best scope for ar-15
- Thread starter enderwood
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Don't Tread On Me
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What do you plan to use the AR for?
Also, please define "effecitve" for us. What do you want the scope to do for you?
Target shooting, varminting, long range sniping, close quarters combat, all-purpose combat etc..all have optics specific for these purposes.
Some obviously cross over and can be used to do other things as well; however, choosing the right one for the right job will make you happier and will be most effective for the particular task they are designed for.
Also, please define "effecitve" for us. What do you want the scope to do for you?
Target shooting, varminting, long range sniping, close quarters combat, all-purpose combat etc..all have optics specific for these purposes.
Some obviously cross over and can be used to do other things as well; however, choosing the right one for the right job will make you happier and will be most effective for the particular task they are designed for.
Lennyjoe
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For general range plinking with an AR that has a carry handle I use a Leapers 6X scope. Not the top of the line scope but it's effective if your on a budget.
Freelance Tax Collector
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http://valdada.com/vn/ior/03b
IOR 4x M2. You have to use 62 grain pills to be compatible with the BDC though.
IOR 4x M2. You have to use 62 grain pills to be compatible with the BDC though.
Don't Tread On Me
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I have that exact IOR with a Dragunov reticle. I think it might be a bit much for his needs. It is one of the best AR optics imo, but will run around $400 after the cost of the optic and rings.
I had a leapers 6x. It came used on a rifle I bought. It broke rather quickly. Not a very good scope. But these can be bought for $25, so what do you expect?
A nice scope for a low price would be the Nikon Prostaff 4x. It's parallax set at 50 yards, so it will work well for up to 100 yard plinking. $99 at Walmart. Nice glass, lightweight. Does the job. IF $99 is too much, I'd then recommend the Bushnell budget scopes. They are better than BSA or Simmons in my opinion. You can get a 3-9 for $50-$60 and it should hold up real well on an AR-15. Some of these have adjustable objectives.
For $125, you could pick up a reddot like those made by Ultradot. Lifetime warranty on these. I believe they come with rings too. Simmons, BSA and the $40-$70 dots don't seem to be bright enough for daytime use. Stay clear of the cheap ones.
There really isn't a whole lot good options in the budget range. However, it should all work fine for simple range blasting thanks to the AR's no-recoil. Out of all these choices, the Nikon is by far the best as far as optical quality. I'd look through one before I'd decide. The Nikon is probably the least expensive scope that is treated like an expensive scope in its construction, waterproofing, lense quality etc...
If you bump up to the $200 range, your options grow immensely. Brands like Bushnell's 3200, Burris and others come into play. $300 range starts to give you options for military-style optics.
I had a leapers 6x. It came used on a rifle I bought. It broke rather quickly. Not a very good scope. But these can be bought for $25, so what do you expect?
A nice scope for a low price would be the Nikon Prostaff 4x. It's parallax set at 50 yards, so it will work well for up to 100 yard plinking. $99 at Walmart. Nice glass, lightweight. Does the job. IF $99 is too much, I'd then recommend the Bushnell budget scopes. They are better than BSA or Simmons in my opinion. You can get a 3-9 for $50-$60 and it should hold up real well on an AR-15. Some of these have adjustable objectives.
For $125, you could pick up a reddot like those made by Ultradot. Lifetime warranty on these. I believe they come with rings too. Simmons, BSA and the $40-$70 dots don't seem to be bright enough for daytime use. Stay clear of the cheap ones.
There really isn't a whole lot good options in the budget range. However, it should all work fine for simple range blasting thanks to the AR's no-recoil. Out of all these choices, the Nikon is by far the best as far as optical quality. I'd look through one before I'd decide. The Nikon is probably the least expensive scope that is treated like an expensive scope in its construction, waterproofing, lense quality etc...
If you bump up to the $200 range, your options grow immensely. Brands like Bushnell's 3200, Burris and others come into play. $300 range starts to give you options for military-style optics.
Unless you are a VERY good shooter, you will be the weak link not the accuracy of the rifle. This is especially true away from the bench at a shooting range. ARs are, by design, normally quite accurate. The direct impingement gas system that some people complain about is the primary reason.
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Freelance Tax Collector
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Good optics are appropriate for everyones needs. No reason to have bad optics.
has anyone used a accupoint? http://www.trijicon.com/user/parts/products1.cfm?PartID=101&back_row=0&categoryID=5
is it worth the money?
how are they in bright light environments, such as africa? and are they quality scopes? are they reliable?
it isnt just the fiber optics that make them so expensive is it
is it worth the money?
how are they in bright light environments, such as africa? and are they quality scopes? are they reliable?
it isnt just the fiber optics that make them so expensive is it
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georgeduz
Member
i have the trijicon reflex it cost about $500 with moount,and i have the $30.bsa and its works better.i mostly shoot with stock peep sights up to 300 meters,those aimpints are fun and fast.but i cant understand how a 30 dollar bsa aimpont works so much better than the 500 dollar trijicon reflex.i feel like i flushed 500 dollars down the toilet.
jughead
Member
I put a Burris 2-7 compact on my ar. Its worked out great, cost wasn't out of sight .
cidirkona
Member
No kidding, if cost isn't an issue...
Trijicon ACOG TA31 RCO 4x, the choice of the United States Marine Corps
I would've gotten one of these but I was on an Aimpoint/EOTech budget and purchased the EOTech.
Trijicon ACOG TA31 RCO 4x, the choice of the United States Marine Corps
I would've gotten one of these but I was on an Aimpoint/EOTech budget and purchased the EOTech.
13.45
Member
i've used a Trijicon TA01-NSN, a Leupold M8 6x, and a Burris Compact 3x9- all with good results 
michael_aos
Member
I've used the TA11 ACOG and 1.25-4x24 AccuPoint to good effect.
Mike
Mike
Don't Tread On Me
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If you're going to spend $300ish on an optic that is magnified and illuminated, consider the IOR Valdada M2.
It is a fixed 4x. Has a range finder based on the height of an average man. The bullet drop is set via calibrated cam. It has windage adjustments in 1/2mil increments. Illumination settings from 1-7. It is calibrated for the 62gr NATO 5.56 out to 800 yards.
Optical quality is fantastic. I prefer the dragunov reticle as it is VERY useful. I prefer the slope-style range finder that measures height as it is quicker vs. the ACOG's which measures the width of a chest. Only advantage to the ACOG's range finding is that you can range prone targets also. It also doesn't rely on batteries and requires no clicking. Some people prefer that, others don't. But it will run you $1,000. The IOR, about $330.
The IOR is a very underrated scope.
It is a fixed 4x. Has a range finder based on the height of an average man. The bullet drop is set via calibrated cam. It has windage adjustments in 1/2mil increments. Illumination settings from 1-7. It is calibrated for the 62gr NATO 5.56 out to 800 yards.
Optical quality is fantastic. I prefer the dragunov reticle as it is VERY useful. I prefer the slope-style range finder that measures height as it is quicker vs. the ACOG's which measures the width of a chest. Only advantage to the ACOG's range finding is that you can range prone targets also. It also doesn't rely on batteries and requires no clicking. Some people prefer that, others don't. But it will run you $1,000. The IOR, about $330.
The IOR is a very underrated scope.
georgeduz
Member
Trijicon is a rip off.yes they work.but are not worth the cost.way over priced for what you are getting,they are not as good as some of the cheep scopes and that is very sad.i will never buy another one.
Zak Smith
Member
The choice of optic will depend on your intended use, target size, and distances.
For general purpose practical shooting from contact distance to the limit of about 10" @ 400 yards, the TA11 ACOG is a great choice. It is better than the TA31 because the eye relief is more flexible, which helps to get a sight picture and get one faster when in wierd positions or on the move. Its stadia are effective to 400-500 on 2.5 MOA targets, and IPSC-type silhouettes out to 600.
The features that make the TA11 ACOG effective are: brain-grabbingly bright center reticle (donut or chevron), and a managable BDC or stadia below it.
Other scopes that have similar features include the Trijicon Accupoint and the S&B Short Dot.
The Aimpoint M2/3 plus the Aimpoint 3x magnifier gives you some of the functionality, but the field of view through the magnifier is extremely narrow.
If are willing to foregor close and mid-range speed for longer range ability and smaller targets (1-2 MOA) in the 100-300 range, look at the Leupold 3-8 or 2-8 M/RT.
For general purpose practical shooting from contact distance to the limit of about 10" @ 400 yards, the TA11 ACOG is a great choice. It is better than the TA31 because the eye relief is more flexible, which helps to get a sight picture and get one faster when in wierd positions or on the move. Its stadia are effective to 400-500 on 2.5 MOA targets, and IPSC-type silhouettes out to 600.
The features that make the TA11 ACOG effective are: brain-grabbingly bright center reticle (donut or chevron), and a managable BDC or stadia below it.
Other scopes that have similar features include the Trijicon Accupoint and the S&B Short Dot.
The Aimpoint M2/3 plus the Aimpoint 3x magnifier gives you some of the functionality, but the field of view through the magnifier is extremely narrow.
If are willing to foregor close and mid-range speed for longer range ability and smaller targets (1-2 MOA) in the 100-300 range, look at the Leupold 3-8 or 2-8 M/RT.
Zak Smith
Member
I don't think the Accupoint has any hold-over stadia, and the vertical line will obstruct the target. "Kentucky" elevation is not real precise....
Zak Smith
Member
Some rifle scope reticles have stadia lines, which are marks at regular or calibrated intervals below, above, or to the sides of the center crosshair.
In this case, I was referring to their use for hold-over, which would imply cross-hatches at regular or calibrated intervals below the main "crosshair" (or donut, whatever)
In this case, I was referring to their use for hold-over, which would imply cross-hatches at regular or calibrated intervals below the main "crosshair" (or donut, whatever)
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