AR15 Hunting Scope Options

[tdi_g]

This year I am going to use my AR for deer hunting. I currently have a Vortex Strikefire but am thinking of changing that up for something a little more precise. I can shoot 4 moa consistently with it but am concerned this just isn't accurate enough for hunting. I am trying to find something under $200 (scope and mount). I was looking today at the Nikon buckmaster and also the Nikon 223 3x? scopes as potential options. What do you guys recommend and/or have experience with?

 

[Falcon1]

 

[tdi_g]

View attachment 576286

While I like that setup, I'm not sure who sells a mount that will attach that to an AR

 

[tdi_g]

Here are a few I am looking at:

Primary Arms 1-4x24 http://www.primaryarms.com/primary-arms-1-4x-24-illuminated-scope-pa14x/p/kt-pa14x/

I'm not crazy with how long it is. It looks really bulky. The scope is almost a foot long

Nikon P-223 3x32 http://www.nikonsportoptics.com/en/....html#tab-ProductDetail-ProductTabs-TechSpecs

I actually checked this one out at Academy Sports yesterday and really liked the size (8.1" long) and weight. Only thing I am not certain about is the fact that it is only a 3X power. It says it is rated out to 200 yards plus but I am not sure about that. Anyone have any experience with it?

Nikon Buckmasters 3-9x40 http://www.nikonsportoptics.com/en/nikon-products/product/null/buckmasters-ii-3-9x40-bdc.html

I checked out the Buckmasters scope as well and really liked it. I have heard a lot of good things about it. My main concern is the size of it. Is is 13.1" long which might be a bit big for a carbine length AR platform. Anyone have experience here?

A few lesser expensive (dare I say cheap on a few) options that I haven't physically looked at in person yet:

http://www.primaryarms.com/vortex-crossfire-ii-2-7x32-dead-hold-bdc-reticle/p/kt-cf2-31003/

http://www.amazon.com/Barska-AC1187...F8&qid=1445952484&sr=1-12&keywords=AR15+scope

http://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-Zone...F8&qid=1445952484&sr=1-15&keywords=AR15+scope

http://www.amazon.com/UTG-3-12X44-C...TF8&qid=1445952484&sr=1-7&keywords=AR15+scope

Thoughts?

 

[WinstonSmith]

Burris ar 332. If that's not good enough you shouldn't be taking the shot with 5.56 imo

 

[Radar363]

A lot depends on what you think your maximum shooting range will be. A 1-4x would probably work in most wooded areas of GA but you might want something with a little more magnification.
I have a Nikon M223 1-4x in a Nikon mount and like it. I'm looking for another scope for a new upper and will probably go with this one from SWFA http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-1-4x24-Tactical-30mm-Riflescope-P78365.aspx

My nephew runs the Nikon Buckmaster you linked to on his 6.8 upper and is happy with it. I shot it mounted on my SPR lower with a Geissele SSA trigger in it and it was way more fun to shoot than I expected.
I bought a rifle package that included a Barska scope: I'll never pay for one after never being able to get that one to hold zero.

 

[Jack O A T]

Do a little searching and you should be able to find a Redfield Revolution 2-7x33 and a Burris PEPR mount for close to your budget max. Great scope and Made in USA. The mount is solid, if a little on the chunky side. I've run that setup on my 6.8 for deer hunting for a few years now and love it.

Are you hunting with 223/5.56? If so, what ammo?

 

[tdi_g]

I will be using 223 with Winchester 64 gr soft points.

 

[Radar363]

This 1-6x from Primary Arms is another I was looking at for my 18" upper. http://www.primaryarms.com/primary-...bined-sighting-system-paps1-6x/p/kt-paps1-6x/
Gives you a little more magnification and has an illuminated reticle.

 

[CraigMo]

I've got a Redfield Battlezone 3-9x40 with TAC-MOA reticle that you can have for $150 plus shipping, or you pick up near Vidalia, 30474. It came with .308 and .223 turrets, but I lost the .223 , but I'm sure that you could have them send a set, or just use it without the elevation range adjustment, which you shouldn't need anyways, out to 200 yards.

Of the choices that you listed.... 3X is fine for shooting out to 200 yards, but not for inspecting a deer closely, but you probably use binos for that anyways.
Vortex makes good glass, and I like 2-7X, as it's easy to set it at 2X and keep both eyes open.
SWFA makes good scopes for the price, as someone else mentioned.
Barska and UTG are not good scopes. You'll lose daylight looking through them.