Lets talk about glass for an AR15

[SpentCasing]

Hey guys, Im looking for some magnified glass for my AR. Ive been handloading alot lately and the Eotech I normally run isnt doing the best for me, for load development at 100-200yd groups.

Im looking for some opinions for range only glass in a Larue mount I can switch on when going to the square range. Id like something variable like 3-9. Couldnt care less about Ill. Ret. My budget is say $300-400 without mount. The Nikon M223 BDC has caught my eye, but Im out of my lane in the subject of magnified glass.

What say you? Thanks in adavnce.

 

[jmr40]

A 1-4X20 scope is the single most versatile optic you can mount on an AR. At 1X they are faster and easier to use than irons or dot sights. Set on 4X they have enough magnification for 300+ yards. A 3-9X is better for extreme precision, especially at ranges longer than 100 yards, but 3X is just too much magnification for up close and fast shooting. Even the 2-7's are not nearly as fast as a good 1X scope for fast shooting. They are a lot heavier and bulky too. Lots of options at your budget. I like Leupold.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Just came across this:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/81...-scope-2-7x-35mm-ballistic-plex-reticle-matte

On a QD mount might be the bee's knees.

 

[ID-shooting]

I have the p223 on my AR and love it. holds zero mounting and unmounting (Nikon bases) reticle was dead on for 55gr. 62gr seems to be close enough to count. $150 for the 3x, I cannot complain.

 

[greyling22]

I'm a fan of 2-7x on an AR. at 2x you can still run it with both eyes open, and you can crank it up to 7x and take a legitimate shot at a coke can at 200 yds.

 

[SuedePflow]

I'm running a Leupold VX-2 3-9x40mm on a QD mount on my AR and I'm very pleased with it. If I do close quarters shooting, I drop the scope and flip up my irons. But overall, the VX-2 is a very nice scope for being only $300.

 

[rjrivero]

Variable 3-9 you say?

I would venture that The Leupold Mark AR 3-9 x 40 would be just fine for you. Fire dot or not, the choice is yours.

I'm not a big fan of drop compensated reticles, personally speaking. I'd rather DOPE my gear personally. I'll take a Mil-Dot or Leupolds TMR Reticles. Thanks.

 

[Outlaw Man]

I've shot with that Nikon on a 223 bolt gun, and it seemed good enough for what you're needing. If you were trying to ID critters or other such activities at 200-300 yds, I might suggest a little higher quality glass. For busting paper, particularly in adequate lighting, it should do you just fine....at least from my limited experience.

That Leopold is a nice scope, too, and will suit you for even harder use than what you're expecting.

 

[SpentCasing]

Guys this is a RANGE ONLY glass. For HD my primary is the Eotech XPS on the LT mount. I can make man sized hits to 300 np with it. This glass is for load development only. I only need it good enough to be reliable at the range and hold zero with decent enough clarity. Im not looking for Camp perry type precision. Rifle is a KAC SR15, not a SS bbl SPR rig.

Thanks for all the comments/suggestions from everybody.

Dr. Rob, that Burris is good enough to hold up for square range use? All I need is for it to hold zero and be reasonably durable. If I can meet those needs for $150, Im all about it.

 

[rondog]

I picked up a used Nikon 3x32 P-223 with Nikon mount for cheap from a local seller, it was in immaculate condition. That's a very good point about the 1-7 variable, but I really like the one I have. Point is, Nikon has excellent quality glass and a wide range of scopes & mounts just for AR's, and they're quite reasonable. Should easily find one to fit your needs in your price range.

 

[pikid89]

For load development only, perhaps the bushnell elite 3200 fixed 10x scope would be good. Can be had for at or under 200 bucks.

 

[Walkalong]

for load development at 100-200yd groups.........range only glass

If I want to wring out a hand load in an AR, I use this Simmons scope. I have it mounted in Burris Z rings on YHM bases. I can remove the screws from the bases and slide the whole thing on and off an AR. It cannot be beat for $109. I shot this 100 yard group with it mounted on my .300 BLK.

 

[greyling22]

walkalong, what barrel is on that 300?

 

[docsleepy]

I'm with walk along. I have a Walmart, a similar scope, center point, 4 to 16 power. $69. . Up several mountains in Ohio, climbed several trees, hunted with it in West Virginia, Georgia, Florida.

It's on a 7 mm 08.

Used it a day or two ago to qualify at 800 yards on a nearby range, 11 inch group at 800 yards without a benchrest.

What's crucial to me is to have the adjustable objective, so you can null out all the parallax. For accurate development that's key.

Doesn't take a very fancy scope, just has to have adjustable objective.