EOTech/Magnifier or Trijicon ACOG for 3 Gun SCAR

[SOliver]

Hey guys, just looking for some opinions here. I just recently bought a FN SCAR 16S that I plan on using for 3 gun competition. I already have a MI rail extension, enhanced charging handle, Magpul AFG, Hogue grip, FN 14" barrel assembly, Timney trigger, Fortis MFG RED brake for the 14", and now I just need to figure out optics. My original plan was an EOTech XPS2 and a G33 Magnifier but I'm having second thoughts and considering a 3.5 or 4x magnification ACOG. That EOTech setup is $1,019 from Midway and I can probably get an ACOG somewhere in that ballpark. What would you guys buy? I also have a Vortex Razor 3 MOA mini reflex and an angled mount laying around still in their boxes that I could use for close range if I went ACOG.

 

[T-FAST]

I'd personally run a 1-4x or 1-6x scope. I'm not a big fan of fixed magnification

 

[SOliver]

I'm not a fan of low magnification scopes. I have a Leupold 1-4 in a Leupold AR mount laying around but I really can't see myself using it on the SCAR or really any other gun for that matter (hence why it's laying around with my other spare optics lol). I do like the idea of being able to flip the magnifier to the side on the EOTech for close range but it would be just as easy to tilt the gun a little counterclockwise and look through the Razor for close range with the ACOG.

 

[cajunautoxer]

I know it's not one that you mentioned but Vortex 1-6

I'm not a fan of low magnification scopes. I have a Leupold 1-4 in a Leupold AR mount laying around but I really can't see myself using it on the SCAR or really any other gun for that matter (hence why it's laying around with my other spare optics lol).

i'll take that pos off you

 

[double_r76]

FOV on ACOGs is generally horrible. EOTech plus magnifier is a clunky compromise set-up. There is a reason almost everybody that is competitive is using a 1-x variable scope... it's the best solution. I'm running the Swarovski Z6i BRT 1-6x24 on my Tac-Optics gun and just an EOTech on my Tac-Irons gun.

You planning on shooting Open Division? That's where the ACOG plus mini-reflex combo would place you. If you must run an ACOG, get a set of offset irons for the close stuff and for when you get lost in the ACOG's narrow FOV.

Completely unrelated... did you SBR the rifle since you are running the 14" barrel and Fortis RED brake? The RED Brake was designed to be pinned to a 14.5" barrel to make the 16" barrel length requirement. You set-up should be about 15.6" with the barrel and brake, right?

Good luck and hope to see you out there!
-Randy

 

[SOliver]

I know it's not one that you mentioned but Vortex 1-6


i'll take that pos off you

Vortex Razor HD 1-6? I've got a 5-20x50 Razor HD. And I bet you would lol. PM me if you're really interested.

FOV on ACOGs is generally horrible. EOTech plus magnifier is a clunky compromise set-up. There is a reason almost everybody that is competitive is using a 1-x variable scope... it's the best solution. I'm running the Swarovski Z6i BRT 1-6x24 on my Tac-Optics gun and just an EOTech on my Tac-Irons gun.

You planning on shooting Open Division? That's where the ACOG plus mini-reflex combo would place you. If you must run an ACOG, get a set of offset irons for the close stuff and for when you get lost in the ACOG's narrow FOV.

Completely unrelated... did you SBR the rifle since you are running the 14" barrel and Fortis RED brake? The RED Brake was designed to be pinned to a 14.5" barrel to make the 16" barrel length requirement. You set-up should be about 15.6" with the barrel and brake, right?

Good luck and hope to see you out there!
-Randy

I'm not sure on which division I'll be shooting in yet. As I said, I'm just not a fan of low magnification scopes at all, especially for competition shooting though. Don't like the idea of having to change the magnification by turning the ring while trying to run a 3 gun stage. ACOG/Razor and all I'd have to do is turn the gun slightly, just seems quicker and simpler.

As for SBRing it, no. I measured the barrel assembly before I bought it, FN just didn't include the threaded area in the length. It is actually a 14.5" barrel. I'd never SBR a gun for .5" lol. Eventually, I probably will cut down one of the two barrels to 10" but I'll be running them as is for a while.

 

[T-FAST]

Go with whatever you like. I can't stand acogs so I don't recommend it. Run what you want.

 

[double_r76]

I'm not sure on which division I'll be shooting in yet. As I said, I'm just not a fan of low magnification scopes at all, especially for competition shooting though. Don't like the idea of having to change the magnification by turning the ring while trying to run a 3 gun stage. ACOG/Razor and all I'd have to do is turn the gun slightly, just seems quicker and simpler.

As for SBRing it, no. I measured the barrel assembly before I bought it, FN just didn't include the threaded area in the length. It is actually a 14.5" barrel. I'd never SBR a gun for .5" lol. Eventually, I probably will cut down one of the two barrels to 10" but I'll be running them as is for a while.

You are correct that dual optics is the quickest configuration. The problem there is that you really need an Open pistol and Open shotgun to be competitive in that division... unless you're Dan Horner. As for changing magnification, I've rarely done that during a course of fire. When I did, the cat-tail makes everything go very smoothly. Since I mainly shoot Tac-Irons or actual irons, I shoot almost everything out to 250 at 1x even if I have a variable powered optic. I think the huge FOV makes *me* faster than a little magnification. YMMV, of course.

Good to know on the SCAR barrels. Guess FNH changed that specification somewhere along the way. The 14" guns we shot were actually 13.8", but those were Belgian-made F/A guns. I believe the accessory barrels they are selling are US production, so maybe they changed it then... which is weird since the FNH-USA website says the actual barrel length is 14" for ATF measurement purposes - http://www.fnhusa.com/r/support/resources/ ).


-Randy

 

[HKaltwasser]

I think you need to rock a new VCOG. Those look isane but the MSRP is too.

How about a Trijicon Tripower with a magnifier? Or this SWFA SS SWFA SS HD 1-4x24 Tactical 30mm Riflescope

Or an IOR Pitbull IOR 1 & 4x32 Pitbull Tactical 35mm Rifle Scope

 

[cajunautoxer]

Also keep in mind some matches have you shooting out to 600 yards. That 6x is nice then.

 

[SOliver]

You are correct that dual optics is the quickest configuration. The problem there is that you really need an Open pistol and Open shotgun to be competitive in that division... unless you're Dan Horner. As for changing magnification, I've rarely done that during a course of fire. When I did, the cat-tail makes everything go very smoothly. Since I mainly shoot Tac-Irons or actual irons, I shoot almost everything out to 250 at 1x even if I have a variable powered optic. I think the huge FOV makes *me* faster than a little magnification. YMMV, of course.

Good to know on the SCAR barrels. Guess FNH changed that specification somewhere along the way. The 14" guns we shot were actually 13.8", but those were Belgian-made F/A guns. I believe the accessory barrels they are selling are US production, so maybe they changed it then... which is weird since the FNH-USA website says the actual barrel length is 14" for ATF measurement purposes - FNH USA - Distinct Advantage :: Resources of Interest ).


-Randy

I put that Leupold of mine on one of my 14.5 ARs. Next time I go shooting, I'll take it with me and try it out for more competition geared shooting as opposed to just target practice, which is what made me hate it in the first place. If I do get serious about a low magnification scope, I'll probably end up with a Vortex Razor HD II 1-6. I'm a big fan of Vortex optics, I have one of the 5-20 Razor HDs and their Razor mini red dot and they're both great. Might as well stick with the same brand since they're yet to let me down.

I'm not sure on the SCAR barrel. I measured it standing in the gun store and it came out to 14.6" or 14.7", otherwise I wouldn't have bought it. I don't have it right now but I'll measure it again when I do before I install it in the SCAR. Worst case scenario, I'll just sell it and cut down the 16" factory barrel. I got a really good deal on that 14" barrel assembly.

I think you need to rock a new VCOG. Those look isane but the MSRP is too.

How about a Trijicon Tripower with a magnifier? Or this SWFA SS SWFA SS HD 1-4x24 Tactical 30mm Riflescope

Or an IOR Pitbull IOR 1 & 4x32 Pitbull Tactical 35mm Rifle Scope

They all look like good optics but as I said above, I'd probably go with the Razor HD II 1-6. Fantastic reviews everywhere you look and they have Vortex's awesome VIP warranty.

Also keep in mind some matches have you shooting out to 600 yards. That 6x is nice then.

They make 6x ACOGs, but they'd be a bit overkill for most things in 3 Gun.

 

[Jakashh]

Hell, ill sell ya an ACOG TA31F, BNIB, for $1300. You don't have to pay taxes and save a lot of money lol.

 

[cajunautoxer]

They make 6x ACOGs, but they'd be a bit overkill for most things in 3 Gun.

Not overkill but not a good scope for 3 gun


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[double_r76]

I'm not sure on the SCAR barrel. I measured it standing in the gun store and it came out to 14.6" or 14.7", otherwise I wouldn't have bought it. I don't have it right now but I'll measure it again when I do before I install it in the SCAR. Worst case scenario, I'll just sell it and cut down the 16" factory barrel. I got a really good deal on that 14" barrel assembly.

In the store, did you have a SCAR 16s bolt handy? You really need a bolt locked into the barrel extension to get an accurate measurement. Barrel length is measured from the closed bolt face to the end of the barrel, usually using some sort of rod or dowel inserted into the barrel.

Please let me know what you find out. I've got a buddy ready to drop $900 on a barrel, but he can't get a straight answer on the actual measured length.

Thanks,
-Randy