Hi.  I need a scope recommendation for a high powered scope.

I'm looking for something with a magnification of 16x or HIGHER to go on a 16" AR in 5.56, but the scope needs to be around the $100 range.

The purpose of this scope is purely for bullet/powder load development at 100 yards.  The Trijicon TA31RCO that I have mounted currently, and the other 9x variable scopes I have, do not provide enough magnification at KHSC's 100 yard range for me.

Thanks in advance.

For price point, warranty and quality it's pretty hard to beat Vortex, but $100 is pretty low for a 16x.

Check out Optics Planet and Amazon.

I am also a fan of Vortex optics.  I really like my Vortex Viper PST 4-16x, but at $100, even their budget models will be well beyond that.

At "around" $100, maybe you can find a used Nikon.  They have pretty good budget optics that are quite clear.  Not sure about 16x, but I've seen 3-9 models in the low $100 range on Amazon. 

Hi.  I need a scope recommendation for a high powered scope.

I'm looking for something with a magnification of 16x or HIGHER to go on a 16" AR in 5.56, but the scope needs to be around the $100 range.

The purpose of this scope is purely for bullet/powder load development at 100 yards.  The Trijicon TA31RCO that I have mounted currently, and the other 9x variable scopes I have, do not provide enough magnification at KHSC's 100 yard range for me.

Thanks in advance.

might want to think into getting a spotting scope for looking at targets for load development. You will probably have a better chance at getting a spotting scope too at the price point you've mentioned

might want to think into getting a spotting scope for looking at targets for load development. You will probably have a better chance at getting a spotting scope too at the price point you've mentioned

Thanks for the advice, but I have two spotting scopes already and they've been extremely helpful in spotting my hits at 100 yards.  My problem is that, with the ACOG, the 4x magnification isn't enough.  I'm almost guessing at where the markings are on the Shoot N See sight-in targets.  While this would probably be OK for plinking, I'm trying different powder loads, so I'd like to get my groupings as close together as possible.  The more consistent my hold, the more useful my grouping comparisons will be.

I'm mainly looking for a rifle scope that can:

1) handle the recoil of a .223 (and possibly a .308 in the future)
2) has a high magnification, maybe 16x or up to 24x
3) is within the price range of around $100, give or take
4) has a parallax setting for 100 yards

Things that are NOT a priority:

1) weight
2) size
3) Illuminated crosshairs
4) 1" or 30mm tube
5) the precision of the vertical or horizontal click adjustments -- I figure that I'll be setting it and leaving it
6) bullet drop compensation
7) first or second focal plane
8 ) optical clarity -- i only need to shoot 100 yards so i don't need a 1,000 yard scope
9) mil rad or moa turrets
10) objective diameter

On a side note, can anyone give feedback on this scope:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B003GSPOV8/?tag=2ahawaii-20
http://www.opticsplanet.com/barska-6-24x44-ridgeline-riflescope-black-matte-p4-reticle.html

might want to think into getting a spotting scope for looking at targets for load development. You will probably have a better chance at getting a spotting scope too at the price point you've mentioned

Not much nice glass in that price range. A quick amazon search shows this tasco spotting scope that has good reviews: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000M9N8ZI/?tag=2ahawaii-20

This Centerpoint scope was decent. Again, you're limited in the quality by the price : http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B005WIAUUU/?tag=2ahawaii-20

Here's another one with good reviews on amazon, but I have no experience with this one. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B005D9HZ1K/?tag=2ahawaii-20
There's lots of options out there in this price range, but I think they're all Chinese and YMMV.

I think a used better quality 3x9 scope would help you much better than a junk 16x scope which may be less clear and not hold adjustments as well.  You should also change your targets too.  Try finding a better target to print on the internet, may allow you to align your crosshairs better than a shoot n c with a lower magnification scope.

I have a scope for you. Pm me.

Not much nice glass in that price range. A quick amazon search shows this tasco spotting scope that has good reviews: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000M9N8ZI/?tag=2ahawaii-20

This Centerpoint scope was decent. Again, you're limited in the quality by the price : http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B005WIAUUU/?tag=2ahawaii-20

Here's another one with good reviews on amazon, but I have no experience with this one. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B005D9HZ1K/?tag=2ahawaii-20
There's lots of options out there in this price range, but I think they're all Chinese and YMMV.

No we don't need to help the Chinese anymore.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/eamonnfingleton/2014/11/12/obama-in-china-taking-candy-from-a-baby/

Your ACOG should be fine. You don't need a scope to do load development.

No we don't need to help the Chinese anymore.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/eamonnfingleton/2014/11/12/obama-in-china-taking-candy-from-a-baby/

Your ACOG should be fine. You don't need a scope to do load development.

I was going to say something along those lines, but hey, the guy wants 16x.

I can see a LaRue MOA target that I printed out on my computer just fine with my 3x9x40 dialed up to 9x.

Everybody's different.

If you spend $100 on a scope, you are wasting $100.  Sorry so blunt......

If you spend $100 on a scope, you are wasting $100.  Sorry so blunt......

Agreed. But now they know if they buy such a scope it will be junk there are scopes out there in your price range. Try looking up (gulp) Tasco scopes on Amazon. They have what you are looking for at your price. I have owned only one scope that failed on me and it was a Tasco on my .22 rifle. It was about a year old when it fell apart. I swore I would never buy a cheap scope again. For me cheap scopes are just not worth the money.

I think Nikon scopes are good value for the money. And Natchezz Shooters Supply sometimes has factory refurbished Nikon scopes at excellent prices. I would suggest you re-think your price point or your magnification requirement.

If you spend $100 on a scope, you are wasting $100.  Sorry so blunt......

I have no problem with my $100 scopes. 

Hey , this is America - Land of Freedom. your money, your scope

I think you got plenty of scope with your ACOG and its probably 10x better than the unicorn $100 16x scope from FleaBay or Amazon.
If you have a 1MOA rifle with 1MOA loads it will still shoot 1MOA with or without a scope. No amount of magnification is going to make a 1MOA gun into a 1/4 MOA gun. The most important factor is the shooter. A scope will help you see - but if you got poor fundamentals it will only magnify them. That's just reality. And yes, I learned that lesson the hard way with lots of wasted bullets, powder and time spent loading those cartridges.
Just trying to keep 'Merica "Merica No to Chinese crap and help a fellow 2Aer save some $$$.
There's a reason why good scopes cost a lot. Like the reason why I can't have an infinity pool that won't leak and look great for $1000. Can it be done and not look like a plastic pool from WalMart? The odds are against it. You might get a good scope or deal on a good scope. Maybe there is someone that is willing to part with a NightForce, S&B, Leupy, Weaver, US Optics, Premier etc. for $100. If so, it is a rare event and like Jennifer Lopez offering her booty - you'd better jump on it quick cuz there will be a line....

But then again my advice and the others here who have experience wasting $$$ on cheap scope are free - its up to you how to spend it.
"Merica! 

I'malso willing to lend you my chrony to help with your load dev.

I have no problem with my $100 scopes.

I thought you don't use scopes...

Good one Ren!!! 

thanks everyone for the suggestions and comments.  i just finished watching that video and what the person is saying makes a lot of sense.  right at around 15 minutes, he talks about using a higher powered scope in competitions where the total grouping size matters.

I know that the rifle i was shooting is capable of sub-moa accuracy, but i'm somewhat limited by my optics.  The way I understand it, ACOGs are purpose built optics that are specifically designed to shoot two-legged targets at center mass.  Since my goal in this case is to shoot quarter-size groupings, I don't think my ACOG is the solution to my problem.

The first pic below was the best that i could do with the my most accurate load on tuesday at KHSC.  This tells me that I was consistently good for three shots, and consistently bad for the other two.  the sixth hole off to the right side was me trying to rezero the ACOG from 50 yards (initial sight-in) to 100 yards (load testing).

the second pic are the two 5-shot groups from the other two loads (not as accurate as the top).

I was having difficulties even finding the red dots on the paper with only 4x magnification.  With a red illuminated chevron, it was difficult for me to find the little red dot on the SHOOT-N-SEE paper.

Before you break the shot what are you focused on - the sight reticle or the target?

I was taught that using a scope is no different than using irons. You focus on the chevron or the front sight post and not on the target itself.

The hard part about it is the manual included with the ACOG tells me that I should do target acquisition with my left eye and the image consolidation should put the magnified chevron onto my spotted target.