Rifle Scopes Optic for AR-50 budget $500-$700

slm9s

slm9s

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Aug 18, 2008
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#1
I'm upgrading from an AR15-upper type 50bmg to an AR50. I was using an older Leupold Vari-X III 6.5-20x40 on my old 50. I will be shooting this new rifle farther and would like more elevation travel. Wondering what the crowd would recommend. I'd like to stay under $700. I'm also a benchrest guy so I'd like a decent amount of magnification. SIII 6-24? I think the Viper PST's are too much $. I was thinking a fixed 16x Mark 4 but that would stretch the budget also.
Thanks
 
#3
Re: Optic for AR-50 budget $500-$700

Which base does your new AR-50 have on it (15, 30 or 50MOA)? Also, what range are you planning on (needing to) zero your rifle? Finally, how far (max range) are you planning on needing to reach with the rifle? Just curious because ultimately, these things are somewhat determinative of which scopes will work for you and which will not.

Regardless of the questions above, either a fixed 16x or 20x Super Sniper would be an excellent budget-minded option and would only hit roughly half your current max budget...again, it all depends on what you need/want out of the scope.
 
#4
Re: Optic for AR-50 budget $500-$700

The rifle will arrive in the mail in a week. I'm not sure what base, I thought I had read almost all had the 15 moa rail and you could upgrade to the 50 moa rail. I'm assuming 15 moa.
I will be shooting anywhere from 200 to as far as I dare. I can get to some logging roads and shoot some insane distance from ridge to ridge if I get good enough. I'd like to get to 1000 on the turret though and still have a 200 yrd zero.
Thanks.
 
#5
Re: Optic for AR-50 budget $500-$700

Take a look at teh Bushnell Elite 6500. They have a nice 4.5-30x that sounds right up your alley. The Elite 6500 series has proven itself again and again for its price. We have all seen Ronnie barrett endorsing them and putting them on his 50 BMG's as well. The 30mm tube added to your base should give you the adjustment range to take it from 200 yards to as far as you want to try.

http://www.opticsplanet.net/bushnell-elite-6500-4-5-30x50-riflescope.html

Trevor B
OpticsPlanet
 
#6
Re: Optic for AR-50 budget $500-$700

Although I've been somewhat of a fan of Sightron, I have to admit that I don't keep up with their entire line. I was, however, checking out the newer scopes in the 2-24X range and they claim that they have 100 mins of internal adjustment.

The Sightrons that I've seen in the SIII line have been really nice. I know that they are pretty popular with benchrest guys.

I believe that the newer SIIIs go for just over $800. If the PST interests you, you can get the SFP model for $750. For the small price difference, I'd go with the Sightron. The PST only has something around 60 mins of internal adjustment. I think the glass in the Sightron is better too.

If you're interested in the SFP PST, PM me. I might be selling mine. I've had my eye on that Sightron. The only edge that the PST has is the illuminated reticle and I don't need that for my purposes.
 
#12
Re: Optic for AR-50 budget $500-$700

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Kalman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm confused, you're shooting an AR-50 and you're on a budget? </div></div>

Bing!

It won't take many range sessions for you to eclipse the price of your optics.

FWIW I'm putting a SS 10xHD on my AR10. I had a Leupold MK4 8.5-20something on it, but in all honesty, I can see .50 impacts just fine with a 10x and the large FOV is nice with that thing.
 
#13
Re: Optic for AR-50 budget $500-$700

Hmmm... this is like putting Hankook All Season radials on an M3.

You want to shoot an AR50 to its potential? You'll need a SS 5-20, NF 5.5-22 or Razor 5-20 at a minimum. You need magnification, reasonable glass and elevation. Lots of it.

For the price you mentioned, the Weaver 3-15 Tac is the closest, but I've shot at 2000 yds. with a 4-14 and its a job made a lot tougher without additional magnification.

.02

John
 
#15
Re: Optic for AR-50 budget $500-$700

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: slm9s</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm upgrading from an AR15-upper type 50bmg to an AR50. I was using an older Leupold Vari-X III 6.5-20x40 on my old 50. I will be shooting this new rifle farther and would like more elevation travel. Wondering what the crowd would recommend. I'd like to stay under $700. I'm also a benchrest guy so I'd like a decent amount of magnification. SIII 6-24? I think the Viper PST's are too much $. I was thinking a fixed 16x Mark 4 but that would stretch the budget also.
Thanks </div></div>

I have a SIII 6-24x50 LRMD/CM on order that should be here any day (the wait is killing me). I have heard that the glass is great, the knobs are great, and with tons of elevation that shouldn't be a problem. My only two complaints are SFP, and mil-dot reticle only, but those two things I was willing to compromise on via the price.
 
#16
Re: Optic for AR-50 budget $500-$700

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Kalman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm confused, you're shooting an AR-50 and you're on a budget? </div></div>

Good point. Not really a good caliber if you have a budget, but $700 is an amount that can get you a decent scope..
 
#17
Re: Optic for AR-50 budget $500-$700

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RegularGuy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

Good point. Not really a good caliber if you have a budget, but $700 is an amount that can get you a decent scope..</div></div>

I sure think that I can get a "decent" scope for the price range I stated. I won't be competing with this rifle and was wondering what the best mix of glass/elevation in a reliable scope would be for under $700. I currently favoring the SIII 6-24x50 w/ MOA reticle. I've got a SIII 10-50x60 on my 6br and love it. Its over $700 though. . . we'll see.

Thanks for the replies.
 
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