Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics AR 15 scope mount

I'm in the process of building my first AR and could use some advise on what scope mount to use. I am planning on putting a Leupold FX II 2.5x20 on a flat top and am wondering if I need a cantilever mount or can I go with just medium or high rings?

Hello, I recently changed over some of my mounts to the Weaver SBR, part # 48376. You can get 1" or 30mm. In my opinion they are the right height and weight. They are a very good bang for the buck. Good luck on your search.

I use a cantilever mount on my AR's with scopes so the ocular is about even with the rear of the receiver. You can get away with using the standard charging handle and latch. If you have an adjustable stock, it is easy to get as close to the scope as you want.

with the FX, I thing you you need something with a little cant. the standard Aero Precision Ultra Light should work fine.

You'll want a purpose-built AR mount... the alternative is riser blocks, then any Pic or cross-slot type ring. I have one AR set up that way with Leup QRW's on risers. But the mounts made for AR's are a lot simpler.

I have an extra 1" Nikon 20 MOA mount I got cheap at Cabelas. It's with the box of "almost enough parts" for yet another AR build. Probably sell it if you are interested.

TWR, thanks for the link, that explains a lot. One question however, why do all the mounts put the scope centerline so high? Is it so individuals can use iron sights also? None of my bolt-action hunting rifles put a scope that high.

Because the stock is straight.

This. If you don't want your mount to way more than that small Leupold, the Aero is the way to go. Anything like a pepr, Larue, adm, etc would be serious overkill.

because it needs to be that high. an ar 15 does not fit you like a regular hunting rifle does. The rifle never really was designed from the ground up as an optics platform rather its been adapted to it. I actually prefer my scope about .2" higher than the standard height most ar 15 mounts are, so its somewhat of a challenge for me to get the proper mounting. I use the b square mount currently, but its hokey looking and roughly built. RRA makes another that works for me but its heavy, ugly and blocky.

for most guys I would get the nikon mount its probably for sale locally. mount it up and try it. I like mounting the rifle with my eye closed and when I open them everything is lined up. I experiment quite a bit to achieve this, thats why I know even the 1.5" centerline mounts are still low for me. if the nikon mount doesn't work if you buy it local just return it.

Mostly what they said except even though they were designed without a scope in mind, the irons are about 2.7" above line of sight. When first scoped they mounted them on the carry handle, ya, way up there. At least when they cut off the handle and screwed rings to it, they kept the same line of sight. The eventual flat top saved the world.

But yes the stock is higher than a bolt gun. I run low mounts on all my bolt guns but use the LaRue LT104 mount on all of my AR's.

DNZ Freedom Reaper

I have the PEPR on two rifles and like it just fine.

Me too plus SWFA SSALT is a good deal.

I don't know if it a common problem, but the SSALT mount I have is cocked off to one side when tightened. You can correct it with a shim, but I replaced it with a ADM Recon and all is right with the world!

send the salt mount back they will replace it

I am sure there are many out there that are fine, I have had 5 of the LT-104 mounts over the last few years and two of the Aeroprecision SPR mounts. I guess I am willing to pay more but have had not a single problem.

^^^^^

....I've had other stuff that does work, but you can't go wrong with LT-104s for qd and aeros for lightweight/solid non-qd. Most other styles are way too heavy, bulky, or hinky.

What's that old chinese proverb? It's not right but it's close and it is cheap...

I have a couple of scopes mounted on AR's and I like the Nikon P-series two piece mounts. The way they're offset gives lots of options on position and scope mounting area.