06-02-2020, 03:12 PM
Your budget is your limiter. In that price range, all optics are going to be relatively similar. Leupolds are usually much lighter than their counterparts at any price range.
I'd look through anything your planning on - extensively - preferably side by side - preferably outdoors at the range you're considering. You won't see much difference between any of them, but the one that impresses you the most when you look through it should be the comparison by which all other features are measured. First goal in your optic is vision. Everything else comes next. For me its glass, warranty, turrets, reticle, tube -(size material and weight), mount ability - in that order.
Your mount should be a high quality affair. Don't discount it's job, and it's duties. Keep the optic secure to the weapon, and how rough are you going to be with it? I'd suggest the LaRue LT-204 for an AR platform rifle, it's about double the standard entry level "duty" mounts, but it's worth the extra 70 bucks, IMHO. There are others, but at $140 new, it's the LaRue every time.
2-7 is a good window for Grendel. You're more than capable of 300 yard hunting shots with that. Another good option for the less expensive optics are fixed power versions. 10x is fine, but it's not as nice inside 100 yards, though it's easily done. 4x is good 1-200 in my experience. Beyond that, it's a bit more challenging and will require a position much more stable than you're likely to obtain in a hunting situation.
One final piece of advice, at the risk of being unsolicited and unwanted - save up and raise your budget. You'll be pleasantly surprised what you can get a hold of for $500.
Good luck. Optics have become my hobby, looking into the construction, materials, erector construction, etc. has proven to be a real bit of reading and research. The benefit of this is the used market. You can get some truly high quality optics right now if you know what you're looking at, especially if they're a few years old, for that $500.
I'd look through anything your planning on - extensively - preferably side by side - preferably outdoors at the range you're considering. You won't see much difference between any of them, but the one that impresses you the most when you look through it should be the comparison by which all other features are measured. First goal in your optic is vision. Everything else comes next. For me its glass, warranty, turrets, reticle, tube -(size material and weight), mount ability - in that order.
Your mount should be a high quality affair. Don't discount it's job, and it's duties. Keep the optic secure to the weapon, and how rough are you going to be with it? I'd suggest the LaRue LT-204 for an AR platform rifle, it's about double the standard entry level "duty" mounts, but it's worth the extra 70 bucks, IMHO. There are others, but at $140 new, it's the LaRue every time.
2-7 is a good window for Grendel. You're more than capable of 300 yard hunting shots with that. Another good option for the less expensive optics are fixed power versions. 10x is fine, but it's not as nice inside 100 yards, though it's easily done. 4x is good 1-200 in my experience. Beyond that, it's a bit more challenging and will require a position much more stable than you're likely to obtain in a hunting situation.
One final piece of advice, at the risk of being unsolicited and unwanted - save up and raise your budget. You'll be pleasantly surprised what you can get a hold of for $500.
Good luck. Optics have become my hobby, looking into the construction, materials, erector construction, etc. has proven to be a real bit of reading and research. The benefit of this is the used market. You can get some truly high quality optics right now if you know what you're looking at, especially if they're a few years old, for that $500.
Nothing kills the incentive of men faster than a healthy sense of entitlement. Nothing kills entitlement faster than a healthy sense of achievement.