Thread: Scope options for Ar15

Hey guys

What scopes are you running on your ar15's? How do you find them? I have been looking at the burris mtac 1-4 online but have not seen one up close. Thanks

Hey Joe! What is your intention with the rifle? general hunting, targets, service rifle? or all of these?

Different setups suit different uses.

I run a Bushnell AR optic 3-12x40 with a PEPR on mine and I love it, very precise and I've put a Trijicon RMR clone on an offset mount for <50m shooting.
Started with an Aimpoint T1 micro but wasn't suited for what I use it for which is hunting and targets out to 500m.

Bushnell do a nice 1-4 AR optic that may be what youre after I highly recommend their range of scopes the price, clarity and functionality is outstanding.

Dan.

Hi Dan

Most use will be around the farm from up close to around 200 max. Thanks for the advise.

I think you're on the right track with a 1-4 then, should be able to do all you ask of it.

i run a 2.5-8 vx3 and its about perfect for 0-200 + its small and light
1-4s I find not enough magnification for anything beyond 150m took the one I had off,

I have a Vortex PST 1-4x24 MRAD. I really like it for a reasonably priced variable low powered optic, the TMCQ reticle is very handy for holdovers, and ranging. Mounting it on a QD mount such as a ADM or Larue will allow you to utilise BUIS or swap between rifles or optics choices.

Some people prefer higher powers optics. Really depends on what your intended uses are and personal preferences.

You can shoot accurately out to 600m with a 4 powered optics. The majority of service issued optics(magnified) are 4x, IE; ACOG, Elcan C79(3.4x), Elcan Specter DR 1-4, SUSAT.

Acog Or just get a chinese one from Aliexpress.com with free shipping. I have one that I got landed here for $130 NZD and it is amazing. I had it side by side with a real one and we couldn't tell the difference. Fixed 4 x32 and screws straight onto Picatinny rail.

Tactical Trijicon 4x32 ACOG TA01NSN Type Cross Rifle Gun Scope w/ Docter Brightness Sensitive Red Dot Sight Reflex, GL4X32B2-in Riflescopes from Sports & Entertainment on Aliexpress.com

If you can, try out a few scopes, and make sure that the set up you decide on works for you and the shooting you're going to do. Don't base it on what you see on the internet, or what you think looks good. I've spent rather a lot of money making those mistakes and would not do it that way again.

You said you'll mostly be shooting out to 200m. If you're shooting mostly bunnies/hares/magpies, then don't discount a 3-9. If it is only going to be used on goat/pig/deer, then you can get away with less magnification.

Over the last few years on my AR I've run:

-Aimpoint micro. Lasted a day on my rifle. I'm not clearing buildings, and really it is pretty much useless for the vast majority of tasks I want an optic for.

-1.25-4.5x24 scope. Got rid of it within a month, not enough magnification for anything useful, and unless you want to spend big $, the optics aren't that great on the vast majority.

-2-7 Burris fullfield (good scope optically, and loved the BDC reticle, but cross-hairs were a bit thick for precision work) lasted about 3 months on my rifle.

-2-7 Weaver (Great optics, fine cross hair is brilliant for precision. Only negative is that it doesn't have a BDC) This scope has sat on my rifle since the day I mounted it. It's all I need for anything under 300m.

-10x Bushnell fixed power (with off-set iron sights for closer in work). This set up currently sits on my bunny gun. A much better combo than I thought they'd be. The irons are great for anything between 0 and 100, and the scope is good for anything beyond that. Fixed power scope is light and tough, so are the irons.

Whatever you end up getting, hopefully it does the trick for you, and leads to a full freezer.

I've got the Bushnell 4.5-18 x 40 AR Optic from when Reloaders had them for about $200. Super accurate on my 16" and I love the Bullet drop marks for quick shooting but too much zoom for hunting anything except varmint. I mainly use it for target shooting at the range and smoking ducks that sit out of range of the shotty.

My mate has a Burris 536 which is great, prefer it to the 332. We shoot 50-400m with it but I wouldn't shoot rabbits with it.

I had a Redfield Counterstrike which is a great cheap red dot with a built in laser, got rid of it cos I hated the dot on it, I just think I had a dud unit

Thanks guys, very helpful