Scope Help

[Hunter8282]

So I think I want to put a scope on my M&P15 Carbine.

Typical uses would be fun at the range out to 200 yards and varmint hunting (coyote/wood chuck) again out to about 250ish yards. I guess maybe I am looking for 3x9 or something in that area but I have NO experience with scopes on ARs.

I am NOT looking for a close quarters, combat, man killing type of scope. However, something with an illuminated reticle might be useful for low light conditions.

Also would need a mount.

Please give me some ideas on a good scope and mount. Would like to keep the price under $400 all said and done.

 

[Beruisis]

I use a 3 - 9x 40mm Leupold Mk 2 on mine. The rings i got were too low & so I needed a riser. I really like the scope for this rifle. It doesn't have the illuminated reticle, which would be nice, but Leupold now makes same power with such a reticle so you ought to check them out. Good stuff.

 

[ASTMedic]

Redfield is my go to budget scope brand. They are owned by another very big optic brand and their stuff can't be beat for the price.

 

[BillyJack2012]

Primary Arms is getting a lot of good reviews on their 1-6. I really like this and would get it today if I didn't have a 1-4 already. I'd still like to trade up. Great when you don't want magnification but also lets you easily reach out to 200. And has an illuminated center dot.

My 1-4.

 

[Chew]

Here's my Sport I use for coyote hunting and general fun at the range. I have a Vortex Crossfire II 2-7x32 scope mounted in Nikon P Series rings. Total for the scope and rings was under $200 (around $170). Vortex has a no questions asked warranty. I have Leupold optics on my dedicated hunting rifles, so I usually don't skimp on optics. But this Vortex has really nice glass, better than anything in its class for sure, IMO.





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[kb18no1]

Redfield is my go to budget scope brand. They are owned by another very big optic brand and their stuff can't be beat for the price.

+1

Redfield Revolution 3x9 is a great scope for money. Good glass, eye relief...made in the USA!!

mounted with Larue QD mount!!!

Watch this video: Long but worth it....

"Best AR-15 Scopes" by Nutnfancy - YouTube

 

[Hunter8282]

Thanks for all the info so far!

 

[rjencks]

Nikon makes a quality scope, for the money.

 

[thebeamanater107]

I don't yet own an ar so if that fact matters you can skip my post

I've seen ads for a scope manufacturer that makes an ar scope to fit the flight path of the ammo. The instructions for the ar10 in .308 or 7.62 says zero the middle crosshair or dot to 300 yards, then the next one down should be dead on for 350 yards, the next down should be 400 yards, etc. The dots above middle are for 250 yards, 200, 150, etc.

I haven't seen it in person, but I love the idea. I'll have an m&p 10 before summer and that's the scope I'm buying, so I'll know the good, bad, and ugly well after you've made your own decision

the original point and click interface, by Smith and Wesson

 

[rjencks]

I don't yet own an ar so if that fact matters you can skip my post

I've seen ads for a scope manufacturer that makes an ar scope to fit the flight path of the ammo. The instructions for the ar10 in .308 or 7.62 says zero the middle crosshair or dot to 300 yards, then the next one down should be dead on for 350 yards, the next down should be 400 yards, etc. The dots above middle are for 250 yards, 200, 150, etc.

I haven't seen it in person, but I love the idea. I'll have an m&p 10 before summer and that's the scope I'm buying, so I'll know the good, bad, and ugly well after you've made your own decision

the original point and click interface, by Smith and Wesson

You're referring to a Mil Dot type reticle..... there are a million different type reticles out there, you need to think about what your going to do with the rifle and order one accordingly. The Mil Dot will get you in the ball park, but ballisitics can change your zero.

I suggest going to Bass Pro or Cabelas and looking through a few and get an idea of what you like. You can also visually see the difference between a $50 scope and $500 scope. We all have a budget and the trick is finding the compromise that you're happy with. Remember.... with a rifle scope, you get what you pay for. Sometimes, to make a rifle really shine, you need to spend as much on the optics as you did for the rifle.

 

[thebeamanater107]

You're referring to a Mil Dot type reticle..... there are a million different type reticles out there, you need to think about what your going to do with the rifle and order one accordingly. The Mil Dot will get you in the ball park, but ballisitics can change your zero.

I suggest going to Bass Pro or Cabelas and looking through a few and get an idea of what you like. You can also visually see the difference between a $50 scope and $500 scope. We all have a budget and the trick is finding the compromise that you're happy with. Remember.... with a rifle scope, you get what you pay for. Sometimes, to make a rifle really shine, you need to spend as much on the optics as you did for the rifle.

I can agree and appreciate your input. But I don't have the base rifle yet so the stuff I'm going to attach to it are currently ideas. I'm going tacticool and zombie killer on this one, but all my other guns are practical

the original point and click interface, by Smith and Wesson

 

[jmike1487]

+1

Redfield Revolution 3x9 is a great scope for money. Good glass, eye relief...made in the USA!!

mounted with Larue QD mount!!!

Watch this video: Long but worth it....

"Best AR-15 Scopes" by Nutnfancy - YouTube

Love the nutfancy project! Great reviews


Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

 

[MichiganScott]

The OP and thebemanater107 should take note of the position of the mounted scopes on the rifles in posts #4 and #5.

The proper position of the ocular lens of a scope mounted on an AR is at the rear of the receiver. It is next to impossible to access the charging handle if you mount the scope more towards the rear like you would on a bolt action. If you don't feel that you can get close enough to the scope to achieve a full field of view, collapse the handle a notch or two. You will find the rifle actually handles better if tucked in closer to the body anyway.

Good cantilever mounts are sold by Larue (expensive), Burris in their PEPR line, Rock River, and others.

 

[raggedclaws]

I put a Nikon P-223 3x9 scope on my Sport. I'm using the American Defense QD 1" Scout mount. I really like this set up but haven't had a chance to check if the mount returns the scope to it's zero yet. Hopefully I can check this today. I think that the scope and mount will just about hit your $400 budget. Maybe a little less. I got my stuff from Primary Arms and have always been happy with their service.

 

[prairie]

...Sometimes, to make a rifle really shine, you need to spend as much on the optics as you did for the rifle.

A lot of truth in your statement.
I worked at a gun shop where several of us gunsmiths mounted and sighted in dozens of rifles very day. We also sighted in for customers who had mounted their own scopes. It quickly became apparent that the price paid for the scope was in direct relationship with its optical quality, construction, repeatability of adjustments and reliability.
There are always exceptions to every rule, but not often with scopes.
Also I saw then, and still see to many shooters paying for things they don't need or use, but sure is neat to show off to your buddies. Things like fancy bullet drop reticles, range finding features, and etc.
Spend the money that pays for scope gadgets on better quality optics or ammo for mare range time instead.

 

[rjencks]

A lot of truth in your statement.
I worked at a gun shop where several of us gunsmiths mounted and sighted in dozens of rifles very day. We also sighted in for customers who had mounted their own scopes. It quickly became apparent that the price paid for the scope was in direct relationship with its optical quality, construction, repeatability of adjustments and reliability.
There are always exceptions to every rule, but not often with scopes.
Also I saw then, and still see to many shooters paying for things they don't need or use, but sure is neat to show off to your buddies. Things like fancy bullet drop reticles, range finding features, and etc.
Spend the money that pays for scope gadgets on better quality optics or ammo for mare range time instead.

I'm lucky to have a good friend, that has been all over the world big game hunting, and he has become my unofficial mentor when it comes to hunting. He showed me very early that you get what you pay for.

In New England, you don't have time for those fancy range finding reticles. By the time you spot the game and raise your rifle, it's time to shoot, or they're right back in the brush. As far as magnification, I like 4-12 on my rifles, but rarely is it set higher than 6, when hunting. 6-12 are more for target shooting in this area.

My ideal reticle would be a illuminated fine duplex.

 

[red dragon]

Leupold,Vortex or Trijicon.Any one of these will treat you good. You get what you pay for in optics.Buy once. Go look at some optics at your LGS,you can easily tell the difference between the cheap/middle/high end scopes without looking at a price tag. As for a mount,bobro or larue.