Calling the Ogre and other glass nuts

[Avenger29]

So, I'm looking for a standard type scope for my AR-15 and don't want China crap. I'm willing to spend up to 400 or so for the scope. Looking at primarily 3-9x scopes for an AR-15 flattop, 16" bbl (yes, it has a fixed front sight post and I'm keeping it.). Illuminated reticle would be nice, I guess, but not really necessary, especially at the price point. I also think I might want an adjustable objective.

I know you push the Vortex line heavily, George. Where are they made at? Customer service?

Also looking at the Mark AR series of scopes and other Leupold scopes. Haven't really considered anything else. Where are the Mark AR scopes made at and what's the origin of the components, if you know?

[GeorgeHill]

My Vortex are made in Japan.  US Company with Japanese glass and manufacturing.
Leupold... US Company, US assembly... Japanese Glass.  Both are getting their glass from the same source... basically Nikon.

[Avenger29]

My Vortex are made in Japan.  US Company with Japanese glass and manufacturing.
Leupold... US Company, US assembly... Japanese Glass.  Both are getting their glass from the same source... basically Nikon.

That's good to hear. Long as it's US or Japanese glass and assembly, I am A-OK. What about Nikon's offerings and customer service?

Any suggestions as far as to specific scope? I know you had a 2-7 Vortex on your Sig 556...extended use report?

[GeorgeHill]

Nikon is a good option.  Vortex isn't bad.  Burris isn't bad at all either.
My 2-7 is flawless for the intermediate application.
Nikon has a 2-8 Monarch that is awesome.
What are you going to be using the weapon for?  What application? 

[Avenger29]

Nikon is a good option.  Vortex isn't bad.  Burris isn't bad at all either.
My 2-7 is flawless for the intermediate application.
Nikon has a 2-8 Monarch that is awesome.
What are you going to be using the weapon for?  What application? 

Pretty much what you described as intermediate use...anywhere from 200-500 yards or so, not really looking at hunting use or hard core target shooting. Just something that would work well at those ranges and allow me to get more experience with using a scope.

[GeorgeHill]

If you want to learn the use of optics... I suggest starting out with a low cost traditional type scope and then after you get your hands on one, learn how to use it the right way... then you can decide what features you want on a higher end scope.
http://www.madogre.com/Interviews/Rifle_Scopes.htm

Nikon ProStaff BDC 3-9: $159.99. There are a lot of other scopes out there that cost from this price level on down, but seriously, there are none worth the money. Tascos, Simmons, Bushnell Banners... looking through them they generally have a nasty yellow tint that makes it look like you are looking through a jar of piss. They are total crap. If you can't buy a better scope... if you can't bring it up to this level... you probably shouldn't be buying a rifle scope. This scope is where clarity starts. The ProStaff is clear, reasonably sharp, and has a lifetime warranty. The BDC reticule works quite well with a little practice.

Vortex Diamondback 4-12: $189.99. Vortex is a new optics company that is taking the market by storm. I've not seen anything from these guys that have not been fantastic for the money. This scope might prove to be much better as we see how well they stand up to recoil.

Nikon Buckmaster 3-9 BDC: $209.99. I liked this scope so much, I went and got one and I'm glad I did. For only two hundred and ten, it's hard to beat this glass. The only downsides to this scope are first the funky rounded objective bell shape and the eye relief which isn't as roomy as it should be.

Nikon Team Primos 3-9 BDC: $269.99. This is an older Monarch series scope revamped with the BDC reticle.   The clarity and brightness is outstanding. If you want a Monarch but can't swing the cash, this is your scope.  Nikon has the lower end of the market tied up.  This scope proves that you don't have to spend a lot of money for a great piece of glass.

Bushnell Elite 3200 4-12: $299.99. This one has the parallax focus out on the objective bell. It has a decent eye relief for varminting and target shooting. Match this one up with a Savage or a Vanguard and you've got a good package without spending a lot of money.

Leupold VX-II 3-9 LR: $329.99. You can put this on any heavy recoiling gun and it will take care of business. The glass is great and light transmission is too. These new VX-II scopes are actually the old Vari-X III scopes that everyone hailed as world class. Nothing has changed here. It's still world class and hunters have taken these around the world and have hunted everything on the planet.

Burris 4.5-14 Fullfield II: $389.99. This has a larger bell, Mil-Dot reticule and is popular with guys looking for a tactical rifle scope that doesn't break the bank. I've seen these on a lot of flattop AR's and Remington 700 SPS rifles in all calibers.

Vortex Viper 4-12X40: $429.99. This is going to give the Leupold VX-II's and some of the III's a serious run for the money. The good warranty, the argon gas purging, side parallax focus, these scopes have a lot to offer. But again, since they are new they don't have the century long track record of proven history. Hey, Vortex – send me one of these, and I'd be happy to field test it! This scope here is one I am very interested in.

Leupold VX-II 4-12, fine plex: $439.99. I've topped one of my favorite rifles with this one. This is a good balanced rifle scope that is bright, clear, with great eye relief... the only thing I wish it had was turrets that were finger adjustable and not requiring a damn coin. Over 400 bucks and you have to break out a penny. That's a dumbass oversight that Leupold needs to fix. This is ridiculous. But that's my only gripe. Getting a better scope than this one, the price jumps considerable.

[Avenger29]

Thanks, I completely forgot about your guide on your site.

I'll be doing some looking and thinking at the stores this week, but I doubt any of the pathetic gunshops around here have a Vortex for me to take a look at.

[Avenger29]

I ended up making a bit of an odd decision. The best of the local shops around here (i.e., the one I can actually stand to deal with, good guy running it) had a lightly used Leupold VX-III 4.5-14x50mm, AO for a decent price ($375) and in excellent shape. I put it on layaway. It will look a bit odd on my AR, but should do the job and will be usable for other applications (i.e., if I want to put it on something in .308...looking at buying an AR-10 of some type later, maybe).

I'm just glad that I learned not to waste my time with the cheap crap, or I would have ended up purchasing a Tasco from Walmart. God I was stupid back in my teenage years!

Now, to finish up this semester and pick up up over Christmas vacation...

[GeorgeHill]

That's actually a very sound choice, and at a great price.  Out of all the VX-III's we've sold like that - not ONE has come back with any problems.  Solid stuff.

[Avenger29]

That's actually a very sound choice, and at a great price.  Out of all the VX-III's we've sold like that - not ONE has come back with any problems.  Solid stuff.

Just wondering- what have you had come back out of Leupold's lineup?

[GeorgeHill]

Some VX-II's.  We've seen several RIFLEMEN series scopes... enough to know they are total shiat.  Some VX-I's.  And Ancient M-8 scopes.

[Avenger29]

One more thing, say, is it possible to have the Leupold Custom Shop add say, the M1 target knobs to the windage and elevation adjustment rather than the standard coin adjustment?

[GeorgeHill]

One more thing, say, is it possible to have the Leupold Custom Shop add say, the M1 target knobs to the windage and elevation adjustment rather than the standard coin adjustment?

No.  They wont.  They want you to buy the VX-III or 3 if you want those nice turrets.

[Avenger29]

Screwith that, I say.

I've only got $50 down on that scope, I can change my mind. Still doing lots of optics research...be much easier if there was not a Chinese Infestation in the scope world.

Might save some money and go with a Vortex instead...