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.

You guys are making me realize that I have to avoid a fixation on "tacticool".

Acknowledgeemnt is the first step on the road to recovery...

Out of all the scopes I've used on different AR's the two that I thought were the most useful were the Leupold MK4 MR/T 2.8-8X36 and a Weaver Grand Slam Tactical 3-10X40 (MidwayUSA exclusive.)

Both are about the "right size" for the AR platform and work really well for the type shooting you discribe. Both have exposed turrets and do have the "tacticool" look to them. The Weaver is a real bargin at $299. The glass is about equal to the Leupold. The Leupold is one of the most forgiving scopes I've ever used as far as eye placement goes and probably a better choice if fast shots are important.

twittered or twitterpated... both good words and descriptive. gosh this is not hard stuff, aimpoint = close, 3-9 = hunting and shooting, 1-4 or 6 = obsessed with minutia and likes heavy rifles.

Wrong thread, sorry.

Touch�!