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Sorry for making another thread like this but I have not seen anything pertaining specificly to the questions I have.
I have limited experience with the AR platform and zero experience with optics. Used to shoot a lot of black powder with my dad as a kid but never had much exposure to more modern weaponry.
I picked up my first rifle, a Colt LE6290, last xmas and have been shooting out to ~100 yards with irons hitting plates and torso sized targets fairly consistently. I feel comfortable with irons and figure it is time to step up to a low powered variable optic and reach out to longer ranges of 300-500 yards (I figure this is about the max the rifle was designed for). Rifle is mostly range use and SHTF / major natural disaster / zombie type scenarios. Probably a carbine class when time permits and might do some hunting with my dad at some point. House is too cramped to use the rifle for much of a HD gun, have handguns for that.
I am looking to spend less than $500 with a mount but I want to find a good bang for buck value and not add a ton of weight if possible.
Questions:
1) FSB - How much will the FSB get in the way? I have seen some pictures online that suggest the lower 1/3 or more of the sight picture will be blurry. Others say the FSB "disappears" after like 1.25. or 1.5x or 4x or whatever.
Is there a mount that will get the optic above the FSB with out too much discomfort / bad cheek weld?
Should I consider co-witness at 1x and hope the FSB mostly disappears at 4x or above?
Should the FSB be taken into consideration when deciding on a reticle?
2) Reticles - I see lots of variation in reticles. I want something for precision at distance and quick target acquisition at 25-100 yards. Too many options leave me scratching my head with no real idea about what will actually work. BDC, Mil, MOA, MRAD. No idea what I want / need here.
3) Illumination - Do I need illumination? I think I want it, but maybe I am being swayed by what the "cool kids" have and don't really need it. I feel like in SHTF I would want it but what do I know. I typically shoot in a shaded area if that effects the decision.
3) Scopes - I think I have narrowed my search down to a few options that I have seen reviewed or read about but my lack of knowledge and experience makes me question my judgment so I am reaching out to the collective Calguns hive mind.
SWFA SS 1-4x Classic - Scope + Mount for ~$420. I like the idea of getting distance and sizing your target with the reticle but is it too busy? Is the glass comparable to say the Viper PST or is it similar to the Strike Eagle?
Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6x - Scope + Mount for ~$350. I have heard lots of good stuff on this scope but maybe I can get better glass for a little more $ and maybe I don't need the extra 2x? I also think I like crosshairs to gauge moving targets and the reticle doesn't have it but I am clueless so...
Vortex Viper PST 1-4x Scope + Mount for ~$530. This is a bit over budget but I read the glass clarity is superior to the other lower priced options.
I see Primary Arms suggested a lot here and directly compared to the strike eagle but with a different reticle. PA 1-4x 1-6x or even 1-8x is a possibility.
I also was thinking about going with a Leopold Hog, Mark AR, VX2, VXR, or similar but I really just have no idea what I am getting myself into. Illumination brings these options close to over budget, especially with a mount. Don't want to throw down a bunch of cash on something blindly.
Appreciate any and all insights and recommendations.
Thanks!
I have limited experience with the AR platform and zero experience with optics. Used to shoot a lot of black powder with my dad as a kid but never had much exposure to more modern weaponry.
I picked up my first rifle, a Colt LE6290, last xmas and have been shooting out to ~100 yards with irons hitting plates and torso sized targets fairly consistently. I feel comfortable with irons and figure it is time to step up to a low powered variable optic and reach out to longer ranges of 300-500 yards (I figure this is about the max the rifle was designed for). Rifle is mostly range use and SHTF / major natural disaster / zombie type scenarios. Probably a carbine class when time permits and might do some hunting with my dad at some point. House is too cramped to use the rifle for much of a HD gun, have handguns for that.
I am looking to spend less than $500 with a mount but I want to find a good bang for buck value and not add a ton of weight if possible.
Questions:
1) FSB - How much will the FSB get in the way? I have seen some pictures online that suggest the lower 1/3 or more of the sight picture will be blurry. Others say the FSB "disappears" after like 1.25. or 1.5x or 4x or whatever.
Is there a mount that will get the optic above the FSB with out too much discomfort / bad cheek weld?
Should I consider co-witness at 1x and hope the FSB mostly disappears at 4x or above?
Should the FSB be taken into consideration when deciding on a reticle?
2) Reticles - I see lots of variation in reticles. I want something for precision at distance and quick target acquisition at 25-100 yards. Too many options leave me scratching my head with no real idea about what will actually work. BDC, Mil, MOA, MRAD. No idea what I want / need here.
3) Illumination - Do I need illumination? I think I want it, but maybe I am being swayed by what the "cool kids" have and don't really need it. I feel like in SHTF I would want it but what do I know. I typically shoot in a shaded area if that effects the decision.
3) Scopes - I think I have narrowed my search down to a few options that I have seen reviewed or read about but my lack of knowledge and experience makes me question my judgment so I am reaching out to the collective Calguns hive mind.
SWFA SS 1-4x Classic - Scope + Mount for ~$420. I like the idea of getting distance and sizing your target with the reticle but is it too busy? Is the glass comparable to say the Viper PST or is it similar to the Strike Eagle?
Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6x - Scope + Mount for ~$350. I have heard lots of good stuff on this scope but maybe I can get better glass for a little more $ and maybe I don't need the extra 2x? I also think I like crosshairs to gauge moving targets and the reticle doesn't have it but I am clueless so...
Vortex Viper PST 1-4x Scope + Mount for ~$530. This is a bit over budget but I read the glass clarity is superior to the other lower priced options.
I see Primary Arms suggested a lot here and directly compared to the strike eagle but with a different reticle. PA 1-4x 1-6x or even 1-8x is a possibility.
I also was thinking about going with a Leopold Hog, Mark AR, VX2, VXR, or similar but I really just have no idea what I am getting myself into. Illumination brings these options close to over budget, especially with a mount. Don't want to throw down a bunch of cash on something blindly.
Appreciate any and all insights and recommendations.
Thanks!
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