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AR-15 Scopes

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Category: Scopes
Forum Name: Varmint Scopes
Forum Description: Critter gittin' scopes
URL: http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=25621
Printed Date: March/28/2024 at 04:32
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Topic: AR-15 Scopes
Posted By: stud722
Subject: AR-15 Scopes
Date Posted: October/11/2010 at 13:12
I recently bought an AR-15 from Rock River Arms, the Predator Pursuit Mid-Length. I am looking for a decently priced scope but good quality. I plan on doing quite a bit of coyote hunting. There are not a ton of shots I take over 300 yards. I was looking at the M-223 by Nikon in the 3-12 or the Konus that is similar. I like the lighted sights on the Konus because I am colorblind and the blue really stands out for me. Any comments or suggestions?



Replies:
Posted By: SVT_Tactical
Date Posted: October/11/2010 at 13:24
Whats your price range?


Posted By: stud722
Date Posted: October/11/2010 at 13:30
I would like to stay around $400. I know I spent a lot on the actual gun so I shouldn't skimp on the optics but it is just not in the financial reach to spend more right now.  


Posted By: Urimaginaryfrnd
Date Posted: October/11/2010 at 13:32
I have  been happier with Trijicon Compact ACOG's on an AR than anything because they are so compact. Do you see red green or amber if so one of those should work.  The 1-4x accupoint trijicon is another possible.  If illuminated doesnt do it for you try the Super Sniper 3-9x42 FFP scope or the 6x version or a Leupold VX3 6x42

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"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do".
Bobby Paul Doherty
Texas Ranger


Posted By: Urimaginaryfrnd
Date Posted: October/11/2010 at 13:33
$400 puts you in range of a fixed 6x42 Super Sniper or a Leupold FX3 6x42 but you wont get the others for that.

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"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do".
Bobby Paul Doherty
Texas Ranger


Posted By: stud722
Date Posted: October/11/2010 at 13:35
I have looked at some scopes that are red lit.  I am red/brown/green colorblind so these dont work well for me. I have only found one that was blue lit and that was the konus


Posted By: stud722
Date Posted: October/11/2010 at 13:40
 I am not sure if I like the BDC on the Nikon.  I know I am not interested in Mil Dot systems. I want something that is user friendly and good quality. Like I said, I like the Nikon line but have not heard many things about it.  I am kind of new to rifle shooting. I do have a Nikon Monarch on my 25-06 and like it. I would like something in a 3-12 or similar. 


Posted By: Urimaginaryfrnd
Date Posted: October/11/2010 at 13:55
Too much scope on an AR turns a rifle designed for fast action into a banchrest queen for what you want to do  -  coyotes you need to use a scope you can work with without a rest, one with a wide field of view to be able to find the moving animal and preferabley one wiht illumination so you have contrasting reticle in low light.  I would probably not want a really large scope nothing over 42mm and a 3x or 4x would be plenty with 6x being the most I would want. A 6x can still be hand held and get on target but that is about the max.  I use a 3x or a 1.5x Trijicon compact ACOG and the 1.5 with amber triangle is sub moa at 300 yds working off the tip of the triangle. For your purpose I would probably zero at 200 yds and hold a tad under them if closer.

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"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do".
Bobby Paul Doherty
Texas Ranger


Posted By: stud722
Date Posted: October/11/2010 at 13:56
i will give them a look. thank you for your input. I feel lost in this field of scopes. There are so many to pick from. 


Posted By: SVT_Tactical
Date Posted: October/11/2010 at 14:01
if you want lit reticle and need blue the only one I know is konus


Posted By: coyote95
Date Posted: October/11/2010 at 14:45

I am also using a rra predator pursuit. the gun has a meopta meostar 3x10-50 #4rectical which is a little out of your price range 400$  The zeiss conquest 3x9 would fit your needs, great scope for the money


Posted By: Zhurh
Date Posted: October/11/2010 at 14:49
At 100 yards, the red dot on my 4X32 acog covers over an inch on the bulls eye target. The horseshoe ghost ring covers the 8 inch circle at 100 yards.  At 5-6 hundred yards, that host ring covers 5-6-7 foot circle.  At larger size game, fine; at smaller game cross hairs might work better; it sure is quick to target though.

We have 5 AR's and use them for hunting all the time off snowmachine, on 4 wheelers, ect; kinda my go to gun when I'm riding around. Two of them have that cheap 250 dollar leupolds and it works just fine.  I have a 338 fed armalite ordered and not sure if it will be an aimpoint or eotec, but will be a close range scope for road hunting.

Ya know what would be the real deal? One of those new camo rems with and eotec & a crosshair scope sitting of to the left hand side on one of those adapters; have to dream on that some.  We see alot of game traveling the river & our winter closed roads on snowmachines.  Ar's slinged across your chest are the ticket for quick shooting when your still coasting to a stop. Usually wolves hear ya and are gone, but there are times you'll catch them following the caribou migration and you can get close.  A combination bracket that mounts dual scopes got to be the way to go. Warne makes such a bracket.




Posted By: Urimaginaryfrnd
Date Posted: October/12/2010 at 00:27
There seems to be some confusion regarding if this is AMBER (yellow) or RED  Call and ask if you are interested in it this is a good price on it and anything much larger would be clumsy on an AR.
Trijicon 3-9x40 Accu-Point Riflescope DEMO-C
  $519.95 < id=ctl00_wpm_ShowProduct_ctl07_OurPrice_VS value=UvGx1b0Hon0OkMPwvw4aQI/MdVqCkxvt4MKo31K6TTx9S3QHMGmk1rhkP24Iip0d = name=ctl00$wpm$ShowProduct$ctl07$OurPrice$VS>

Trijicon 3-9x40 Accu-Point Riflescope DEMO-C

Stock # - SPL12679


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"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do".
Bobby Paul Doherty
Texas Ranger


Posted By: Urimaginaryfrnd
Date Posted: October/12/2010 at 00:28
Optics shown 6x42 Super Sniper, Aimpoint Comp M4s Trijicon Compact ACOG 3x red crosshair.

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"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do".
Bobby Paul Doherty
Texas Ranger


Posted By: stud722
Date Posted: October/12/2010 at 08:43
I want to thank everyone for their input. I appreciate everyone's opinion. Is there somewhere that I can look at the color of he trijicon's lit crosshair? 


Posted By: SVT_Tactical
Date Posted: October/12/2010 at 08:45
http://swfa.com/Trijicon-Accu-Point-Rifle-Scopes-C207.aspx - http://swfa.com/Trijicon-Accu-Point-Rifle-Scopes-C207.aspx
click on the image of the reticle for a larger view


Posted By: stud722
Date Posted: October/12/2010 at 09:35
do you know how accurate the nikon m-223 is on the bdc? i habe heard you want the nikoplex not the bdc is there a reason why


Posted By: SVT_Tactical
Date Posted: October/12/2010 at 09:43
The thing with a BDC type reticle is it is rarely "perfect" for any gun.  The only time you should rely on a BDC mark is after you have spent time on the range and confirmed at what distance that point of impact is accurate for.  Example.  The hash mark or bdc mark is designed to be good for 100, 200, 300 ..... where for your gun and load it may be 100, 175, 250 .... etc.  So as long as you test it and confirm you are ok.  Some people think just slap it on the gun and its good, not the case.  HOWEVER the same applies to dialing in your shots.  just because some ballistics calculator or turret marking tells you that from 100 to 200 or so on is 10 clicks or what not you still have to confirm this on a range.  Once you get to a range make yourself a data card with the information you get telling you how many clicks you need and all you can tape it to your gun for quick reference in the field.  so either one will need range work to "perfect"


Posted By: stud722
Date Posted: October/12/2010 at 09:53
thank you for your help. that was very informative. i will be sure to do something like this. 


Posted By: stud722
Date Posted: October/12/2010 at 09:55
Do you know anything about why people are saying Nikoplex instead of the BDC? I am not sure what it was. Something about it only comes with some special feature with the Nikoplex


Posted By: SVT_Tactical
Date Posted: October/12/2010 at 09:58
Not sure.  I can't imagine the scope has any difference mechanically other than a different reticle. Some may just prefer.


Posted By: stud722
Date Posted: October/12/2010 at 10:18
is there any difference in accuracy from adjusting the turit on the nikoplex rather than the bdc


Posted By: SVT_Tactical
Date Posted: October/12/2010 at 10:21
with the BDC you would set it for your zero check your BDC marks and leave it you wouldn't dial in for correction you would holdover.  For the plex you would dial each shot in for the different distances.  As far as acuracy i don't think you'd see a difference.  Only think you may have is a finer aiming point with the plex because the marks on the BDC may be larger than the crosshair intersect.  That said and most AR15 aren't gonna be accurate enough to tell that bit of difference and if you have one that can you should be looking at a different line of scopes all together.


Posted By: stud722
Date Posted: October/12/2010 at 10:51
The rifle i bought is located on this site. I also got a chrome bolt carrier and an eop rail. http://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=229

I am new to AR-15 all together. I have been shooting shotguns, trap, skeet, and pistols my whole life but I am new to target shooting and coyote hunting especially with an AR


Posted By: stud722
Date Posted: October/12/2010 at 10:53
 I really do appreciate all of your help.  I know I must sound like I dont know what I am doing at all. I wish I would have found this site before I ordered my rifle. I had so many questions then too


Posted By: SVT_Tactical
Date Posted: October/12/2010 at 10:54
i think you'll be fine with the BDC but its whatever you think youll do  is what i would plan for.  That gun sould be a 1MOAish gun which is good and normal for the AR.


Posted By: stud722
Date Posted: October/12/2010 at 11:00
Would you suggest a type of mounting rings as well? Something that will work with an EOP Rail.  I like the BDC just a little nervous that with all of the dots, a quick shot may result in using the wrong dot. 


Posted By: SVT_Tactical
Date Posted: October/12/2010 at 11:10
Thats why you practice practice practice.  Depending on what type hunting your doing but lets say you call a couple yotes' in and they are at 100yds, you take one and the other scats, hes running and when you get back on him he is getting close to 200 yds away or what not if you know your second BDC mark is good for that distance its great for that second fast follow up shot to try to get a double.  Thats kinda the premise behind the Nikon coyotee special scoeps they sell.  They have gotten great reviews.  
Read here - http://opticstalk.com/nikon-coyote-special-review-w-pictures_topic18046_post218735.html?KW=Coyote+Special#218735 - http://opticstalk.com/nikon-coyote-special-review-w-pictures_topic18046_post218735.html?KW=Coyote+Special#218735
 
 
  With a EOP like that i would use rings vs a one piece like a burris PEPR because of getting a good check weld.  Depending on what exact scope you got and the size of the obj that will determine the ring height you need. 


Posted By: stud722
Date Posted: October/12/2010 at 11:13
thanks


Posted By: SVT_Tactical
Date Posted: October/12/2010 at 16:59

Also brady brought up a good point I forgot to mention most BDC reticlesthey are only true on one magnification. so if you sight in useing say 9x then when on 3x the pOI could be different.



Posted By: stud722
Date Posted: October/12/2010 at 17:08
SO if i were to buy the nikoplex... i could site it in on say 3x and switch the turret for distance. but if i go to a 6x or 9x will it still work with the turret?


Posted By: SVT_Tactical
Date Posted: October/12/2010 at 19:58
if you got the nikoplex you would dial in your distances so it wouldnt be the same for 3x or 9x  its the bdc that would be mag dependant possibly


Posted By: stud722
Date Posted: October/12/2010 at 20:54
alright thanks. i am new to the whole new bdc and turret idea. I have two other scopes and they are just plain out 3X9.


Posted By: Urimaginaryfrnd
Date Posted: October/13/2010 at 00:16
I have discussed the Nikon Coyote scopes with a guy who had one on the range and while it may work ok he was quite frustrated with the circles.   I have a Nikon Omega with BDC circles and I understand its issues but it is my least favorite scope. I would suggest you keep this simple and use a fixed power scope either a fixed 6x42 Super Sniper which has tactical knobs to dial in correction and mil dots to range find or use as hold over marks or a FX3 6x42 Leupold either in the heavy duplex for low light or the long range duplex which is a BDC reticle.  There are some huge problems with selecting a BDC reticle with a medium to high power top end on a variable. The BDC reticles are typically only true at the maximum magnification of the optic at all lower powers your fiele of view what you see side to side becomes wider as you reduce magnification while the reticle stays the same this is true of all second focal plane scopes. A FFP first focal plane scope reticle can be used for hold over at any magnification and the 3-9x42 Super Sniper has a FFP reticle that is mil dot and the clicks on the knobs are in MIL s so if you need to correct 4.2 mils for  600 yds you can dial in .2  two clicks and hold over using the 4th mil dot down from center.  When you print a balistic chart in Mils you will know how much holdover each mil dot is and what yardage it represents. If you want a traditional optic do yourself a favor and pick one of the ones I mentioned or select any brand of fixed 4x or fixed 6x or a 3- 9 Zeiss Conquest If you are going to hunt coyotes the scope needs to be bright in low light that eliminates high power optics or set it up for prairie dogs and go with a high power optic but spend what it takes to get a decent scope like a Sightron S III

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"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do".
Bobby Paul Doherty
Texas Ranger


Posted By: Urimaginaryfrnd
Date Posted: October/13/2010 at 00:20
Did you see the La Rue mount on my 6x42 Super Sniper that is what I would suggest however Super Sniper -  SWFA does have a mount that is a lot less expensive and should work for you.
http://swfa.com/SWFA-SSALT-30mm-1-Scope-Mount-P47828.aspx">SWFA S.S.A.L.T. 30mm / 1 http://swfa.com/SWFA-SSALT-30mm-1-Scope-Mount-P47828.aspx - SWFA S.S.A.L.T. 30mm / 1" Scope Mount
Stock # - SS30HSSALT
  • Picatinny MIL-STD-1913
  • Matte
  • Comes with 1" Inserts
$59.95


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"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do".
Bobby Paul Doherty
Texas Ranger


Posted By: stud722
Date Posted: October/13/2010 at 12:35
does anyone know the ins and outs of Konus? like are they a decent brand? Comparable to who? 


Posted By: Urimaginaryfrnd
Date Posted: October/13/2010 at 21:18
I have not seen a Konus and the product line is new this year to SWFA. I would venture a guess that Koshkin has seen them at shot show.  Best guess from the price is that it is perfect for those willing to pay nothing and expect everything.  Would I spend my hard earned money on one - NO.  It really cant be worse than a BSA so if you are determined that is what you want be sure and tell us all about it.  If you start off with relatively low expectations it may be something that will get you bye untill you are willing to upgrade.  If you would rather buy one time and have the scope last a lifetime try the 6x42 Super Sniper or a Leupold or a Zeiss Conquest or at least a Vortex and while Vortex does not have as many years of proven reliability as the others I mentioned they do have a wonderful warranty. I would buy a Pentax a long time before I would buy a Konus at least Pentax has 50+ years in the camera business so they know lenses and are very value priced.

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"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do".
Bobby Paul Doherty
Texas Ranger


Posted By: LRSMike
Date Posted: October/14/2010 at 11:31
Another option is the EOtech with a 3X magnifier, which might be a little more out of your range, but leopold has a new reflex sight out, the HAMR I believe, might be worth looking into to see if it fits your needs.

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You don’t know what you don’t know.

And those who don’t know and never try, never will.



Posted By: JLud
Date Posted: October/20/2010 at 23:26
What about the Vortex Viper 2-7?  Couple reticles that would work for moving targets, and on sale still I do believe...spend extra money on beer.

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That thing on the left....my old ride, some days I miss her.


Posted By: Pookas
Date Posted: October/26/2010 at 14:22
Posting in this Topic because of subject, not to highjack the post. I have a Bushmaster AR-15 Flattop and want to leave the iron sights on but would like to have a nice scope. Budget around $1,000. I'm looking at the Trijicon ACOG TA31F and will be "mainly" hunting hogs in Texas. Don't have a clue about distances but I can't imagine anything but between 50 to 300 yards max. I like the Trijicon because of the reputation and it looks sexy (anyone know what I mean). Am I nuts or on the right track?

Thanks a bunch for any help.


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Go Hogs


Posted By: SVT_Tactical
Date Posted: October/26/2010 at 14:29

I think after about 200 yds your ability to put presice shots goes downhill with an ACOG, especially with the Chevron reticle.  I just tested out a grendel with that exact ACOG on it and while it is accurate i did want more precision. Maybe more magnification hunting hogs at those distances? Maybe the 3-9 accupoint? 



Posted By: dhdoyle
Date Posted: October/26/2010 at 18:12
Assuming that we're still talking about coyote hunting...
The heart-lung area of a coyote is about the same size as a 1-liter soda bottle on its side. Whatever sighting method and distance you want to use ought to take that into account. They might be vermin infested and mangy, but I still don't like to watch cripples limp off to die slowly.



Posted By: Short Shot
Date Posted: November/24/2010 at 22:12
Thought I would jump in here. I  have an RRA with a 20" Varmint barrel (on layaway). Want to go on a P dog trip next year. Been checking out scopes...and been lurking here. Will mostly be shooting paper..and steel out to max of 300yds.....which is our range max. Then possibly check out decreasing the coyote population in my area. This is my first AR...been a shotgun/pistol guy. Two scopes on my "short" list are the SS 10x42..and  the Hawke Sidewinder 30 4.5-14x42. Would like to keep the budget at $500...max. Any thoughts?

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"Show me where the bullets go."


Posted By: Short Shot
Date Posted: November/27/2010 at 13:12
Originally posted by Short Shot Short Shot wrote:

Thought I would jump in here. I  have an RRA with a 20" Varmint barrel (on layaway). Want to go on a P dog trip next year. Been checking out scopes...and been lurking here. Will mostly be shooting paper..and steel out to max of 300yds.....which is our range max. Then possibly check out decreasing the coyote population in my area. This is my first AR...been a shotgun/pistol guy. Two scopes on my "short" list are the SS 10x42..and  the Hawke Sidewinder 30 4.5-14x42. Would like to keep the budget at $500...max. Any thoughts?



I'm having a radical rethink. Checked out an ACOG..3x30. at the "local" store. I will have to save up for it...but I think for an overall scope for my AR..and the fact that I may only shoot P dogs once a year this may be the best bang for my buck.


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"Show me where the bullets go."


Posted By: Short Shot
Date Posted: November/29/2010 at 19:35
Re thinking the ACOG......eye relief was sketchy. So now I am totally confused. My friends think I am "over thinking" on a choice for this rifle. Maybe they are right....(sigh).   Whacko 

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"Show me where the bullets go."


Posted By: Urimaginaryfrnd
Date Posted: November/29/2010 at 20:51
The 1.5x compact ACOG has more eye relief but the 3x version is quite useable I have one in a La Rue RCO mount which places it at the back of the rail.

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"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do".
Bobby Paul Doherty
Texas Ranger


Posted By: Short Shot
Date Posted: November/30/2010 at 18:22
Went back and re-read this. So...I'm thinking either the ACOG or the 6x24 SS M. May actually get the SS...due to the price point... with the http://swfa.com/SWFA-SSALT-30mm-1-Scope-Mount-P47828.aspx -


Posted By: Smileydawg1
Date Posted: December/01/2010 at 14:54
I really like the Vortex Viper PST in Mil or MOA. Anybody have one?


Posted By: supertool73
Date Posted: December/01/2010 at 15:59
They are not available yet, except for a small initial batch

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Lifetime warranty and excellent customer service don't mean a thing when your gun fails during a zombie attack.

"A Liberal is a person who will give away everything they don't own."


Posted By: Smileydawg1
Date Posted: December/01/2010 at 16:35
I will be at Shot Show in January I will see if I can pick some up.


Posted By: SVT_Tactical
Date Posted: December/02/2010 at 07:27
You can't pick them up if Vortex hasn't released them yet.  Big Grin


Posted By: Smileydawg1
Date Posted: December/02/2010 at 11:07

What's the hold up? I physically picked them up and looked thru them last year.



Posted By: SVT_Tactical
Date Posted: December/02/2010 at 11:09
They found some issues that they neded to fix so they only let one order get sent out for sale. since then they have held them back and redesigned some things I believe.


Posted By: Smileydawg1
Date Posted: December/02/2010 at 11:22

Thanks SVT_Tactical, I really liked the reticle fast target acquisition with illumination but with a precession non illuminated. It looks like it will be a winner.




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