I need a short, low power scope.

[dogmush]

I am plotting a new "general purpose" rifle build.  Something that'll reach farther than my 5.56 carbines, but still be short and handy and not too overly handy.  I'm aiming[heh] for useful minute of torso accuracy from contact distance to 500yds. I'm thinking 7.62 and a low power optic would be good for this kind of work.  So something in the 1-4X variable or fixed 4x.  I'd like a BDC in the reticle because I don't want to play with turrets.  Just range, hold over, and squeeze. The platform I'm looking at needs a short scope to clear the charging handle.  Something less then 10" OAL.

Budget is ~$500-$600 or I'd just get an ACOG.  I've run across several 8X scopes that are too big and that's a little powerful for closer targets.  Burris has their TAC line but the 4X have 5.56 BDC's in them.  I'm leaning towards a Vortex Viper PST 1-4 but it only comes with a mrad reticle.  I guess I could memorize holdovers but I was hoping for a more user friendly BDC.

Does anyone know of a 4X or less scope with decent (not great, just decent) glass and a 7.62 BDC?  Short of S&B, Nightforce or Trijicon?

[RoadKingLarry]

If you can live without the BDC this is a darn fine little scope.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/998519/leupold-vx-2-rifle-scope-1-4x-20mm-duplex-reticle-matte?cm_vc=S014

Never used a BDC scope but can it be adjusted based on load/velocity and different projectile weights?

[dogmush]

Never used a BDC scope but can it be adjusted based on load/velocity and different projectile weights?

Not really.  Most are calibrated for military rounds. So in 7.62 147gr at 2700FPS or so.  You can, of course, learn the offset for your round of choice but that kind of defeats the purpose.  Just get a scope with mils marked.  However I intend to set this thing up for surplus/military/standard ammo so a standard 7.62 BDC will be fine.

Thanks for the leupold.  I'll keep it in my back pocket.

[RoadKingLarry]

Thanks for the leupold.  I'll keep it in my back pocket.

Works better mounted on a rifle.

[charby]

Not really.  Most are calibrated for military rounds. So in 7.62 147gr at 2700FPS or so.  You can, of course, learn the offset for your round of choice but that kind of defeats the purpose.  Just get a scope with mils marked.  However I intend to set this thing up for surplus/military/standard ammo so a standard 7.62 BDC will be fine.

Thanks for the leupold.  I'll keep it in my back pocket.

Sort of, they are calibrated for other rounds, this depends upon where you zero the scope where each of the BDC marks fall. They come with a nice little table that shows popular loadings in popular calibers.

[charby]

I really like my Burris Fullfield II 2-7x35, you can pick one up for $139 if you shop around the internet.

Here is Burris's plex guide, it does list one for .308 http://www.burrisoptics.com/pdf/Ballistic%20Plex%20Guide.pdf

[dogmush]

Burris is too long

[Fly320s]

Look at Burris, Vortex, SWFA for good quality, affordable scopes. Leupold makes good scooes, too, but they are generally higher priced.

Look at www.samplelist.com for used scopes.

[charby]

Burris is too long

How long of length are you looking at?

[dogmush]

How long of length are you looking at?

Less then 10".  It's going on a G3 clone, so it has to have eye relief, and clear the charging handle when locked back.

[charby]

Less then 10".  It's going on a G3 clone, so it has to have eye relief, and clear the charging handle when locked back.

Look at scout scopes then.

[AJ Dual]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hensoldt-Zeiss-Scope-ZF-4x24-TOP-OUT-OF-RESERVE-STOCK-/151106349642?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item232ea3ea4a

Why not go for what they actually made for the G3/91 series?

[dogmush]

Scout scopes have too much eye relief.  I need something about 9.5" long with 2-3" eye relief.  When I started looking I figured I'd have plenty of choices (it's basically a 3-gun scope) but they seem to all be a touch too long, or 5.56.  It seems like it's not popular to shoot 7.62 less then 800 yds these days.

I might have to look at an EOtech and a magnifier.  Of course that puts me back into ACOG price ranges.


Side thought:  does Trijicon refresh your >$1000 scope when the tritium dies?  I've never heard of the plan for that.

[dogmush]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hensoldt-Zeiss-Scope-ZF-4x24-TOP-OUT-OF-RESERVE-STOCK-/151106349642?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item232ea3ea4a

Why not go for what they actually made for the G3/91 series?

Sits too high for the stock I want to use, doesn't have the features I want (reticle, illumination), don't want to use a claw mount.

[Jamisjockey]

Less then 10".  It's going on a G3 clone, so it has to have eye relief, and clear the charging handle when locked back.

That's what she said.

[charby]

Less then 10".  It's going on a G3 clone, so it has to have eye relief, and clear the charging handle when locked back.

this is a hair over 10"

http://www.burrisoptics.com/timberline3x9x.html

[dogmush]

Anybody ever used a Horus scope?

Horus Talon 1-4x24

It's still a millirad reticle but seems promising.

That, the Vortex Viper PST, or the Burris MTAC seem the closest to what I'm looking for so far.

ETA: Forgot even the short Burris is longer then what I'm looking for.

[tokugawa]

Try a Burris "short mag" 2x7.  9 3/4" long.

[dogmush]

Try a Burris "short mag" 2x7.  9 3/4" long.

Appears to be discontinued.

[Balog]

This appears to fit the bill.

http://www.trijicon.com/resources/downloads/Trijicon_VCOG_SpecSheet.pdf

[Balog]

Oops, except for price.

[seeker_two]

Pistol scope?....

[dogmush]

As an aside, I'm amazed there's as much of a market for ~$2000 short range scopes tactical as there appears to be.  I wonder if .gov sales are driving this segment and keeping prices high.

[charby]

As an aside, I'm amazed there's as much of a market for ~$2000 short range scopes tactical as there appears to be.  I wonder if .gov sales are driving this segment and keeping prices high.

I think the competitive (and mall ninjas) shooters fuel that market.

Tons of .223 BDC scopes in your price range, but for .308 not so much (or they shoot AR-10 or bolt rifles and just use regular length scopes)

I had a HK-91 clone and it was a pain the ass to get optics for it, I just ended up with a red dot, then I sold the rifle because it was problematic at times.

[dogmush]

This build won't be my first RDB rifle.  I actually really like the G3 pattern.  Dead simple, not many parts to go wrong and pretty easy to get dead reliable.

I'm plotting a semi custom build that will be tailored to what I didn't like about my past examples.  The optic is the last thing I haven't 100% decided on.  Too bad I won't pay for that VCOG or a Nightforce.