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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 73
Campfire Greenhorn
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OP
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 73 |
I realize this question has probably come up a few thousand times but what the heck. I'll ask again. I'm looking around for a tactical scope for a 5.56 AR. This would be primarily for the range. The upper is a 14.5" barreled PWS.
I want something to hit the gong at 455 yards but also to punch paper at 200 yards. I've played with a couple of ACOGs--3.5 x 35 and the 4 x 32 and they are good for the gongs but the reticles I've seen are not particularly great for punching paper. After using them I think I might be happier with a variable.
Any suggestions? Budget would be up to $ 750-1000. Am looking at the new Leopold Mod 1 series and the Leatherwood CMR which is a 1x4. How much magnification do I really need for this task?
mahalo
NRA Member
Knowing your own darkness is the best method for dealing with the darknesses of other people. Carl Jung
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 18,339 Likes: 1
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 18,339 Likes: 1 |
its almost impossible to get a 1 size fits all in a rifle scope. Don't waste your time with the NF compact scopes, been there and done that. I think you need two optics in two QD mounts.
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 20,379
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 20,379 |
PS.. scopes shown for comparison only, I wouldn't buy them from SWFA.
I replace valve cover gaskets every 50K, if they don't need them sooner...
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 228
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 228 |
its almost impossible to get a 1 size fits all in a rifle scope. Don't waste your time with the NF compact scopes, been there and done that. I think you need two optics in two QD mounts. What was it about the night force that rubbed you wrong? I heard the eye-box-relief was unforgiving but I was slow to believe that rumor.
There is a time... to refrain from embracing
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 7,132
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 7,132 |
its almost impossible to get a 1 size fits all in a rifle scope. Don't waste your time with the NF compact scopes, been there and done that. I think you need two optics in two QD mounts. What was it about the night force that rubbed you wrong? I heard the eye-box-relief was unforgiving but I was slow to believe that rumor. I can confirm that rumor. At 10X the eyebox is very small. I've been told this also cuts down on parallax error though. I had the 2.5-10X24 and mine was a little dim at 5X and above. I bet the new 32MM obj models helped that issue though. There were a lot of things I liked about that scope and a lot I didn't. They have a new 2.5-10X42 compact NSX that will be released in about a month. It has a side focus A/O and some nice new reticle options. I've read it has a huge eyebox (LowLight on SnipersHide) and is a very nice scope. It's a little pricey though.
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 20,379
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 20,379 |
The OP was talking about $1,000 and under.. why is NF coming up?
I replace valve cover gaskets every 50K, if they don't need them sooner...
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 7,132
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 7,132 |
I replied because something was ask about it.
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 228
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 228 |
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEE59GKnk2kThis youtube vid is worth the time to watch. He goes over a lot of options and gives high marks to several Burris and two Weaver models. My old weaver 6x will not track or adjust well at all so I was wondering about verifying his comments on the weaver, but then again my weaver 6x is about 20 years old.
There is a time... to refrain from embracing
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 20,379
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 20,379 |
I couldn't get past 3 minutes..
I'm off to go do something worthwhile.
I replace valve cover gaskets every 50K, if they don't need them sooner...
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,856
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,856 |
My choices for that use:
SWFA 3-15X42 SS SWFA 3-9X42 SS Vortex PST 2.5-10X32 PST Weaver 3-15X50 Mil/Mil
In a quality non-QD mount.
If you aren't using the rifle for home defense, 3-gun or close quarters combat of any type, there's no reason to think you need a 1-4 or similar just because the rifle happens to be an AR.
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 73
Campfire Greenhorn
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OP
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 73 |
Appreciate all the suggestions...sounds like I'm gonna need two scopes...
NRA Member
Knowing your own darkness is the best method for dealing with the darknesses of other people. Carl Jung
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 13,860
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 13,860 |
My choices for that use:
If you aren't using the rifle for home defense, 3-gun or close quarters combat of any type, there's no reason to think you need a 1-4 or similar just because the rifle happens to be an AR. But it would be a shame not to, IMO.
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,949
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,949 |
I will back JonA suggestion on for the SWFA products, that 3x15 for $700 is a steal. I have a couple of the 3x9 and they are my go to scope. I have yet to loose a zero or not have then track correctly.
Hunt hard, kill clean, waste nothing and offer no apologies.
"In rifle work, group size is of some interest...but it is well to remember that a rifleman does not shoot groups, he shoots shots." Jeff Cooper
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 20,379
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 20,379 |
Appreciate all the suggestions...sounds like I'm gonna need two scopes... Uhh, why?
I replace valve cover gaskets every 50K, if they don't need them sooner...
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 30,970 Likes: 5
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 30,970 Likes: 5 |
With careful shopping a 1.5X6X42 S&B can be found and that is what I have on mine and highly recommend for you as well
I got banned on another web site for a debate that happened on this site. That's a first
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 228
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 228 |
I will back JonA suggestion on for the SWFA products, that 3x15 for $700 is a steal. I have a couple of the 3x9 and they are my go to scope. I have yet to loose a zero or not have then track correctly. SWFA's track and hold zero. I second that. A fellow down the road runs a 10X on a 338lapua and swears by it. I am gonna get a 6X real soon.
There is a time... to refrain from embracing
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 18,339 Likes: 1
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 18,339 Likes: 1 |
its almost impossible to get a 1 size fits all in a rifle scope. Don't waste your time with the NF compact scopes, been there and done that. I think you need two optics in two QD mounts. What was it about the night force that rubbed you wrong? I heard the eye-box-relief was unforgiving but I was slow to believe that rumor. I sold it, tough as nails but so so glass and what you said above. my opinion only....the 1-4(6) are heavy so why not get a real scope like 3-10 or whatever in LaRue QD mount, then replace it with an aimpoint in again LaRue QD mount when you are using it for close range. I just have two guns one with a big scope one with an aimpoint. "A jack of all trades is a master of none".
Last edited by jimmyp; 07/07/13.
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 14,654
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 14,654 |
I want something to hit the gong at 455 yards but also to punch paper at 200 yards. If this is what you'll use it for buy a quality 3-9 and be done with it. I don't see how or why two scopes are necessary for what you want to do. The fact that it's going on an AR is getting us all twitterpated about 1-?s, but the AR part is irrelevant. For 200-500 yard shooting buy a variable that tops out at 9 or more or a fixed 10x. Problem solved.
your flippant remarks which you so adeptly sling
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 10,183
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 10,183 |
I have a 3.5-10 on my long range gun and 455 yards is long range for a 1x scope no matter what rost can do with irons. I have a MK4 and a few CDS VX3's, they all work.
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