What to look for in a scope?

[Dafapa]

I don't know a whole lot about scopes. My understanding this what sets the good scopes apart from the rest is their ability to hold and return to zero. I've been looking around for something to put on a 20" flat top AR-15 for a while. I'm currently considering:

Bushnell elite 3200 fixed 10X scope (about 160)

Some kind of Barska scope (a 3-12x I think) (about 140)

a nikon or a leupold

I'm looking to spend no more than 300 on the scope. Is there anything out there comparable to a leupold? I've heard great things about the Bushnell elite and allegedly the Barska is also very good, just not well known. How do I pick out the best glass for the money?

[Flinter]

Clarity, fog proofness, the ability to hold a zero, correct crosshairs for the application, brightness, magnification........there are a dozen variables that go into picking the right scope.

I've always like Leupold, but they aren't cheap. They are, however, a very good scope for the money.

The best scope to dollar ratio I've ever found was from a company called "Swift". They have good clarity, hold a zero and cost about 150 for the 3-9. They also have the only over the counter return policy that I know of in the scope world. If anything happens to it, you just take it to a dealer and they hand you a new one. It even covers accidents.

How do you beat a deal like that?

I've had one on my deer rifle for about 6 years now.

For an AR though, I'd want a bullet drop compensator. I'm not sure Swift offers that.

[Dafapa]

Flinter, thanks for the tip on the swift scopes. What's a bullet drop compensator, and how do you know what kind of crosshairs you need?

[Flinter]

A bullet drop compensator is a dial on the scope that lets you automatically adjust for different ranges. It works the same as the stock sights on your rifle do........just dial in the range and you don't have to worry about how far to hold over the target. That's what I want on a military clone rifle.

They are typically set up for caliber and velocity. Anyone who makes a bullet drop compensator scope should have one for the .223.

There are probably a dozen different crosshair styles. If you want to stay with the typical American style crosshairs then you have 3 choices........mildot, fine duplex and heavy duplex.

Mildot has the dots on the crosshairs for range estimation. Handy, but pricey.

Fine is for fine target work. They are very thin and precise.

Heavy duplex is simply thicker. Not as precise but easier to see.......especially if you are looking through brush and the like.

[308]

One thing I always look for is the clarity of the glass and the distortion or lack thereof around the perimeter of the glass when looking thru the scope. Leupold and Trijicon are fantastic examples of crisp, distortion free glass. I've also had a B&L Elite3000 that was quite acceptable.

So, just take a look thru the best and use that to measure the rest. My $0.02

[psychlopath]

What I always look for in a scope is that it begins with "Leupold."