Need help deciding on an optic choice. Please take my poll!

[Tommytom83]

Hi guys, after renting this gun for 5 weeks in a row, i finally bought one. I got a Moe edition (checked for the blue spring, DUA serial) and already started dropping cash on it. This is my first gun, although I have gone shooting many times with friends over the years. Anyways I'm looking for an optic for it, and cant decide on what to buy... I will be mainly shooting at a 75ft indoor range (not very well lit, kind of a dungeon) So, Ive been looking at the NCSTAR ultimate package, like brett248vista, or the Bushnell Trophy Tactical red dot. Ive read both good and bad things about these, whats your opinion? I'm trying to stay under 200, don't know if magnification is really necessary or not for a 75 ft indoor range. So pick a choice and give an explanation of why, or tell me what you have and why. Thanks guys!

 

[Snyderman]

Optics come down to preference of course, but my decision came down to:

Simmons 22mag 3-9x32 a/o mounted on a carry handle.

This setup allows for use of the iron sights for close targets, and the multi power scope will get you close and personal when you need to. All said and done will keep you under $200.

My vote came down to no experience with other setups.

 

[mtime7]

I would go with Vortex Strikefire it was, reveiwed I think in shotgun news, it runs around $150 and is simular to the Aimpoint Red dot, and it comes with a screw on magnifier, and a mount that will fit your rail.. I have not had one but have heard its a pretty good red dot for the price.

 

[mike64]

Ive got the moe version too i went with the primary arms m3 clone for 69.00 plus extra 10.00 for a canterlever mount and it cowitness perfect so i can use iron sights if need be

 

[Nachtjager]

I voted for the MarkIII combo as that is what I was planning to use. However after doing some sighting in with red dots and the scope I did decide that I do not need the red dot but may add one on the mount on top of the scope if needed. You can get the combo with other power choices other then the 3x9 variable, You can get them in single power like 4x32, 6x42 . If you need less power for short range then the one I got is a 2 to 7 power so inside at shorter ranges the 2 power will work and if you go outside to longer ranges you still have up to 7 power

I started with a reflex site that had 4 different reticles and found that at 50 to 75 yds the red dot obscures the whole center of the target, the dot covers about 4" to 6" of the target at those ranges so it did not work for me as far as precision shooting since the dots cover the whole black circle in the center of the target. For varmits or squirrels or other small critters they cover too much to be able to get an accurate head shot since the dot covers more than the whole head. I think the red dot type of sights are good for large targets and for large moving targets, like for military use, but for targets and shooting within a 3" circle or tight shot group it is too hard to use them at 50 to 75yds.

I then changed to the MarkIII 2-7x32 (without the attached red dot) that I bought from a gun supplies company on Ebay for $76 with free shipping. I sighted it in and the results are on a thread I posted last week. With the scope set on the 2 power to the 4 power I can keep both eyes open so for moving targets it works great.

I was able to shoot a much tighter group at a target with the scope and after it was sighted in I shot 14 rapid fire shots all within a 2 1/2" grouping with 6 hitting in the 1" bulls eye circle.
I decided that the 2 to 7 power is all I need considering the accurate range of the 22LR. Since it is a quick release mount if I want to change back to my reflex site at any time I can. Since the scope can be used with both eyes open and has a good wide field of view I was able to remove the iron sights and have found that just the scope will suit all of my needs for this rifle.

Here is a 14 shot rapid fire grouping at 50yds, the whole black circle is 3" in diameter and the center cirlce is 1" (about the size of a quarter)

The MarkIII does have an illluminated reticle in red or green, in dark conditions it does cause glare on the lenses but in daylight it works great.

I also read everyone's reviews of the NcStar MarkIIIs and since they have great customer service I figured if I did have any problems they would take care of them or they would replace the scope.

You can see my review of the reflex and scope and photos of the targets on a thread I posted last week called sighting in my reflex and MarkIII 2-7x32 scope and I hope it can help you
So for me I found a scope works best for the type of shooting I do. I like to be able to put a group of shots into a 2" group and it is hard to do that with a red dot type of sight.

 

[Gachrid]

I'm loving my Sig Prismatic Scope. 4x32. Very clear and I love the adjustable illuminated reticle. I think its the perfect choice if you're shooting 75ft.

 

[G-Weezy]

i just got my Primary Arms Multi Rectile red dot scope and 3x magnifier for 198+shipping. Came out around 205. Before I was planning on getting the Bushnell Red dot but it wasn't magnified since I will be using the rifle for small game hunting, I needed some kind of magnification.

 

[CajunMouseSniper]

I will be mainly shooting at a 75ft indoor range (not very well lit, kind of a dungeon)

For that type of shooting no magnification is necessary, and a red dot is good for low light situations. I alternate between 2 different optics on mine: an Osprey 3x9 and the Bushnell Trophy. I like both but if most of my shooting was at 25 yds I would use the Bushnell Trophy all the time.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-m-p-15-22/147865-bushnell-trophy-1x32-acog-clone.html

 

[Rustpot]

The Bushnell is a little expensive for what it is. I shot with one and the T reticle kind of busies up the sight picture in my mind.

The Primary Arms M3 Multi or M4 with 2 MOA dot are cheaper and work well. My PA-M3 4MOA can keep 2" groups at 25 yards if I do my part. If the Bushnell was a 4x I'd probably be singing a different tune, but for just a red dot it's a bit much (plus it's styled after the ACOG which is normally 4x).

That is unless you decide on wanting magnification. If you're going for tight groups and precision shooting you're going to want magnification. 3x minimum inside of 50 yards, but a 3-9 should serve you well.

 

[Tommytom83]

thanks for all the useful posts keep them coming!

 

[grimreaper21]

Check amazon for variants of the ncstar markIII line. The regular 3-9x42 without reflex sight runs around 80-100, Depending on reticle. Don't forget to choose between mildot, p4 sniper and rangefinder. and an upgraded 'rubberized' model has a blue illuminated reticle instead of red/green. It also has a red laser, and runs 125$. Il probably be going with the last option for best overall value.. Unless that reflex sight is really important.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

For dime store optics I am a fan of Primary Arms.

 

[myeye22]

I'm happy with the MkIII for the price even though its red dot sucks. I'll probably remove the RD when its battery dies and look for a better replacement.

 

[chuck s]

There are clones of the better optics available. Since I use the M68 CCO (Aimpoint) sight on my nearly 20 year old, handled M4 Carbine, and since I purchased the 15-22 as a low cost range and, frankly, fun carbine to keep my M4 trigger skills current, I put a clone Aimpoint of the M&P 15-22 as well.

And in her latest iteration to even more closely match the M4.

These are 50-75 meter rifles. Telescopes should not be necessary.

-- Chuck

 

[chrisj6061]

I'm happy with my MkIII combo. Since you shouldn't expect any knock down outside 100yds stick I'd consider just a red dot unless your primarily a bench shooter. Something small and light weight. That has a riser. or could co witness your irons. Don't spend a fortune. Save for another add on or weapon.

 

[ill_noiz]

After trying everything wally world had, and a few i sent back to amazon i went with the Crosman CenterPoint Adventure Class 2-7x32mm riflescope with dual illuminated reticle. I was going to get the 3-9x40 but it was going to take up too much room on top rail. I got lucky and found one on ebay for $35 shipped new.

And got a riser from amazon for 10.80 shipped.

 

[~tc~]

That is unless you decide on wanting magnification. If you're going for tight groups and precision shooting you're going to want magnification. 3x minimum inside of 50 yards, but a 3-9 should serve you well.

X2 - it all depends on what kind of shooting you are going to do. If you're punching holes in stationary targets, go with some magnification. If the target is moving, the extra field of view can be a big deal, and a red dot is great.

In the end, I think either a low magnification scope (1-4x) or a red dot with a magnifier is the way to go on these rifles.

 

[Tommytom83]

thanks guys, ill be buying something in the next few weeks, just bought a utg bipod and laser light combo, i can see already my cheap plinker is going to become an expensive habit!

 

[BELT_FED]

I use mine as a race gun so I had the MKIII and a micro mounted on a 1 O'clock mount... the micro works great upclose and the optics come in handy on the 40 + yard shots

here is a pic so you get the idea

 

[Gun Carpenter]

Has anyone used Hammers 2 x 42 red dot scope? I too am still very puzzled on what red dot to go with.