1st AR - Scope Recommendations?

[WartHog]

Am picking up my 1st AR, a Windham SRC in 5.56 this Saturday and would like to get input on variable magnification scopes between 1-4 and 2-7 power. Will probably be doing most of my shooting between 50-250yds. Budget is $300 tops for a scope + mount. Don't have the best eyesight so was thinking a hybrid-type Reticule with Illumination might work best for me?

Been looking at:

Vortex Crossfire II 1-4x24 V-Brite

Bushnell AR223 1-4X24

Mueller Multi-Shot 2-7x32

[JMP]

I'd definitely go with a 1-6x or 1-8x on an AR-15 for some magnification, but small enough to keep it functional.

[WartHog]

Yes, I forgot to say I'd like to keep size/weight reasonable.

[ToOTHroTT]

Go check out Primary Arms they have good prices and great products. I have used there scopes and red dots until I had the money to get the higher end scopes I have now.

[WartHog]

I'm looking real hard at a Redfield Revolution 2-7x33mm with the Accu-Range Reticule. It isn't illuminated but it gets consistently great reviews, is made in the US, and has a lifetime warranty. At 11 inches long and 11.1 ounces, I think it'll work for what I want to do.

For a mount, do you guys think this Burris AR-P.E.P.R. Quick Detachable Scope Mount would work out well?

[LateBraking]

For the price the Bushnell is the way to go. Absolutely loved both of mine, only reason I sold them is because I ran out of AR's to put them on. I changed gears a lot recently. Glass is clear for the price you pay, it's first focal plane, and it holds zero. Was leagues better than my Primary Arms 1-6x w/ACSS, but mine was a gen 1 and I think they are on gen 3 now, so that's subject to a outdated information disclaimer.

No personal experience but I can't imagine the Vortex being bad either. I love my Viper scopes, which IMO hold up against even my Nightforce, the turrets being the biggest weakness when trying to stack up.

The quick detach levers on the Burris PEPR are pretty trash IMO. I'd either save up for a decent mount like the American Defense Recon, or I'd just get the PEPR without the quick detach feature, which was a solid mount in and of itself.

[DirtyRussianAmmo]

I'm kicking the tires on a Bushnell 1-4x24 for my AR. Here's a good deal on the scope with a PEPR mount~$199.00

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/bushnell-ar-optics-1-4x24mm-bdc-riflescope-and-burris-pepr-mount-2.html

I recently purchase a Bushnell TRS-25, very impressed with the 3MOA performance.

[RobertMW]

Do you plan on just taking slow controlled fire on a square range? If so, just get a Primary Arms red dot and call it a day. A 2moa red dot is cake out to 200 and just challenging at 300. If you are doing 3-gun and want to run open, sure, get the var. zoom, again primary arms is damn good for the price.

[ejhc11]

For a no frills scope and being small/light - Weaver made in Japan

Or a Burris prism scope - less than $210 with mount after $100 rebate - lifetime warranty also.

[bigbearbear]

I have a Windham Weaponry MPC CA, similar to your SRC except that it comes with A2 front post and carry handle. I mounted a Mueller Speedshot 1-4x scope on it using a Burris PEPR mount ($20 rebate right now).

Total weight of the AR now is 7.8 lbs unloaded.

[WartHog]

Thanks everyone for the input

I think I'm going to stay with the Redfield 2-7 but get their 4-Plex Reticule instead of the Accu-Range. After I see what the maximum, longer-range accuracy is I can wring out of the rifle with that, I'll look into a RDS sight/scope more suited for closer in tactical-type shooting. Being this is my first AR, it's gonna take awhile to become one with my rifle and figure out what works best, especially with my less than great eyesight.

[APV]

one more before it is too late ... Hi-Lux CMR 1-4x24

[WartHog]

Thanks but 1-4 magnification aint gonna cut it for my eyes plus $330 for the scope alone is over my budget by more than $100.

I have decided to upgrade my mount, quality-wise, to the Leupold Mark II 1″ Integral Mounting System.

[sholling]

On a $300 budget I don't think you can do better than a Weaver V-3 1-3x20 in a Burris QD P.E.P.R Mount. You could also look at their V-10 2-10x38. These Weavers aren't tacticool looking but they offer a ton of bang for the buck.

If you are willing to bump you budget $100 you could go with a Nikon M-223 1-4x20.

[superllamas7]

On a $300 budget I don't think you can do better than a Weaver V-3 1-3x20 in a Burris QD P.E.P.R Mount. You could also look at their V-10 2-10x38. These Weavers aren't tacticool looking but they offer a ton of bang for the buck.

If you are willing to bump you budget $100 you could go with a Nikon M-223 1-4x20.

There are some pretty good sales right now, you may be able to get a lot of scope for the buck.

The Nikon m-223 xr mount is on sale at Cabela's for $50.00. No tax in CA and possibly $1 shipping (need to add >$.01 then add # to text list for $10 off coupon, $10.95 shipping-$10 coupon =~$1)

It's not a QR mount, and I think it may be too low for use with an A2 FSB (not sure if that was a requirement). Does anyone have this mount? Does it work with a FSB?

Also regarding optics, I am attaching a link for an article that looks at a few 3-9x scopes. I know it's a little more magnification than you wanted, but it may be helpful nonetheless:

http://opticsthoughts.com/?page_id=77