15T range report & red dot / scope questions

[saw577]

Hey all. Finally got a chance to take my new 15T out for a test drive. Unfortunately, I had alot of misfires and jams. I totally blame the ammo I had to shoot. We only have one range here that will let you bring a 223, and you have to shoot their ammo. Its cheap and frangible. Until I find some friends with land outside the city where I can shoot better quality stuff, Im stuck with their ammo. The nice thing is, in a weird way, I got alot of practice clearing the rifle. Nothing like real troubleshooting to build experience. When it would shoot, it shot great. No real kick. Was a bit surprised at how hot it got. Need gloves next time. It seemed to shoot consistantly low, so I need to figure out how to sight it in properly. The only adjustments I made prior to the range trip was moving the rear site to mechanical zero with the windage dial. Ive already ordered a bunch of add-ons, so I cant wait for them to arrive.

Now I need some advise from everyone. I really want some sort of red dot and/or scope. I like the thought of having a little bit of magnification. Right now I dont have anywhere I can shoot more than 25 yards though, so nothing high powered. The tactical instructor at my range had a Leupold Mark 4 CQ/T on his AR. I instantly wanted one, until I saw the price tag. Plus, its alot bigger than I remember, now that Ive had time to research it. Ive been looking alot at the Primary Arms 3x Compact and the Burris AR-332 as well. Is that too much for a 25 yd range? Ive also seen something like the Millet 1-4x24 DMS Red Dot. I like the concept of a variable powered red dot. A buddy has the Vortex Strikefire, which has a 2x add-on. Im thinking of starting with that and seeing how I like it. Any thought, comments, or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[CENTURION24]

good choice. I would buy the cantilever mount to go with it. Just in case you decide to go with a magnifier also.

 

[batmann]

I have ther Burris AR332 on my M&P and it is an excellent optic. The 3x works @25 yards and out to 200+ yards. The 200 yard number is mine, it is a far as I can see!!!!!!!

 

[Matthew Courtney]

https://www.primaryarms.com/Leupold_12_7x33mm_Leupold_VX_R_Riflescope_Ballisti_p/lp111233.htm

 

[tangodown59871]

Today I went to the range with my M&P 15 Sport. So far I have fired close to 2,000 rounds through it and not one malfunction. Primarily using PMC 55gr ammo. It has Magpul furniture and flip sights with a Leapers UTG red dot scope. I can't say enough about the rifle/scope combination. At a rest it shoots incredibly close groups at 100m. Anyone looking to buy the M&P 15 could do a lot worse. I'd trust this weapon anywhere, any time.

 

[arizona98tj]

Ive been looking alot at the Primary Arms 3x Compact and the Burris AR-332 as well. Is that too much for a 25 yd range? Ive also seen something like the Millet 1-4x24 DMS Red Dot. I like the concept of a variable powered red dot. A buddy has the Vortex Strikefire, which has a 2x add-on. Im thinking of starting with that and seeing how I like it. Any thought, comments, or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I think you are somewhat confusing "red dot" optics with illuminated reticle scopes. At least, the Millet 1-4x24 DMS is a scope with an illuminated reticle. You can turn off the illumination and still shoot it....you can not do that with a red dot optic.

That being said, I don't like the

. I have one....they are heavy....the recticle illumination stopped working after the 3rd trip to the range....I guess I bumped it too hard while practicing. It is heavy too. It also has a fairly narrow eye relief range so getting a good sight picture takes longer than it should. Did I mention is is HEAVY? (it is no longer on my M&P15)

Yes, you can certainly use a low power scope @ 25 yds. The training courses I attend, using my M&P15 with a 3.5x ACOG optic....we train from close contact out to 200 yds. Hostage taker head shots are performed @ 7 yds....so yes, using a low power optic at close quarters is commonly done.

 

[oneyeopn]

I have a bushnell banner 3-9x40 on my FrankenSport and it like it, it works real well for the shorter distances and maybe out to 100 but the target needs to be like 3" or bigger for my old eyes....optics are clear and bright and it has a great focus.

 

[BillyJack2012]

Its cheap and frangible.

That sounds painful to me. Is it at least brass and factory ammo?

 

[MPDC]

For me, the Nikon M223 has worked out well. It is really designed for close to moderate range with 1 to 4X power.

It is not illuminated, has a 3 moa center dot (great for fast target acquisition but not absolute , dead center accuracy like plain cross hairs) and doesn't seem too heavy to me.

I also have a Vortex Strikefire red dot but haven't had the urge to use it since getting the Nikon.

I believe Nikon's quality and excellent glass make it a great choice for an AR with the exception of real combat where ACOG shines. At a high price though.

For longer range or more precision shooting where accuracy trumps fast acquisition , Nikon makes the M223 in higher magnifications with a very accurate and useful BDC reticle (for ranging) or the excellent Nikoplex reticle without ranging marks. All are less money than I think they are worth vs. the competition.

https://www.primaryarms.com/Nikon_Rifle_Scopes_s/926.htm

 

[saw577]

BillyJack - Painful only from the perspective of they jammed alot. They are brass, but they are not factory (ie re-loads).

Arizona - I probably wasnt being very clear, as I am new to all of this. Illuminated recticle scopes, red dots, and magnified red dots are all different things obviously. I just like the fact that some of the 1-3x and 1-4x scopes, at the 1x level, can be considered a "red-dot", even if it's a recticle, and not necessarily a dot.

 

[MPDC]

Excellent review and article here......

The Nikon M-223 Series Riflescopes

excerpt "Bullet drop, and compensating for it, can be extremely confusing – even for those of us who are good in math. But bullet drop itself isn't that complicated, especially if you always use the same factory ammo with the same bullet from the same manufacturer. Nikon took this realization, concept, whatever you want to call it, to the next level in their M-223 series and designed scopes that are specifically for the bullet drop of the .223/5.56 NATO cartridge......"

 

[Erno86]

I have a Burris AR-332, mounted on my Krebs Custom KTR-03S AK-47. My major beef with the 332 --- is the short eye relief.

I like my scope set-up on my M&P-15 --- in 5.45X39, with a tight fit on my Rock River lower. It sports a Burris Xtreme Tactical Scope XTR-14,
1X-4X ---24 MM with the new P.E.P.R. mount. Comes fully assembled, with the option of a Burris Fastfire Red dot mounted on top. It has a 30mm tube, .5 moa click value @ 100 yards.
The turrent clicks are a bit mushy, but I highly recommend it.

 

[Dikinalaska]

+1 on the strikefire from vortex. It's red/green dot, something like 7 different brightness settings, comes with perfect co-witness mounts, has night vision mode for use with a night scope, and comes with a screw-on 2x magnifier. Switch mine between my m&p15 and 15-22, even holds zero within about an inch at 50 yds. Can't beat it for the price.