What's a good inexpensive Tactical scope? update: narrowed down to 4! :)

IM_Lugger

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Since I starting my other thread and doing some research I realized that I can't really get what I want without spending more than what I was prepared to at first...also I have some new 'requirements' - I want to be able to adjust the windage elevation 'on the go' so caps are a no no. So I'm looking for suggestions on a best buy scopes with the specs I need.

Decent power - at least 15x, preferably up to 24x or more...with light and clear view for long range shooting.
Easy to adjust - no win./evel caps. preferably something with high turrets knobs.
Paradox adjustment side knob or at very least an AO
Mil Dot reticle is a big bonus!

I know I can get that if I want to spend $750-1000+.... Unfortunately my budget is about half of that. :(

I looked at tasco, bushnell and leapold but didn't really see anything with those specs that fits my price range. What about cross point, and vertex...what other makes should I be looking at?


EDIT: after the suggestions I narrowed down my choices to;

Vortex 6-24x50 AO Mil-Dot Illuminated 30mm Tall Turrets
Vortex 8-32x50 AO Fine V-PLEX Wide 30mm Tall Turrets
Leapers 8-32X56 Full Size AO Mil-Dot 30mm
Falcon Menace 4.5-18x56mm 30mm
 
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An excellent choice!

I have this very same scope mounted on a Remington 700 VS SF II stainless fluted in .223 Rem.

Shoots sub-1" groups at 100m and 200m

Clear for viewing out to 1,500m. Tried it as a spotting scope from my kitchen table, looking across the lake, and was able to pick out details at that distance!

Epps carries this scope in stock for $436.99 + taxes.

Contact Kevin at Epps for more details.
(705) 689.5333
info@ellwoodepps.com
 
I'd also agree the Bushnell Elite 3200 5-15x40 mildot tactical is a good choice. Its got good optics,warranty, mildot, adjustments, AO, and the turrets can be zero'd.
 
what kind of prices does Alan works have? what's the better place to buy Frontier vs Alangunworks?

also metric vs inches...matter or preference?
 
I see no one has mentioned the Millett TRS series. I had one on my rem 700 .308 and it worked just fine. Was able to ring the 1000meter gong with it atop the rifle. Now I'm looking at some better quality scopes tho.

Tim
 
The Bushnell 10X Tactical is probably the best buy for those just entering the Precision Game.......

For a Decent "Tactical" scope, plan on spending roughly $1500.00 and up..........don't scrimp on optics..........you will regret it in the end......

When at the range and you see any of the scopes that interest you, ask if you can take a look through them........Glass quality is probably the important thing (right up there with construction).....look for clarity and brightness..........

I thought the Leupold Mk4s I had were great.......until I looked through a buddies Schmidt & Bender PM-II 5-25 X 56...........what a difference.........sold off the MK4s and bought an S&B!!!!!

Stay away from Tasco...........I don't know too much about the other low dollar scopes, but Leupold, Nightforce, Schmidt & Bender, Ziess are some of the top notch optics available that are military issue, and have seen use in combat .........

In the end, buy the best scope your budget allows.......
 
Paradox adjustment side knob


We need paradox adjustment for this thread....



First decide what you will be doing with said scope then buy what fits. 'Sounds to me you want one optic to cover all possible shooting situations, and get that scope for a couple of hundred dollars...

'Not gonna happen.
 
Lugger, Falcon is the way to go for your budget, Allen Gun works has them for about 20$ cheaper than frontiers
I have just bought one, quality is awesome, FOR THIS PRICE, I have looked through a multitude of quality optics and it doesn't compete much, but it is still a great scope.

I got the 4.5-18x56mmIR for 454+taxes
 
Myself, I went with the Nikon Buckmaster 4x14 44mm with mildot.

Fairly inexpensive compared to similar scopes. Has gotten the job done for me for 2 years on range and hunt.

Sure there are scopes that are 5x more expensive. I just can't believe that they are a full 5x better.

Buy in your budget, get it on your rifle, get on the range.
 
BTW... Doesn't anyone shoot with iron sights these days?
It's for a Rem 700... a scope gun...so irons are out ;)

So after the suggestions I narrowed down my choices to;

Vortex 6-24x50 AO Mil-Dot Illuminated 30mm Tall Turrets
Vortex 8-32x50 AO Fine V-PLEX Wide 30mm Tall Turrets
Leapers 8-32X56 Full Size AO Mil-Dot 30mm
Falcon Menace 4.5-18x56mm 30mm

What would you guys get?
 
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Anyone know anything about Mueller scopes? on the Savage shooters forum they did a review and seemed to like it. They have a 8-32x56 for like $250-300.
 
If on a limited budget, consider buying a quality used scope. There are lots in the $400 to 500 range that will work better and offer more enjoyable performance then a new scope in this price range.

Elite 4200's, Leupold VXIII, Nikon Monarch, Sightron SII/Big Sky are some of the best mid priced brands today.

Elite 3200 and buckmasters are great scopes with excellent mechanicals. They just loose a hint in the optics department.

I have gone through many lower priced scopes and found that for LR, the distortion and lack of resolution made hits more difficult (can't spot what you can't see). Surprisingly, mechanics of some Japanese made Tascos have been superb (World Class and WC plus from the 80's).

With new inexpensive scopes, you have to be very careful that the tracking works reliably and is built strong enough for constant dialing. Nothing worse then a scope that doesn't track reliably.

For the money, the Elite 3200 10X is THE entry level tactical scope. They have survived alot of use and abuse with consistent reliable tracking.

Jerry
 
Another option in the used scope category is one of the old steel Weaver T series 'scopes. A T-10 or T-16 would work just fine.
 
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