Highpower-FClass
Gold $$ Contributor
Here are some budget friendly (compared to NF and March), decent scopes for service rifle. Pros and cons are my subjective opinions. These scopes are not as clear as the NightForce and March service rifle scopes but they get the job done. For the Vortex, since there is no parallax adjustment, having a lens reducer / aperture helps with the sight alignment for 600 yards. It helps for all of them, but especially for the Vortex.
Athlon Helos BTR 1-4.5x24
I own this scope. In fact I own two of these scopes.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1020858625
Pros:
1/4 moa clicks
Adjustable parallax (side focus)
Circle in reticle nicely envelops target black
Cons:
Not as clear as the Vortex PST
A bit mushy clicks
I have seen people who complain the 1/8 dot is too small but for me it works well
Vortex Viper PST 1-4, or Vortex Ranger 1-4
I own this scope.
When they first made this scope it was called the Vortex Viper PST 1-4x24. Vortex later made a separate run specifically for Midway where it was called the Vortex Ranger (essentially the same scope, same reticle etc.)
Link to the Ranger 1-4x24 (no longer for sale)
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1020549558
It looks like OpticsPlanet still sells the PST 1-4x24
https://www.opticsplanet.com/vortex-viper-pst-1-4x24-riflescope.html
Pros:
Very clear
Excellent clicks
Cons:
1/2 MOA clicks
No parallax adjustment (fixed @ 100 yards)
Reticle arguably less ideal for service rifle (I think the outer circle is a bit too large to be helpful)
Hi-Lux 1-4x34 Service Rifle scope
My daughter has this scope on her service rifle
https://hi-luxoptics.com/products/hi-lux-across-the-course-xtc14x34-competition-rifle-scope
Pros:
1/4 MOA clicks
Nice reticle (horseshoe that nicely envelops the aiming black)
Parallax adjustment (AO)
Cons:
Not quite as clear as the Vortex IMO
Mushier clicks than the Vortex
Turret caps rather than target turrets
Athlon Helos BTR 1-4.5x24
I own this scope. In fact I own two of these scopes.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1020858625
Pros:
1/4 moa clicks
Adjustable parallax (side focus)
Circle in reticle nicely envelops target black
Cons:
Not as clear as the Vortex PST
A bit mushy clicks
I have seen people who complain the 1/8 dot is too small but for me it works well
Vortex Viper PST 1-4, or Vortex Ranger 1-4
I own this scope.
When they first made this scope it was called the Vortex Viper PST 1-4x24. Vortex later made a separate run specifically for Midway where it was called the Vortex Ranger (essentially the same scope, same reticle etc.)
Link to the Ranger 1-4x24 (no longer for sale)
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1020549558
It looks like OpticsPlanet still sells the PST 1-4x24
https://www.opticsplanet.com/vortex-viper-pst-1-4x24-riflescope.html
Pros:
Very clear
Excellent clicks
Cons:
1/2 MOA clicks
No parallax adjustment (fixed @ 100 yards)
Reticle arguably less ideal for service rifle (I think the outer circle is a bit too large to be helpful)
Hi-Lux 1-4x34 Service Rifle scope
My daughter has this scope on her service rifle
https://hi-luxoptics.com/products/hi-lux-across-the-course-xtc14x34-competition-rifle-scope
Pros:
1/4 MOA clicks
Nice reticle (horseshoe that nicely envelops the aiming black)
Parallax adjustment (AO)
Cons:
Not quite as clear as the Vortex IMO
Mushier clicks than the Vortex
Turret caps rather than target turrets