[garrettbragg]

I recently picked up a nice little Rock River AR, and want to put a nice optic on it. I'm looking for something red dot type rather than a cross hair hunting scope. I plan to use it as a hog gun, at ranges of 50yds-300yds. I really like the ACOG system, but just can't drop that much money. Heck for that much I could buy a new rifle. Hoping to keep under $4-500. Would love to hear what y'all are using, and whether or not you recommend it!


M1 Garand: late '44 Springfield
1903A3: Early '43 Remington

 

[Shoobedoo]

I recently picked up a nice little Rock River AR, and want to put a nice optic on it. I'm looking for something red dot type rather than a cross hair hunting scope. I plan to use it as a hog gun, at ranges of 50yds-300yds. I really like the ACOG system, but just can't drop that much money. Heck for that much I could buy a new rifle. Hoping to keep under $4-500. Would love to hear what y'all are using, and whether or not you recommend it!


M1 Garand: late '44 Springfield
1903A3: Early '43 Remington

There was discussion of the Vortex Strikefire here recently...

http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?353676-Vortex-Strikefire


Most guys seem to be pretty happy with them and they are reasonably priced. A couple guys at my private shooting club have these on their AR's and I haven't heard any complaints.

If you're prepared to drop $4-500 as you noted, I believe Eotech offers a few models in that price range and they are generally well regarded in the AR shooter community. The Meprolight M21 can also be found in this price range.

Bushnell makes an "ACOG style" scope for sub $200 but I have no experience with these other than superficially they look kind of like an ACOG.

 

[Joop]

I was just at a one of my favorite shops, this morning and handled the Leupold Mark AR 1.5-4x again. It has a mil based reticle and turrets, but also has an illuminated dot in the center, within a circle, that's not so obscenely huge as to cover up your target beyond 50 yards. The eye relief was very generous, as well (pretty much perfect for me, anyway) and glass is excellent. The one I looked at also had the range calibrated turrets for a 55gr bullet, out to 650 meters, so you can dial the turrets either by range, or by mils (.1 mil clicks) and you can get different turrets for whatever load you want, through Leupold. The price was $449 and I came to the conclusion that this would be the scope I would choose for an AR. I think this is worth checking out, if you can get your hands on one. It's the perfect marriage of "scope" with "sight".

John

 

[me26245]

I really prefer the ACOG TA01NSN. I use one of those and clones of this model for most of my AR's. I also use some ELCAN clones.

I've used the Bushnell ACOG style scope and they work great, but there is no magnification.

Recently I've been impressed by some of the Sightmark line of optics.

This 1-6x24 seems well constructed and isn't to heavy.
http://www.sightmark.com/sm13021cd.html

For a less expensive reflex sight I've decided to use one of their Ultra Shot units. They also make magnifies that can be use in conjunction with these.
http://www.sightmark.com/sm14000.html

Just my two cents worth.

 

[Shoobedoo]

Recently I've been impressed by some of the Sightmark line of optics.

For a less expensive reflex sight I've decided to use one of their Ultra Shot units. They also make magnifies that can be use in conjunction with these.
http://www.sightmark.com/sm14000.html

Just my two cents worth.

+1

I have several of the Sightmark Ultra Shot QD (quick detach) reflex sights installed on various AR's, they are far and away superior to anything else I've seen in that price range.

 

[1911crazy]

I prefer the cross hairs with the scope having the BDC option. Then I can use a range finder to dope the scope from 100yards to 500yards with no error or hold over. I only buy the scopes with the adjustable manual turret that's labeled for yardage.

I been in the hunt for a very large B & C trophy buck. He's the granddaddy of granddaddys. Most locals have seen him but won't risk a longer shot. I have my 338win mag dialed in with the Bushnell trophy scope with the BDC option. I figure when this buck thinks he is out of my range and sticks his lounge out at me I'll give him a lead kiss behind his ear. Put a fork in him he's done.

Bushnell still offers the banner series scope with this BDC option. I just purchased a BSA scope with the BDC option for my saiga in 223.

I know you guys are talking about more expensive scopes. I've had the Bushnell scope on my 338 since '94.
Never had a problem.

 

[Big Bronze Rim]

If you want unmagnified the Aimpoint PRO is hard to beat. For around $400 you get a super rugged optic with a quality mount. The battery life is excellent (3 years) and you can just leave the dot on and it's always ready to go if it's a defensive carbine. If you want magnification, run a 3x magnifier on a QD mount.

http://www.aimpoint.com/us/products/all-products/product-singleview/product/PRO/

 

[KAGE]

Konus M30 1x4. on 1x its good for CQB. go outside and turn it up to 4x and engage targets at 100yds. reticle is crosshairs with a dot in the center. dot can be illuminated red or blue. at $230.00 its a good scope for the money.
+1 on the Aimpoint PRO. that will be my next optic purchase.

 

[Lyman1903]

Try primary arms, several acog clones reasonably priced,,,

Got a couple myself, work well, no issues

 

[tep0583]

There was discussion of the Vortex Strikefire here recently...

http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?353676-Vortex-Strikefire


Most guys seem to be pretty happy with them and they are reasonably priced. A couple guys at my private shooting club have these on their AR's and I haven't heard any complaints.

If you're prepared to drop $4-500 as you noted, I believe Eotech offers a few models in that price range and they are generally well regarded in the AR shooter community. The Meprolight M21 can also be found in this price range.

Bushnell makes an "ACOG style" scope for sub $200 but I have no experience with these other than superficially they look kind of like an ACOG.

The Strikefire is a SOLID optic. One of the best to come out of China, IMO.

The Primary Arms micro has a better reputation that a sub-$100 red dot deserves. PA's customer service is outstanding and the PA micro's are reputed to be VERY reliable and rugged.

If you're looking to spend more, the Aimpoint Pro or EoTech 512 are hard optics to beat. I run a 512 on my home defense carbine and I love the thing. At the Camp Perry rifle pop-up rifle shoot, I was able to make COM hits out to 300 yards with little difficulty. I'd assume one could do the same with a properly zero'd Aimpoint Pro.

The Lucid HD7 is also VERY well regarded and comes in at just under $200, as I recall.

 

[RiflemanFirst]

If you are willing to spend a little extra for a nice scope, check out the Vortex Viper PST 1-4x24. I was torn between a red dot or ACOG for my AR-15 for the longest time until I came across this really good value. Plus Vortex has a VERY good warranty system. The scope can be had on Amazon for $500, so you will also have to buy a mount.

http://youtu.be/EvcW8QC9_1Y

http://www.amazon.com/Vortex-Viper-...TF8&qid=1396697399&sr=8-1&keywords=pst+1-4x24

 

[milprileb]

I think some good choices offered if one evaluates his intended use / expectations.
You can go broke buying optics so buying enough but not buying extreme level is logical.

If I were :

a. Pulling the weapon out of case and firing on the range as the sum total of "use", I'd go the Sightmark route
b. If I were into hard use , high round count, I do the Leupold or Eotech route
c. If I were expecting to really operate , life on the line: ACOG, Eotech.

Aim Point: If it suits you, substitute for Eotech.

There is something that won't go away with optics: buy right the first time is cheaper.
That often gets translated wrong to mean you got to own a Schmidt & Bender optic but
realistically , one can do well with less expensive options.

There is always a Gear Head at the range with the latest optic : learn to ignore their hype and buy
what you need. Optics are not fashion statements .

 

[Shoobedoo]

For a purely SHTF type of application it would be hard to beat the Meprolight M21, they're the primary reflex optic of the Israeli Defense Forces, they're extremely rugged and built to withstand the the most severe operating conditions, they need no batteries ever, there are no internal electronic components to potentially fail, there are no switches, and the unit is always "on" and ready for action. In a truly life or death kind of situation the best optic in the world won't do you much good if a diode burns out, the on-off switch fails, or the batteries die at the most inopportune moment.

 

[milprileb]

For a purely SHTF type of application it would be hard to beat the Meprolight M21, they're the primary reflex optic of the Israeli Defense Forces, they're extremely rugged and built to withstand the the most severe operating conditions, they need no batteries ever, there are no internal electronic components to potentially fail, there are no switches, and the unit is always "on" and ready for action. In a truly life or death kind of situation the best optic in the world won't do you much good if a diode burns out, the on-off switch fails, or the batteries die at the most inopportune moment.

I will pile on this: "When ON is not ON" its good to have a quality back up sight. Not a good thing to have some plastic POS at this moment in time so I recommend a LMT or Yankee Hill or Daniel Defense model. This is only relevant to those who need their gear to be operational and use / train with it that way. If your AR sits in the safe, and not at arms reach, just change out your batteries and don't worry about it. You need not a back up sight and your main inconvenience is changing the battery at the range.

However for the Gear Heads and Walter Mitty Legions: you got no choice but to buy everything on the market.

 

[DK PHILLIPS]

batteries are not what i want to depend on shtf...should be as said usable when batteries die!
i have two Swith "old" but new in box dots none magnifying .. that look like small low position scopes....
one now on a ak...
without the dot lit...the scope acts as a tunnel target peep sight close enough to center close hits at 100 + yards...
my rock river carbine (new) bought 3 years ago....i haven't decided yet....so interest is here in this thread

 

[Shoobedoo]

double n/m

 

[Shoobedoo]

without the dot lit...the scope acts as a tunnel target peep sight close enough to center close hits at 100 + yards...

I've done this many times, BUIS folded down and just sight straight thru the lens with the unit turned off, I can put just about every shot into an 8" bull @ 50 meters just centering the front sight post in the lens, never tried it at 100, but I'm confident I could put most of my shots into a torso sized target like that.


I have an M21 with the Bullseye reticle (said to be the best overall) coming my way, got a great deal on it too. I'll do a review here on the forum once I've had a chance to put it to use. I researched this optic very thoroughly before making the decision to get one, they get rave reviews from the really serious "top end" guys @ M4 Carbine.net

It's probably way over the top for a weekend range warrior like me, as I don't ever expect to find myself locked in life or death mortal combat with anyone, but I had some extra cash to play around with, so I decided to treat myself to something nice. I'm sure it will serve me well.

 

[DK PHILLIPS]

Shoo....so true peep sight centers your eye....and this swift will too....
close quarter 75 or less...its quick with out the dot....doesnt snag on things like those up right ste ups...