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Post by Burnston on Jan 12, 2019 15:27:23 GMT -5
Good afternoon,
I've recently been introduced to the AR world, and am still getting my bearings. I've found I do not care for any optic that depends on a battery, and would like to experiment with low yield scopes. I do not know exactly what I am looking for, do not know what names to trust, and do not know how little is too little to spend. I am not the type to spend as much on an optic as I would on a firearm. I would very much appreciate a suggestion as to where to start on a budget.
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WARDOG
.30 Stingray
Retired.....mostly.
Posts: 199
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Post by WARDOG on Jan 12, 2019 17:05:54 GMT -5
Probably a little more info is necessary so you can get the proper feedback. What cartridge does your AR shoot? What will be it's uses? Running around in the woods, bench work, tactical, home defense, hunting? What is the weight of your AR? ie. standard AR, bench gun? What distances will you be shooting? nearest and farthest?
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Post by Burnston on Jan 12, 2019 17:17:17 GMT -5
Probably a little more info is necessary so you can get the proper feedback. What cartridge does your AR shoot? What will be it's uses? Running around in the woods, bench work, tactical, home defense, hunting? What is the weight of your AR? ie. standard AR, bench gun? What distances will you be shooting? nearest and farthest? Thanks for the clarification request. As you can see, I do not even know what to ask for. I will be running .223 factory ammunition. For the time being its purpose will simply be learning to shoot it as I am completely unschooled. Its use thereafter will vary between field use and indoor settings featuring ranges between 20-125 yards. The rifle has been equipped with iron sights, and once a scope is mounted I intend to set it at the lowest magnification possible for default use, with a maximum range of 150 yards when necessary. Unloaded, the rifle weighs 7.2 pounds, 18in barrel with standard muzzle break. The rifle is completely stock. Thanks again for your input.
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bobm
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 35
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Post by bobm on Jan 12, 2019 21:41:03 GMT -5
I have a 1.25-4 Hog Hunter VX/R on mine. Leupold makes a lower cost 1-4 line as well.
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Post by AxeHandle on Jan 12, 2019 22:16:56 GMT -5
Got heavy barrel CMMG and Rock River ARs with big Vortex and Nightforce scopes on them. Glass easily worth more than the guns. Running the Vortex 1X and 3X Prisms on some of the shorted barrel shorter range AR rifles and pistols.. Prisms have batteries but the reticle is etched on the glass and visible with no battery.
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Post by coldtriggerfinger on Jan 12, 2019 22:35:17 GMT -5
I am prone to stick with brands known to me . Bushnell , Nikon, Vortex , Leupold , Burris and SWFA. A 1-4 30 mm tube scope is hard to beat on an AR
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Post by zeus on Jan 12, 2019 23:43:19 GMT -5
For the uses you mentioned and ranges, honestly anything would work. You don’t need high end tracking abilities or FFP at those ranges so just find something reasonable and go shoot. You can buy better later if you choose. This is completely different than my usual buy once cry once advice but I think you will figure out what you need for your tasks as you mo e forward.
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Post by coldtriggerfinger on Jan 13, 2019 0:19:53 GMT -5
I know you said you don't want something battery powered. The reticles of all these brands are just reticles . Some are Etched some are wire hung. Some have an illuminated reticle. I am hooked on illuminated reticles. But during daylight I like having the reticle to use regardless of whether the battery and electronics are working. A simple scope that I like is the Vortex Crossfire II 1-4×24 30 mm tube with V Bright reticle.The illumination is just a center dot. But without the illumination it is a type of duplex but with a floating center dot. And it's only $200. Most places. Another scope I really like is the SWFA SS Classic 1-4×24 . 30 mm tube. It has hands down my all time favorite reticle. I've used the ranging reticle and the mil scale to range caribou, fox, coyote, and many inanimate objects out to over 600 yards accurately. For a scope that I've used to cleanly take bou at nearly 400 yards while on my 6.5 Creedmoor. Most of these are 2nd focal plane with fast focus eyepiece.
Then there are the Really really nice ones like the NightForce F8. , IOR Valdada Pit Bull , Vortex Razor II 1-6 . ECT ect. But they are a bit spendy.
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AR- Optic
Jan 13, 2019 0:37:15 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by coldtriggerfinger on Jan 13, 2019 0:37:15 GMT -5
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Post by msauter on Jan 13, 2019 5:35:37 GMT -5
I kept mine simple and went with a fixed 3X scope from Nikon. Very happy with it.
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Post by Rimfire69 on Jan 13, 2019 8:55:37 GMT -5
Funny this should come up, we have just been looking for the same thing, a low power variable suitable for close to mid work. We found the Leupold Mark AR 1.5-4x20 P5 Mod1 Matte, it included the Mark 2 IMS 1” mount. These were on a very reasonable sale and took 4, there are endless options now days, seems overwhelming when you start looking.
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Post by bigbrowndog on Jan 13, 2019 10:45:42 GMT -5
To echo what’s already been said, a good quality 1-4, is really a good place to start. For years it was the go to scope for 3 gun use. It works well up close and in your face and and all the way out to 300. Lately more and more manufacturers are making 1-6 and 1-8 magnification scope, but they are also pricey compared to the 1-4’s.. Many of the 1-4’s will have illumination ability but also a standard type reticle, these are very nice at dusk and dawn or simply dark forest or woods, but do “RELY” on batteries. Burris, Leupold, Bushnell, Vortex, all make scopes in this power range, I have demoed most of their offerings, it’s all good quality glass and they all carry good warranties. Many come with Forever type warranties, stick with a known quality brand and you should have no regrets. All my AR’s carry 1-4, 1-6, or 1-8 scopes, with one exception and it’s a purpose built long range gun.
Trapr
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Post by zeus on Jan 13, 2019 11:28:24 GMT -5
Just remember in the end when you finally do decide, Optics is a good place to spend your money. I have expensive glass on my guns and I’ve never regretted those buys. Looks for deals though. I have a 1-4 Schmidt and Bender I use on my 8” whisper AR. Got it for a great deal and is first focal plane so holdovers are consistent etc. do some research but I wouldn’t be afraid of anything with batteries if it’s a quality unit.
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Post by warhawk on Jan 13, 2019 19:50:31 GMT -5
First thing you’ll need is a mount, a scope on an AR requires extra high rings and it’s hard to get the scope far enough forward with just rings. LaRue mounts are the best, they are also very expensive. I have a couple of Aero Precision mounts and have no complaints. There are many good mounts and I can’t think of any that I would not be satisfied with. You probably want a low powered variable scope. A lot of the “tactical” scopes are 30mm tubes, so make sure the mount you get matches the scope. They are up to 1-8x in variables, and you can get a good scope from $200 up into the thousands. I have a couple of 30mm Weavers and a 1 inch Nitrex (Weaver spin off). All of my AR scopes are out of production. And I am getting old, I don’t understand the fancy new reticles. Give me a standard duplex reticle and I’m happy. I also don’t want exposed turrets on a field gun, too easy to bump them and have your scope out of whack. I would probably go with a Leupold or Vortex, both have lifetime no questions asked warranties. I also like Nikon scopes. Www.primaryarms.com are good folks and have everything you could ever need for an AR.
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Post by bigbrowndog on Jan 13, 2019 20:16:58 GMT -5
LaRue does make very good stuff, but foryour needs Burris PEPR, or Warne Ramp will both meet your needs and keep money in your wallet. Let me know when you get a scope and I’ll make you a heck of a deal on a Burris mount, I’ve got several sitting on my bench holding it down.
Trapr
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