Help deciding on optics around $500

[sadmin]

Vortex PST is a far better option than the Mark AR series. I own both.
The Vortex has holdovers on the reticle itself while the Mark AR has them marked on the turrets. The Vortex reticle also fully illuminates while the Mark series at most illuminates a center dot. There is no comparison really, the Vortex is a fantastic optic for the money and their CS is great too...in case your worried about breaking it. Even the Burris MTAC is a better option, to me, than the Mark AR series. I get the impression that Leupold intended these to be for the AR "hunter." Thats just me though...the Mark reticle is big and too obscuring with a FSP...last time, to me.

[wingspar]

Vortex PST is a far better option than the Mark AR series. I own both.
The Vortex has holdovers on the reticle itself while the Mark AR has them marked on the turrets. The Vortex reticle also fully illuminates while the Mark series at most illuminates a center dot. There is no comparison really, the Vortex is a fantastic optic for the money and their CS is great too...in case your worried about breaking it. Even the Burris MTAC is a better option, to me, than the Mark AR series. I get the impression that Leupold intended these to be for the AR "hunter." Thats just me though...the Mark reticle is big and to obscuring with a FSP...last time, to me.

Thanks. That’s good info. I’ll stick with my original two choices, the Vortex Viper PST and the Leupold VX-R. I saw that the Mark AR was a bit cheaper, and now I see why.

[SomeOtherGuy]

Another vote to avoid the Leupold.

The Viper PST 1-4x is a pretty good scope, but the reticle is rather small and thin. Be sure to either see one in person or study the reticle photos you can find online. That would be my only objection to it.

The Burris MTAC 1-4x24 is also pretty good, but has the opposite issue - the donut reticle is very thick and overwhelming. I see it as a gaming scope and not much else. I have the 1.5-6x40 flavor, and had but sold the 1-4x24 TAC30 (virtually the same scope as the MTAC).

Another option to consider is the Weaver Super Slam "Dangerous Game" 1-5x24mm scope. Amazon has it for $378. The glass is excellent, it is recoil proof, and you get 5x zoom range instead of 4x. What you don't get is illumination or holdover marks. Another feature is the long eye relief, which is good for many uses but means you really need a super extended mount (2" forward) on an AR15, where most other 1-4x scopes work with a standard extended mount (1" forward). Despite those drawbacks, I would rate it better than the PST and MTAC for glass clarity and apparent construction quality. (It's made at LOW in Japan, while the PST and MTAC are made in the Philippines.)

[Packman73]

I have a 2.5-10x44 Vortex Viper I like a lot. The price was right as well.

[simonsez]

A friend at work has the Viper PST 6-24x50 on a Savage .260. I know it's not the 1-4, but the experience he's had speaks to the quality of Vortex. He really likes it and is sold on Vortex products. Good glass, clear reticle and good illumination.

[el_chupo_]

Thanks for the posts, guys.

The Viper is leading the pack for me, though I am not 100% yet. I got my hands on the Viper PST, Mark AR (non illuminated), VX-R patrol and standard, M-Tac/Tac 30 at Cabelas the other day.

The Tac 30/Mtac is a nice scope, but I think it is low on the list. The Mark AR as well. I really am between the VX-R and PST, but the VX-R patrol reticle is the same as the Mark AR illuminated version, so it makes me wonder about how I will feel with actual use.

Decisions... I need SWFA to throw one up super cheap...

[Glockman1968]

The Mark AR, one thing it has going for it is weight. Leupold says 9.6 ounces on their website for the 1.5-4X. http://www.leupold.com/tactical/scop...-1-1-5-4x20mm/

I could be mistaken, but alot of the other low power variables that I've looked at, are twice the weight. Just FYI.

I find myself in the same boat as you OP. For me, weight is a factor. Very best to you on your search.

P.S.
I should also point out, as you can see by the link, that they come with two different rets.



The price point that you originally outlined fits nicely as well, with a mount.

http://swfa.com/Leupold-15-4x20-Mark...it-P61996.aspx

[Braniac]

I have a Viper PST 1-4 and love the glass. Excellent clarity. For the money it is a great scope IMO.

[Alaskapopo]

I have decided that I want to scope one of my AR's. I sold the Aimpoint I had for it, and now need to make a decision.

This will not be my "life depends on it"/HD gun. I have a LMT with an Aimpoint for that role.

This will be going on a 16" middy, if that affects the decision. It wont be a "precision" gun, but it will be my heavier AR. I dislike weight just like everyone else, so I am not looking for a 2lb scope.

Realistic shooting will be under 300yds. It will be mostly used for punching paper, hitting the gong, possibly gun games like 3 gun. It might go as a backup gun to a course, but the LMT/Aimpoint would generally get the nod for that role. Because of the limited range I will be shooting at most of the time, I have really been looking at 1-4x scopes.

I dont have a set budget. My wife is generally OK with my gun purchases, I have an account for guns and such - my budget limitations are really set based on my desire and value I place on filling the role of the item. So if this was a HD gun, I might be talked into a higher budget, but this is a fun gun. We are also talking about looking for some land in the next year or two, so a lot of my disposable income may soon be going toward "the greater good" of having some acreage and a new house, so I am not looking to drop a ton.

With that said, I am wanting to stay around $500. I may spring for a nicer mount (Larue), or I may stay with a SSALT from SWFA. So lets plan on around $450-500 for the optic itself.

My first thought it Viper PST. But I dont know if I will get a whole lot of benefit to it vs. a Leupold Mark AR (with illumination), or a MTAC 1-4x. I have read others like the reticle or glass on other optics better, while some love the PST.

The list of scopes I am considering:

Vortex Viper PST
Leupold Mark AR
Burris Mtac
Leupold VX-R (maybe Patrol, maybe a "hunting" reticle version)
Weaver Super Slam 1.5-6x

I am open to thoughts and ideas, or just a general "shut up and buy XXXXXXX" already".

Thanks

Matt

The Vortex or the MTAC in that price range with the Vortex having a better reticle for longer range as the hold over points are finer and easier to use. The MTAC has a bit better illumination and could be faster up close. However the MTAC covers 4 moa at 100 yards so its a pain if your shooting smaller targets at that range.
Pat

[RHINOWSO]

At that price range I'd go Leupold AR Mark 1 1.5-4x with the green firedot & SPR reticle. The reticle isn't ideal but I think it'll work fine especially for your use (300 yds).