Red dot or Scope?

[deerhunter61]

I have a couple of ARs and have a vortex red dot on one and an eotech red dot on the other. I'm thinking about putting a scope on one of them. What do you guys prefer? Red dot or scope?

If you were going to scope one what kind of scope would you put on it. I shop SWFA.s sample list and will buy from there.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

unless you add a magnifier, you are limiting your range or a AR15 and for sure on an AR10 (.308). I either kept mine with handle on or flat top picatinny rail 308s I have 4.5x14 or 16 x 40 scopes so I can use that round to optimum distance.

 

[lpsharp88]

Depends on the intended use. I put an Aimpont PRO on mine, but it's primary use is HD and general plinking. If you want to do hunting or shoot small groups, get something that has some magnification

 

[Bobson]

Depends what you use the AR for. If its an HD firearm, for instance, any scope would be a poor choice when compared with a red dot. On the other hand, if you use it for punching paper only out to 100 yards, a red dot is probably just fine. For hunting, either a red dot or scope will work, depending on the range you limit shots to.

For a hunting scope, I like a 2-7x or 3-9x; nothing more than that in regards to magnification. It just boils down to preference. Are you looking for precision, or rapid target acquisition? I can't say I prefer one over the other across the board.

 

[ObsceneJesster]

I prefer Red Dots but I'm thinking about using a Leupold Mark AR Mod for my next build. It's a good optic around what I want to spend. There is a few different models but I haven't figured out which one I want to go with.

That being said, the reason I prefer RDS Optics on an AR platform is due to the quick target acquisition. Most of the encounters I'm likely to engage in will be in an urban environment where quick target acquisition takes precedence over magnification. I have no problem keeping shots within a 8 inch square at 300 yards using a RDS. Eight inch groups at 300 yards is all you need on a human sized target. That being said, anything over 200 yards, I'll be grabbing my Remmy 700.


Here is the Leupold Sights I am thinking about.

http://www.leupold.com/tactical/scop...od-1-3-9x40mm/

 

[jmr40]

I've got 3 AR's set up differently. One has a Vortex SPARC, one has a 2-8X variable and the 3rd has a 1-4X variable. The 1-4X is faster up close than the dot when set on 1X, and is much better in low light. You can see the red dot in low light, but not the target. On 4X it offers more magnification than I can use out to 300 yards. It also weighs about 1/2 what the 2-8x scope weighs. If you have the money a 1-4X with an illuminated reticle would probaby be the best of all worlds.

I wouldn't have thought there would be that much difference between how fast you could find targets in the 1X vs 2X or a dot until I bought the 1-4X. There is a reason most of the 3 gun shooters have drifted to the scopes with 1X on the low end. Even the military sights are essentially low powered , long eye relief optics with illuminated reticles.

 

[ObsceneJesster]

I've got 3 AR's set up differently. One has a Vortex SPARC, one has a 2-8X variable and the 3rd has a 1-4X variable. The 1-4X is faster up close than the dot when set on 1X, and is much better in low light. You can see the red dot in low light, but not the target. On 4X it offers more magnification than I can use out to 300 yards. It also weighs about 1/2 what the 2-8x scope weighs. If you have the money a 1-4X with an illuminated reticle would probaby be the best of all worlds.

I wouldn't have thought there would be that much difference between how fast you could find targets in the 1X vs 2X or a dot until I bought the 1-4X. There is a reason most of the 3 gun shooters have drifted to the scopes with 1X on the low end. Even the military sights are essentially low powered , long eye relief optics with illuminated reticles.

What 1-4x are you using?

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

 

[allaroundhunter]

I run a Burris MTAC 1-4x and love it.

 

[tiro6]

I would say it depends on what the purpose of the rifle is. I have 2 ARs set up fairly differently, one with an Eotech and the other with 1-4x Accupoint. The Eotech is better up close and is on what I call my "battle" rifle (standard barrel, light, quad rail, flash hider, standard GI lower/internals). The 1-4x is not as fast up but the variable magnification is quite nice and is on my 3 gun rifle (SS barrel, tube handguards, brake, geissele trigger). I should also note that adding a scope to your rifle will make it considerably heavier. Since you have multiple ARs already, I'd suggest getting a scope cause whats the purpose of having 2 ARs that do the same exact thing?

And if you were to get a scope, I like 1-4x or 1-6x scopes and have the Trijicon Accupoint TR24 in a Larue mount myself. Other options I would look at for 1-4x are the Burris XTR, Meopta ZD (this was my 2nd option after the TR24), SWFA SS. For 1-6x, Leupold Mark 6 or Swarovski Z6i (often hailed as the best 3 gun scope money can buy).

 

[itsa pain]

I never heard this tried but I got a 2-7 pistol scope with ill reticle mounted it way out on the handguard rail and you can keep both eyes open and have unlimited eye relief. the 1x4 scopes they make for the AR have bad eye relief and take to long to get site picture

 

[Littlewolf]

My $.02.
I have seen all sorts of glassware on top of ARs from conventional scopes, to illuminated reticles, to red dots, etc. The final answer simply depends on what you intend to use your weapon for AND how much you are willing to spend. The most impressive sight system I have seen on ARs for multiple uses are Trijicon ACOGs, but they ain't cheap!

Little wolf

 

[justice06rr]

Red dots are great for AR's. If you already have 2 types of RDS on your AR's, try a low power scope like a 1-4x , 2-7x, or even 3-9x if you intend to shoot out to 200/300yards. There are a variety of scopes to choose from. It really depends on what you want and what type of shooting you do.

 

[allaroundhunter]

I shoot out to 625 yards with my 1-4x scope... You don't need 9x to do it.

 

[YZ]

You did not mention your eyesight. If you are an Annie Oakley, you don't need glass. If you want to know a hit from a miss shooting a small target that isn't a steel gong, a scope will help you instantly correct your aim the next shot.

You didn't mention the distance. Close to midrange and fast acquisition, that's what the AR15 was designed for. A modified benchrest rifle will certainly call for some glass.

 

[gotigers]

For fast shooting like 3 gun, i like a nikon monarch african 1-4x. Nikon has great glass for the money. I zero all of my 223's at 50/200. A 1-4x is perfect for that zero. At 1x you can shoot with both eyes open like a red dot. It is easy to zoom out and pop steel at 400 yards or 6" groups at 300. I don't like a busy reticle for fast shooting. I like classic fine cross hairs for inside 400 yards.

For precision or past 400 yards, i would look at the Weaver tactical grand slam, Nikon Buckmaster/Monarchm, SWFA fixed or a Vortex. A good mil/mil 2nd focal plane will be fine. In power from 3-9x, 12x or a 10x fixed.

 

[jon_in_wv]

+1 on the 1-4 scope. You lose very little at close range compared to the red dot but you gain a lot when you stretch the range a little. If your weapon is capable of longer shots then I think the optics should match. Even at 100y I had a heck of a time getting consistent shots on a 8 inch steel plate with a red dot but at 4X I hit a 4" plate easily.