Scopes/Optics for Range Use

[FourT6and2]

Just got back from checking out some scopes and optics for my AR15. First, I don't know how y'all say you can shoot anywhere close to "good" with just iron sights anywhere past 50 yards (50 yards is even pushing it). Hell, I just turned 30, my eyes are pretty good, and I can't even see a standard target's bullseye that far away with just iron sights. The sight practically covers the entire target. If it's a large metal plate/gong... sure... I could probably hit it somewhere. But definitely not a "bullseye" on a standard target.

In any event, I was initially considering just going with a red dot sight like the Aimpoint T1. I tried it out in the store and I like it. For anything inside 25 yards. Which I guess is what it's for anyway (quick target acquisition in a CQB scenario). But realistically... when am I ever going to be playing commando for real? Never. I shoot at the range. That's pretty much it. So maybe starting with an illuminated scope would be a better idea?

I tried a 1-4x, 2-7x, and a 3-9x. Leupolds. They all seemed nice and were about the same price as the T1.

I was wondering what y'all typically use for range use? 25-100 yards. There is a 200 yard range I can go to. But that's the farthest distance I would ever shoot. 25-100 yards would be typical for me.

While at the store, I tried out each scope to check out a small billboard out the window of the store and across the divided road. Used a rangefinder and it was about 65 yards away. And honestly... even at 9x.... it was still pretty hard to see a spot on the sign that was about the same size as a target's bullseye. At that distance it seems like you can get in the general ballpark of a target. But nothing too precise.

[Jarhead]

Look at the Nikons for the AR really good glass and an excellent price

[ExtremeX]

9x is plenty magnification to see a bullseye (guessing 1-2" size) dot at 65 yards...

Sounds like you are new to scopes... It would probably help a lot if you adjust the scopes diopter adjustment to your eye before evaluating it, and setting a parallax adjustment for the scope if applicable. It’s also a lot easier to eval a scope on a rifle or rest vs free handing it incase that's what you were doing.

I am really fond of low power variables on ARs, I find them to be very versatile and they match my shooting style. Find a 1-4x or 1-6x scope in your price range and go from there… plenty to choose from.

[dtrump]

I just picked up a primary arms 4-14x44 first focal plane with their acss reticle from another calgunner as they've been sold out for awhiiile. The thing is a tank. Its incredibly nice. The price is insane. I have a feeling I'm really going to like the reticle for ranging. They should be back in stock soon. Glass is clear, its first focal plane, has parallax adjustments from 10 yards to infinity, has a great illuminated reticle and nice exposed turrets with a great tactile click rotation in mils and retails for $279.00. Check em out www.primaryarms.com

This is going on my scar 17, they also have a 1-6 with same reticle and features.

[TruEdge]

I'm with extreme a 1x4 is a damn good choice for an ar platform. You can easily shoot up close and take it out to 400 if you choose.

[FourT6and2]

Look at the Nikons for the AR really good glass and an excellent price

Will do. I use their glass for photography so I know they know what they're doing in that department.

Yeah, I was free-handing the scopes. They were quite clear. Not blurry or anything. None of them needed diopter adjustment. I'm just saying that even at 65 yards at 9x magnification, a bullseye that's like 2" in diameter is still really tiny. But definitely better than with the naked eye. And that got me scratching my head about people shooting out to 100 yards with just iron sights... seems quite difficult to me since the front sight itself would totally obscure your target. Unless you're shooting a 4-foot metal plate or something.

I went through all the leopold sights online and there are a LOT to choose from. Started narrowing it down, but there are like 5-8 models that are all very similar.

I know I want either a 1-4+ or something like a 2-7+. Illuminated. Price range is right around the same as the Aimpoint T1.

[FourT6and2]

Oh, and yeah that PA 1-6 looks pretty good. Especially for that price. I have some reservations, though, about getting a scope from a company that isn't specialized in them though. Glass is a very specialized thing. Leupold definitely has a better name. But maybe that doesn't matter?

[ExtremeX]

I know I want either a 1-4+ or something like a 2-7+. Illuminated. Price range is right around the same as the Aimpoint T1.

I wouldn't worry too much about illuminated scopes unless you do a lot of low light or night shooting. Most wont be day light bright, although there are some options which may work out ok in that regard. Just don't expect to see something as vivid as an Aimpoint or Eotech reticle at those price points. They do exist, but mostly on the upper end of the spectrum.

Considering you will have a lot of range time between 25-100 yards, I think the 1-4x type scopes are a no brainer for general purpose use.

The low power variable scopes come in a lot of different flavors... do your research based on your personal preference and price point.

This thread should give you an idea of what is out there and what brands you may want to consider further.

http://www.ar15.com/mobile/topic.html?b=3&f=18&t=421244&page=1

Even within the low power variable space, there are a lot of considerations to be made based on things like reticle design, SFP/FFP, capped or exposed target turrets, etc.

Application does play a role, and if you are trying to build this out as more of a target rig to shoot groups at 100 yards, then these scopes may not be the best choice. That said, might be surprised what you can actually accomplish with a decent low power optic. I regularly shoot my 1-6x scope from close-in out to 600 yards using on a 12"x12" steel plate. If you can see it, and can accurately hold or dial that correction, the latter being my preferred method, ur good to go.

[ExtremeX]

Just an additional thought…

Even though I am strongly endorsing the 1-4/1-6x scopes, I do swap optics on occasion. It’s not rare to find me on the 100 yard line with a 20 power scope if am developing a load for that rifle or just trying to print some tight groups.

Since you are a camera guy, I’ll leave you with this, my camera bag hasn’t had less than 3 lenses in it at any given point in time as I have yet to find a do it all optic.

[FourT6and2]

I wouldn't worry too much about illuminated scopes unless you do a lot of low light or night shooting. Most wont be day light bright, although there are some options which may work out ok in that regard. Just don't expect to see something as vivid as an Aimpoint or Eotech reticle at those price points. They do exist, but mostly on the upper end of the spectrum.

Considering you will have a lot of range time between 25-100 yards, I think the 1-4x type scopes are a no brainer for general purpose use.

The low power variable scopes come in a lot of different flavors... do your research based on your personal preference and price point.

This thread should give you an idea of what is out there and what brands you may want to consider further.

http://www.ar15.com/mobile/topic.html?b=3&f=18&t=421244&page=1

Even within the low power variable space, there are a lot of considerations to be made based on things like reticle design, SFP/FFP, capped or exposed target turrets, etc.

Application does play a role, and if you are trying to build this out as more of a target rig to shoot groups at 100 yards, then these scopes may not be the best choice. That said, might be surprised what you can actually accomplish with a decent low power optic. I regularly shoot my 1-6x scope from close-in out to 600 yards using on a 12"x12" steel plate. If you can see it, and can accurately hold or dial that correction, the latter being my preferred method, ur good to go.

I do know that I want an illuminated reticle. The ones I tried out in the store (Leupold and Vortex) looked just fine compared to the T-1 I tried as well. The dots weren't as bright or large as the T-1 was. But they didn't need to be since it's not like you're using a 1-6 scope in the same way you'd use a RDS.

lol I've only had two lenses my entire years as a photographer: 50mm and 85mm primes.

[6mmintl]

FourT6

You need to get out more! off the 50/100 yard sniper lines and shoot out to 200+

Get your self a 3x9x scope with a duplex reticle and sight in at 200 with cross hairs, at 100 use the top duplex crosshair/post as a aiming point, at 200 use the cross hairs, at 300 use the bottom duplex crosshair/post.

Use 3x for 100 and 9x for 200/300.

It can be that simple for a lot less than a CQB 1x4 scope

[FourT6and2]

FourT6

You need to get out more! off the 50/100 yard sniper lines and shoot out to 200+

Get your self a 3x9x scope with a duplex reticle and sight in at 200 with cross hairs, at 100 use the top duplex crosshair/post as a aiming point, at 200 use the cross hairs, at 300 use the bottom duplex crosshair/post.

Use 3x for 100 and 9x for 200/300.

It can be that simple for a lot less than a CQB 1x4 scope

Uhm... yeah. If there was a range available to me that was longer than 100 yards, I'd go to it. But there aren't any. So I'm stuck with that. I think Richmond has a 200 yard range. But it would take me like 2.5 hours to get there and 2.5 hours back. Where do you shoot? I live in SF and have no car. So I'm stuck with what I can get to via BART, Caltrain, or Bus. The two closest ranges to me are Bullseye and Jackson Arms. Bullseye is 25 yards. Jackson doesn't allow rifles. The next closest range would be USI in Concord. They have a 100 yard range. Then there's Chabot. They have a 200 yard range. But no way for me to get there since there is no public transportation servicing that area.

I think I'm definitely leaning toward something in the 1-9x range. 1-6, 1-8, 2-7, 3-9, etc. Illuminated. Would Leupold be a good bet to go with? Vortex has some stuff too.

[ElvenSoul]

Weaver 3-10 Mildot

[FourT6and2]

Weaver 3-10 Mildot

They don't currently offer a 3-10 Mildot. And they don't have anything in that range that is illuminated. There is a 3-9 illuminated German #4. But it is slightly out of my budget at $900. And there's a 3-15, but it's over $1,100.

[ElvenSoul]

Take a look at Mueller