Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles Recommendations for a variable tactical scope

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

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.

http://swfa.com/Leupold-25-8x36-Mark-4-MRT-30mm-Riflescope-P5931.aspx

http://swfa.com/Leupold-25-8x36-Mark-4-MRT-30mm-Riflescope-P5935.aspx

But you could cook up a nice vx3 2.5-8 x36 with m1 elevation and TMR in the custom shop for $600.. it wouldn't be 30mm or tacticool though, if that matters, I don't think it does.

PS.. scopes shown for comparison only, I wouldn't buy them from SWFA.

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.

The OP was talking about $1,000 and under.. why is NF coming up?

I replied because something was ask about it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEE59GKnk2k

This 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.

I couldn't get past 3 minutes..

I'm off to go do something worthwhile.

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.

Appreciate all the suggestions...sounds like I'm gonna need two scopes...

But it would be a shame not to, IMO.

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.

Uhh, why?

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

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.

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".

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.

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.