Recommend a scope for me, would ya? Ever hear of an NC Star?

[leadthrower]

I'm looking for a scope for a friend, and have no idea what power of scope he needs.
So here's what he has:
It's an AR-15 with a flat-top, 20 inch bull barrel, 1-9 twist with hand loaded .223 bullets the majority of the time.

He wants to be able to hit a golf ball at 500 yards if possible.

Price is an issue. Say close to $400 is the most he can afford. Of course a huge Leupold scope is the best bet, but he's not wealthy.
A friend of mine said a friend of his has a NC Star scope that he says is awesome. Pretty high quality for the price at least, and they're not over the top expensive, like $500 for the better then average power scope of theirs.
If he won't be able to hit a golf ball at 500 yards, where will he be able to for that money?

Which then brings up the next question, what would be the power of scope you would recommend?


I'm a handgun, shotgun, open sights ar guy. I never have tried to shoot way out there, so I don't know anything about this stuff, but I know you guys do, so I was hoping you might be able to help me out on this.
Thanks fellas,
LT

Here's NC Star's link if you want to look at them. www.ncstar.com Not that hard I guess

[chevrofreak]

For super cheap scopes, NCStar's are pretty decent. I have a 4x32 pistol scope that has survived hundreds of rounds of .308 and a fall down the stairs while attached to the gun.

[Hedo1]

Golf Ball at 500 yds. is pretty impressive shooting. I don't know what his skill level is but that's about a 1/4 moa shot. Tough with a .223.

If you have $500 to spend take a look at the Nikon Scopes. They have a 6-14 variable that I like and it retails somewhere around $399. It's a good value. I have it on my Savage 10fp in .308.

[bryceban]

First, your friend needs to undrestand that a scope does not make him a shooter. He is seriously impaired with that rifle, a golf ball at 500yds.? I am not saying it is not possible to hit a golf ball at 500yds 1 in every 10 or 20 shots (thats being reallistic) but you are not going to do it consistently with an off the rack rifle and $400 scope no matter how much of a bad ***** he is or thinks he is. Not to sound like a ***** hole, but he does not understand the task that he is trying to accomplish. NCStar is a terrible start BTW.

[bryceban]

However, if you are unable to communicate this to him then at LEAST something off this page http://www.swfa.com/showcategory.aspx?categoryid=185&sb=Name&so=asc&page=2 would be a good start. BTW, the reticle will cover up the golf ball at that distance. Good luck.

[BL33D 4 M3]

dude...you won't even see a golf ball @ 500 yds., much less hit it.

[leadthrower]

I thank you all for your replies.
As I said, I never try to shoot past 100 yards, so I have no idea what all that entails.
With that, I'll talk to him about it. Either he'll lower his expectations or raise his dollar amount.

Thanks for the link, btw.

LT

[mcs]

you wont be happy with an NC Star. the glass isnt of the best quality.