. Would love any of those suggestions but will have to win the lottery before they are an option!

The rifle is a norinco that is in the process of being tuned up (the other $1000 of the budget) Would be used for both hunting and target (range, and possibly 3 gun in the future) do not want any crazy magnification but want reasonable accuracy at 500m. Just want reasonable durability, don't need to drive a tank over it.
 
Hey thanks for the responses so far! I probably should have mentioned that at this point $1000 is the absolute price ceiling. Would love any of those suggestions but will have to win the lottery before they are an option!

The rifle is a norinco that is in the process of being tuned up (the other $1000 of the budget) Would be used for both hunting and target (range, and possibly 3 gun in the future) do not want any crazy magnification but want reasonable accuracy at 500m. Just want reasonable durability, don't need to drive a tank over it.

Sightron 1-7 from Mystic Precision.
http://www.mysticprecision.com/wp/2176/sightron-1-7x24-lrirmoa-and-ir4a/
This will do everything you need and Sightron has fantastic glass.
 
I was going to say ACOG or Elcan, but then I saw that you wanted it on an M1A. Both of those would suck for that application.
 
The C3 Cdn sniper used a steel tube 6x, 42 Kahles. They were pretty tough. Having said that so are any of the steel tube S&B's, Swarovski's, Zeiss and Nickel Supra's.... the latter were also popular on air rifles in Europe (including competition) and were well designed to handle the unusual recoil of a springer. Unfortunately Euro steel tube scopes are heavy and usually 26mm tubes ... personally I dont think that you are getting a whole lot of extra strength compared to more common B&L Balvar or one of the VX-lll (or similar quality) Leupolds. Generally fixed power will be more durable as there are simply fewer things to go wrong. I have seen old Bushnell Scope Chief's "take a licking and still keep ticking".

A good solid mount/rings and rubber eye cups will also go a long way to protecting a scope as well
 
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Given your budget, my two recommendations are :SWFA Super Sniper ( hard to get but a very good choice ) ; Bushnell Elite 10x ( easy to get and inexpensive )
 
Bushnell Elite Tactical 1" Fixed 10 Power $296 at P&D is a good budget scope for the M14

I agree for target work. But 10 x is too much for hunting. But at that price you could buy a fixed power 2.5X for hunting.

The inside of a zoom scope is very complex with gears and levers. if you don't want an expensive scope, a fixed power is an excellent option. or two of them.

Bushenlls are well made and their warranty is excellent, right here in Canada.
 
You don't need the toughest, you just need one with a lifetime warranty and from a company who honours it quickly. Leupold, vortex, bushnell, will do just fine, and shouldn't cost you any more than $500 for what you need. Buy used, and you get better glass for less, and same warranty.
 
The older US made Redfeild scopes are excellent, and can be found at good prices.The Us Marines used a lot of these scopes back in the 60& 70's.
 
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