Just picked one up. Any suggestions for optics . Plan on using for hogs & coyotes. Ammo or mods would also be appreciated also.

Depends on your wallet/bank account......lol. I would opt for something like a Vortex 1-6x24 optic on a QD mount like an American Defense Recon, LaRue, etc. But, I would definitely install a better trigger right away. Giessele, Wilson Combat, Elftmann, Timney, etc. Even a good/proper 55gr hunting bullet will work well on hogs.



(Illuminated Reticle)

KAC quad rail w/ covers, M68 RDO, and MBUIS. Also a Surefire scout light and 40 round P-Mags loaded with 75 grn. OTMs. KAC or BLACKHAWK! VFG.

DO NOT SCRIMP ON OPTICS ! ! ! THAT IS A GREAT RIFLE.....

A POOR RIFLE WITH A GREAT SCOPE, WILL OUT PERFORM A GREAT RIFLE WITH A POOR SCOPE---AND THAT'S A FACT ! ! !

CHECK THE TWIST OF YOUR BARREL, AND SHOOT THE HEAVIEST HUNTING BULLET THAT YOUR BARREL WILL STABILIZE.....

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

You could spend big bucks to trick your AR out with a heavy high power
tactical scope and other unnecessary mods to simply go hunting. Or you
could do what a hunter with a bolt action rifle might do. Mount a light
medium power Leupold hunting scope with it's lifetime warranty and
reasonable price and go hunting.

Proper cleaning and lube of the bolt group and trigger goes a long way to making your rifle shoot well. If your rifle shoots well, some good optics.

Unless you are on a SWAT entry team, leave your fine rifle as a fine rifle! If you still think you need CQB weaponry, find a nice 870 Shotgun and a good handgun. No need to have a too long of barreled, semi-auto sub-machine gun for room clearing!

Ivan

That's a nice lightweight carbine. It should be a 1:7 twist so it should shoot best with a little heavier hunting bullet like this 70 grain Barnes load.

Barnes VOR-TX Ammo 5.56x45mm NATO 70 Grain TSX Hollow - MPN: 31191

With the fixed front sight you will most likely see the sight in your field of view on lower power settings on a variable scope. Over 2x or 3x it should disappear from view. If it bothers you and you aren't looking to use the iron sights anyway you can either replace it with a different gas block, or saw the top part off, dress it up with a dremel with sanding drum and cold blue it. Sounds radical but it's easy and there is plenty of examples on the internet of how to do it.
The stock trigger may be a little heavy / gritty. If so, then the lowest priced option is an enhanced GI style. Palmetto or Bravo Company both have one that you should shop around and try to get for less than $50. If your rifle is fairly new it should have standard small pins. Older Colts had .170 hammer and trigger pins. I'd double check if you are unsure with a set of calipers. You can read about that here: Colt Rifle Users Guide

Here the inexpensive standard pin triggers:
PSA AR15/PA10 EPT - Enhanced Polished Fire Control Group - 507797

BRAVO COMPANY AR-15 BCMGUNFIGHTER™ PNT TRIGGER | Brownells

Optics you definitely would be best served with a one piece AR riser mount / ring combo to get the height right and be easiest to mount.

Nice excellent quality light rifle, hope you enjoy it!

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Straight shootin'
SWCA#2439

Its a great rifle ...

Thanks for all replies.
All my rifles have Leupolds'.
Trigger will be 1st mod
Probably move a scope off another rifle.
Thanks for tip on 70 gr. ammo.
BTW Rifle was NIB & unfired or molested.

Every rifle is different. There are excellent shooters and there are lemons, the only way to find out is shooting. Before making mods, try different ammo to find out what preforms best in your rifle, then go from there.

As far as optics, I like the Super Sniper series of scopes.

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Thread Killer.

I have a Colt 6920 LE carbine and use it for what you described - hogs and coyotes. I handload the Sierra 63 grain semi-pointed bullet for mine with good results. If you're limited to factory ammo, look for some 62 grain stuff and give it a try. Mine has a SWFA one-piece mount/ring setup and a Nikon P223 1.5-4.5x scope, which I find perfectly adequate. I did a home shop trigger job on mine which greatly improved the pull. My only other additions have been a green-beam shooting light with a mount that clamps in front of the gas block and has a pressure switch which I placed on the right side of the mag well, and a padded neoprene sling. Have fun with your rifle; they are fun and functional.

As long as you are swapping triggers, take a look at the Velocity Drop in Trigger, they are a great bargain and perform excellent. I have them in all my AR's. They always hand with the expensive ones performance wise at a greatly reduced price point.