[aloharover]

So I am thinking about building up a DPMS 308 specifically for 3-gun comps.
I am not very knowledgable about optics.
I think that an LR/T is probably too much, and a an aimpoint might not be enough. I also need to double check but I think in hvy metal I am limited to a single optic.
What should I be looking at?
Thanks
Pete

[GunTech]

Get an aimpoint with the 3x magnifier?

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/botach_1875_39739660

[Chris Rhines]

Going Heavy Metal? Cool! Yeah, in HM you're limited to a single optic, if you're allowed to use optics at all. In some matches, HM is iron sights only.

Other than that, in 3-gun you're going to be shooting out to 300 yards regularly, 4-500 yards on occasion, but most of your targets (and points) will be at 100 yards and in. The ideal 3-gun optic is one that is optimized for extremely fast shooting at close range, but can make the first-shot hits out at 400+ yards.

So, for close-in shooting you want a super-wide field of view, so you don't have to look in and out of the scope while transitioning between targets. You want a highly visible reticle. You want the magnification to be as close to 1x as possible - this is a personal thing, some people can shoot both eyes open with a 1.1x or 1.25x scope, some need a true 1x.

For long range shooting, you still want a wide field of view. You'll probably want some magnification, 4x or 5x is plenty - we're shooting at 10" plates and LaRue targets, you don't need all that much precision. A Mil-Dot or BDC reticle of some kind is nice to have. Finally, the scope should have as little parallax as possible, so it's not sensitive to small changes in your head position.

Oh, and the scope needs to be durable, and it would be nice if you didn't need to hock your car to afford it, eh?

No scope made fits all of these requirements. The closest is probably either the Schmidt und Bender Police Marksman 1-4x20mm Short Dot (http://www.schmidtbender.com/scopes_policemarksman.shtml), or the ELCAN Specter DR (http://www.elcan.com/ELCAN_Business_Areas/Sighting_Systems/Products/Day_Sights/SpecterDR.php). These two notably fail the price-point test. I know a couple of sponsored shooters who run these, and pretty well all of them say that if they were spending their own money, they'd get something else.

A few others to consider:

Meopta Meostar R1 1-4x22 K-Dot (http://www.meopta.com/index.php?id=130&lang=en) - This one is very popular, and with good reason. Daylight-illuminated reticle, super-wide field of view, excellent glass, minimal parallax. The only thing it's missing is a long-range BDC reticle. Runs around $900 with mount.
Nightforce NXS 1-4x24 (http://www.impactguns.com/store/NF-NXS1424-FC2.html) - This is one to watch. Nightforce recently redesigned their illumination system so the reticles are daylight-visible. The NXS has a nice wide FOV, choice of reticles including Mil-Dot or 2-MOA scale, great glass, and tough as any scope out there. A little more expensive at $1200 or so.
Trijicon ACOG TA-11 3.5x - A lot of people like these (I run one myself) and a lot of people hate them. You can shoot them up close with both eyes open, but it takes some practice (and forget about it if you're cross-dominant). Very durable, great glass, needs no batteries for the lit reticle, and a useful BDC reticle. Around $1000 or so - shop around. Try one before you buy it.

There are other good optic choices, some of the Leupold 1-4x or 1.5-5x models, the Leupold CQT, etc. But the above are what I have first-hand experience with.

Oh, I'd stay away from the 3x magnifiers. They generally have a very restricted FOV, as well as being heavy and clunky.

- Chris