Best AR Scopes under $500 for 2024

You have your gear all set up for hunting, proper attire, and the best gun you can afford; if your budget is somewhat tight, then read these reviews of the best AR scopes under $500 that you can hope to acquire.

Owning a good budget ar scope means you will be able to get a more precise and efficient long-range shot. Without this, the pricey rifle you’re proud of is dangerously close to useless.

Keeping in mind the conditions under which you’ll be hunting, including distance, forest density, time of the day, and weather conditions, is key while purchasing one.

Despite your budget, factors you need to look out for include.

Reticles, whose purpose is to bring focus on targets. They are patterns seen through the scope lens.

Magnification – this is a big question to consider before purchasing the scopes. Magnification gives precision to focus on long-distance objects, and you can decide to go for fixed or adjustable magnification.

Eye relief – protection of eyes while using a rifle can never be over-emphasized. This tool keeps the distance between your eye and the scope to protect the eye from recoils. Keeping a little space between your eye and the absorber won’t hurt.

Top-rated AR Scopes Under $500 for 2024

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Best AR Scopes Under $500 for 2024 – Top 8 Reviews

Below is a list of some of the best-rated AR scopes under $500 that you can find;

1. Vortex  SPR-1303 Spitfire 3x Prism Scope with EBR-556B Reticle

 The spitfire 3x prism scope combines a host of sophisticated features in a compact build. Weighing 12.2 ounces, it won’t pose a problem when being lugged around.

It gives room for 2 complete optical systems while still maintaining good optical quality. The measurements are  5.5 inches in length and 1.54 inches in height, with a 32mm objective lens and an uncommon CR2032 battery that lasts 250 hours on a bright reticle and 3000 hours at its lowest.

It features an EBR-556B reticle designed around a 5.56 x 45 cartridge to give rapid shot speed at far and close ranges.

The reticle includes rangefinders for up to 500 yards and is placed directly on the prism to deliver on-point shots at all times, with optional red and green illumination settings that provide 5 brightness levels for adjusting based on surrounding conditions.

 

2. Primary Arms 5x Compact Prism Hunting Scope

 This is a lightweight scope that is sure to make you more accurate than before with a magnification that a wide range of perfect shot options, whether from close or far range.

The reticle, an ACSS with patented design including wind relief, bullet drop compensation, and moving target leads, is illuminated by a CR2032 battery with 5 red and green brightness adjustment settings. The reticle affords you a comfortable eye area.

It is designed to handle heavy recoil and operates perfectly in extreme weather conditions. It weighs 0.32 ounces and adds little or no pressure to its mounted ammunition.

 

3. Bushnell  BTR-1 BDC Reticle-223 Riflescope

The Bushnell AR optics boasts a Throw Down lever that adjusts with quick precision from one power to the other. It is ultra-lightweight and long-lasting.

With amazing low-light performance and precise magnification adjustments, it has fully coated optics that offer 4 levels of magnification.

Its range aim goes as far as 600 meters and optimizes 5.56 rounds with unrivaled accuracy.

It is nitrogen-infused to arrest internal moisture, made of high-standard aluminum alloy, is anodized finished and sealed for protection from environmental factors, and is rust and scratch-proof.

 

4. Hunting AR 15 C4-16x50EG Tactical Rifle Scope Combo

This scope features a high-grade multi-coated optical lens, with red and green multi X reticle having 5 levels.

It has a fingertip adjustable windage, wide range adjustment, and fast focus eyepiece. It offers choices ranging from 4 – 16 times magnification and has a green laser reaching a distance of 200 – 500 meters.

The riffle combo is fitted with dry nitrogen to combat fog build-up and can withstand 1200G shocks, making it fog, shock, and waterproof.

 

5. Vortex Optics Spitfire AR 1x Prism Scope 

The Spitfire AR Prism Scope (SPR-200) can optimize to whatever rifle it is fixed onto. It offers quick speed functionality in an outstanding lightweight build (11.2 oz).

The vortex spitfire possesses a rear-facing power and illumination for easy access and quick functionality, with 12 light intensity levels, adjustable to fit different light conditions.

It carries a comfortable eye box, is parallax free, and offers precise shots each time, even in less than the suitable environment. It packs a common AAA battery.

 

6. Leupold VX-R Patrol FireDot Illuminated Rifle Scope 

Made from a mix of aluminum and polymer, it combines one-of-a-kind illumination with Firedot reticle to help give you the perfect shot every time, no matter how poorly illuminated the environment is.

It comes with easily adjusted elevations and windage adjustment, with excellent placement to always keep you prepared for the environment’s change.

The exterior is coated such that it gives complete scratch-free resistance as well as optimal light transmission.

 

 

 

7. Burris 4.5x-14x -42mm Fullfield II Ballistic Plex

The Burris Fullfield II comes with up to 5 inches of relief, keeping the scope at a safe distance from the eye, notwithstanding the weather or position you shoot from.

It has high durability and is capable of taking very critical shots. It spots the envied Burris steel-on-steel adjustment system and the Hi-Lume lens, multi-coated to provide maximum resolution and illumination in low-light situations.

Lightweight and better protected than the Burris Fullfield I. The Ballistic Plex reticle is calibrated for 100-500 yard long-range shots. It is water, fog, shockproof, and reinforced quad seal gas seal.

 

8. Primary Arms 1-8x24mm Scope BDC Illuminated Reticle

The primary arms 1-8 X scope is fixed with the exclusive ACSS reticle. With its versatility, the wind holes, bullet drop compensation, and moving target lead together to give you the best shot you deserve.

The illuminated reticle offers a comfortable eye area, and the second focal plane design is simple and durable. The ACSS reticle has up to 8x magnification.

The scope is very fast, can move from 0 – 300 yards,d and is more precise at 300 – 800 yards. It is light weighted and won’t add significant weight to the ammunition it is affixed.

 

Final Verdict

The scopes mentioned above are the best we can find in the $500 price range, and they were selected based on good customer reviews. They will deliver the right range focus for you while shooting and hunting. Going without a scope isn’t the best option, even with the right hunting rifle. You’ll need precision, and the scopes in the list are mostly good for short-range targets, and they are the best you can get on a budget of $500.

Peruse this list and select the best AR scopes under $500 that fit your taste and requirements, be it for long or short-range targets.

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