red-dot recommendations?

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mljdeckard

mljdeckard

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I am officially getting old. I have a hard time seeing a two-inch black bull's eye with 100 yards. I recently did some mods to my SKS, including a tech-sight and a thinner front-sight post, and it helps dramatically, but I had to REALLY strain to see the target over the post.

The SKS compliance kit I installed has a rail strip on the gas-piston tube in front of the bolt. Is there a decent 1-3x long eye relief optic I could put there that isn't so expensive it's ridiculous to put it on a rifle I only paid $100 for in the first place? I'm actually new to anything other than iron sights or conventional scopes. I've fired a few rifles that already had them mounted, but I've never had to select and mount one.
 
I might need to clarify,

The reason I want a long relief optic is that I don't want to try to mount a scope on an SKS. I'm not willing to do surgery on the receiver to put on a conventional scope over the action that will actually hold a zero. An optic on the gas piston, which is also removable, wouldn't be perfect either, but it should hold minute-of-milk-jug at 100 yards. And the rail/mount is already there.
 
Yep. I have the same problem. Red Dots are fine for casual shooting at 100 yards, but for more precise work I have to have a scope. A good 1X or 1.5X to say 4X or 5X variable, or a fixed 2X like rcmodel suggested makes all the difference in the world.

I know you posted that you don't want to go through the trouble to mount a scope, so maybe one of the 2X or 3X Red Dots will work for you. I have no idea as to how clear they are, as I have never looked through one.

Burris

TRUGLO
 
Vortex Strikefire. $150 bucks. Get the mount and a 2x magnifier with it. So far I am impressed with mine.
 
yea red dots are usually 1 power just like factory sights. they make sks scopes that just replace the receiver cover and come mounted to a new one. so you dont have to ruin your existing one.
 
I have several Aimpoints 9000s with 2MOA dots. The dots are small enough for relatively precise work, and they can even be had in 2x form.
 
rbernie said:
I have several Aimpoints 9000s with 2MOA dots. The dots are small enough for relatively precise work, and they can even be had in 2x form.
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What range have you found them becoming ineffective if you dont mind me asking? :)

Was looking into getting a Aimpoint 9000 or m4comp.
 
Is there a decent 1-3x long eye relief optic I could put there that isn't so expensive it's ridiculous to put it on a rifle I only paid $100 for in the first place?
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This clearly isn't any of the Aimpoints that people are recommending to you. Look into the Bushnell Trophy line. I have a 6moa red dot in a 28mm tube that I spent around $80. No magnification though.

The Vortex StrikeFire(as SalchaketJoe suggested) is another good one. It comes with a 2x magnifier and mount for $150.

Links:
StrikeFire
Bushnells
 
An optic on the gas piston, which is also removable, wouldn't be perfect either, but it should hold minute-of-milk-jug at 100 yards.
Click to expand...

Not likely. There really is no ideal way to mount a scope on a weapon that was never designed for it. When the original SKS import frenzy came about 20 or so years ago, I picked up a nice Norinco for $69.00 and immediatly ruined it with a Butler Creek stock, B-Square mount, no-name 4X scope. The B-Square actually makes for an ugly, but very rigid mount, at least as rigid as this platform allows & it still failed to hold minute of basketball groups @ 100 yds. It shot far better with open sights. I "upgraded" to a cheap red dot a few years later, with results that were no better.

If you are anything like I was, this is as much about asthetics as tactical use. TRUST ME--You will want to take this SKS fully back to stock at some point, so keep everything & resist the temptation to ebay any of it to offset the cost of the innefective bits you are pondering.

By the way, I just sold that frankenstien two weeks ago for $200.00. If I had kept the original stock & put it back to the way the Chicoms intended, I could have likely fetched $350.00. Of course, if I had kept that stuff, I would have never sold it. I have others though; THEY WILL STAY OEM!
 
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Rbernie, I am considering the Aimpoint 9000 series myself for an AR-10.(not trying to thread jack) Do you have experience with the 2x models I am looking for a 100 yard scope or scope/magnifier combo for this purpose.
 
I don't ever plan on selling it. I have it running perfectly, my bad eyes notwithstanding. At a minimum I will replace the front sight post with one with a tritium or white stripe.

The aimpoint looks good for an AR, but for this gun, I'm honestly looking at the Vortex ones.
 
mljdeckard, you can get the Strikefire with either high rings for an AR or lower ones for a rifle. I am thinking of getting another one for a marlin 11894 .357 mag that I have.
 
Rbernie, I am considering the Aimpoint 9000 series myself for an AR-10.(not trying to thread jack) Do you have experience with the 2x models I am looking for a 100 yard scope or scope/magnifier combo for this purpose.
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I have two of the 2x 9000Ls with a 2MOA dot, one mounted scout-style on a Mini14 and one mounted over the receiver on a 7.62x39 AR15. They have worked very well for me, for what I need of them..

What range have you found them becoming ineffective if you dont mind me asking?
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Depends on the level of accuracy you're lookin' to get and how you shoot. Off a rest, they can keep minute-of-torso out several hundred yards without issue. The 2MOA dot gives covers a 6" circle at 300 yards, so if you can see it you should be able to hit it.

I tend to put Aimpoints on rifles that I intend to use for offhand, closer-in work.
 
I would suggest one of Aimpoint's Micro optics or the FX-II 2.5x28mm IER Scout from Leupold.

I have a Micro T-1 on my Norinco AKM and use the Leupold on my Marlin Guide Gun.
 
Vortex Strikefire. $150 bucks. Get the mount and a 2x magnifier with it
Click to expand...
Hmmm. I have a Vortex. I forgot it has a 2X magnifier. I have never unwrapped it. (The magnifier piece) I'll have to give it a look through.
 
The Vortex magnifier is pretty much useless unless you mount it like a standard scope.

--wally.
 
Forget Aimpoints and other ESDs - they won't help with you problem of seeing the target.

As you say, you want a low fixed or variable power optical sight with EER. You prefer variable.

The best bet IMO, is the Nikon Omega or Slugmaster 1.65-5x36mm. It is BOTH an IER relief scope AND a regular scope, combined in one package (with the caveat that the IER only works up to about 2 to 3 power).

The advantages are twofold over say, the Leupold or Burris "scout" scopes. First, as mentioned, it can be used in EITHER role, unlike them (forward or standard placement), and secondly, it's variable, which you want. Check 'em out. I have one of these on a "No. 6 Jungle Carbine" (Ishapore 2A Enfield), with an XS forward mount, and it's the shiz-nizzle.

IINM, the only difference between the Omega and Slumaster is the parallax-free setting, with the Slugmaster having a closer parallax-free setting. So you'd probably want the Omega over the Slugmaster in that configuration (1.65-5x36mm).

Yes, it is around $225 or so, but IMO, it is NOT ridiculous to put a scope costing 2.5x as much on a rifle that cost $100, if it suits your purposes (if it accomplishes your needs). I once had a $500 Trijicon on a $99 Marlin 60, and it made me very happy. Now that Trijicon is on a $150 Winchester 69A - ditto.
 
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