Vanity: Need help selecting a scope for an AR-15

vanity | 8/23/2012 | BerserkPatriot

[BreezyDog]

This hybrid is what I have on my ACR on Call of Duty. My favorite. Steady and accurate long and short distances. I can’t afford a scope for my real AR-15.

[300winmag]

A lot of good choices have been mentioned. So many good choices, it may all come down to personal preferences. I'd like to offer for consideration one that I'm fond of that hasn't been mentions yet, the Leupold 1x prismatic.

It's machined from solid aluminum, and almost indestructible. It comes with the crosshairs etched on a solid piece of glass, and solidly anchored, like the lenses. The "prismatic" comes from the use of internal prisms to adjust the crosshairs, rather than moving the crosshairs themselves. The illumination is provided by the ring (included) that mounts behind the turret. The crosshairs are always visible, with or without illumination.

I've had one for a few years, and just decided I need two more.

It's a tough, specialized scope, but it can fill a lot of niches.

[Envisioning]

(((ping))) for later.

[cradle of freedom]

Pardon my butting into your gun talk but I just happened to wonder if the NRA or other gun owners groups have special credit cards with their logos?

[Okieshooter]

My AR-15 is used for coyote hunting and I need the ability to shoot at 200 yds or more sometimes and a one power reflex just won’t cut it for a coyote at those ranges. I do keep it at one power for quick close in shots most of the time because if I have a long shot I usually have time to crank it up.

By the way the AR-15 has become the weapon of choice for coyote callers, because it is extremely accurate like a bolt gun, but also gives the opportunity for fast follow up shots when you have more than one coyote come to the call.

[BerserkPatriot]

My intent was to have an all around ‘Sport Utility Rifle’ of sorts for ranges out to around say 300 yards. I’ve got budgetary considerations to contend with as everyone else and unfortunately those factor into what I can choose.

[BerserkPatriot]

Thank you for your responses and your recommendations.

[taxcontrol]

Take a look at the NcStar 3-9X40 Rubber Scope/Ruby Lens/Ring (SFR3940R) for a sub $50 scope. Comes with cross hair and a graduated reticle known as P4 sniper.

For CQB, set to 3x and just put the ring on target and float the cross hairs over the desired strike area.

For long range / precision shooting see how to use the reticle: http://www.ncstar.com/TechSup/P4_Sniper_Reticle.pdf

It requires some math to be good with it but it is based on the same principles as a mill-dot reticle. It does require you to know the drop of your round in inches and then you can estimate the stand off.

There are other factors you can get into such as vertical deflection angle for targets that are higher or lower than you, spin drift, cross wind, etc. But for most shots less than 300 yards they are not much of a consideration. In the 300 to 600 yard range, they can move the strike of the round from 0” to 6” depending on conditions. For ranges beyond 600 yards, you really need to know all the conditions that go into the shot and this is really the science / art of the sniper.

As always, practice practice practice. You can even take the scope off the gun and walk around town estimating distances. For the urban environment, get to know the inches of most objects (door with is 32 inches, front view of the human head left to right is about 9 inches, a concrete block is 8” x 16”, etc). For hunting, get to know the dimensions of your animal (standing backbone to belly is ??, frontal width is ??, etc). Practice calculating distances and knowing the ballistic drop of your round. Start by carrying a ballistic drop chart so you can be certain.

The pattern works like this for fast shot 300 yards or less (in calm wind conditions and flat shot, I have used this out to 600 yards):

What is my range? (object width / mill dots x 100) yards
What is my drop? (see chart, look up range, get the drop in inches - best if you can memorize this chart)
Us the drop as elevation hold off - how many mill dots UP do I need to raise the reticle.
If the wind is blowing hard and cross ways to your shot, move into the wind 2 inches
If the wind is blowing hard towards you, add 2” to the bullet drop.

This will get you VERY close to your target. Close enough that it is within the normal MOA of most people’s ability to hold steady.

[taxcontrol]

Whoops - correcting a typo. Standard US door is 36” - not 32”.

[G Larry]

Well CRAP!

Just call OP for order status.

Said EOTech has pushed out delivery for OPMOD EOT Hybrid w 3X G33 Magnifier, until 21 Sept......

oh well....more practice w the pop up sights.

[G Larry]

ya...now EO Tech isn’t delivering to Optics Planet til 21 Sept.......

[smokingfrog]

The EOTech is hard to beat. I like it better than the Aimpoint, since it has a little bit bigger "window" to look through with both eyes open. The newer model only needs one battery and usually doesn't require a special mount if you have a flattop.

Just got a Burris Fullfield TAC30 1-4x24 for my other AR but haven't had a chance to try it yet. Need to spend some more $$ for a good QD mount first.

[rabidralph]

Keep your skills current. Attend an Appleseed

Long range rifle training

[archy]

I’ve more or less narrowed it down the choice to a Red Dot or Holographic Sight: Aimpoint, Trijicon ACOG or EOTech

Consider a Canadian ELCAN, the C79 version of which is what they put on their C8 carbines, and what the USMC uses on the M240 machinegun, though adapted with a different sight reticle for the 7,62mm NATO cartridge.

They'll run around $800. Ohio ordnance has 'em.