It’s a misconception that AFFORDABLE scopes for AR-15 rifles do NOT offer premium features.
Because they can, and they do.
You can find the ULTIMATE scope for you just about anywhere. You just need to know what to look for.
In this article, you’ll find my top 7 picks for the best scope for an AR-15 rifle AND some tips and tricks to know your way around the market.
- Magnification: 1x
- Diameter: 20mm
- Eye Relief: Unlimited
- Magnification: 3-9x
- Diameter: 32mm
- Eye Relief: 3.2-4.2 in
- Magnification: 2.5-10x
- Diameter: 40mm
- Eye Relief: 3-4 in
Contents
- Best AR 15 Scope Under 100: 7 Cheap & Budget Options
- 1. UTG 3-9×32 1″ BugBuster Scope
- 2. Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 Red Dot Sight Riflescope
- 3. CVLIFE 2.5-10x40e Red & Green Illuminated Scope
- 4. Tacticon Armament Predator V1 Red/Green Dot Sight
- 5. UUQ 4-16×50 Tactical Rifle Scope
- 6. Simmons 8-Point 3-9x50mm Rifle Scope
- 7. Monstrum 3-9×32 Rifle Scope with Rangefinder Reticle and High Profile Scope Rings
- How to Choose the Best Scope for AR-15 Under $100: Factors to Consider
- What Can I Expect From AR 15 Scopes Under $100?
- Are Cheap AR 15 Scopes Suitable for You?
- Should I Use a Scope for My AR-15?
- How to Mount Your AR-15 Scope
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Best AR 15 Scope Under 100: 7 Cheap & Budget Options
1. UTG 3-9×32 1″ BugBuster Scope
BEST OVERALL RIFLE SCOPE
BUYING OPTIONS:
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Key Features:
- Item Dimensions: 9.84 x 3.35 x 3.94 inches
- Item Weight: 0.87 pounds
- Material: Aluminum
- Magnification: 3x – 9x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 32 mm
The UTG BugBuster Scope is overall my BEST SCOPE for AR-15 rifles.
It has dual illumination that makes it perfect for hunting in adverse weather conditions.
For its price, you’ll be surprised by the PREMIUM and features and DURABILITY the UTG BugBuster Scope offers.
I’ve put it through my fair share of rough terrain, and it survived unscathed!
More than this, it is also popular for being a VERSATILE scope specifically designed for the AR-15 rifle range.
Here are some features that definitely make this UTG scope WORTH IT:
- Range-estimating mil-dot reticle. This helps improve aiming and target shooting performance.
- Premium scope tube. This is a SLEEK one-inch scope tube with zero lockable and resettable turrets that have a 1/4 MOA Per Click Adjustment.
- Smart spherical structure (SSS). The BugsBuster has an internal joint connection that makes it weather and fog-proof!
- Lens covers and rings. This is unique because the scope is equipped with a 2″ sunshade to protect its flip-open scope caps and detachable rings.
- True strength platform. This simply means that the scope WILL stand up to firearms with the harshest recoil.
What makes it even better is how the BugsBuster is COMPLETELY sealed, shockproof, fog proof, and rainproof!
And just as you would expect from quality scopes, it is also nitrogen-filled and parallax-free!
It has a wide-angled and adjustable objective lens, making it perfect for when I hunt from further distances.
You can expect nothing less than FUNCTIONALITY and USABILITY:
It’s a huge plus for me that the BugsBuster is also easily mountable on any type of rifle.
The UTG BugsBuster comes with a red and dual-green illumination feature. For the most part, this is what makes your LINE OF SIGHT optimal.
These are what you can definitely expect when you put it into use:
- Maximum light transmission
- Large field of view
- Visibility in low-light environments
- Various brightness settings
I’ve never seen a scope with an emerald coating before, and it really amplifies the minimum light while field-of-view remains in focus.
More importantly, the dual-illuminated reticle comes with an accommodating EYE RELIEF for hunting flexibility.
Its VERSATILE applications truly allow the scope to be used in critical hunts!
There are four scope functions where you can feel just how in control you are of your BugsBuster:
- SIGHTING. You can easily assist your sighting using the one-click MOA adjustments.
- ZEROING. The scope’s locking and resetting features of the turrets help COMPLEMENT the optics.
- ELEVATION AND WINDAGE. The precision, crispness, and consistency allow you to easily adjust your turrets.
The reticle also has a 9-dot wire range estimation for easier adjustments!
However, some users complain about misaligned reticles and broken turrets.
These are amendable because of the UTG customer service. The scope’s pieces are also easily replaced and maintained.
Because of its popularity, there are also a couple of counterfeits and fakes going around the community.
Just make sure you purchase yours from RELIABLE shops and resellers to avoid any issues.
- Durable and versatile design
- True strength platform
- Red and green dual illumination
- Sharp optics
- Adjustability and customizability
- Quality control issues
- Has some counterfeits and fakes
2. Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 Red Dot Sight Riflescope
BEST VALUE RIFLE SCOPE
BUYING OPTIONS:
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Key Features:
- Item Dimensions: 2.5 x 3.4 x 2.2 inches
- Item Weight: 0.23 pounds
- Material: Aluminum
- Magnification: 1x
The Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 is my BEST VALUE SCOPE.
It has a great reputation in the industry, too! With generous eye relief and various settings, it’s not hard to see why.
Let me walk you through its features more comprehensively:
- Premium build. The body is durable, weatherproof, and compact for mounting.
- Waterproof construction. It has O-ring-sealed optics that allow it to REMAIN DRY when inside.
- Shockproof construction. The build secures the ability of the scope to withstand wear and tear WHILE in the field.
- Unlimited eye relief. You get to position yourself AS NEAR OR FAR AWAY from the scope without worrying about recoil or image distortion.
- Nitrogen-purged fog-proofing. Having your scope filled with nitrogen is great to avoid fog due to humidity or rapid temperature change.
- Long-lasting battery. Its performance can rival bigger and more expensive rifle scopes!
- Mounting on Picatinny rails. This feature makes the Bushnell Trophy perfectly compatible with not only AR-15 rifles, but pistols and handguns as well.
More importantly, its windage and elevation adjustment knobs have EASY-TO-USE AND PRECISE INCREMENTS.
Overall, this compact red dot scope is durable, versatile, and adaptable to environmental changes.
I can clearly see that it lives up to Bushnell’s reputation in the industry.
The Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 does exactly what it’s named after: It’s a red dot-enclosed reflex sight.
Its RED DOT RETICLE is the HIGHLIGHT of the scope:
- 3 MOA
- 11 Brightness Settings
- 1x True Magnification
- 25 mm Aperture
The scope benefits A LOT from its multi-coated optics as it optimizes the lens for better contrast and focus.
In short: EASY and FAST target acquisition!
Even better is how I can use this red dot sight both indoors and outdoors!
Unfortunately, this red dot scope may sometimes become BLURRY when indoors.
This is because the brightness levels are hard to configure and balance when in low-light areas:
- If illumination is LOW, you won’t be able to see anything
- If illumination is HIGH, your scope will overcompensate and blur the image
The good news is that you can always manage your illumination levels MANUALLY.
I also feature this optic as one of the top red dots under 100 dollars.
3. CVLIFE 2.5-10x40e Red & Green Illuminated Scope
BEST BUDGET RIFLE SCOPE
BUYING OPTIONS:
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Key Features:
- Item Dimensions: 8.5 x 3 x 3 inches
- Item Weight: 1.28 pounds
- Material: Aluminum
- Magnification: 2.5x – 10x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 40 mm
With the CVLIFE scope, I can get everything I need at an even CHEAPER price.
Despite its affordability, it’s still a high-quality budget scope!
It’s a tactical scope that you can definitely rely on while out for a shoot.
You’d be SURPRISED by just how much similar these features are with those on premium scopes:
- Durable build. The scope is made of aircraft-grade aluminum.
- Multi-coated optics. It has a Kellner eyepiece with dioptric adjustments to help provide a better sight.
- Built-in laser scope sight. This ensures MORE ACCURATE target acquisition.
- Free mounts. The CVLIFE scope comes with free 20 mm and 11 mm mounts to make the installation process seamless.
I have to give plus points for the LARGE objective lens as it gives me the best light transmission for clearer images.
More than anything, what’s nice about this BUDGET RIFLE SCOPE is that I am guaranteed to see a high-quality image EVERY TIME you aim.
You can’t get a laser scope better than this at this price point!
This red & green illuminated scope provides ACCURACY along with fast target acquisition and optimized light transmission.
It achieves this by having the following:
- Intensity illumination modes. With 5 modes, you have the flexibility and versatility to adjust to your environment.
- BDC mil-dot reticle. This reticle is affected by the different brightness settings and helps provide a better image.
- Multi-coated green lens. This ensures HIGHER LIGHT TRANSMISSION, especially when compared to the usual blue lens.
Perhaps even better is the advantage of still being able to use the non-illuminated black reticle as part of the scope’s brightness level.
I can truly say that your cheap scope has settings for any situation!
The laser feature would require you to have two LR44 and spare CR2032 batteries to ensure a seamless hunt.
The red/green illuminated scope, unfortunately, comes with TWO of the most often reported problems: weight and quality control.
It is on the heavier side of rifle scopes, which could affect even the mounting properties of tactical scopes, depending on your needs.
However, you can almost always expect these issues from a scope priced affordably, so I’ll give it a pass.
Despite these, you are STILL guaranteed a quality AR-15 scope that provides versatility in any light condition.
- Affordable scope
- Illuminated reticle
- Multi-coated green lens
- Mil-dot reticle
- Two free mounts
- Quality control issues
- Portability issues
4. Tacticon Armament Predator V1 Red/Green Dot Sight
BUYING OPTIONS:
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Key Features:
- Item Dimensions: 5 x 2.5 x 3 inches
- Item Weight: 5.98 pounds
- Material: Aluminum
- Magnification: 1x
- Eye Relief: 2.5 inches
The Tacticon Armament Predator V1 is a PREMIUM red dot sight that you wouldn’t believe to be THIS affordable.
With industrial-grade materials for its build, this quality rifle scope offers durability that rivals even those of premium scopes!
The scope features that the V1 offers are perfect for those tight on a budget.
Since Tacticon Armament is a COMBAT VETERAN-OWNED COMPANY, you are GUARANTEED an accurate tactical optic that is sturdy, durable, and intuitive to use.
I trust veterans to know what we’d want out of an AR-15 scope!
These are just among the many things that you can expect from this red dot sight:
- Durable build. It’s made of industrial-grade aluminum that can withstand adverse weather conditions.
- Sleek design. The scope also comes with convenient flip-up lens covers that are used to PROTECT THE LENS from both ends.
- Waterproofing abilities. The Predator V1 comes with sealed O-rings that prevent MOISTURE OR DUST from entering your scope.
- Fog-proof abilities. It is also NITROGEN-PURGED to prevent fogging within the optic.
- Mounting rings. This construction makes the scope easily mountable on ANY kind of gun or rifle.
- Lifetime warranty. That’s right! You are guaranteed a warranty AND battery inclusions in your package upon purchase.
Quite a lot to unpack, right?
All of these features effectively increase the rifle scope’s versatility and functionality, making it an AMAZING rifle scope.
A highlight of this rifle scope for me is its red and green dot sights. These greatly improve your ACCURACY and PRECISION.
How exactly does it do this?
You can maximize the red or green dot adjustable brightness feature using FIVE DIFFERENT BRIGHTNESS LEVELS.
Not only that; the co-witnessing capability of the sights with the scope emphasizes better image views for your hunt.
These make the Tacticon Armament Predator V1 a versatile scope that can be used in any situation!
With fast target acquisition and a focal plane PARALLAX-FREE design, you’ll find sighting and zeroing a lot easier in the long run, especially in low-light situations.
However, like most cheap scopes, the Predator V1 also suffers from quality control issues.
It also has a low magnification power. You might want to consider a different scope if you are after long-range shooting.
Regardless, the Tacticon Armament Predator V1 is still one of the best scopes for your AR-15 on the market right now.
5. UUQ 4-16×50 Tactical Rifle Scope
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Key Features:
- Item Dimensions: 13 x 3 x 4 inches
- Material: Aluminum
- Magnification: 1x – 16x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 50 mm
The UUQ tactical rifle scope is great for ALL kinds of shooting activities that you might want to do!
More importantly, it has a good reputation among normal shooters, rapid firers, AND hunters.
A lot of GREAT things about this scope revolve around its use of high-quality materials:
- Durable build. It’s known to last for long periods of time.
- Waterproof and shockproof abilities. It can survive adverse weather conditions.
- Built-in rails. This is a HIGH-QUALITY rail that makes the scope easier to mount onto your rifle.
- Windage and elevation adjustments. These are SEAMLESS adjustments due to the scope’s 1/4 MOA audible-click stops and fingertip turrets.
- Tubeless design. This helps provide a WIDER field of view thanks to the 33 mm reflex lens aperture.
The red/green illuminated reticles of UUQ tactical rifle scopes are especially unique because of the following features:
- Five brightness settings
- Four different dot sizes
It helps me customize which size and color is most appropriate for the shooting situation I’m in!
This also helps improve the sighting experience by accommodating hunts in low-light conditions!
I’ve even been able to use this scope with night vision goggles on!
This illumination property is supported even more by the scope’s 50 mm objective lens for better image clarity.
You just have to be prepared for its storage and portability issues, as this tactical scope is bulkier than most models.
However, this does NOT in any way diminish any of the high-quality features that I’ve already established.
- High-quality finish
- Red and green illuminated reticle
- Wide objective lens
- Easy adjustments and mounting
- Bulky design
6. Simmons 8-Point 3-9x50mm Rifle Scope
BUYING OPTIONS:
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Key Features:
- Item Dimensions: 14 x 3 x 3 inches
- Item Weight: 0.63 pounds
- Material: Aluminum
- Magnification: 3x – 9x
- Objective Lens Size: 50 mm
The Simmons rifle scope offers a DECENT experience for your shooting activities.
And sometimes, decent is all you need!
You get ALL of the features you need at a fair price from a reliable rifle scope brand!
Whether for hunting, shooting, or tactical purposes, this variable scope might just be the right one for your AR-15.
Of course, it’s a guarantee that you will be getting the features that you would WANT to have in a high-quality scope:
- Durable build. It can withstand different environments and weather conditions with ease.
- Waterproof, fog-roof, and shockproof Abilities. The scope’s CONSTRUCTION allows this, especially through nitrogen purging.
- True zero windage and elevation adjustment system. This refers to quality locking to 0 despite adverse conditions.
- Windage and elevation adjustments. These are SEAMLESS adjustments due to the scope’s 1/4 MOA audible-click turrets if you need to make some changes.
- Eye relief. COMFORTABLE eye space is guaranteed with an eye relief of 3.75 inches, with a 60-inch adjustment range at 100 yards.
Best of all is how the scope is EASY TO MOUNT.
I advise you to consider securing your rings to have better clearance around your barrel.
The Simmons scope has coated optics that ensure BRIGHTLY ILLUMINATED AND CLEAR IMAGES.
More than this, there are a couple of features that help guarantee the BEST visibility for your hunt:
- Truplex Reticle. This crosshair feature is GREAT if you’re a beginner wanting to practice your shooting skills.
- Objective Lens. The 50 mm lens serves to collect an ample amount of light for illumination.
- Magnification Level. At 3-9x, you get a DECENT image magnification.
- Fast Focus Eyepiece. The scope is constructed to value QUICK TARGET ACQUISITION and SIGHTING.
Simply, its multi-coated optics return high-contrast images perfect for target shooting.
However, I would’ve appreciated an illuminated reticle.
Having this addition to its already GREAT illumination features would’ve made it a perfect choice for your AR-15.
It also does not have markers to indicate range for better hunts.
Regardless, it is still one of the BEST tactical scopes for AR-15 you can get under $100.
- Crosshair reticle
- Bright and clear picture quality
- Durable build
- Easy mounting and adjusting
- Non-illuminated reticle
- No range compensation markers
7. Monstrum 3-9×32 Rifle Scope with Rangefinder Reticle and High Profile Scope Rings
BUYING OPTIONS:
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Key Features:
- Item Dimensions: 9.6 x 2 x 2 inches
- Item Weight: 0.75 pounds
- Material: Aluminum
- Magnification: 3x – 9x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 32 mm
At first glance, I thought this scope was rather basic in terms of design.
But I knew that there was much MORE beneath the surface.
Known for its heavy-duty prism sight designs, the 3-9×32 is just as powerful as ANY high-powered rifle scope on this list.
With its customizability properties and GREAT sighting capabilities, it’s an IDEAL scope for AR-15 rifles everywhere!
You can expect quite a lot of features with this glass prism optical system:
- Durable build. It can withstand wear and tear from both physical and environmental factors.
- Waterproof and fog-proof abilities. The scope’s airtight rings and nitrogen purging make the scope waterproof and fog proof.
- Windage and elevation adjustments. The scope has 1/4 MOA click adjustments with the ability to LOCK THE TURRETS and reset the zero.
- Eye relief. A COMFORTABLE space is guaranteed with an eye relief of up to 3.8 inches.
- Lens coating. Its multi-layer coating helps PROTECT the lens from scratches and helps improve your vision.
- Mounting rings. The scope comes with a set of standard rings to ensure proper mounting and placement.
You can always use a scope mount since the scope is compatible with most mount models, especially for rifles with Picatinny rails.
Additionally, the Monstrum scope is CUSTOMIZABLE as it comes in different colors.
There are a couple of FACTORS that are responsible for the picture quality provided by the scope:
- Illuminated rangefinder reticle. This helps in quick-range estimations PERFECT for long-distance shooting.
- Magnification power. The magnification level can be adjusted easily, making it ADAPTABLE during a hunt.
- Brightness settings. The red and green illumination of the tactical rifle scope can be ADJUSTED to suit the environment that you need.
I also commend how I can use the default BLACK color without illumination. Again, all for adaptability purposes!
I can even use it for either shooting OR simple hunting AR-15 purposes, thanks to its fast-focus eyepiece. I guarantee it.
However, some users report having a visual obstruction when adjusting the MAGNIFICATION RANGE for shorter distances.
I speak from experience when I say that this can disturb your ability to aim and affect your ability to shoot.
Regardless, it’s still a POWERFUL tactical rifle scope.
- Different light conditions adaptability
- Clear and bright images
- Durable build
- Occasional visual obstructions when in use
How to Choose the Best Scope for AR-15 Under $100: Factors to Consider
There are some essential basic features when looking for the BEST SCOPE FOR AR-15 RIFLES:
- Durable build
- Fog-proof and waterproof
- Quick target acquisition
- Long-range shooting
You have to know these by heart, especially since more affordable rifle scopes may have inferior optical qualities than expected.
Most importantly, YOU have to be comfortable when using it.
To help you assess the quality of your chosen budget AR-15 scope, here are some of the things that you should keep an eye out for:
1. Eye Relief
Good eye relief will lessen your chances of INJURY.
- TOO CLOSE and it will make your sight fuzzy, especially around the edges
- TOO FAR and it will make images impossible to be viewed
Short eye relief is dangerous because rifles will ALWAYS recoil. Sometimes, that recoil can give you a black eye or worse!
Unlimited eye relief is ideal if you are a target shooter. It can help you sight your targets faster.
2. Reticle
An illuminated reticle is ideal for AR-15 rifles.
It’s perfect for hunts during dusk and dawn! It maximizes the limited amount of light you can get during these times.
However, you could always look for different RETICLE OPTIONS:
- Bullet Drop Compensator (BDC) Reticle
- Mil-dot Reticle
- Duplex Reticle
You might be limited by your BUDGET, but there will always be great deals and packages just perfect for your needs.
3. Magnification Power
A maximum magnification level of 9x is usually the best-advised power for rifle scopes under $100.
This is because these rifle scopes are usually built for short to medium-range shooting.
So depending on the BUILD FACTORS of your scope, you would find that HIGHER magnification levels at the price point may be too much.
4. Lenses
Your scope should have a multicoated lens coating.
You would want this to help your sight produce sharp and clear images.
This is the LEAST you could expect out of this price point!
5. Turrets
You have a DEAL if you happen to find excellent rifle scopes with 1/4 MOA adjustment levels. That’s considered to be accurate, especially for scopes of this price point.
However, turret quality for cheaper scopes isn’t usually the best:
- They have a SIMPLE DESIGN that makes them easily worn out and unreliable
- They do NOT have a zero stop feature for easy return to the zero setting
If you find a scope that addresses BOTH of these problems, then you shouldn’t let that go just yet.
Just remember that turrets are important for both adjustments and maintaining zero.
6. Protective Casing
Your scopes come with a case that protects them from DAMAGE, such as:
- Wear and tear
- Moisture and fog
- Water damage
- Harsh weather conditions
- Accidental dropping
The premium for casings also depends on the PRICE POINT you purchase your scope. This is especially true when looking at water and fog-proof capabilities.
If you ask me, it would be best to invest in casings where you can rest assured that your scope is safe when in storage.
7. Durability & Versatility
Your scopes MUST be durable. An aluminum build with a nitrogen interior is ideal in this case.
But remember, you also want a RAPID TARGET ACQUISITION with a flexible range when shooting.
You shouldn’t overlook factors like magnification range, eye relief, and the scope’s parts to ensure this.
What Can I Expect From AR 15 Scopes Under $100?
It’s a common misconception to think that affordable scopes are INFERIOR to more expensive ones.
I’d like to argue that there will ALWAYS be the best scope for AR-15 rifles just for you, REGARDLESS of price.
Two situations where you can evidently see this are when you are using your rifles for hunting or tactical situations.
Are They Reliable for Hunting?
Yes, even an affordable rifle scope can be great for hunting.
Just make sure to prioritize LOW-POWERED VARIABLE OPTICS because distances matter in hunting: You move TOWARD your game.
Lower magnification scopes could thus help you get a better feel of your environment.
Are They Reliable for Tactical Situations?
Of course! There are just two main factors that you have to remember:
- Rigid Build. Your affordable scope should be DURABLE and RIGID.
- Long-Range Shooting Tactical Optics. Your affordable scope should ideally be a MIL-DOT RETICLE.
Tactical rifles are generally heavier because they have to be on a STABLE platform.
That said, the best AR-15 scopes should value stability and durability above anything else.
Are Cheap AR 15 Scopes Suitable for You?
There are THREE KINDS OF CUSTOMERS that affordable scopes specifically target:
- Those who need it for practice
- Those who are on a tight budget
- Those who want to downsize and prioritize portability
This is because AFFORDABLE doesn’t necessarily mean inferior features. There are a LOT of cheaper scopes for AR-15 that can rival the power of more premium ones.
REMEMBER: The best scope for AR-15 rifles is the one that YOU need.
If you’re curious about which customer segment you belong to, then read along:
For Practice
As a BEGINNER, a budget scope is PERFECT if you just want to start familiarizing yourself with your AR-15 scope and rifle.
Here are two reasons why I think so:
- Minimal features of the scope for easier navigation
- Simple usage to practice targeting, aiming, and shooting
As a beginner, you can look at your budget scope as your practice scope.
You get to enjoy more expensive models once you’ve mastered your skills!
Similarly, professional shooters and hunters can also enjoy budget scopes to REFINE THEIR SKILLS.
It’s NEVER too late to practice your precision and accuracy.
For Those With a Tight Budget
If you’re going on a QUICK and LOW PRECISION HUNT, then it might be best if you just bring along your cheap scopes with you.
The idea here is that it will NOT feel heavy on your wallet if ever your scope incurs damage!
At the same time, the best scope is also one that fits within your budget.
If it’s all that you can afford, then great! There are amazing budget scopes that can be just for YOU.
For more options, you can consider getting rifle scopes for under 200 dollars if it still fits the bill.
For Portability
The best scopes for AR-15 rifles are usually lightweight:
- Easier time to move and run around
- More baggage space for other accessories
If these are important to you, then just match the features YOU need with an affordable scope of your choice!
Should I Use a Scope for My AR-15?
You should definitely use only the best-quality scope for AR-15 rifles.
Using a scope greatly improves SHOOTING PERFORMANCE. This is because it helps develop better visibility among users.
To help you understand it better, allow me to COMPARE the benefits of scopes over red dot sights for your rifles.
The Benefits of Scopes Over Other Sights
Scopes are GREAT additions to your rifles — this much has already been established.
But what makes them particularly ideal is how they outperform sights for a better hunting experience.
They do this by being able to gather light better and more efficiently than other optics and iron sights.
Why is this important? You see, LIGHT changes your overall experience by a LOT:
- Increased magnification range
- Adaptability during harsher weather conditions
- More activity during hunt-productive periods
Game hunting is ideal during the first and last hour of light each day. This is when you’ll need light the most.
A better light-gathering ability from your scope can make or break a shoot.
This is especially true for people with poor eyesight who can certainly appreciate the clarity and magnification provided by a good scope.
There are also night vision scopes that can be of interest to you!
Are There Any Downsides?
Of course, there will always be downsides that you should also know about.
To put this into perspective, allow me to compare your scopes with the largely acclaimed IRON SIGHTS.
Scopes pale in comparison to them in these four factors:
- Durability
- Transportability
- Heaviness
- Target acquisition time
While the best rifle scopes work well under these factors, sights edge them out a little, especially when considering their DESIGN.
How to Mount Your AR-15 Scope
Great rifle scopes should be EASILY MOUNTED.
There are usually just about two ways for you to do this:
- Hook to the AR-15 Using a Picatinny Rail. There will be an OPENING in the middle of your rifle, and have it mounted on-demand.
- Iron Sight. The AR-15 can also come with sights to which you can attach the scope.
Regardless, the process should ALWAYS be easy and intuitive.
For reliable options, you can check out my buying guide for AR scope mounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Magnification is Best for 100 Yards?
Some standard magnification ranges that are suitable for 100 yards include 3-9x, 4-9x, or 4-16x, depending on the needs of the user.
Remember that as the magnification goes up, your field of view decreases, and vice versa.
Higher magnifications are better for farther, small targets, while smaller ranges are enough for closer, bigger targets.
How Far Can You Shoot an AR-15 With a Red Dot?
Since red dots are more suitable for closer ranges, you may only be able to shoot accurately from 50-100 yards.
However, some red dots are designed for longer ranges, such as 300 yards.
But generally, if you want to shoot from farther distances, you are better off with a rifle scope.
Is an AR-15 Good for Long-Range?
Yes!
You can shoot up to 500+ yards with the right specs and scope.
AR-15 rifles are often shot with medium-range cartridges, but some are designed for long-range shooting as well.
Conclusion
The search for the best scopes for AR-15 rifles under $100 is TEDIOUS.
There are simply a lot of factors to consider to make sure that you get yourself a deal:
- Build Quality
- Physical Properties
- Target Acquisition Capabilities
- Picture Quality
Given all these, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you check out my top picks for AFFORDABLE, high-quality scopes for AR-15:
- Choose the UTG BugBuster Scope (Best Overall Rifle Scope) if you want to experience having PREMIUM FEATURES at an affordable price.
- Choose the Bushnell Trophy Rifle Scope (Best Value Rifle Scope) if you have a bit more to spend for QUALITY SIGHTINGS from a reputable hunting company.
- Choose the CVLIFE Red and Green Illuminated Scope (Best Budget Rifle Scope) if you want an AFFORDABLE and RELIABLE rifle scope.
I’m confident that these are the MOST VALUABLE cheap scopes on the market right now!