Which Scope?

Dfresh15 · Mar 19, 2015

I have the M&P15 OR and I'm in the market for a Quality Scope. 99.9% of the time my AR is used for Range only. Just a little F.Y.I. my shooting distances would be 50, 100, 200 & 300 yards target shooting. My price range is around $350-$400 and I want the best Scope I can get complete with mounting rings etc. And also with my 1:9 twist barrel, would using 55 grain ammo be fine to use up to 300 yards as far as accuracy etc?
Thanks

coltle6920 · Mar 19, 2015

I like the Nikon P-223 3-9x40 on my AR-15.It has bullet drop compensation out to 600yds.Several others on here will also attest to the quality of the Nikon.It was my first purchased scope based on video and online reviews.It works so well that I found no need to look further.
You can spend a lot more and not necessarily see the benefits for your usage but this is solely my opinion.

55gr ammo is what I use and have no problem with it.

RainDodger · Mar 20, 2015

Look at the Leupold Mark ARs also. Competitive prices, excellent quality and there is no better warranty.

wurger · Mar 20, 2015

Nikon M223 is also a good option.

78Staff · Mar 20, 2015

Dfresh15 said:
I have the M&P15 OR and I'm in the market for a Quality Scope. 99.9% of the time my AR is used for Range only. Just a little F.Y.I. my shooting distances would be 50, 100, 200 & 300 yards target shooting. My price range is around $350-$400 and I want the best Scope I can get complete with mounting rings etc. And also with my 1:9 twist barrel, would using 55 grain ammo be fine to use up to 300 yards as far as accuracy etc?
Thanks

Leupold is a great option, and I would also recommend, but honestly for you are are describing - you'd be fine just pickup on a Bushnell AR Optics 3-9x or Weaver Classic 2-7x. Sure a Leupold will be nicer, have better glass, etc but if you are just going to plink on the range during daylight hours these scopes will suit you fine and you can save a few hundred and spend it on ammo instead.

3-9x's are most common, but for 300 yards you really don't need that much magnification (unless you have vision issues, older eyes, etc). The Weaver 2-7x is plenty of magnification, and about half the weight of most 3-9/4-12x type setups. You could even get away with a 1-4x/6x that have become so popular lately, but most will be heavy 16-20oz w/o mount compared to the Weaver Classic V 2-7x.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Weaver-V-7-2-7X32-Riflescope-Matte/dp/B0002BTNJQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1426897667&sr=8-1&keywords=Weaver+V-7+2-7X32"]Amazon.com : Weaver V-7 2-7X32 Riflescope (Matte) : Rifle Scopes : Sports & Outdoors@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31ulVw2XeNL.@@AMEPARAM@@31ulVw2XeNL[/ame]

Rastoff · Mar 20, 2015

Yes, 55 grain is fine out to 300 yards. The 1:9 barrel is perfect for that.

If you're only going to be shooting from a bench, then a fixed power scope is the way to go. You'll never dial it off the highest setting anyway so, save a few dollars and just get a fixed 6x scope. This will allow you to get a higher quality scope.

Of course, one day you might want to do more than just shoot from a bench. There are lots of competitions around that are fun even if you're not competitive.

For those, the 1-4x24 is a great option. I like either one of these:

vipermd · Mar 20, 2015

I would suggest a Leupold 3 X 9 X40mm, light enough for hunting or off a bench. I bought a Nikon M-300- 2-7. Glass is clear, adjustments are good but the reticles are too thick for any accuracy work, I do NOT know what thickness are on the P223 as suggested above they may be fine. As for power it depends on what level of accuracy you are looking for, if you are content to hit a 13" X 18" piece of steel a non magnified red dot will do the job out past 300 yds, while if you want to hit a quarter at 250 yds cold bore you need magnification. All of the scopes have warranties but only Leupold has a lifetime warranty, not a limited lifetime?? It for the owner of the scope at that time. Bushnell does have an improved warranty on their elite tactical series but the price goes up. Go out and set up a quarter a 250 yds and see what you need to see it. Be Safe,

tectrry · Mar 21, 2015

coltle6920 said:
I like the Nikon P-223 3-9x40 on my AR-15.It has bullet drop compensation out to 600yds.Several others on here will also attest to the quality of the Nikon.It was my first purchased scope based on video and online reviews.It works so well that I found no need to look further.
You can spend a lot more and not necessarily see the benefits for your usage but this is solely my opinion.

55gr ammo is what I use and have no problem with it.

+1

I couldn't be happier since I got the P-223.

MichiganScott · Mar 21, 2015

For that price, go with a Leupold. Their warranty make them an excellent purchase. Customer service at Bushnell is terrible, and Nikon's is not much better.

cyphertext · Mar 21, 2015

MichiganScott said:
. Customer service at Bushnell is terrible

This hasn't been my experience. I purchased a red dot out of Cabela's bargain cave, and it was missing the sun shade, UV filter, and rings. I called Bushnell and they sent me the missing pieces, even though I told them that I bought it from the bargain cave, as is.

I never have needed them or Nikon for a repair though...

robncar · Apr 5, 2015

I'm happy with my Nikon P-223 3-9x40, bought it from Optics Planet when they were having a sale that included a free P-Series mount. It has a BDC 600 reticle though I haven't gone past 200 yards yet. Very clear, good light transfer, nice turrets with a good tactile feel to them, and reset to zero. The mount gave me enough room on the rail to retain the Magpul rear pop up sight. All that for under $200 including shipping and no tax since I don't live in IL. Had money left over to buy some additional P-Mags!

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-P-223-3-9x40-Mate-BDC/dp/B006YVT0R8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1428251634&sr=8-1&keywords=nikon+p-223"]Amazon.com : Nikon P-223 3-9x40 Mate BDC 600 : Rifle Scopes : Sports & Outdoors@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Pu%2B51eKmL.@@AMEPARAM@@41Pu%2B51eKmL[/ame]

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-835-P-Series-Mount/dp/B00B5F02ZW/ref=sr_1_1?rps=1&ie=UTF8&qid=1428251694&sr=8-1&keywords=nikon+p-series+mount"]Amazon.com : Nikon P-Series Mount : Sporting Optic Mounts : Sports & Outdoors@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41dftpVwYKL.@@AMEPARAM@@41dftpVwYKL[/ame]

ChattanoogaPhil · Apr 5, 2015

If it's for range paper punching from a rest, then I'd get a 16x or higher magnified optic.

If I was shooting off hand then I'd get a 1-4x.

As far as quality.... ya know... if you're talking sunny day fair weather range shooting at paper with a rifle that has near zero recoil, it doesn't require much optic. I'm not the least bit convinced that $400 optics perform any better than $200 optics for such use at the range.

Have you looked at SWFA? They have tons of scopes of about every brand at reasonable prices. And they offer some AR scope/1pc AR mount packages too.

wurger · Apr 5, 2015

I've never heard anyone say "I paid too much for this *#&$^%% glass."

Don't buy anything you haven't looked through.

reckless1911 · Apr 6, 2015

How about this one? im just looking for something I can swap between my MP15&10 at the 100&200 yard ranges here..

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ABPAAPY/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=8HOE2429IZWM&coliid=IUZMJRZFKAKX4"]Amazon.com : Bushnell AR Optics Drop Zone 223 BDC Reticle Riflescope with Target Turrets and Side Parallax, 4.5-18x 40mm : Gun Scopes : Sports & Outdoors@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41WgjShDkaL.@@AMEPARAM@@41WgjShDkaL[/ame]

ChattanoogaPhil · Apr 6, 2015

wurger said:
I've never heard anyone say "I paid too much for this *#&$^%% glass."
.

I have. There's a guy at the Club who competes in our 500 meter matches with a BSA Platinum scope, and he regularly does better than others with top shelf glass. I think he does it just to irritate the guys.

Ability to accomodate abuse, inclement weather, low light conditions, heavy recoil, precise and repeatable adjustments are all very important items when required. The question is, are they required for the intended use? If the answer is no, then they are of little value comparatively.

The most important factor is to match the optic to the shooting. The correct level of magnification and reticle for the intended use, then the level of quality considerations.

cyphertext · Apr 6, 2015

Agree with Phil... The scope on my .22lr plinker is not nearly as bright as the scope on my hunting rifle, but it doesn't need to be. Where the deer have me chasing them at dawn, the range doesn't open until 10 AM.

wylie won · Apr 6, 2015

Reckless1911, I have that same Bushnell AR scope. I LOVE it. I think it's a great scope. I mounted it with a Burris AR P.E.P.R Mount. It's a great bang for your buck scope.

samnev · May 25, 2015

Quote ChatanoogaPhil

"If it's for range paper punching from a rest, then I'd get a 16x or higher magnified optic.

If I was shooting off hand then I'd get a 1-4x."

That's the way I have my AR's set up. For off hand AR's Nightforce NXS 1-4X20's.
For bench rest AR's Nightforce NXS 5.5-22X50 and Leupold VX-III 6.5-20x50 LR

amcline82 · Jun 5, 2015

I would look into Vortex. They have great glass on all their optics and the best warranty around. They have a 3x red dot I will be getting for my AR. Our they have some good 4-12 and 1-4 options.

samnev · Jun 5, 2015

RainDodger said:
Look at the Leupold Mark ARs also. Competitive prices, excellent quality and there is no better warranty.

That would be my choice as well.

Which Scope?

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