AR-15 Scope recomendation

[Gregory]

I have a Bushmaster Varminter which is wearing a leftover Tasco 3-9X World Class scope that had served me well on a 25/06.  I'd like to upgrade the glass sometime in 2005.  I bought this gun with three primary purposes in mind:  target shooting out to 200 meters, varmints, and home defense.
I don't want to go too high in power to still be practical for the home defense needs, say 3X to 4X as a bottom end magnification at the most.  I decided the scope must have a mil-dot reticle.   My budget says $400 would be the most I want to spend.  
 
So far the Monarch 3.3-10x44, Mil Dot, AO, Matte by Nikon, at Optic Zone for $335 is my top pick.
 
Any other recommendations?

[DEPUTY]

UH YEAH! OK FIRST OFF. oops  I would lose the idea of using the 24 inch bushy for a home defense gun unless thats all you own!  a scope on it makes it worse yet!  now if 220yds is going to be your make range of shooting you sure dont need mill dots unless yo ujsut want to spend the extra cash for some  stuff you dont need! and unless you can already read mil dots and use them ok fine but not out to 220yds(200meters) not needed at all a regular scope will do you fine!   the nikon is a great glass also the bushnell 3200 series would make a good choice or the sightron  series as well!  but let me sum it up as such

1. 3 power is too much in the house
2. you do not need mil-dots for 220yd shooting of a flat gun like the 223.
and the 24 inch busy is a but much in the house as far a length  but is ok if it is a safe room gun.

[Squeeze]

Gregory,
 
I have a Weaver V16(4x16) on my RRA varminter upper.  I would replace it in a New York
minute with a Nikon, in the same magnification range, if funds were available.  I have
to agree with the previous poster about the unwieldiness of using a heavy barreled
AR-15 varminter as a home defense gun.  I sleep with my 1911 :grin:   But if
I felt the need for some serious home defense, I have a M4 pre-ban carbine upper,
that pins to my Armalite lower, instead of the Varminter upper, and WHALA!  A bad
guy gang is going to draw some serious fire, if they attempt a home invasion.  I
actually use the M4 for a walk and stalk coyote gun, with an Armalite quick release
high rise scope mount, with a Bushnell 3x9 on it.  In it's home defense mode,
I remove the scope, and replace it with a carry handle sight, for point blank shooting.
 
So with that said, I'd step up one notch in magnification, for that Nikon scope,
and have a very fine varmint rifle, and look for a small carbine AR-15 upper, or
look for a nice 1911 handgun...Both have their hooks in me pretty deeply.
 
Squeeze

[Buford]

I have a Leupold 4.5X14 on my Colt accurized rifle and it has served me well for years.  For home defence, buy a Remington 870 - it will work better for such social occasions.

[Gregory]

Just to clear things up, the AR-15 is not the first choice for my home defense gun, I have others available for that primary chore, Rem 870 and S&W 44Spec. to name two.  I just mentioned it because I didn't want to go to a 24X scope on the AR and I want to shoot the AR offhand as well as from the bench.  I may pick up an A2 upper for the Bush someday for the home defense needs, but that's not in the 2005 budget.
 
I have a Savage 110FP in 223 that is strictly a varminter.  I may upgrade from the Weaver K10 on that rifle someday too.  That one could use a 6.5-20X.

[Mueller Optics]

Hi Gregory  
Here's another suggestion (hopefully the link works)

http://www.militaryoptics.com/MUELLER/4-16X50AO/500YD%20M4-16/500YD%20AR15%204-16X50AO.htm


You can get with Jon at The Optic Zone if your interested, he could hook you up with a good price on this scope.

MO

[LouD]

I have a Bushmaster Varmint Special (24" Stainless Barrel).  I started out with a Leupold 4-12, but felt it had too much eye relief and had trouble mounting it far enough forward.  I changed over to a 3.3-10x44 Nikon Monarch.  I couldn't be happier !!!  Great optics and the eye relief was perfect.  

Lou

P.S.  I use Rifleman see-thru mounts without the riser blocks, all the way forward on the flat top.  I know they're chea... I mean inexpensive, but they look like they were designed for this setup, and the scope sits centered between the mounts.  I can normally cover 3 shots at 100 yards with a dime (using Winchester White box 45 gr. varmint loads (Value Packs)

[Gregory]

Hi Gregory  
Here's another suggestion (hopefully the link works)

http://www.militaryoptics.com/MUELLER/4-16X50AO/500YD%20M4-16/500YD%20AR15%204-16X50AO.htm


You can get with Jon at The Optic Zone if your interested, he could hook you up with a good price on this scope.

MO

FRom another post:

I have bad news for you.  No one has used this scope, because they are not available yet.  I talk to Mueller on Thursday specifically about this scope and they are not scheduled to receive them until around the 10th of January.

[De41mag]

Gregory;

You could try the Leupold 6X42mmAO, Tactial. This scope was designed for the AR-15 and Hunter Benchrest competition. It's a fixed power with the target adjustment knobs, and adjustable objective. The weight is just 15 ounces. I have one on my T/C 22 Classic Benchmark. And think it's just perfect. They are going for $399.00 at most scope dealers.
Good Luck.

Dennis  

[Bugger]

Would the 6x24x50 IOR tactical scope be too much for the Bushmaster?