The Takeaway:
1. Our Pick: Vortex Strike Fire 2 with Cantilever Mount
2. Runner-Up: UTG Compact CQB Bug BusterAO RGB Scope
3. Also Great: Nikon M-308 4-16X32 Rifle Scope w/BCD 800 Reticle
The AR is famous for its versatility and high performance accuracy. This accuracy is what really makes this rifle effective. However, the accuracy of the AR is on the shooter almost more so than in the rifle itself. This becomes critical when hunting. The natural choice is to purchase a scope for your AR, but which one do you choose?
The only real choice are optics designed for the AR, of course. Choosing optics designed for another rifle can lead to scope failure. Sure, they might work for a while but you know what that means: when it matters most, chances are your luck will change, leaving you wishing you had maybe not gotten that “good deal” after all.
When looking for the best AR scope for the money, there are a few things to take into consideration. Here is a short list of the best optics for long range shooting with the AR-10, detailing those points you should keep in mind. So, what is the best AR sight?
Our Pick: Vortex Strike Fire 2 AR Scope
The Vortex Strike Fire 2 with Cantilever Mount is one of the best AR-10 scopes for hunting and for those times when acquiring a target nearly instantly matters most. When that deer jumps out of the brush, this is the scope that brings the whole event together. Having no parallax shooting error, you can have both eyes open while shooting, giving you that split second advantage.
This optic is fog proof and also waterproof. It has an extra high recoil rating due to its 30mm aluminum, which makes it one of the best AR-10 optics when it comes to short ranges. Also, with rear facing controls and night vision adaptability, this is definitely for the hunter who hunts in heavier cover or for those looking for a good choice for home defense.
Runner-Up: UTG Compact CQB Bug BusterAO RGB Scope
The .308’s recoil and utility for hunting makes the UTG 3-9×32 Compact CQB Bug Buster AO RGB the perfect scope for the AR-10, being designed for rugged and abusive climates and conditions. It is waterproof, fog proof, and even shock proof. It is also 100% nitrogen filled, giving it a leg up over lesser scopes. Most importantly, this scope is capable of handling the recoil of the AR time and time again.
This scope also has a few extras you can purchase, such as a two inch sun shade and flip open lens caps. Other cool features of this optic is the red or green reticle illumination, eleven range estimating mil-dots, and three yards to infinity with parallax free view. All of this makes this one of the best AR sight for hunting or plinking cans all afternoon.
Also Great: Nikon M-308 4-16X32 Rifle Scope
The Nikon M-308 4-16X42 BDC 800 Reticle Rifle Scope is a great heavy caliber optic for the AR-10, having quick sight acquisition and a large lens for longer ranges. These features make this a very good hunting choice for the AR-10.
It has as high as 95% light transmission which will let in the light in near dark condition. This scope seems to be especially useful when taking it out into the mountains or large open areas like prairies or on the plains.
It is designed to be zeroed in at 100 yards then having indicators from 200 yards out to 800 yards to bring them down and take them home, which will be no problem with the quick focus eye piece bringing the reticle and the target into focus near instantly.
This is one of the best AR optic for the money, along with being a well-known and highly accurate scope it is perfect for bringing in large game or simply knocking cans down at long range for afternoon shooting fun.
Other Products to Consider
Bushnell Trophy XLT DOA 600 Reticle Rifle Scope 4-12×40
Elk are no problem when picking the range with this super tough scope. The Bushnell Trophy XLT DOA 600 Reticle Riflescope is one of the best optics for long range shooting and with Butler creek flip covers that help keep the snow and the rain off. The fast focus eye piece really makes this one of the bad boy optics for the AR-10.
It comes with 91% light transmission in its one piece tube, excellent for when that perfect trophy animal finally makes an appearance just as light starts to fail at near dark but still letting you get the shot.
This waterproof, shockproof, and fog-proof scope will be ready to take them down from 100 yards all the way out to 600 yards easily with the most modern hunting loads. The Bushnell company has made this a time-tested and proven best AR optics for the money.
Best AR Scope for the Money Review 2024 Conclusion
In the end, the best AR scope for the money is ultimately going to come down to personal choice. The scope will have to work for your AR’s setup. It will also have to be the proper scope for your applications. Where are you hunting? Is it a large open area, or is it a heavy brush and marsh where you must dig them out and you need that quick shot? There is also the consideration of home defense, which is another application for the AR-10.
These are a few of the things that need to be thought about so that when your trophy is on the line, you have the right equipment for the job. You already have an AR-10, you need to make sure that you have the best optics for AR-10.
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