Optics - Red Dot + Scope

[djbooya]

I've just recently acquired my Sig 556... I'm picking it up in about 10 days or so and am thinking of using it in some tac rifle events. I wanted to get a style of optics that has the following features:

Mounted Red Dot / Holographic Sight + 2ndary magnified optic. I don't want a "normal" eotech type setup where I have to manually push the magnifier out of the way, but have seen some setups (no pics available, I'll search for one tonight) where the primary sight is either the red dot or holographic and the 2ndary sight sits right about it or on top of it and am guessing both sights can be 0'd separately. Anyone have any recommendations? Ideally, I want to be in the $200-$300 range for both optics put together. I'm not against having 2 separate optics all together and using one a side rail and one on the top rail and learning to shoot like that.

Also, what is the practical difference between holographic sights vs. red dot sights? I know they are different technologies and show up differently on the glass, but what does it really matter to me in a NON-combat environment?

Some examples of ones I've seen:


Thanks,

[3GunFunShooter]

Your price range is a little low.
LaRue had a red dot and a 1-4 Burris XTR with mount for about 800.
Millet DMS is a great scope for the money. Circle dot. About $225.

[Jicko]

+1 on that you want a LOT more that you are willing to pay... $200-300... at best you can end up with some airsoft stuff

> ACOG + docter.... a $1500 combo
(personally I have a ACOG TA31F... I don't see the need for a doctor... if you can master BAC, but still this is a $1000 scope, used... maybe $700-800)

> Leupold Mark 4 3.5-10x + LaRue SPR mount + LaRue SPR mount side red-dot ring base + docter.... another $1500 combo
(personally I have this setup on my part accurate Mark 12 SPR Mod 1)


> EOTech/AIMPOINT + Magnifier.... is not a $200-300 setup neither!

[djbooya]

+1 on that you want a LOT more that you are willing to pay... $200-300... at best you can end up with some airsoft stuff

> ACOG + docter.... a $1500 combo
(personally I have a ACOG TA31F... I don't see the need for a doctor... if you can master BAC, but still this is a $1000 scope, used... maybe $700-800)

> Leupold Mark 4 3.5-10x + LaRue SPR mount + LaRue SPR mount side red-dot ring base + docter.... another $1500 combo
(personally I have this setup on my part accurate Mark 12 SPR Mod 1)


> EOTech/AIMPOINT + Magnifier.... is not a $200-300 setup neither!

I don't care for the high end of an EOTech/Aimpoint, I was just using that as an example. If what I'm looking for is totally unrealistic (the combo) then what would you suggest for the same price range as separate scope/red-dot optics?

[SuperSet]

DJB,
Sorry, at that price range, you won't find anything as far as scope and red dot optics. If you're looking for something to get started, 3GunFunShooter is pointing you in the right direction with the DMS-1.

[djbooya]

DJB,
Sorry, at that price range, you won't find anything as far as scope and red dot optics. If you're looking for something to get started, 3GunFunShooter is pointing you in the right direction with the DMS-1.

Hmm..would $400-500 be more realistic? I'm ok with looking at 2 separate optics as an alternative to the combo models.

[Jicko]

If what I'm looking for is totally unrealistic (the combo) then what would you suggest for the same price range as separate scope/red-dot optics?

You want a $200-300 scope recommendation? And then a $200-300 red-dot optics recommedation? $200-300 is seemingly not possible for both a scope AND a red-dot optics + mounting hardward.

$200-300 scope.... I don't think I can help.... I don't know enough in that spectrum... I would probably say, just go get a Leupold VXII... since I always think the money should be spent on glass clarity before any other bells and whistles.... yet.. I don't think I would go with ANY scopes that target turret and ranging reticle.... (anyways.... ignore what I said here.... someone else may have some better recommendations)

$200-300 red-dot... I like EOTech.... many like AIMPOINT..... both of them are VERY much battle-proven. If $$ is an issue, u can get Bushnell version.
LaRue iron-dot works too, ie. a LaRue mount + cage w/ a red-dot sight (FastFire, or Docter etc...).... without the protective cage, these red-dot sight are not too durable (ie. if u drop your weapon, optic on the ground first... they probably won't survive)

[Jicko]

Hmm..would $400-500 be more realistic? I'm ok with looking at 2 separate optics as an alternative to the combo models.

All those combos are basically individual optics pieced together.

[SuperSet]

Unfortunately, when you're talking about rifle components, your choice for Optics can often dwarf the price of your rifle. But, having said that, you may have a couple of options for $500 range:

1. EOTech or AimPoint red dot with a clone magnifier
2. Millet DMS-1 (1-4X) variable scope
3. Used Trijicon AccuPoint (1.25-4X) variable scope

What matches are you intending to hit up in your area? Most rifle matches that I've shot were less than 100 yards so a red-dot sight will work just fine.

[djbooya]

Unfortunately, when you're talking about rifle components, your choice for Optics can often dwarf the price of your rifle. But, having said that, you may have a couple of options for $500 range:

1. EOTech or AimPoint red dot with a clone magnifier
2. Millet DMS-1 (1-4X) variable scope
3. Used Trijicon AccuPoint (1.25-4X) variable scope

What matches are you intending to hit up in your area? Most rifle matches that I've shot were less than 100 yards so a red-dot sight will work just fine.

Thanks for the recommendations...maybe a red dot alone will be fine for me. I plan on going to tac rifle matches at Chabot so I think 100 yards was the farthest out I noticed....

[Jicko]

Thanks for the recommendations...maybe a red dot alone will be fine for me. I plan on going to tac rifle matches at Chabot so I think 100 yards was the farthest out I noticed....

EOTech or AIMPOINT would be your best bet. Go out and try to look thru both and see if you have a preference.

EOTech +ve, large FOV, circle & dot reticle; -ve battery life

AIMPoint +ve, long battery life; -ve just a dot reticle, tunnel vision

[SuperSet]

Thanks for the recommendations...maybe a red dot alone will be fine for me. I plan on going to tac rifle matches at Chabot so I think 100 yards was the farthest out I noticed....

Ah, cool. I shot at Chabot Tac Rifle all the time when I lived in NorCal and loved it.
Your longest shot is 70y, and that's an oblique shot across Range 4. So, you don't even really need a magnified scope. Just go with what Jicko is recommending.

[djbooya]

Thanks, I ended up just picking up a Bushnell Holosight (made by EOTech)...got it for 223 shipped, no tax from the opticsplanet ebay store..

http://www.opticsplanet.net/bushnell-holosight.html

[3GunFunShooter]

A lot of 3 gun shooters are trying to go to a variable scope (1-4) with some sort of illuminated circle dot reticle. If you have a variable with true 1 power, why have a second optic? For up close hoser stages get the JP tactical iron sight, About $90. Millet DMS, or the Burris XTR. Simmons
1.5-5 Diamond Pro illuminated $120. If you are shooting in USPSA or most any other competition, having 2 optics puts you into the open class.

[SuperSet]

That Bushnell Holosight will most likely do the job. My GA buddy has one for his Beretta CX4 Storm and it's a good, economical start. Some things you need to keep in mind though:

1. It doesn't have the protective hood like the EOTechs so don't go tossing it around the range.

2. It doesn't have the upgraded electronics that the other EOTech models sport. More specifically, the Rev F model. So, the battery life is shorter and more importantly, it doesn't have the new battery contacts. This translates it into the sight shutting off sometimes during recoil. My buddy's sight does this.

3. EOTechs have a small battery drain problem, even when the sight is not in use. Even my EOTech 557 does this although I mitigate this by using Lithium AAs. For the Holosights, I'd take the batteries out after every match and pop them in there when you need to use it.

Good luck and enjoy the match!