I cannot believe I'm about to spend $900 on optics

[ceyko]

My general rule is that the optics on the rifle should cost as much as the rifle.

If I recall correctly you have some nice guns and it is about time you bought some nice glass. In a few more years you will look back on this and realize that $900 is cheap after you drop $3500 on a new scope for some new rifle.

Ebay is a GREAT place to find deals on used high end optics.

Ya know, I'm a slacker I guess. Can you provide some input on why one should spend that much? Here is why I ask...

I just spent 700 dollars (really less) on an AR-15 that came with a Nikon Prostaff 3x9-40. This is my goto scope since I enjoy looking through it and can shoot plenty accurately with it. (granted, have not shot with that on my AR yet). I also use this on my 30-06 rifle.

On the past rifles in the military I simply used iron sights.

I'm not asking to be talked into buying high end glass. I'm asking for what that extra moola buys you. On red dot sights, my research made me understand it. I just don't understand what the extra money buys you. Besides magnification - beyond that though, what more do you get that is needed/useful? Does it boil down to "it depends on what you're doing" type of thing?

Also, you're not the first person to say that general rule of thumb either. Just seems to me a quality rifle is more important then the optics since iron sights can be very accurate as well. I know that maybe a simpleton's point of view, but that's just my observation.

Again, not arguing here at all. I just WANT to understand what the better optics get you so I can justify in my own head and one day take the leap to a 600-700 optic. (not interested in red dot for my AR)

Take care

[dmdakota]

What are you doing with your AR? I ask because in order to really answer your question I need to know.

[CJ]

Ya know, I'm a slacker I guess. Can you provide some input on why one should spend that much? Here is why I ask...

I just spent 700 dollars (really less) on an AR-15 that came with a Nikon Prostaff 3x9-40. This is my goto scope since I enjoy looking through it and can shoot plenty accurately with it. (granted, have not shot with that on my AR yet). I also use this on my 30-06 rifle.

On the past rifles in the military I simply used iron sights.

I'm not asking to be talked into buying high end glass. I'm asking for what that extra moola buys you. On red dot sights, my research made me understand it. I just don't understand what the extra money buys you. Besides magnification - beyond that though, what more do you get that is needed/useful? Does it boil down to "it depends on what you're doing" type of thing?

Also, you're not the first person to say that general rule of thumb either. Just seems to me a quality rifle is more important then the optics since iron sights can be very accurate as well. I know that maybe a simpleton's point of view, but that's just my observation.

Again, not arguing here at all. I just WANT to understand what the better optics get you so I can justify in my own head and one day take the leap to a 600-700 optic. (not interested in red dot for my AR)

Take care

In short it all comes down to your rifle out shooting your optics. When you get into higher magnifications you have to spend money to keep the picture clear. Also, you have to spend money for light transmission so you can shoot early on the morning and late at night or on the dark, all of which I do regularly when hunting. When you shoot longer ranges (especially when hunting) you need to make quick accurate adjustments, and again you have to pay for that.

[ceyko]

Ya know, I like to do just about anything with it. Clear as mud?

I won't be doing CQB with it obviously.

I would like to be able to and am planning to do...

-Range Shooting
-Pig/varmint shooting (anything further range then a shotgun would handle, or too big)
-Fun shooting in the woods
-For fun, anytime I can take longer then 200 yard shots I'd like to do that as well.
-MAYBE, MAYBE some other hunting that my 30-06 would not be around for or otherwise.

It is a bull barrel, 18" so it is pretty heavy for the CQB. Plus the CQB thing is a good skill to have but not something you'd necessarily use all the time other then at a specific range for it. I have a 22 that I'd use for Carbine classes and such. Anything that requires that many rounds I'd rather use a 22 for anyway. I'd also use a different AR.

Generally that is all I can think I'd use it for at this time. Nothing life dependent, not for home defense (unless it's easier to get to then my shotgun and handgun) or anything. Still, some decent uses IMO.

Plus when I die my boy will get it.

[silverhatch]

http://www.opticsale.com/vortex-viper-pst-6-24x50-30mm-tube-riflescope-29374-prd1.html?gdftrk=gdfV2656_a_7c772_a_7c3291_a_7c012_d_PST_d_624S1_d_M

[Gtracer]

Yall are ballers. I can't even afford 900 dollar rifles.

Outta my reach as well

[dmdakota]

http://www.opticsale.com/vortex-vipe...ST_d_624S1_d_M

I don't think thats the ffp model.

[dmdakota]

Ya know, I like to do just about anything with it. Clear as mud?

I won't be doing CQB with it obviously.

I would like to be able to and am planning to do...

-Range Shooting
-Pig/varmint shooting (anything further range then a shotgun would handle, or too big)
-Fun shooting in the woods
-For fun, anytime I can take longer then 200 yard shots I'd like to do that as well.
-MAYBE, MAYBE some other hunting that my 30-06 would not be around for or otherwise.

It is a bull barrel, 18" so it is pretty heavy for the CQB. Plus the CQB thing is a good skill to have but not something you'd necessarily use all the time other then at a specific range for it. I have a 22 that I'd use for Carbine classes and such. Anything that requires that many rounds I'd rather use a 22 for anyway. I'd also use a different AR.

Generally that is all I can think I'd use it for at this time. Nothing life dependent, not for home defense (unless it's easier to get to then my shotgun and handgun) or anything. Still, some decent uses IMO.

Plus when I die my boy will get it.

Sounds to me like a variable power scope is the Ticket for You.
now money comes into play How much are you wanting to spend.

[ceyko]

Well, I don't want to spend any right now. What I'm trying to understand is why I would spend 600-700 dollars on my 600-700 dollar rifle, when the Nikon I got seems great.

It really may be one of those deals where I may have to use a friend's rifle or something that has higher end optics on it. Hell, I was using 25-50 dollar optics before I appreciated the 100-150 dollar optics. I bought into the Nikon Prostaffs though because they seem to provide an equal picture to some of the 200-300 dollars scopes I looked through.

Although, what CJ said about high magnification and a clear pictures and quick/accurate adjustments - that makes more sense at this time to me. Nothing really to a 3x9 scope. If I'm zooming in however many times more then 9x - I could see the cost of the scope going up to make that a more pleasurable experience.

[CJ]

I don't think thats the ffp model.

correct, that's not the good one.

[CJ]

Well, I don't want to spend any right now. What I'm trying to understand is why I would spend 600-700 dollars on my 600-700 dollar rifle, when the Nikon I got seems great.

It really may be one of those deals where I may have to use a friend's rifle or something that has higher end optics on it. Hell, I was using 25-50 dollar optics before I appreciated the 100-150 dollar optics. I bought into the Nikon Prostaffs though because they seem to provide an equal picture to some of the 200-300 dollars scopes I looked through.

Although, what CJ said about high magnification and a clear pictures and quick/accurate adjustments - that makes more sense at this time to me. Nothing really to a 3x9 scope. If I'm zooming in however many times more then 9x - I could see the cost of the scope going up to make that a more pleasurable experience.

Allow me to elaborate - usually during the day I'm in a cellphone and I typo like a mad man and keep things brief.

I slowly worked my way up the optics ladder. I started with cheap ass leapers scopes, moved up to Leupold mid power scopes, and now I'm jumping the start of the high end glass. The reason for this is the quality of rifles I've been shooting.

If your rifle groups 3" at 100 yards, you don't need anything better than a $100 scope. But when you're trying to shoot a 1/4" group at 350 yards you need some damn good glass to see that. That would be like trying to read your W2 at 350 yards - you have to have some serious control. The higher the magnification the higher the quality of glass needs to be to achieve the same clarity - and when you have a variable power scope - things get much more complicated and more money needs to get spent.

For single power scopes you can dial in a very clear piece of glass for relatively cheap - however 24x at 100 yards is stupid close, and if you're trying to shoot hogs in a pack, good luck at getting more than 1 shot off. When they start to run you won't hit shit more than likely. Also, at longer ranges you only have one shot to hit a target when hunting - so making accuracte adjustments is key. You need to know at 20mph wind you need to through in 4MOA of left adjustment, and it has to be right the first time. The nicer scopes have turrets which of course allow you to make adjustments on the fly, and they can be re-zeroed so you know where you're at and where you've come from. Also, with money comes quality - cheaper scopes will not hold up as well to high recoil, getting dropped, water, dust, etc... For a range queen you only plan on punching holes in paper - get a 16x fixed scope, it will do perfect. <shameless plug>I am trying to sell my Leupold 3.5-10x40 with rings right now and I think I'm asking a very reasonable price if you're interested</shameless plug>. I'm at the point where I really want to get the moneys worth out of my rifle and I need optics of the same quality to get there. Think of it this way - my rifle has no iron sights... it's effectiveness and accuracy are solely dependent on what I bolt on top of it. If I bolt a $50 leapers scope it will shoot like a $50 rifle.

[GAP]

I'm excited about my first non cheapo scope. Still cheap though. I got a 4.5-14 Nikon Buckmaster. Should do nice on the AR when it get here next week sometime.

[CJ]

I'm excited about my first non cheapo scope. Still cheap though. I got a 4.5-14 Nikon Buckmaster. Should do nice on the AR when it get here next week sometime.

Nikon makes some of the the best scopes for the money.

[Brandon-k]

Just ordered my Eotech 512 after screwing around with an Osprey POS red dot. I can't wait to mount that $400 of fast shooting joy to my flattop upper.

[94StangFiveO]

Just ordered my Eotech 512 after screwing around with an Osprey POS red dot. I can't wait to mount that $400 of fast shooting joy to my flattop upper.

Exactly what I'm about to buy. Where'd you get yours? $400 is the lowest I've seen. I've been holding off, hoping someone will have them on sale.