Buying good-quality scopes for your AR15 doesnโt mean that you have to burn a hole in your pocket. Expensive is not always the best, nor is it always the most suitable.
Scopes are generally used for long-range shooting and hunting. The essence of this article is to explain to you the factors of choosing an appropriate scope for your AR15.
Weโll also talk about the best AR 15 scopes within the price range of 200 dollars. So letโs begin.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for AR-15 Scopes Under $200
- OUR TOP PICK: Vortex Optics Strikefire 2
- RUNNER-UP: Bushnell Optics Drop Zone 223
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Simmons 8 Point 3-9x50 Scope
Quick Comparison of Best AR-15 Scopes Under $200
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
Our Top Pick  |
| View Latest Price โ |
 |
| View Latest Price โ |
Best Budget Option  |
| View Latest Price โ |
 |
| View Latest Price โ |
 |
| View Latest Price โ |
Can I Really Get a Good Scope Under $200
The answer is yes! Exorbitant price is not always a prerequisite for finding a good rifle scope. It doesnโt mean itโs going to be the finest on the market, but it will do the job.
There are many factors to consider before buying a suitable rifle scope. It is true that high-quality products are priced high, but it doesnโt mean you canโt find a decent product at a lower price.
Since you are reading this article, chances are that you need a good AR scope for hunting. Letโs take a look at some factors which make a scope expensive and if theyโre worth it for your needs:
Complexity
You really donโt need a very complex scope for taking down deer at a range of less than 150 yards. Complex scopes tend to be a bit less durable. Moreover, they require special attention and extra care.
Magnifying Power
Scopes with higher magnification - once you get around 12x - are likely to cost much more. For scopes selling below $200, youโll have to compromise the upper range of the magnification power.
However, this depends on your needs. For deer hunting at a couple hundred yards, you really donโt need a scope with power more than 10x for hunting deer. Sure, your optics will set you back more if youโre hoping to target smaller animals or targets at a longer range.
Reticles
Reticles or crosshairs are an important consideration when purchasing a scope. So obviously they donโt fit in this budget range. While reticles can provide a lot of help for shooting, you can make due with the basics.
Features like thermal imaging or night vision can cost you an arm and a leg. Thatโs going to be out of your budget. While night shooting can bring its own thrills, itโs not an area youโll be able to get a discount price for.
Apart from all this, there are several other factors to be considered before buying a scope. But you can rest assured because there are basic scopes that wonโt cost that much, and will still get the job done.
Reviews of the Best AR-15 Scopes Under $200
Now that weโve given guidance on what you can get, letโs get down to the specifics about some of the best rifle scopes under $200.
Best Overall:
Vortex Optics Strikefire 2
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
A lot of recent buyers were happy with the scope. They were able to accurately shoot at targets with both color reticles. Most of them preferred red while another handful said the green reticle stood out the best. Either way, the scope allowed them to easily hit their targets from quite a ways away.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The scope is made from rugged materials to help house the scope and protect the zero settings from shock. Most of the unreliable and flimsy rifle scopes wonโt even handle all that firepower multiple times. As a result, that scopeโs zero setting is history. So you have the frustrating task of having to reset it again and again. With this scope, itโs zero it in and youโre good for a long time.
This is probably the most feature-packed rifle scope for your AR-15 within the price range of $200. The scope has a red/green dot sight reticle with a 12-hour auto-shutdown feature to maximize battery life. The battery life can range from 300 - 6000 hours at max and minimum brightness settings, respectively.
The non-critical eye relief provides quick target acquisition. The scope is somewhat night vision compatible, complementary to several settings. The scope comes with a โ co-witness cantilever mount for concurrent use of iron sights. The illuminated 4 MOA dot holds zero under the most rigorous use. If you need the best AR 15 scope for the money, this should be your first choice.
Who Will Use This Most
This scope will have its uses among hunters and casual target shooters. Since the reticle has two colors, one of them will be effective with one light setting while another will do extremely well with little to no light period. Either way, this scope will work hard around the clock to give you reliable and accurate shooting.
What Could Be Improved and Why
The green dot can be a little brighter. Even in the brightest day time conditions, it should be bright enough for you to see it so you can continue making precisely accurate shots at any point from the target. If the lights are a little too bright, that green dot will fade or even not show up at all.
Bottom Line
The Vortex Optics Strikefire II will likely be the scope to go with if youโre planning on using it for hunting or target shooting (casual or competitive). A scope like this will never forsake you or disappoint you no matter what the time of day is.
Runner-up:
Bushnell Optics Drop Zone 223
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
As expected, a good number of buyers were happy with this scope. They were looking for something that would fit perfectly with most .223 chambered AR-15 rifles. The scope was able to allow shooters to reach 300 yards and beyond. Aside from that, they were able to make adjustments rather easily for windage and elevation.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Bushnell brand is one of the more reliable names out there when it comes to scopes. But we didnโt choose it because of the name. This scope has proved itโs worth by not only being durable from the inside and out, but also proved itself to be a reliable scope in the situations where you need it the most. The reticle and crosshairs hold up pretty well and will almost guarantee you to land your shot exactly where you want it.
Bushnell doesnโt need an introduction when it comes to optics. This scope, as the name suggests, features a Drop Zone 223 reticle calibrated for 55-62 grain 5.56NATO & .223 REM with aiming points out to 500 yards.
The scope has a 3-9x magnification with a 40mm objective lens with fully multi-coated optics for a brighter image. The scope also has a wide field of view which lets you track and aim at your target and surroundings precisely.
The target turrets let you adjust the windage, elevation and MOA(ยผ) with acute measurements. The drop zone reticle prevents repetitive adjustments of the MOA values so you donโt have to readjust the turret every now and then. This is one of our top three choices among the best AR 15 scopes under $200 outlined here.
Who Will Use This Most
This will definitely be a popular choice among hunters. Especially those who are looking to bag their next deer or elk. Itโs a big game scope that can provide many years of dedicated service if you take good care of it. In fact, more hunters tend to trust Bushnell more than any other scope brand on the market.
What Could Be Improved and Why
The scope can be better off with a little less weight. It can be done without having to sacrifice any quality or shock protection. After all, it is a tough scope thatโs built for heavy-hitting rifles like the AR-15.
Bottom Line
If you own a .223 caliber AR-15 pistol, youโll need a scope that will make its presence known in the hunting field. The Bushnell Drop Zone BDC Scope will be the hunting buddy youโve been looking for. This scope is a big game hunterโs dream since it can reach some pretty impressive distances.
Best for the Money:
Simmons 8 Point 3-9x50 Scope
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
The new users of this scope were able to find this to be not only affordable but quite usable across many applications. Most of the users were hunters, while others were using it for tactical and competition shooting applications. One user said he was able to go through about 100 rounds and still was able to hold zero.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The scope has a really large objective. Typically these scopes are reserved for long-range shooting rifles. Yes, there are some in the AR family that can go the distance. Even if you donโt have a long-range rifle, this scope definitely gives you a wide field of view with just enough real estate to see whatโs in front of you. You can literally see a target from the corner of your eye.
A masterpiece from Simmons, this scope is an amazing choice for the money. The large 50mm objective lens lets more light into the scope, creating a brighter high-contrast image of the target.
The QTA eyepiece allows quick acquisition of the target. The 8 Point truplex reticle helps in quick and precise aiming. The ยผ MOA audible click target turret adjustment stays locked tight to zero under the most strenuous shooting conditions. The scope is waterproof, fog-proof and recoil-proof with a long eye relief of 3.75 inches. The Simmons 8 Point rifle scope has an amazing set of features for its price.
Who Will Use This Most
Hunters and competitive shooters will more likely be able to use this scope. Thatโs because they want something that will give them accurate shooting and allow them to reach distances that are quite impressive for these applications (specifically 200 to 400 yards at best). If you want a scope that has a decent range like that, this would be the one to go after.
What Could Be Improved and Why
While there really arenโt any improvements we can think of, we can make a suggestion about what else should be included. One thing to include with this scope should be a protective dust cover. While it is dust proof, itโs a worthy addition to have on hand so you can keep the scope nice and clean after every use.
Bottom Line
The Simmons 8 Point Scope has a wide objective but can cover quite a bit of ground in terms of field of view and distance. No matter the application, you have a scope that can reach out and touch something from a good distance, and you can quickly acquire a target like nothing else.
4. Nikon P-223 3-9x40 Scope
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
As expected with Nikon scopes, a lot of new users were very happy with the image quality. Itโs crystal clear and in high-definition. One user even said that the definition of this scope was way better than his previous scope. Furthermore, he added that the zero was much easier to set and held after 200 rounds fired.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Nikon is known for their photography products, but theyโre better known to many gun owners as having the best image quality of any scope on the market. Aside from that, the scope itself is super durable thanks to the high-quality aluminum body. So itโs the perfect scope for any AR-15 owner. It shines the brightest when itโs attached to a .223 rifle.
The Nikon P-223 features a BDC-600 reticle designed specifically keeping in mind the trajectory of the .223 and 5.56 cartridges. The 100-yard parallax setting removes parallax for precise long-range shooting.
The 3-9x magnification is optimum for shooting up to 500 yards. The scope is weather-proof. Itโs sealed with O-rings after being filled with nitrogen so the setup is completely shockproof. The tactical-style zero reset turrets help in zeroing in on the target quickly. It is also capable of maintaining zero, even with repeated heavy recoils.
Manufactured with high-grade polymer, the scope is sturdy enough. On top of that, the price of the Nikon P-223 scope makes it an apt choice for your AR 15 rifle.
Who Will Use This Most
Expect this to be a popular scope used by hunters, but donโt count it out as useless for all other applications. This is the scope youโre going to need if durability, high-quality optics, and accuracy matter to you the most. If anything, this might be one of the best scopes that can take the top spot at some point in the future.
What Could Be Improved and Why
Make it easier to tighten the scope during installation. This means shortening the screws so it can easily be secured. Some have had issues keeping the screws in place when they thought they have properly installed the scope entirely.
Bottom Line
If crystal clear optics and excellent accuracy are what you want in a scope, the Nikon P-223 will be the scope that will make your .223 rifle stand out the best. No other scope will ever touch this when it comes to high definition optics.
5. UTG 3-9x32 Bugbuster Scope
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Most users were looking for a scope that could deliver the goods from long-range. Sure enough, this was the scope to do it. Most users were able to hit their targets from 500 yards out or more. One user said that he uses his AR-15 for some long-range hunting, and even he was impressed when he could hit a deer from what seemed to be an impossible distance.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This scope is a decent sized scope, but donโt let it fool you. Once you get this sucker zeroed in, youโll be quite impressed with every shot you take. The scope will be easy to set and hold zero for a long time. Also, the scope body is durable enough to absorb a good amount of shock as well. Other than that, if your shot seems off you can always make easy adjustments on the fly.
You can get a good price on a quality scope. Again, itโs not going to be top of the line, but for many uses, a lower-end scope will suffice. The UTG Bugbuster scope features a 3-9x magnification range with a 32mm objective lens. This scope has a mil-dot reticle adjustment with 21 points to help you estimate the windage and elevation for the appropriate range without the need to use the turret adjustments. It offers a parallax-free view from 3 yards to infinity. The scope has an RG (red-green) illumination feature for the reticle which can be used by turning the side focus-adjustment knob. Thatโs quite a rare feature in this price range.The Bugbuster also has 2โ sunshade flip-open lens caps and detachable rings for quick and easy mounting. The UTG scope has an emerald coating for maximum light transmission thus providing a brighter image. The scope is waterproof, fog proof and shock proof.
Who Will Use This Most
Since this is a long-range scope, hunters and target shooters (causal and competitive) will benefit the most from this. Once you have it zeroed in, you can expect this to be as reliable as possible for a long time. Even after nearly 1000 rounds, donโt be shocked if you see the zero settings still in place.
What Could Be Improved and Why
The eye relief can be a little bit more generous. Especially if youโre using this scope for some heavy-hitting rifles. The AR-15 does pack a punch, and if youโre not careful, you could get a serious case of scope eye. While the eye relief is satisfactory, it can be better.
Bottom Line
The UTG Bugbusters can allow your shots to go far. If you want to make a statement by landing a shot at a big game target from a long way away or if you want to get an edge on your competition in the next shooting contest, this scope will be right up your alley.
Will I Have to Settle for a Low-end Scope?
You can get a good price on a quality scope. Again, itโs not going to be top of the line, but for many uses, a lower-end scope will suffice.
The AR 15 is one of the most versatile rifles today and can be used for shooting from a few yards to 1000+ feet. Your needs in a scope are going to depend on what youโre aiming and where it lies within that broad range.
With a budget of $200, youโll obviously have to give up on some advanced features and high magnification. Letโs get an outline of what these features will be:
Objective Lens Size
To meet your budget, youโll have to compromise on the objective lens size. A large lens lets in more light which in turn produces a brighter and sharper image. It also carries a heftier price tag.
Focal Plane
First focal plane scopes are a bit costlier than second focal plane scopes. In FFP scopes the reticle grows along with the increasing magnification of the scope, but in an SFP scope, the reticle stays the same in size irrespective of the magnification. FFP scopes are more costly than SFP. So this means youโll almost certainly be looking at second focal plane scopes in this price range.
Magnification
As already discussed, you will have to settle for the magnifying power of your scope. You cannot expect to get a good 12x plus scope with a price cap of $200.
Advanced Reticles
There are many different types of reticles available on the market. They range from illuminated reticles, AOC, red dot, MARS, BDC, Duplex, Mil dots, and more. Reticles are generally made from thin wires but some are etched on glass in some scopes. Those tend to be more expensive. With a $200 scope, youโre not going to get tritium illumination and rangefinding, either.
Pros of Cheaper Scopes
Itโs clear that there are certain things you just have to sacrifice at this price level, but to make it more palatable, letโs look at some positives of scopes within this range.
Weight
A small tube diameter means smaller components and a less bulky scope. Expensive scopes tend to have larger components and more functions which adds to their weight. Itโs not universally applicable, but itโs a general principle, at least.
Wider Field of View
Lower magnification means a wider field of view. This means you can aim over your target substantially over long ranges with precision.
Conclusion
With a plethora of good rifle scopes available on the market, you have a wide variety of competitively priced scopes to choose from. $200 is not a sufficient budget if you are looking for the best and most advanced scopes for your AR-15, but there are still a lot of options for that price which will get the job done.
