Freaking Optics Confusion

[ejfalvo]

I have a new Sig 556SCM (built 5/09) with the hooded front sight and flip up rear sight. I'm pulling my hair out trying to decide the type of optics and need advice.

I'll only be using the firearm for weekend relaxation shooting, no competition, just fun with my son (he has a G5G). Prob 100 yards max. So......

1. Red-dot - I ordered the Burris AR332 (4-5 week delivery)
2. Nikon Prostaff 3X32 BDC

Which one - what type, red-dot vs traditional? Advantages one type vs another?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[jackdanson]

Within 100 yards I'd go with a red dot, they are just easier to use and really fun for plinking.

I'm not sure about that specific Burris model, most of the low end red dots will work fine for plinking, I wouldn't trust it in a HD role though.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

I'll only be using the firearm for weekend relaxation shootin.

In that case you should absolutely get a high-magnfication scope; something like a 4.5-14, 5-15, 6-18, or 6-20; something like that. Maybe a fixed 10 or fixed 16x.

So both of your general choices are way off base, definitely.

 

[ChristopherG]

Well, I hesitate to differ with a Dr., but I have to say I'm not sure that,

In that case you should absolutely get a high-magnfication scope

It really depends on what kind of 'relaxation' shooting you have in mind. If relaxation to you means literally relaxing, i.e. shooting prone or from a bench, then the Dr. is surely right. But if relaxing to you is a little more kinetic--doing drills moving and shooting, or fast-fire plinking at multiple targets from off-hand, or what-have-you, then you might be talking at cross purposes.

So: how do you (and your son) shoot to 'relax'?

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

That's a good point. If shooting short range out to 25 yards or so, then a red dot might be just the ticket. CG is exactly right; it depends upon what you mean by "shooting to relax".

 

[Uncle Mike]

Yea, we all relax in different ways... hehehe

If your going to do the CQB thing or some mid range work take a look at the Millett Designated Marksman Scope (DMS) 1-4X24mm Dot in a Donut Reticle.

Other than that... a high magnification scope for long range shootin' or target work.

 

[CWL]

A good red dot will always keep you on-target within 200yards, and since you're shooting 5.56 NATO, I don't think it is necessary to get a scope with magnification much greater than 4X. The Sig 556SCM isn't a precision rifle.

 

[ejfalvo]

Thanks for the info - I ordered a Truglow 2x-32 red dot ($60). I figure it will be fine out to 100 yards. If I decide to take it out beyond that I'll by a scope.

For those who asked, my son and I have a marksmenship event every Sat. 1 rifle and 1 handgun. Rifle at 100 yards, handgun at 10 yards. Loser buys lunch.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

A good red dot will always keep you on-target within 200yards,

Depends on what your "target" is. Large humanoid target, sure. Any type of precision (a bullseye), no. I'm so sick of hearing that half-truth (mostly untruth). An ESD is a CLOSE QUARTERS sight.

Thanks for the info - I ordered a Truglow 2x-32 red dot ($60)

Ouch. Keep your receipt. I bought one of those and took it back the next day - horrid parallax error, tiny size/exit pupil, a bit dark, and quite a bit of fishbowling. You're gonna be buying a lot of lunches. Some people just gotta learn the hard way. But hey it's your son, so you'll be glad to provide your boy's sustenance!

 

[H2O MAN]

ejfalvo

I'll only be using the firearm for weekend relaxation shooting, no competition, just fun with my son (he has a G5G). Prob 100 yards max. So......

Keep it simple and get an Aimpoint or maybe an EOTech.

I like the Micro H or T - 1.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Oh lawdy have mercy. Keep it simple eh? Why not just say "Keep it unfit for your stated purpose, AND complicated." First off, an ESD is the opposite of simple. A scope requires no batteries, but an ESD does. An ESD is way more complicated. Secondly, at 100 yards, *recreational shooting* which is a *competition* he said, with his son (presumably for group size) - these are the criteria here. This just screams a highly magnified optic.

The OP could not possibly be getting worse advice from some of you guys. An ESD is the worst possible choice for this criteria. Sometimes I wonder if half of the people on here live in the real world and actually shoot at the range, or just live within the pages of "BlackOps" magazine, where they read that ESD brands X and Y are "fantastic" for killing gnats at 600 yards. Certainly it's no wonder he has "confusion".

 

[H2O MAN]

The EOTech and Aimpoint optics are simply the best optics for ejfalvo's stated use:
"relaxation shooting, no competition, just fun with my son"