I'm leaning towards either a bushnell AR optics 3-9x40 or Burris Fullfield ii 2-7x32. What do you guys think? I would like to use the gun for groundhog and coyote without rendering it useless for some self defense situations. Also what are your opinions on scopes like 1-4x20mm?
Ar-15 carbine scope opinions.
- Thread starter bscott29
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I just put a Leupold 3X9 on my AR for 100 yard paper shooting. I used an American Defense QD mount so I can take it off and replace it with my Aimpoint T1 red dot (mounts using Larue QD mount) which I use for everything else. I can switch back and forth without loss of zero. My scope is not tacticle but has good optics and lifetime warranty backed by a great company.
In my opinion the 1-4X is the most versatile. At 1X they are faster for close work than irons or dots. At 4X they have enough magnification for most uses out to 200-300 yards. They are lightweight, my Leupold is 8 oz., compared to 16-18 oz for many of the bigger scopes
The 3-9X's give up a lot of FOV and quickness up close, but do offer more magnification for more precision work or longer ranges.
A 2-7X is a decent compromise and what I used to prefer until trying the 1-4Xs'. The difference between 1X and 2X on the low end is more dramatic than I would have thought originally.
FWIW my 3 AR's are set up very different. One has a 3-9X for precision, a 2nd has a dot sight and the 3rd is set up with a 1-4X. I'll eventually replace the dot with another 1-4X. All have QD mounts and back up irons.
The 3-9X's give up a lot of FOV and quickness up close, but do offer more magnification for more precision work or longer ranges.
A 2-7X is a decent compromise and what I used to prefer until trying the 1-4Xs'. The difference between 1X and 2X on the low end is more dramatic than I would have thought originally.
FWIW my 3 AR's are set up very different. One has a 3-9X for precision, a 2nd has a dot sight and the 3rd is set up with a 1-4X. I'll eventually replace the dot with another 1-4X. All have QD mounts and back up irons.
^^This^^
I've got a bushmaster flattop carbine with a redfield battlezone? 3-9 on it. It's a decent setup for 50-500 yard shooting. The elevation adjustment settings seem to work as advertized, but I think the 3-9 is better suited to a rifle-length barrel. I feel like a 9 power scope with a carbine length barrel is a bit of a mis-match because I think of a carbine as more of a closer range tool.
If I ever get around to it, I'm gonna get a full length, fixed stock AR, move the battlezone scope over to it, and put 1-4x optics on the bushy carbine.
BTW: Unlike other redfield scopes that are made in oregon at the leupold factory, the battlezone line is made in the Phillipines.
I don't like big scopes on walking around ARs. I like this 3X Nikon for that. Very small, light, pretty good glass, and a BDC reticle. Some of the 1X4 options would be OK as well.
2X7 or 1X4, to answer the question.
2X7 or 1X4, to answer the question.
carbine85
Member
This is the exact one that I just put on my new AR build. I bought it at Bass Pro for $99.00. The optics are great and BDC is dead on with 55,62,& 69 grain bullets.
greyling22
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I had that burris scope on my AR for a bit (2 years old. They might have changed it since then). I took it off and put on a 3-9 because I just use it at the range. Optics were fine, I like the size, but I'm not sold on the turning the whole rear bell to change the power, and I resent burris for stopping including scope covers. It lives on a 10-22 now.
Depends on your age.
I've been a believe in 1-4x for up close and some distance but I'm finding that the distance is getting a lot shorter and a lot harder as my eyes continue to age. To go from 20/10 in AOC school when I was 21 to needing glasses most all the time for the last five years is really a bummer.
So now I use a 2-8 or 2.5-10 on my .223 bolt gun and exchanged a red-dot for a 1-4x on my Tavor. I actually wanted more magnification than that but it just seemed so wrong...
B
Problem with any thread like this is that you're going to get eleventy-zillion different recommendations.
I recently bought the 3x9x40 Bushnell AR Series and love it. Good, clear scope. Yesterday, I received the same scope in 4.5-18, which is better for me for shooting groups or doing long-range shooting. 3x9 is $118 and 4.5-18 is $202 @ Amazon.
Best deal right now on the Bushnell AR Series scopes is Amazon...buy one of those scopes and you get a $75 Millet scope mount that doesn't require rings
free, with, of course, free shipping from Amazon.
Here's a pic of the 4.5-18 with the free Millet mount.
I'll be sighting in the 4.5-18 today.
I recently bought the 3x9x40 Bushnell AR Series and love it. Good, clear scope. Yesterday, I received the same scope in 4.5-18, which is better for me for shooting groups or doing long-range shooting. 3x9 is $118 and 4.5-18 is $202 @ Amazon.
Best deal right now on the Bushnell AR Series scopes is Amazon...buy one of those scopes and you get a $75 Millet scope mount that doesn't require rings
free, with, of course, free shipping from Amazon.
Here's a pic of the 4.5-18 with the free Millet mount.
I'll be sighting in the 4.5-18 today.
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carbine85
Member
Do you know what the part number is for that scope mount?
Most shooters aren't using the AR carbine for more than 200 yards. Hunting, especially on edge or woodlands makes that a long range shot.
Since the game will likely just step into view with a very tight window of exposure, getting a sight picture quickly is important. That's where red dots excel, and black cross hairs don't. Put the dot on the target and squeeze.
I bought an Aimpoint in the '70s and regret every minute I haven't used one since. I always hit my target hunting with red dots, and usually miss trying to find black cross hairs on a dark target that is blown up so big I can't see which end I'm looking at.
That's me, at least try one out if you haven't to see if it works for you. But I will say that the Army isn't issuing scopes in large numbers for combat - they issue red dots, and the reason is that you don't get much time to make up your mind. Even hunting, the game doesn't just trot out and stand quartering to give you all the time you need.
Red dots also fit the upper a lot better, and you get all the eye relief you need without extended cantilevered mounts that are an additional expense.
Since the game will likely just step into view with a very tight window of exposure, getting a sight picture quickly is important. That's where red dots excel, and black cross hairs don't. Put the dot on the target and squeeze.
I bought an Aimpoint in the '70s and regret every minute I haven't used one since. I always hit my target hunting with red dots, and usually miss trying to find black cross hairs on a dark target that is blown up so big I can't see which end I'm looking at.
That's me, at least try one out if you haven't to see if it works for you. But I will say that the Army isn't issuing scopes in large numbers for combat - they issue red dots, and the reason is that you don't get much time to make up your mind. Even hunting, the game doesn't just trot out and stand quartering to give you all the time you need.
Red dots also fit the upper a lot better, and you get all the eye relief you need without extended cantilevered mounts that are an additional expense.
For 5.56/.223, the following is what I feel are the best choices from my experience.
HD - red dot. I have an Eotech and budget micro
3 gun or other similar competition - 1-4x20. I use a Nikon Monarch
hunting - 3-9x or 2-7x. No need for target turrets for hunting. IMHO.
High power competition - 10x or better, fixed or variable, target turrets and side focus. As nice as you can afford.
If I could only have one - good red dot
you can get a similar mount from Primary Arms. $25: https://www.primaryarms.com/Primary-Arms-AR15-Scope-Mount-p/pabasicsm.htm
HD - red dot. I have an Eotech and budget micro
3 gun or other similar competition - 1-4x20. I use a Nikon Monarch
hunting - 3-9x or 2-7x. No need for target turrets for hunting. IMHO.
High power competition - 10x or better, fixed or variable, target turrets and side focus. As nice as you can afford.
If I could only have one - good red dot
you can get a similar mount from Primary Arms. $25: https://www.primaryarms.com/Primary-Arms-AR15-Scope-Mount-p/pabasicsm.htm
I have eyeballed its BDC reticule brother myself.
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