Need recommendation on optics for AR

[sealy99]

I'm a little new to this, so please bear with me. I am currently shooting over iron sights on my M&P. 18" barrel. This is fine for 100 yards in, but any longer than that and the target is a blur. Any suggestions for between 100 and 300 for around a $600 budget? Any features I should consider?

 

[Ozzman]

My only choice for the AR platform is the Vortex Strike Eagle 30mm scope.
Own 2, and both work great at the ranges you state. Under $600 also.

 

[wakal]

Same price...around $300...and with better glass is the Burris RT-6. I sell a ton of the Strike Eagles, but the new Burris was good enough for me to swap them for the Strikes on my loaner rifles.

 

[jrbfishn]

Athlon Talos 4-14 BTR with the mil reticle, side focus. Really nice. I love mine. Amazon had them for about $250.

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[Dawico]

100-300 yards is red dot territory to me, unless you are strictly target shooting.

1-4x is a good compromise for magnification and speed.

I like Leupold and Vortex personally.

My Leupold 1.25-4x Firedot is a good compromise as it is a scope but has a red dot in the reticle too for low light and quick acquisition.

 

[navyguy]

100-300 yards is red dot territory to me, unless you are strictly target shooting.

1-4x is a good compromise for magnification and speed.

I like Leupold and Vortex personally.

My Leupold 1.25-4x Firedot is a good compromise as it is a scope but has a red dot in the reticle too for low light and quick acquisition.

Second the Leupold Mark AR Mod1 1.5-4x20mm. (Also available in 3x9) Weighs under 10 oz. Couple that with a light weight Leupold base (about $100) and it's a sweet set up. You can also get this scope without the eliminated dot for about $160 less.

I've got that set up on my 14.5" carbine and am very happy with it.

 

[BigBoss0311]

$600 budget. Personally I prefer variable optics over a red dot with magnifier. Sleeker package with no magnifier hanging off the side when not in use, and the variable is just as fast as a red dot, and you usually get the benefit of a BDC reticle. Either a Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8 or a Viper PST 1-4 Gen 1 would be my vote. Both of these come under $400 which still leaves you money for a good mount. My recommendation for that would be Bobro.

If you do decide you like the red dot/magnifier combo, I would go with the Vortex SPARC II. Magnifier is your choice. Reason I keep suggesting Vortex is the value for the money and the awesome warranty. You can literally destroy your optic and they will fix or replace it, no matter what.

 

[Dawico]

$600 budget. Personally I prefer variable optics over a red dot with magnifier. Sleeker package with no magnifier hanging off the side when not in use, and the variable is just as fast as a red dot, and you usually get the benefit of a BDC reticle. Either a Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8 or a Viper PST 1-4 Gen 1 would be my vote. Both of these come under $400 which still leaves you money for a good mount. My recommendation for that would be Bobro.

If you do decide you like the red dot/magnifier combo, I would go with the Vortex SPARC II. Magnifier is your choice. Reason I keep suggesting Vortex is the value for the money and the awesome warranty. You can literally destroy your optic and they will fix or replace it, no matter what.

I definitely agree on recommending Vortex. Great value and warranty.

 

[CalibersUSA]

I would suggest either the EoTech platform or the Aimpoint Platform, as both are great options for the AR Platform. Here are a few to look at: EoTech:https://goo.gl/juKmDi Aimpoint: https://goo.gl/tgjq7p
Hope this is helpful.

 

[HKShooter65]

100-300 yards is red dot territory to me, unless you are strictly target shooting.

Sort of agree with calibersUSA right above my post.
I think our military has this figured out and I'll ride on their shoulders any day.

If you want battle accuracy, center of mass hit, a good red dot, Aimpoint or EOTech just can't be beat by any product. Way better than iron sights.

In the same military-quality vein.....shop around and be patient and find a used $600 genuine Trijicon ACOG.
They are out there in that price range for the patient shopper. I know where one is on a shelf right now for $575. Fondled it yesterday.
I have several ACOG variants. They will long-outlast me!
They are premium quality, indestructible, stunningly clear and look right on your rifle!!!
There is some real pride-in-ownershop in an ACOG.

 

[Mikewood]

Leupold VX-3 3-9x40mm or 3.5-10x50mm. I have a box of broken china junk scopes and lesser optics. Leupold is really in a class by itself,has a lifetime warrantee, can handle any abuse and meets your price point.

The afore mentioned ACOG is also a great choice but all cost well above $600.


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[HKShooter65]

Leupold is really in a class by itself,has a lifetime warrantee, can handle any abuse and meets your price point.

Agree.
Luepold sets the standard for high quality/price ratio.

Gun shows have a plethora of used $200 Lueplods.
They hit what you wish them to hit.

 

[pronstar]

Gun shows have a plethora of used $200 Lueplods.
They hit what you wish them to hit.

I need to go to more gun shows


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[Dawico]

The afore mentioned ACOG is also a great choice but all cost well above $600.


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Living not too far from a military base, $600 used ACOGs are definitely out there.

A bunch of them have a nice battle worn finish. Not from a custom finisher but actual battle.

 

[jeepinbanditrider]

Those sound stolen lol. If you keep an eye out on ARFCOM Equipment Exchange, you should be able to find them (ACOGs) for just a little bit more than that or around that for an older unit. And an ACOG is hard to beat once you learn how to use it properly.

 

[texasnurse]

Nikon-M223 3-12 with M-223 Scope Mount spend the rest on ammunition


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[pronstar]

Nikon-M223 3-12 with M-223 Scope Mount spend the rest on ammunition


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Considering it's $300more than the 3x9 version...do you think it's worth the extra scratch if most shooting is in the 300 yard range?


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[texasnurse]

Considering it's $300more than the 3x9 version...do you think it's worth the extra scratch if most shooting is in the 300 yard range?


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IMHO I have the P-223 3-9x40, Great Optic easy to adjust and holds sight zero well (paired with Burris P.E.P.R. With QD), the downside is the parallax at 50 yards, the M series has a parallax adjustment; alternatively you can change elevation by about 2-4 clicks if you are operating at 50yards or less.

http://www.brownells.com/optics-mou...pes/ar-riflescopes-with-mounts-prod64594.aspx


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[HKShooter65]

Those sound stolen lol. If you keep an eye out

No, don't think my ACOGs are stolen contraband.
I have seen NSN marked US Govt. ACOGs for $4-500 but would not touch those with a 10 foot pole.

My favorite ACOG is a 3.5x35 that's about $1400 new that had a lot of cracks in the clear fiberoptic gathering rod on top. Was dirty, internally had a misaligned reticle and generally fugly looking. Paid 500, sent it back to Trijicon and it was returned scarcely distinguishable from new.

Shop the gun shows carefully and at closing time Sunday the guys will sell for a lot less than their Saturday noon price. The 3.5x35 was $800 all weekend till 5pm Sunday.

 

[HKShooter65]

No, don't think my ACOGs are stolen contraband.
I have seen NSN marked US Govt. ACOGs for $4-500 but would not touch those with a 10 foot pole.

My favorite ACOG is a 3.5x35 that's about $1400 new that had a lot of cracks in the clear fiberoptic gathering rod on top. Was dirty, internally had a misaligned reticle and generally fugly looking. Paid 500, sent it back to Trijicon and it was returned scarcely distinguishable from new.

Shop the gun shows carefully and at closing time Sunday the guys will sell for a lot less than their Saturday noon price. The bunged up TA11 3.5x35 was $800 all weekend till 5pm Sunday.