opinions on range optics

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jdad

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I've got the new version 15T, on order, and have $300-$500 set aside for optics. This is going to be a range/fun gun. No hunting, Zombies, tactical matches, etc.

I've been looking at the low power Leupold AR series scopes, Aimpoint, Burris and EoTech red dots. I would appreciate feed back. Ease of use, durability and holding a zero are my real concerns.

Thanks
 
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How far out do you plan on shooting?

Myself, I prefer a magnified optic because my eyeballs are getting older. That being said, I run a nice EOTech on my shotgun because most of its use is this side of 50 yds, although I've taken it to 150+ yds on steel.

I had the Millet DMS-1 on my M&P15 OR and it isn't there any more. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. That being said, I like the idea of a lower power variable 1-4x but I am not running one at this time.

So....is an unmagnified optic what you are interested in or do you want some magnification too?
 
arizona98tj said:
How far out do you plan on shooting?

Myself, I prefer a magnified optic because my eyeballs are getting older. That being said, I run a nice EOTech on my shotgun because most of its use is this side of 50 yds, although I've taken it to 150+ yds on steel.

I had the Millet DMS-1 on my M&P15 OR and it isn't there any more. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. That being said, I like the idea of a lower power variable 1-4x but I am not running one at this time.

So....is an unmagnified optic what you are interested in or do you want some magnification too?
Click to expand...

I'll be mainily shooting 50-100yd and have access to 200/300yd. I'm torn between an unmagnified dot and a low power variable/fixed scope. I used Kobra's when I owned Soviet Com-Bloc stuff.
 
arizona98tj said:
JaPes....is that what you are running?
Click to expand...

I have a Primary Arms M3 clone on a high cantilever mount. I haven't decided whether or not to get the magnifier yet. I chose the cantilever mount so that I could keep the magnifier option open.

While I like the Primary Arms M3 Clone, the one feature that I'm on the fence about is the 3 MOA dot. There's nothing wrong with it. It's a practical size dot. The issue is that the accuracy with a 3 MOA dot drops off the farther out you go, and gets exacerbated when magnified.

The math makes me crazy sometimes. 1 MOA dot at 100 yds covers 1 inch. 3 MOA dot at 100 yards covers 3 inches. Add in 3X magnification, and the dot magnifies. So making more precise adjustments to point of aim has a bit more room for error +/-.

Does it really matter when you just need minute of man or minute of hog accuracy? Probably not.

I have a Bushnell Trophy "T" dot on my 15-22 and find I like it's 1 MOA dot better.
 
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JaPes said:
Why not get a Primary Arms dot & 3X magnifier on a swing to side mount? You'll get the best of both worlds.

https://www.primaryarms.com/Primary_Arms_s/586.htm
Click to expand...
That type of set up (magnifier behind a red dot) is what I had in mind also, since I plan to do most of my shooting at 50-100 yds.


003-2.jpg


004-2.jpg


That's an Eotech 512 red dot backed up by Primary Arms 6X magnifier with a PA standard height flip up mount.
 
You can get a Mueller APT 4.5-16x40 for about $175. As for a red dot, you can probably get away with a Primary Arms MicroDot at about $120, or M3 Clone for about $100. Both of the Primary Arms scope prices include the optional high mount. A mount for the Mueller will cost about $80 (Burris PEPR mount).
 
xICEMANx said:
I'd recommend a 1-4x scope. Primary arms makes a good one, so does Bushnell, Burris, etc. I'm running this and really like it so far. I like that it has a BDC for longer shots.
Optisan 1-4x24 Mamba / EAR30 Mount Combo
Click to expand...

I agree with THIS. Nikon makes the M223 1-4X20 which Primary arms stocks for 250 ish. Add the type mount you want and you are still well within your budget for quality glass good close up and out to mid range yards. I have it and am very pleased with it. Nikon (and Leupold, slightly higher price) both make excellent optics in this range and also the M223 2-8 Nikon is worth a peek. About fifty bucks more with the BDC reticle. Nikon also has the "Spot on" ballistics program to match your scope to your exact load, range and conditions as a free download for PC and as a paid ap/ for I phone/I pads.:)
 
mueller has a interesting new scope 1-4 power with a rectical dot that will also light up.-http://muelleroptics.com/mueller-quickdot-1-4x24 For the person wanting a dot type sight this seems to cover that area and offer magification too of a tactical scope. dot covers 4" at 100 yards.
 
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I used to run a 4-16x40 now I am running a 8-32x42. I shoot up to 200 yards on our range and some varmint hunting. Getting used to the reduced Field of View with the new scope is an adjustment. But my trip Monday to the range to sight in the scope resulted in cloverleafs at 100 yards and groups less than an inch at 200. Shooting Federal XM193 5.56x45. I am replacing my front sight/gas block to a railed gas block this week to get the correct eye relief for the big scope. But dont be afraid to go with a higher power scope, IMHO a 1-4 power scope is a waste of ability with the M&P15's unless you are just doing tactical stuff.
DSCF3784.jpg
 
jdad said:
Thank you! That was what I was looking for. I think I have it narrowed down to the Burris AR-332 or the Leupold VX-R.
Click to expand...

I find the recticle on the Burris to be very busy and not as precise as recticles commonly found on 1-4x scopes.
 
xICEMANx said:
I'd recommend a 1-4x scope. Primary arms makes a good one, so does Bushnell, Burris, etc. I'm running this and really like it so far. I like that it has a BDC for longer shots.
Optisan 1-4x24 Mamba / EAR30 Mount Combo
Click to expand...

+1 here for the Mamba. Really like this setup. 1-4 variable was missing from my assortment of optics for too long. Plenty of 3-9, 4-14, 4-16, 2.5-10...

Since it comes with the mount, it is a very reasonably priced setup. I prefer a streamlined, one-piece solution for an optic to a red dot and a magnifier.
 
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