I'm in the market for a new scope. I'm looking for a 1-4 or 1-6x24 with an illuminated reticle which will be mounted on my AR-15. I will use it for both CQB and longer range situations (25-200 yards) and will mount 45 degree iron sights on my rifle as well. I'm drawn to the German # 4 lit reticle but open to all suggestions. I'm wanting to spend $500-600. Any experience and opinions in this area would be greatly appreciated. I try to follow the motto of buy once cry once but don't want to completely break the bank. Let me know what y'all think. Thanks in advance!

Vortex or SS.

I've had lust for an SS 1-6X for a couple years, but that's out of your budget. You can save some money by going second focal plane.

Why in heaven's name would anyone even consider FFP for a scope intended to be used out to 200 yards, or even mildot for that matter??? And likewise, OP doesn't seem to be intent on fiddling with turrets.

I'd be looking for image quality and general overall quality. SS? Maybe. I'd look at Leupold for sure, and some of the German stuff.

I really like my 1-6 from Primary Arms--built in BDC, and I also really like having that little bit extra magnification over 4x. My vote is for a 1.5-6 or 1-6 over a 1-4 any day.

Because on 1X you see a ring, very similar to the fast target aquisition of a red dot. Crank it up to 4X or 6X and you have a Mil reticle for your holds. The SS gives you the option of exposed turrets or covered (capped) turrets. So if you don't want to dial, dont. Hold .5 Mil for 200 yards, and 1.0 Mil for 300 yards.

We've run the SS 1-6X out to 500 yards by the way.

vortex has a new scope 1-6x24 w a bdc have not seen it out yet

Thanks for the insight thus far! A buddy of mine bought the SS 1-6 and it's awesome but out of my range. 550 is max for now, leaving me a little to put towards a mount. I did ask my buddy to put me in his will and leave it to me!! Thanks again!

you have to figure out how realistically you are going to use it...

Reticle- Mil or BCD- Mil is the standard that can be calculated- BCD is paired with a load
FFP/SFP- There are people in both camps. The SFP will have a bigger reticle at low end, but all your makrs will be off. FFP marks will always be the same, but your reticle looks tiny on 1x. The question I would have is are you going to be at 50-200 more or 0-50 more
Turrets- Are you going to adjust or not?

Some brands i would look at..Vortex, Bushnell (the nicer ones), Leopold

I am not a huge fan of the new vortex 1-6 as it is BDC and SFP. I do like the PST 1-4. Of course the 1-6 Razor is awesome

There are so many ways you can go with it.

Another option is a vortex 2.5-10 PST

I do not even understand the need to discuss FFP/dialing turret/busy reticle options. The man stated his max range will be 200 yards. 200 yards.

He should spend his money with one primary objective in mind: getting the best quality glass he can afford. Leupold is one to look at. There are others-I am simply not as familiar with them.

cleric excellent suggestion on that 2.5 vortex went with that on a m4a1

Cleric- primarily 0-50 but will also have the occasional 200 yard hog shot! Like the FFP concept better I think. I don't think I would care for the turrets since I'm accustomed to knowing my hold over at longer distances.
Thanks!

Honestly I would consider just a 1-4 than. Maybe even a red dot sight.

Exactly.

VX3 2.5-8x36 has some real nice glass.

2-7 scopes can be a good option as well. It's a shame they discontinued the viper one.
A Leupold VX-R 2-7 would be a good choice.


Whatever you do - DO NOT CHOOSE A SCOPE WITH FIXED PARALLAX
Get at least an AO or better a focus turret.

I'm pretty happy with the viper 1-4x. I have one on my 10.5" blackout and I've shot out to 250 yds with no trouble. I primarily use it for shots under 100 yards and it works well for me.

Some on here think I don't like them or have an agenda against LR shooters or think I know it all or......etc., etc., etc.

This is not true.

BUT, here is what I see: Folks come on here asking about gear and affirmatively state they will NOT be shooting at long range. (Which is not surprising-as 95+% of shots at game are at 300 yards or less.) Despite this, the advice they receive is often given from a narrow, very specialized, shooting at range perspective. This square-peg/round hole advice does not fit IMHO.

Windage/elevation marks on reticles and dialing turrets are super helpful at longer ranges. FFP scopes can be very useful at range (for the obvious reason that the elevation/windage marks and dialing can be utilized at all magnifications). But none of that applies at 200 yards and under. In fact, it is counter-productive in that it unnecessarily complicates the issue. The goal is to quickly get on target and kill the animal. Simplicity is the key. Get the crosshair (or dot or post) on the animal and kill it.

Quality glass is paramount. Why? Quality glass will perform better in the low light of dawn/dusk (when, as in this case, hogs are most likely to be seen). A dollar spent on unnecessary complexities (like FFP, gradiated reticles, dialing turrets, etc.) is a dollar not spent on the thing that really matters in short-range and often low-light situations-quality glass.

Very happy camper here with a Leupold VXR 1.25-4 with #4 reticle. It's on my CZ 527 in 7.62x39 and used for hunting up to max of 150-200yds.

Reread this too, NP.

The neighbor that bought my CZ has a Bushnell 30mm low power varible 1.5x6x32 or 34 I think it is, in a Illuminated Dot German #4 on his Marlin 336C 30-30 that made me re think about what power scope to get for a do all brush gun with some reach...and was looking at a 2x7x?? or a 3x9x50 Crossfire II to put on a 270/308 beater trimmed to carbine length. Sez he paid $170 for the Bushnell last year, most likely at Cabella's. His son uses it on hogs and has easliy has made Kill Shots past 150 yards...but then his son is a TPW Cop that wins the Divison shoots regularly too.

I swung it it several times at objects like taking an offhand snap shot at something in the woods that border the houses across the street at stuff from 75 -150/200 yards and was amazed at the clarity and fast on target acquisition. The dial adjustable brightness Il dot really made a difference after sundown on that rainy/cloudy day, looking down in to a heavily wooded draw.
Ron

Shows to go Ya that my precient memory is becoming very fallible...Looked at SWFA just now and the neighbors scope is a Bushnell Trophy XLT 30mm 1.5x6x42 Ill Dot & G#4 crosshair...now listed at $199.95. SWFA also shows a 30mm 1.5x6x44 G#4 W/out the Ill dot at $115...THAT's a bargain and would be sweet on a good Squirrel gun.
Ron

I had a Vortex..Emphasis on had. I now have a Burris Mtac; much better scope for less $$.

Thanks for all the input guys! Really helpful! Does anyone have experience with a Minox?? I found a Minox ZA 5HD 1.2-6x24 for $449. Good or bad??

I read it the first time. At 200 yards and under, the only "hold" thought necessary is holding steady on the animal so you can kill it. Wasted thought=wasted seconds. Again, the extra cost of FFP and a mil reticle could be better spent to gain you the precious additional minutes of shooting time better quality glass provides. If you can't see an animal, you can't shoot it-no matter what other fancy stuff your optic can do.

It all goes back to the "shooting" vs. "hunting" perspective.