At 50yd why bother with scope?

HorizontalMike

HorizontalMike

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I have several HGs for HD/SP and finally picked up a Sport II, all because I have ~3,500 extra bullets, powder, and primers extra. My Remington .222 needs were over-estimated and over-ordered. Got bullets, got powder, got primers... so I figured picking up a Sport II.

Bottom line is that my immediate "defend my own property" is at best ~50yd in any direction. And NO, I do not plan on pursuing beyond my property in case of HD/SD. That being said, is it safe to say that I do NOT need to even think about adding a scope to my new Sport II? BTW, if I need 200yd then I have my Remington .722 with a 10x Weaver(El Paso,TX) that is nearly as old as I am... ;). Plus have a 9mm Sub-2k...

Not wanting to over-think this but with all of this CoronaVirus Lock-down going on, I am planning on/for any possible breach in normal societal behavior. Any thoughts on this subject? Not planning on having a tricked out "super AR" or anything...

Folks are friendly here in Texas for now, yet I suspect a less than current acknowledgement of the true problem coming at us.
 
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A red dot could do you some good, quicker target acquisition and much simpler sight picture.

If you're never going to shoot your AR more than 50 yards then I agree, long as your eyes stay good you probably don't need magnified optics. That said, tricked out high end AR's with good optics are a lot of fun!
 
Maybe a 1x4 scope with an illuminated center reticle. Something you could use close and fast with both eyes open at 1x like a red dot sight, and the ability to reach out with some precision at 4x, taking advantage of the rifles abilities. Could probably co-witness with pop up iron sights at 1x.

Larry
 
HorizontalMike said:
I have several HGs for HD/SP and finally picked up a Sport II, all because I have ~3,500 extra bullets, powder, and primers extra. My Remington .222 needs were over-estimated and over-ordered. Got bullets, got powder, got primers... so I figured picking up a Sport II.

Bottom line is that my immediate "defend my own property" is at best ~50yd in any direction. And NO, I do not plan on pursuing beyond my property in case of HD/SD. That being said, is it safe to say that I do NOT need to even think about adding a scope to my new Sport II? BTW, if I need 200yd then I have my Remington .722 with a 10x Weaver(El Paso,TX) that is nearly as old as I am... ;). Plus have a 9mm Sub-2k...

Not wanting to over-think this but with all of this CoronaVirus Lock-down going on, I am planning on/for any possible breach in normal societal behavior. Any thoughts on this subject? Not planning on having a tricked out "super AR" or anything...

Folks are friendly here in Texas for now, yet I suspect a less than current acknowledgement of the true problem coming at us.
Click to expand...

I agree with you. These guns should work very well straight out-of-the-box.The standard aperture sight is more than adequate if you don't plan on shooting at distance. It's also very simple and requires no batteries. However, I think there are many unaware of how well ARs and copies shoot without an aftermarket adornment of gadgetry.

After one develops proficiency with the basic guns, perhaps that's the best time to make an educated selection of extras.
 
HorizontalMike said:
That being said, is it safe to say that I do NOT need to even think about adding a scope to my new Sport II? BTW, if I need 200yd then I have my Remington .722 with a 10x Weaver(El Paso,TX) that is nearly as old as I am... ;). Plus have a 9mm Sub-2k...
Click to expand...

No scope or red dot needed. Those aperture sights will all you need. Even if you do that 200 yard shot, the aperture sights are up to the task on zombie sized targets.
 
HorizontalMike said:
I have several HGs for HD/SP and finally picked up a Sport II, all because I have ~3,500 extra bullets, powder, and primers extra. My Remington .222 needs were over-estimated and over-ordered. Got bullets, got powder, got primers... so I figured picking up a Sport II.

Bottom line is that my immediate "defend my own property" is at best ~50yd in any direction. And NO, I do not plan on pursuing beyond my property in case of HD/SD. That being said, is it safe to say that I do NOT need to even think about adding a scope to my new Sport II? BTW, if I need 200yd then I have my Remington .722 with a 10x Weaver(El Paso,TX) that is nearly as old as I am... ;). Plus have a 9mm Sub-2k...

Not wanting to over-think this but with all of this CoronaVirus Lock-down going on, I am planning on/for any possible breach in normal societal behavior. Any thoughts on this subject? Not planning on having a tricked out "super AR" or anything...

Folks are friendly here in Texas for now, yet I suspect a less than current acknowledgement of the true problem coming at us.
Click to expand...
I agree with you, if you open fire on a BG or several BG’s with an AR UNDER 50 yards you will stop them or they will leave in a hurry.
 
diyj98 said:
No scope or red dot needed. Those aperture sights will all you need. Even if you do that 200 yard shot, the aperture sights are up to the task on zombie sized targets.
Click to expand...

Unless they're moving. Iron sights quickly reach their limitations on moving targets actively trying to not be shot.
 
Having had most of my AR experience divided between an A2 Service Rifle and an A4 target rifle, I will make the dangerous presumption that your Sport has an A3/4 upper configuration.

Based on my own experiences, I know that when I bunker down and concentrate on my iron sights for an aimed shot, I tend to develop tunnel vision. If the majority of shots were at threats within 50 yards, with the potential of multiple threats at the same time, the last thing that I would want is the distraction of iron sights. I would strongly suggest installing a red dot sight for engaging threats within 50-75 yards, and save the iron sights for more distant threats. If you want to not sorry about a red dot, you could consider a green laser zeroed for 50 yards in concert with either iron sights or a low power scope.
 
lrrifleman said:
Based on my own experiences, I know that when I bunker down and concentrate on my iron sights for an aimed shot, I tend to develop tunnel vision. If the majority of shots were at threats within 50 yards, with the potential of multiple threats at the same time, the last thing that I would want is the distraction of iron sights. I would strongly suggest installing a red dot sight for engaging threats within 50-75 yards, and save the iron sights for more distant threats. If you want to not sorry about a red dot, you could consider a green laser zeroed for 50 yards in concert with either iron sights or a low power scope.
Click to expand...

I've never found the need to have to concentrate with aperture sights. Properly used you ignore the rear and just place the post on your target, the same as a red dot. I do much prefer a red dot over standard open sights where you actually need to concentrate on sight front and rear sight alignment. I always prefer a traditional scope with magnification for long range hunting or target work, but don't find their needed for the type of shooting the OP is talking about.
 
Today new shooters are like check outs in big box stores. They can’t make change for a dollar without the computer cash register. New shooters tend to buy all the bling when they buy the gun. Red dots, reflex, scopes and lasers. They couldn’t shoot without them. A m16 would easily take down 300 meter targets with aperture battle sights.
I’m not into ARs but would like to pick up one similar to M16 because of current social ills. Carry handle, battle sights. Hardly any sold like this. I guess Colt had one for $2300 RVn vets are generally not stupid enough to pay that.
 
Drm50 said:
Today new shooters are like check outs in big box stores. They can’t make change for a dollar without the computer cash register. New shooters tend to buy all the bling when they buy the gun. Red dots, reflex, scopes and lasers. They couldn’t shoot without them. A m16 would easily take down 300 meter targets with aperture battle sights.
I’m not into ARs but would like to pick up one similar to M16 because of current social ills. Carry handle, battle sights. Hardly any sold like this. I guess Colt had one for $2300 RVn vets are generally not stupid enough to pay that.
Click to expand...

Carry handle uppers have gone the way of the dodo bird. The flat top upper makes it easier to add optics if you wish. However, you can still use iron sights as well. If you are not going to use optics, purchase an upper with a fixed front sight base and purchase a removable carry handle. Or purchase one of the many fixed rear sights available.

I put this on one of my rifles from time to time... just like using the battle sights in the carry handle.
Tactical Rear Sight - LMT
 
cyphertext said:
Carry handle uppers have gone the way of the dodo bird. The flat top upper makes it easier to add optics if you wish. However, you can still use iron sights as well. If you are not going to use optics, purchase an upper with a fixed front sight base and purchase a removable carry handle. Or purchase one of the many fixed rear sights available.

I put this on one of my rifles from time to time... just like using the battle sights in the carry handle.
Tactical Rear Sight - LMT
Click to expand...

I realize what’s available and don’t want them, don’t want removable handle. Not interested in tricked out ARs. Not hard to understand. The less gagits and removable parts the better. In fact really not interested in other than Colt. I’ve had ARs NIB and took dozens on trade. Can only remember firing them to sight in scopes for customers.
 
It's been repeatedly proven that optical sights are faster and more accurate in target acquisition and shot placement than irons. And that's in daylight. In dim light, the (quality) optic-particularly the dot type sight-has a staggering advantage.

Now, up close & dirty the front sight tower and a good cheek weld is enough, but again, you have to be able to see it. A mounted light can take care of the vision issue at reasonable ranges, but see paragraph one on speed/accuracy.

No, you don't need a BDC reticle, externally adjustable knobs, massive magnification or other cool features.

One evening maybe a decade ago I'd been reducing the groundhog population on leased pastures. As evening dropped into darkness I found myself with pickup mounted trespassers (who'd opened closed gates to enter) while armed with a .223 HB bolt gun with a 6-18 scope. They left without incident or interaction (think they were surprised to find someone there) but I was very aware that I was potentially in deep do do. The rifle was pretty much useless in those circumstances.
 
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Drm50 said:
I realize what’s available and don’t want them, don’t want removable handle. Not interested in tricked out ARs. Not hard to understand. The less gagits and removable parts the better. In fact really not interested in other than Colt. I’ve had ARs NIB and took dozens on trade. Can only remember firing them to sight in scopes for customers.
Click to expand...

Not sure anyone would consider an AR with a removable carry handle as "tricked out", but whatever... Guess if aren't willing to adapt, you will have to pay the price for the fixed carry handle receiver. Me, I like options but YMMV.
 
My go to will probably be an M1 Carbine. I've run it out to 100 yds and I'm not seeing a need for a dot or a scope. I do have a 4X on a Ruger Mini but that's for >100 yds. I guess, not really sure.

I understand the dot, I have one on a pistol. The problem is the batteries keep dying. They usually last awhile but you just never know when one's going to carp out on you.

Learn to shoot your irons.
 
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