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Rifle Scopes Which 1X w/ CQB under $400 for a 300BLK

Squeeeeze

Private
Minuteman
Sep 14, 2019
38
16
Real close to pulling the trigger on a Vortex strike eagle 1-6x24 from PSA. They’re on sale now for $229 including a vortex cantilever Mount w/free shipping. It’s for my 300BLK SBR. I want something with an illuminated CQB ballistic MOA reticle.

I have a red dot I usually leave on it, but for hunting I have been throwing on my Nikon 3-9BDC that I got with another gun and was sitting all alone. It works fine but I’d like to have a true 1X adjustable on there that’s illuminated that I’d like to just replace my red dot with and have to avoid musical optics. I’d like to spend less than $400 with mount. What do you guys suggest?
 
I have a couple strike eagles.

They are decent. Not great, but not terrible. For me, they aren't a hindrance at matches or shooting out to as far as I realistically sling 223. Just be aware, you're not getting the primo features you might with something a bit higher end. But at 229 bux, it's pretty tough to beat em
 
Real close to pulling the trigger on a Vortex strike eagle 1-6x24 from PSA. They’re on sale now for $229 including a vortex cantilever Mount w/free shipping. It’s for my 300BLK SBR. I want something with an illuminated CQB ballistic MOA reticle.

I have a red dot I usually leave on it, but for hunting I have been throwing on my Nikon 3-9BDC that I got with another gun and was sitting all alone. It works fine but I’d like to have a true 1X adjustable on there that’s illuminated that I’d like to just replace my red dot with and have to avoid musical optics. I’d like to spend less than $400 with mount. What do you guys suggest?

I don't have one, but I've contemplated building a Blackout upper and putting a Sightmark Pinnacle 1-6x24 with the AAC reticle (300BLK BDC for both subs and supers) on it. It is a Japanese scope (LOW) that can commonly be found for about $425.
 
Compare the Athlon LPV to the strike eagle. I have a friend with both and he swears the Athlon is much nicer then the vortex. He says the eye relief is so much better and the glass is clearer.
 
Thanks for the responses so far. I think I’m leaning towards the Primary Arms 556/545/308 ACSS scope as of right now
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XD6G7K...colid=BP7PFUO87O7S&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
With an ultra lite Aero mount I’ll be a little under $400.

Was also looking at the Bushnell 1-6 RT-6 for about $340 but I like the the PA arms reticle better. Checked out the Athlon but the 1-6 with a decent reticle I believe we’re in the $500’s. I definitely want a SFP so the Sightmark is off the table but looks very interesting other than that.
 
I have the primary arms 1-6 bought it last year on black Friday they had a good deal. Love the acss reticle and I though the glass was very good for the price. Might pick up another this year.
 
Thanks for the responses so far. I think I’m leaning towards the Primary Arms 556/545/308 ACSS scope as of right now
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XD6G7K...colid=BP7PFUO87O7S&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
With an ultra lite Aero mount I’ll be a little under $400.

Was also looking at the Bushnell 1-6 RT-6 for about $340 but I like the the PA arms reticle better. Checked out the Athlon but the 1-6 with a decent reticle I believe we’re in the $500’s. I definitely want a SFP so the Sightmark is off the table but looks very interesting other than that.
FYI, you could probably make that work for a 300 BO but Primary Arms has another version of the ACSS that's supposed to be setup specifically for 300 blackout super and subs. Might want to check that out
 
I don't have one, but I've contemplated building a Blackout upper and putting a Sightmark Pinnacle 1-6x24 with the AAC reticle (300BLK BDC for both subs and supers) on it. It is a Japanese scope (LOW) that can commonly be found for about $425.
This is an interesting option. Is there solid information/documentation anywhere about it being made at LOW? I've seen it advertised as Japanese glass, but that doesn't mean it was made in Japan. I was not a huge fan of the reticle, but I suppose it's usable.

@Squeeeeze : You keep looking at scopes with 5.56 BDC. That BDC is not going to work well in a .300AAC SBR. You need to take a look at your rifle's velocities with your chosen load and then see how the BDC works out using something like Strelok Pro.

CameralandNY is closing out the Bushnell AR Optics 1-4x FFP 300AAC scopes for $140. (https://cameralandny.com/shop/bushn...blackout/3a6ac050-ab40-0137-4a19-00163ecd2826) I bought one for a 7.62x39 gun, and I'm impressed with it. It's made in South Korea, the glass is pretty reasonable, it has a very usable built-in throw lever, and the BDC is simple and flexible (and available in Strelok Pro). Illumination is a weak point, but that's life below $400.
 
Thanks for the responses so far. I think I’m leaning towards the Primary Arms 556/545/308 ACSS scope as of right now
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XD6G7K...colid=BP7PFUO87O7S&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
With an ultra lite Aero mount I’ll be a little under $400.

Was also looking at the Bushnell 1-6 RT-6 for about $340 but I like the the PA arms reticle better. Checked out the Athlon but the 1-6 with a decent reticle I believe we’re in the $500’s. I definitely want a SFP so the Sightmark is off the table but looks very interesting other than that.

I have a PA 1-6x Gen 3 (22lr reticle) and a Burris RT-6. I would lean toward the RT-6 if glass clarity is the priority and the PA only if the reticle is your priority.
This is an interesting option. Is there solid information/documentation anywhere about it being made at LOW? I've seen it advertised as Japanese glass, but that doesn't mean it was made in Japan. I was not a huge fan of the reticle, but I suppose it's usable.

@Squeeeeze : You keep looking at scopes with 5.56 BDC. That BDC is not going to work well in a .300AAC SBR. You need to take a look at your rifle's velocities with your chosen load and then see how the BDC works out using something like Strelok Pro.

CameralandNY is closing out the Bushnell AR Optics 1-4x FFP 300AAC scopes for $140. (https://cameralandny.com/shop/bushn...blackout/3a6ac050-ab40-0137-4a19-00163ecd2826) I bought one for a 7.62x39 gun, and I'm impressed with it. It's made in South Korea, the glass is pretty reasonable, it has a very usable built-in throw lever, and the BDC is simple and flexible (and available in Strelok Pro). Illumination is a weak point, but that's life below $400.

I have the Pinnacle 3-18x44...the entire line is definitely made by LOW. The 1-6x is the same basic design as the Bushnell SMRS.
 
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Had an Eotech on my 300BO sbr and realized I wanted the ability to zoom just a little bit. Went with a Bushnell AR series with 300BO reticle
04270867-C709-490E-9B7A-A9AEB0CAA4F2.jpeg
 
I have a PA 1-6x Gen 3 (22lr reticle) and a Burris RT-6. I would lean toward the RT-6 if glass clarity is the priority and the PA only if the reticle is your priority.
The RT-6 is phenomenal for the money. The first time I peeked through it at 1x, I was blown away. Burris did something very right with that optic. Hope the RT-8 DFP can do even better.

I have the Pinnacle 3-18x44...the entire line is definitely made by LOW. The 1-6x is the same basic design as the Bushnell SMRS.
Interesting. I recently built out a 300AAC upper, and $425 is a pretty reasonable price for Japanese glass.
 
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Maybe I should have clarified initially. I have iStreklok and also kind of basing my decision on what they have for reticles avaialble. Here’s one with the PA 1-6 ACSS 556 with my zero at 75 yards and subsonic. I can tweak the power a bit to get real close to 25 yards increments and seems like it will work fine. The 300BO reticles didn’t seem to be much better. I also shoot supers too.

So for a price point would the PA 1-6 ACSS be a better scope than the strike eagle 1-6 that I was initially considering?

I’ll take a closer look at the RT-6, but definitely like the PA ACSS reticle much better. I’ll let you know what I come up with as this is more for a price point compromise. I do like high quality and expensive but I’m not sure I’ll even like a scope this low power. If so I’ll upgrade later.
 

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So for a price point would the PA 1-6 ACSS be a better scope than the strike eagle 1-6 that I was initially considering?

Having previously owned a Strike Eagle (sold it gladly), I prefer the glass in the Gen 3 PA. I own two PA scopes due to the reticles. If not for those reticles however, I would have different optics on the respective rifles. If the ACSS reticle speaks to you, get it. I really like mine of a dedicated 22lr AR.
 
Thank you again for all the responses, hate to be a cheapskate but funds are a lot tighter than I’d like with too many other priorities and bills. Overall I liked the PA 1-6 GenIII ACSS 556 reticle the best and would have worked out near perfect in my 300BLK.

I went ahead and went with the Burris RT-6 due to all the suggestions and an Aero extended ultra lite mount. The reticle wasn’t my favorite and wasn’t quite what I wanted referring to Strelok but we’ll see what all the buzz is about. Got a great price on it but I’m sure there will be many great deals coming up soon.

Btw I came across this post yesterday after weeks of searching all over the web and racking my brain. Wish I would have seen it initially but very useful and laid out very well. https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/recommendation-for-1-6-lpvo.6934335/


Every time I made up my mind I was on to something else, didn’t realize there was that much out there. I was initially going to order the Holosun 503 w/ACSS reticle Red dot and a Holosun 3x magnifier but all the reviews said reticle was too small and useless even at 3X then started my LPVO scope search. So hoping the LPVO can take the place of a red dot and be much more useful with many benefits other than the weight and size.
 
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Looking to get some Defender flip caps for this Burris RT-6. Would this be the correct set? The E-10 and O24?
 

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RT-6 is the right choice in this price range. Strike Eagle and similarly priced PA LPVOs are basically the same scope from the same OEM. Whatever difference you see between then aside from the reticle is down to sample variation.

Another scope I kinda like for Blackout and 7.62x39 is HiLux CMR 1-4x24. It has a fairly sophisticated reticle for both sub and supersonic rounds.

Ilya
 
Real close to pulling the trigger on a Vortex strike eagle 1-6x24 from PSA. They’re on sale now for $229 including a vortex cantilever Mount w/free shipping. It’s for my 300BLK SBR. I want something with an illuminated CQB ballistic MOA reticle.

I have a red dot I usually leave on it, but for hunting I have been throwing on my Nikon 3-9BDC that I got with another gun and was sitting all alone. It works fine but I’d like to have a true 1X adjustable on there that’s illuminated that I’d like to just replace my red dot with and have to avoid musical optics. I’d like to spend less than $400 with mount. What do you guys suggest?
I was able to get 299 with the coupon code....is that what you meant vs 229? Wondering if there is a different code to use than "STRIKEEAGLE"
 
I was able to get 299 with the coupon code....is that what you meant vs 229? Wondering if there is a different code to use than "STRIKEEAGLE"
The Strike Eagle at PSA has 2 different scopes. 1 is a 1-6 and the other a 1-8. Strike eagle is the code for 1-8 and Vortex is the code for the 1-6. The 1-6 was $229 and the 1-8 $299. Just tried it now and only taking 139. Off price and is now $249 with mount.
 
I have the Burris RT-6 on a 300BLK build. I zero at 100m (109yds) with Hornady Frontier supers and the reticle hashes line up pretty nicely at ~50yd intervals out to 350yds at 6x. Seems like I only ever run it at 1x or 6x, but the glass is pretty good at either end for a $350 optic. Turrets suck, but I think this is supposed to be a set it and forget it type of scope so I guess it's alright. It does hold zero once you get it there.

I had a SWFA SS 1-4x24 on there until the elevation turret unscrewed from the main tube when I went to adjust it. That was a good optic also, but since they no longer make that model SWFA credited me the purchase price and paid the difference for the Burris. Glass is comparable between them. I liked the reticle on the SWFA better, but this isn't a precision rifle and the the Burris is easier to use once you get it zeroed. Burris seems lighter also,if that matters.
 
The RT-6 is phenomenal for the money. The first time I peeked through it at 1x, I was blown away. Burris did something very right with that optic. Hope the RT-8 DFP can do even better.
I can't believe this is the first I've heard of the RT8. Must be way under the radar still. The dual focal plane sounds interesting, wish I could find reticle pics.
 
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Google turned up a bunch of the generic announcement articles from April, I'm surprised there isn't a little more info out yet.
I will be at SHOT as media this year, and it is high on my list of things to investigate. If Burris executes on it correctly, like what they did with the RT-6 and XTRIII, it is going to be a hit... even moreso if they do a version with a 3-gun specific BDC reticle. I know I sound like a fanboy, but the 1.5-8x's DFP reticle impressed the hell out of me, even if the glass could have been a touch better.
 
I know I sound like a fanboy, but the 1.5-8x's DFP reticle impressed the hell out of me, even if the glass could have been a touch better.
Thats one of those scopes I really wanted to like but the 1.5x bottom end was a deal breaker. Didn't help that it looked like it was 2 feet long either...
 
I enjoyed my 1.5-8 XTRII, and liked the DFP reticle for 3 Gun. But I do agree the 1.5x bottom end was a little problematic.

My girlfriend struggled with it on her 3Gun rifle even more than I did.

I'm looking forward to the RT8. It has all the right components to be a great scope in its price point.
 
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