What optics do you use on your varmint rifles?

[Slick17]

I just built my AR-15 as a varmint set up and want to know what you are using on your varmint rifles. I was thinking about maybe a 12x24 50mm or 56mm scope. not sure what brand. Don't want to spend $400 on a scope.

My set up is-

RRA A4 24" upper
RRa lower with 2 stage trigger
Magpul PRS scope
and a Harris Bipod

Thanks in advance.

[Lycanthrope]

Personally...the biggest piece of glass I can.

I use several cheap scopes on AR's. I find they either break right up front and you get another one....or last forever. Most last forever. I have a BSA 4x16 Illuminated on my current 3 gun rifle and it takes a beating.

I run an old Tasco 8x40x60mm on my 7STW. It's been on there for 10 years and has taken recoil and still held zero....even after I broke 3 sets of Leopuld STD rings. I finally got Burris Zee rings lapped and glued in to work.


Lycanramblingthrope

[Tomcat088]

I was just about to say the same thing Lycan, I typically use a cheap scope on varmint rigs. Lol, it's actually less than optimal because you usually need good resolution to see the small critters out there a ways, either way I use cheap scopes on varmint rigs too. On my prairie dog guns, I have 2 really old cheap tascos that hold zero and dial fine. At 10x I can always make the little guys out at 250 or more, so I've never had a problem with using some of the cheaper scopes. Bushnell elite 3200 and 4200 are great glass, I think they offer great resolution and they have some scopes that will fit in your budget. I've shot them on 7STW, 6.5x284, 300 winmag, so they don't mind a little recoil.

[00leland00]

I just picked up a Center Point from wal-mart for my varmint/long range set up. $69.97 and it's a 4-16x40, illuminated red and green mil-dot reticle, I think 1/4 clicks, came with scope rings and flip up caps. I haven't mounted it yet, but I know of several guys that have used these and are extremely pleased. I can take some pics if you want.

[Slick17]

Sounds good guys. I have had one in mind and it sounds like it is just what I am after. The only thing I can't seem to figure out is about this scope. It says that it has a illuminated green reticle and I don't know if it has a standard black one as well. I don't just want to have the green. I have a red illuminated scope now for my hi-point 995 carbine and I don't use it at all.

Thanks again guys.

[Tomcat088]

I'm not familiar with that brand of scope at all, but I know a bit about illuminated reticles. Typically, on rifle scopes that aren't holographic/red dot scopes, etc.; the reticle is actually black. You then turn a knob that will have different brightness settings, which will illuminate the reticle with a particular color (usually red, sometimes green, and sometimes both). That's typically how they work. As for that scope, I can't comment because I don't have any experience with it.

[Slick17]

Originally Posted by Tomcat088

I'm not familiar with that brand of scope at all, but I know a bit about illuminated reticles. Typically, on rifle scopes that aren't holographic/red dot scopes, etc.; the reticle is actually black. You then turn a knob that will have different brightness settings, which will illuminate the reticle with a particular color (usually red, sometimes green, and sometimes both). That's typically how they work. As for that scope, I can't comment because I don't have any experience with it.

Thanks. That is how my scope is now. When you turn it on it just puts a red dot in the middle of the cross hair. I am waiting on a reply from the company. I really like the set up of the scope.

[Pukindog]

I have 5 center fire varmint rigs. I take my groundhog shooting seriously. I found that I get eye strain from looking through a "cheap" scope. My scopes have to perform in bright sunlight down to very low light conditions. I did go through a lot of diffferent scopes until I found the ones I am using now.
Leupold VXIII 8.5-25X50 30 mm tube Long range with the Varmint Hunters reticle. These are the best I have found for me. Each of my varmint rigs wears on of these scopes. I do realize you want to spend about $400.00. My advise would be to purchase a used Leupold of some type.

Good luck on whatever you choose,

Jeff

[glockguy68]

I have an old mauser 98 sporterized in 22-250 it has a nice trigger job and real nice stock carvings and as old as it is is my scope a tasco 8x24x50 if Im not mistaken,is a cheapo glass but it sure shoots like a champ,I have plenty of glasses,my baby is an old zeiss diavari in 3x9x42 it was around a 1000 bucks like 20 years ago,but is my ar fav....

[deafsmithco]

My swift has a Leupold 6.5 x 20 on it. Learned many years ago cheap scopes are not worth the money.