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Best low light scope for the $$

It’s going to come down to price and objective lens size. Glass quality and size is what will give you the best low light options. Either high end European or Japanese manufactured scopes.
 
Sig Whiskey3 with hellfire dot. I just took one off my wife's rifle I sold, and it'll be up for sale here in a bit. I have one on my rifle too. Nothing like a dot on a scope. I keep it o all the time.
 
One thing to bear in mind, is the diameter that an adults pupil can dilate. For most adults, 5mm is the max. Why does this matter? A 56mm objective lens in a 10X scope will have a 5.6mm exit pupil. The extra light will go around the outside of your pupil and will not provide any additional benefit as it is not visible. A 50mm will be just as bright as a 56mm or heck, a 70mm obj lens in this scenario.

The other factor is light intensity within the cone of light (exit pupil). The higher the quality of glass and coatings, the more intense the brightness will be. In other words, there's no such thing as a free lunch, or a bargain when it comes to optics.
 
In know this is the cheapest of the options and some will cuss me for even suggesting it. I have had had five or six of these scopes for 14 years without fail and I think the best low buck option out there. I have had them on 6.8 SPC, currently on a AR-10 in 308 and 6.5 Creedmoor for hunting. I have never had to reset zero and they take a hell of a beating. They are all you need for 100 to 250 yards and will never let you down. They retail for just around or over 200 and some change and I still use them to this day and never had an issue. Never had to send one back and never experienced one coming off zero once set. They are bullet proof and have thin reticle for precise hits on target Everytime if you do your parts. The culprit of which I speak is the Bushnell AR Optic in 3-12×44 and 4-16×44 @ a 4.5-18×44, I have all three. I also have a Vortex Diamondback tactical and they are no better and also around 250 with no exposed turrets. Sub MOA is no problem and will stay that way untill you change ammo. I register .50 to .75 hits on target guaranteed. Amazon is the best source and believe me they will not disappoint for a good solid hunting scope. I use them at the range and on the hunt all the time and using one this season. Look them over and if you they don't do what I say call me and I will buy it for close to retail and you can buy a different one. That's how confident I am that they will hold up under hunting and range conditions . They are not a high dollar military grade unit but they don't cost anywhere near that kind of coin. I have a Bushnell scope that's been on a 700 BDL in 30-06 since 1980 and that gun and is still on zero. I swear by them to be the best option up too 500 bucks hands down. They've been around doing the deed since Scopes were made. I have spoken!
 
Here's a group I shot at one hundred yards a few weeks ago with a 6.5 Creedmoor with a AR- Optic 3-12×44 for an example. Sub half MOA, 5 shot group and does it with out problems
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Here's a group I shot at one hundred yards a few weeks ago with a 6.5 Creedmoor with a AR- Optic 3-12×44 for an example. Sub half MOA, 5 shot group and does it with out problems View attachment 9684210
I agree. For a cheaper, good scope it's hard to beat a Bushnell. I have a Bushnell on my shotgun and haven't touched zero on it in probably 40 years
 
In fact I have a higher power AR-Optics scope for the one that shot this group and will sell you this scope for 125 shipped. If you don't like it I will back back at the end of season for the same money. How's that for an offer? It's a 3-12×44 and I have a 4-.5-18×44 to swap out for it. If interested PM me or text me @ 404-437-9592



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I really don't want to sell that scope but if it'll help you dispel any negative misconceptions you might have about the lesser expensive Bushnell AR optic lineup I'll be happy to lend it off for the cause.
 
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