Hunting is a game of precision and you can never go wrong with the best scope for Ar 15 under 100 when you have to show your targeting skills.
The AR-15 has been around for more than 6 decades. Actually, it was first developed in 1954. And since its introduction, there have been some added accessories and features to make it more powerful and effective. Also, check out the 10/22 best cheap scope.
A scope for AR-15 is one accessory you just can’t do without. There are numerous scopes you can choose, which brings us to the concern of choosing the best available option.
It is not that all scopes would fit in your AR-15. There is a range of scopes available on the market and choosing between them could take hours of research. You may need a scope that gives clarity, humidity resistance, and fine precision for catching up with your target. For this purpose, it is possibly good to go with nitrogen purged scopes that offer anti-fog features.
In order to save your time and give you the best choice that is possible, we have compiled a list alongside their features and benefits so that you can choose the scope of your choice easily.
Table of Contents
UTG 3-9X32 1″ BugBuster AR Scope, AO, RGB Mil-dot
This is an exclusive AR 15 supportive scope for flawless shooting experience. It is a 1-inch tube that is coated with Emerald, which gives maximum possible light transmission. This scope is a premium option with zero-lockable functionality. Resettable turrets also add to productivity with the ¼ MOA on offer for per click adjustment. The Mil-dot reticle offers shooters with precise target aiming and subsequent shooting.
There is also the adjustable objective lens option as per the shooting requirements, which is within the range of 3 yards to infinity. Red or green illumination is thee for versatile applications. It also has a Large Field of View option along with the perfect eye relief operation as well for the precision critical CQB mission. Finally, it has a top-quality flip-open lens cap and 2 inches sunshade. Learn more about how far can you see with a night vision scope.
- Shock, rain and fog proof
- Zero-lockable functionality
- Adjustable objective lens
Bushnell Red Dot Sight for AR 15 Rifle
The matte black finishing of this gear makes it look stylish and goes well with the AR rifle as well. The scope features a highly productive 3 MOA dot reticle, which comes with the most desirable brightness settings as well. You can have it to mount conveniently on AR 15 rifle with the Picatinny rails. Compatibility is there for the shotguns, pistols, and muzzleloaders as well.
The manufacturer has ensured ideal construction with waterproof design while using the O-ring sealed optics that always stay dry inside. The unit is shockproof as well and any bang, drop or bump wouldn’t impact its functionality. The equipment comes with nitrogen inside that ascertains the internal optical surfaces wouldn’t get fog, due to humidity, cold or any other reason.
- Shockproof
- Waterproof
- 3 MOA dot reticle
Simmons 2.5-10×40 Protarget Black FC Riflescope
This particular riflescope is exposed to the military-grade turrets that offer quick settings and execution. Shooters can go about the fine in-field adjustments as well for optimum performance in shooting range or game hunting. The tube has a mil-dot reticle that gives users with standard windage and also provides elevation holdover capability as well.
You will get this scope with 30Mm rings, which will help with easy setup right out of the box. Medium rings are for the 40Mm objective and 44Mm objective for high rings. The lens of the scope is excellently protected with a flip-up scope that protects it from any accidental damage when the equipment is not in use. The riflescope in that price is also waterproof, shockproof and fog proof as well. Therefore, reliability, performance, and durability are guaranteed for the hunters.
- Elevation holdover
- Flip-up scope cap
- Waterproof
BARSKA 3-9×42 IR Contour Dual Color Reticle Riflescope
This special riflescope from Barska comes with 2-color illuminated reticle and this could be seamlessly switched between green and red colors 30/ 30 and also standard black color. Each of the mentioned colors could be employed in 5 different settings in terms of brightness. Magnification of this scope is its plus point which is in the range of 3 – 9x. It also offers waterproof, shockproof and fog proof capabilities.
The fully coated optics also provides for adjustment for the windage, rheostat, and elevation, etc. The total length of this tube is 9.1 inches, whereas the diameter of the same is 1 inch. The objective lens of this scope is 44mm. The shooter would enjoy using this for shooting with its 3.9 inches of eye relief. The package comes with a battery, mounting rings, lens cloth, and scope caps.
- 3 – 9x magnification
- Waterproof
- 4mm objective lens
Bushnell Banner 4-16x40mm Riflescope with CF500 SFP Reticle
Bushnell comes with superb riflescopes that are compatible with AR 15 rifles and also doesn’t break the bank. This one is a phenomenal tube with single-piece construction. Shooters will be impressed with its exclusive Centerfire 500 illuminated reticle. Dry nitrogen is also filled inside the tube, which doesn’t let the fog built on the lens due to humidity, temperature change or any other reason.
Therefore, users can have a crisp and clear view of all types of conditions. The magnification for this scope is offered in the range of 4 – 16x and it comes with a 40mm objective lens as well. ¼ MOA fingertip setting is ensured by the equipment. Moreover, it comes packs with excellent resettable windage and also has got to offer elevation adjustment as well.
- ¼ MOA
- 4 – 16x magnification
- Elevation adjustment
WEAVER Kaspa 3-9X40 Ballistic-X Scope
This riflescope might look simple at first glance, but it has got good properties for the price it comes at. It looks elegant apparently with its matte black finish. The manufacturer has gone with a single-piece construction of this scope.
The equipment has the ballistic-x reticle and very fine and crisp ¼ inches of MOA adjustment. This is good with its windage and elevation adjustment, right as per the need of the shooting requirements.
The lenses used in his riflescope are fully multi-coated. This helps with the clarity of the object insight and as well as with the superb light transmission and contrast. The tube is nitrogen-filled that allows the lens to stay fog-free, which could be due to humidity or lower temperatures. Moreover, it is also shockproof and waterproof as well.
- ¼ inches MOA adjustment
- Nitrogen-filled scope for waterproof/ fog proof
- One-piece construction
Bushnell Trophy Rifle Scope with Multi-X Reticle
This is a fantastic one-piece riflescope that comes with the integrated saddle. It goes well with the AR 15 rifles and one of the finest options for your money. The scope comes with fully coated optics for superior performance and gives 91% transmission of light in any kind of weather conditions.
The scope is 100% waterproof, shockproof and fog proof as well. The magnification range of this scope is reasonable enough to be at 3 – 9x. It also comes with the multi-x reticle and as well as provides eye relief of 4 inches as well.
- ¼ MOA adjustments
- 100% waterproof, shockproof and fog proof
- 91% light transmission
Simmons 8-Point 3-9x50mm Rifle Scope
This riflescope from Simmons comes with extremely robust features, which are set for its economical price. You will get the riflescope with coated optics, which provides desirable brightness with high contrast graphics.
The fully coated optics are provided with waterproof, shockproof and fog proof abilities. This one offers ¼ MOA adjustments with the elevation and windage configurations. The proprietary True Zero elevation and windage adjustments stay locked at 0 through any of the vigorous conditions.
There is also a QTA eyepiece with the scope, which allows for convenient target acquisition. The hunters would get to offer 3 – 9x magnification and then the objective lens is there with 50mm. Another advanced feature is of the field of view rating at 31.4 feet for a distance range of 100 yards. It is quite lightweight equipment with 13.2 ounces.
- QTA eyepiece
- 50mm objective lens
- 3.75 inches eye relief
Pinty 2.5-10×40 Red Green Illuminated Mil-dot Tactical Rifle Scope
The riflescope comes with a magnification of 2.5 10 x and has an objective lens of 40mm, which is quite reasonable for AR 15 rifles. The field of view capability of this scope is 3.5 inches for a distance of 100 yards, which again is an acceptable rating.
The laser range of the equipment is up to 100 yards. The gear has a multi-coated objective lens in green that boasts excessive light transmittance for superb and clear performance. It is much better and productive than any of the blue color objective lenses.
You will get to have a green and red illuminated reticle in 5 distinct levels of brightness. It is suitable for all types of environments. Shooters with the AR 15 scope will find it as a quality and a fully complete set of a laser scope. The construction of this item is flawless with aluminum alloy.
- Waterproof
- 40mm objective lens
- Aluminum alloy construction
CVLIFE 2.5-10x40e Red & Green Illuminated Scope
This is a splendid riflescope for AR 15 at an economical price. It offers a decent magnification of 2.5 – 10x and an objective lens of 40mm. The riflescope provides a field of view of 32.5 inches at a distance of 100 yards.
As a result of all its top-class features, clearer images are observed. The multi-coated green lens provides that much-needed boost, which provides excessively high transmittance of light as compared to the blue type lens. The illumination modes offer with this riflescope are red and green with 5 distinct intensity levels.
The manufacturer of this scope has ensured durability in its construction with high strength aluminum of aircraft grade. This scope means serious business for all shooters with Ar 15 rifles.
- Multi-coated green lens
- 3.5 inches field of view
- 2.5 – 10x magnification
Buying Guide For Scope For AR-15
If you are ready to go shopping for scope for AR 15, this buying guide will help you make an informed buying decision.
Choose a scope from a popular manufacturer
It makes sense to select a scope for AR-5 that is designed by an experienced and popular manufacturer. When you choose from this type of manufacturer, there is a lesser chance of choosing the wrong product because they have been in the business for long to know what is best for their customers.
Also, a popular manufacturer may not want to tarnish its image by producing low-quality scopes They also know that doing so will affect their reputation.
Select a scope that is both compact and lightweight
When deciding on the best scope for AR-15 to buy, it’s important to select one that is compact and lightweight. This will help you easily carry it along with your rifle and other accessories while you go hunting.
Likewise, the right scopes should be durable and rugged, because they are designed for defensive and tactical use. When they are sturdy, they would be able to withstand bumps and wear and tear.
Select a scope that is fog proof and waterproof
Since you are going to use the scope for AR-15 outdoors, it’s important to choose a waterproof and fog proof scope. No matter what type of weather you are going to use the scope, it’s vital to be ready for whatever changes the weather elements may bring.
With a waterproof scope, you won’t have issues even when there are drops of rain on the scope. It will also keep the scope safe when targeting around bodies of water.
Choose the right scope for either long-range or close range
There are different types of scopes available for different conditions and environments. If you plan on using the scope for long-range, it’s important to choose scopes that let you see targets from far obviously.
When it comes to long-range shooting, magnification is far more important than acquiring your targets quickly. In this case, you should be looking for a scope with good magnification. But if you are using it for short-range shooting, you would need red dot sights or holographic sights. These are more reliable for short-range shooting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I use a scope for AR-15?
Simply put, a scope for AR-15 will help you improve your shooting performance and overall experience because it helps you reduce distance guessing and acquire your targets easily.
It is okay if I zip tie my scope on the AR-15 Riffle?
Yes, using a zip tie to attach your scope is a bad idea, because it could break the scope if it’s poorly made. Instead, get scope rings for proper scope attachment.
What is the ideal magnification on an AR-15 scope?
The right type of magnification will depend mostly on the purpose of hunting. You can follow a simple rule by using a magnification of 1x for every hundred yards. In this case, you would need a magnification of 10x for 100 yards.
When should I use the first or second focal plane scope?
The first focal plane will be appropriate when you don’t need to adjust the accuracy of magnifications. But the second foal plane comes in handy when shooting without changing power or at maximum magnification.
Should I select a variable or fixed magnification scope?
If you are looking for a more durable and higher quality scope, it’s better to settle for a fixed power scope. That is why they are more expensive. However, if you want something basic, you can settle for variable scope.
How do I mount my scope to my AR-15?
You can hook it through an opening in the middle of the AR-15 and a Picatinny. If the AR-15 riffle’s iron sight is installed, you can also attach the scope there as well.
What is the meaning of parallax?
This happens when there is no proper alignment between the user’s eye and the scope. You are likely going to get parallax when there is too much distance between your eye and the ocular lens.
Which scope reticle is the ideal choice for new shooters?
New shooters should only consider two types of reticles. For long-range and tactical optics, the best is a standard mil-dot reticle, while those using the scope strictly for hunting should settle for the plain reticle.
What are the features of the best scope for AR-15?
The best scope for AR-15 must be fog proof and waterproof. They must also be durable and strong enough to withstand wear and tear. Above all, they should have the right magnification, focal plane, and reticle for quick target acquisition and long-range shooting.
Conclusion:
When choosing the best scope for AR-15, remember that you always get what you pay for. So, do not put too much emphasis on getting a cheap one. The clarity, fog proof view and necessary FOV helps in making your targeting precision easy and accurate. It’s far more important to select a scope that will be more durable and more effective for your shooting or hunting expedition. So, go for it.