Rifle Scopes Looking for a cheap scope

[Torch99999]

I'm looking for a scope, and could use advice. I'll apologize in advance for being poor.

This started as "I want a sniper rifle", but honestly I'm not a sniper and this is just a range toy so I'm trying not to waste too much money on it.

Picked up a T/C Compass on sale, a knock-off bipod, and threw on an old (2001-ish) Leupold Rifleman 2-7 I already had. After one trip to my local indoor range (100 yards) and firing 20 rounds, the scope doesn't seem to be holding zero anymore (first 15 rounds were fine though...).

So, I'm looking for an optic, and could really use advice.

Longest range I can easily get access to is 600 yards, so dinging steel at 600 is my goal, and I kind of doubt I can do that without adjustable turrets or reticle with holdovers anyways.

What is the platform for the scope? Bolt action rifle. T/C Compass
What cartridge are you shooting? 308
What is your intended use for the scope? Range toy. Max 600 yards
What type of conditions will you typically shoot in? Daylight (mornings)
What are the typical distances you intend to shoot? Max 600 yards, typically 100 yards.
What is the price range you can afford? Under $300

I'm thinking about a PSA Silver FFP HUD DMR and just using the reticle, but given that's not setup for the exact ammo I'll be using, I'm not sure it's a good idea. The math I did came out with it being off by 2.1 MOA @ 600 yards. $280.

SWFA is currently doing sales on the Leupold 3-9 Mark AR (really 3.3-8.6x) with the mil reticle, but I have no idea what Leupold quality is these days. I the electronics in a Mark AR Mod1 1.5-4 die ~2 years ago, but that might have been a fluke.

I suppose the SWFA SS 10x is an option, but at $300 for the scope (plus needing to switch from 1" to 30mm rings) is kind of at the high end of what I can justify spending.

Are there other options I should be looking at?

Thanks.

 

[cattleman99]

Find a used SWFA in the px section here, well worth it for your application

 

[Ryridesmotox]

Athlon argos 6-24 is fine. I've used mine out to 1k. The glass is not great. The turrets are kinda mushy, there is no zero stop, but mine tracks fine. Out to 600, it's acceptable. I upgraded a while back to an XRS2 but the argos served me well enough.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

The Athlon Argos 6-24 is a good choice. Please give us a call and we will work with you on one, our pleasure
Doug
516-217-1000

 

[AMP!]

I agree with looking for used scopes in the PX first. However, the PA silver is a great scope for the cost. I had the 3-18 and it rocked for the price. The glass is definitely not great if you're used to higher end glass, but it is usable. Check out a guy named Shadow 2 on YouTube, he does a lot of shooting with the PA scopes and kills it.

 

[A-Rob]

I used to have a couple of Athlon Argos scopes. They are very good for starter scopes, IMO. I was very surprised at the tracking accuracy. No, the glass isn't the best but they are perfectly serviceable and the glass is better than I expected for the price.

 

[Alabusa]

Another vote for the Athlon Argos BTR 6-24x50. I have one on my 22lr and have taken it to 400 yards without issue.

 

[PBWalsh]

SS 10x MIL/MIL is an amazing scope at the price. I have had 4 total SWFA scopes now and they work very well. Couldn’t recommend the fixed 10x enough.

 

[Rerun7]

I would agree that the fixed 10x swfa works well or just get a low end vortex or athlon of your choice. Given the warranties there is not much to lose in that price range.

 

[Ironcreek]

I had a SWFA 10x a couple years ago and wish I still had it today. Also make certain you have good rings. You might spend a little more at first but save by not having to do it twice.

 

[Kickin45]

Athlon or Primary Arms.

 

[MarineRabbit]

As much as Leupold is hated here, maybe look into used a vx-2 6-18 with target turrets or maybe a vx-3 6.5x20 efr. If you keep a close eye out sometimes you can find a used one with target turrets for for 2-300 for the vx2 or 4-500 for the vx3. Leupold can install whatever reticle you want for 100-120 I think not totally sure on price, they have very repeatable tracking and good glass. The silhouette crowd snags them up real fast when they pop up for sale so it can be hard to find them sometimes.

 

[antithesis]

If you can round up another $50 I would look at the Vortex Diamondback Tactical. You can get a 6-24x50 FFP with mil turrets from sportoptics.com for $344 with the current promo.

 

[Halberdier]

The Vortex Strike Eagle 4-24 and 3-18 are both $300 right now. I have the 4-24. A friend who builds custom rifles and shoots well below MOA tested it. We both think it's way better than the price tag. It is a 30mm tube though.

 

[Snuby642]

Bushnell AR series may intrest you.

 

[littlepod]

The Athlon Ares BTR for $399, while $100 above your price, is still a ridiculous deal and something that should last if you ever intend to do a bit more...

 

[want2learn]

Just saw that gr8fuldoug is having a birthday sale on optics. you might do well calling him. he seems very knowledgeable and always helping out members of the forum.

 

[spife7980]

Gonna toot my own horn here but I’ll do this 3-10 for 200 bucks without the rings.

It’s second focal but it subtends at 10x which is what you would be shooting on for distance anyways so that’s a non factor. Crude reticle by today’s standards but it’s still a mildot and better than a duplex or bdc.
It doesn’t have parallax but it’s also only 10x to mitigate that need but it’s still something to consider. There’s were the step up to the swfa as 10x comes in price.

https://www.snipershide.com/shootin...3-10-arc-m10-ring-bundle-350-shipped.6958483/

 

[Jefe's Dope]

The Athlon Ares BTR for $399, while $100 above your price, is still a ridiculous deal and something that should last if you ever intend to do a bit more...

This x a gazillion. The extra $100 will act like $500 minimum. I'd actually spend the extra $25 and opt for the 4.5x27 but the 2.5x15 is very good.

 

[Jefe's Dope]

https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/athlon-argos-btr.6960381/

 

[patriot07]

The weaver that spife has is a good option. 10x SWFA is a good option. I have an SWFA 3-15 that I may sell for $400. Over your budget but a step up over the other options being discussed.

You can shoot just fine with the SWFA 10x or 12x though. Personally I'd get the 12x if I wasn't going to use it for hunting at all.

 

[Tonto20]

An option I found for my cheaper plinking rifles was a 3-9x40 Redfield Revolution Tac-Moa scope. You can find em in the 200-250 price range. They’re light, bright, and track great. Not to mention tough.
I was so impressed with em I bought two. Vortex would be another great choice if you’re wanting Variable power.

 

[rcmigpilot]

Vortex Diamondback Tactical 4-12 x 40 from SWFA, $249 with rings.

 

[gopherslayer]

Hit the Samplelist up at SWFA. Sometimes there’s some smoking deals on there.

 

[steve123]

A scope I'm pleased with for the price is my Athlon Talos 4-16x40 with mildot, it's $189 MAP but you'll pay less at street price.

It's SFP and has surprisingly nice glass.
mils correct on 10x.
On 16x I dial.
4x is great for up close and fast shooting.
Set to zero finger adjustable capped turrets.

Very good all around cheap scope. Mine is on a custom CZ527, I bought this scope to see how cheap of a scope I could tolerate as a personal experiment, I left it on there so....

 

[Halberdier]

An option I found for my cheaper plinking rifles was a 3-9x40 Redfield Revolution Tac-Moa scope. You can find em in the 200-250 price range. They’re light, bright, and track great. Not to mention tough.
I was so impressed with em I bought two. Vortex would be another great choice if you’re wanting Variable power.

I have the 4-12. I repeat this recommendation. They are super cheap second hand. Mine was $125 and looked like it was barely used.

 

[jambau]

Midway has the Bushnell Forge 4.5-27X on sale for $425.00.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

We just yesterday put on sale the Hawke Frontier 30 2.5-15x50 SF - TMX Illuminated reduced from $749.99 to only $449.99

• 21 layer Fully Multi-Coated 6× ratio optical system
• Side Focus control for parallax adjustment (excl. 18 201)
• Fixed parallax distance of 100 yards (18 201)
• 30mm mono-tube chassis for superior strength
• Long eye relief for high recoil and magnum calibers
• Glass etched reticle with red illumination
• 6 levels of brightness with off positions in-between
• 1/ 10 MRAD exposed and locking turrets
• Fast focus eyebell and high torque zoom ring
• Nitrogen purged – water, shock and fog proof

It's worth a look for sure

 

[atepointer]

SS 10x MIL/MIL is an amazing scope at the price. I have had 4 total SWFA scopes now and they work very well. Couldn’t recommend the fixed 10x enough.

What size targets/distance do you find doable with the 10x? I'm about ready to go to a 12x fixed....would be interested to know your experiences as you are in the South with stupid mirage like me I'm sure.

 

[1500varmint]

Lots of good recommendations here. Thanks.

 

[PBWalsh]

What size targets/distance do you find doable with the 10x? I'm about ready to go to a 12x fixed....would be interested to know your experiences as you are in the South with stupid mirage like me I'm sure.

Don’t have much LR experience, but for me I could resolve a .5” dot at 100 yards on a good day, .75”-1” if rainy/mirage. Sorry, not much to say about targets past 300 as I don’t have that experience. I’d estimate on a good day you can resolve well contrasting .5 MOA targets and on a low visibility day resolve a well contrasting 1 MOA target. Your eyes may see differently.