Scope suggestions for AR15 carbine???

[Deep13]

I have a flat top carbine length AR15 with quad-rail hand guard. Right now I have an inexpensive reflex sight on it.

I want to put an optical scope for short to mid range on it. I'm figuring on spending maybe $500 tops. I already have a quick-release single unit set of AR 1" rings.

Any suggestions?

[benEzra]

1. Here are some pages with some food for thought.

Articles:

http://demigodllc.com/articles/fighting-carbine-optics-for-the-ar-15/ (this guy is a serious 3-gun competitor and *really* knows his stuff; this one is more or less an overview of the different optics classes available)

http://demigodllc.com/articles/evolution-of-the-3-gun-practical-rifle/ (by the same guy)

and threads:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=346555
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=426267

A lot depends on whether you want to prioritize the closer ranges or the midrange. Something like a 4x ACOG or a 1-4x variable is handy if most of your shooting is mid-range, but you still want usability up close, whereas something like an Eotech or Aimpoint might be preferable if your primary concern is inside 100 yards, but you still want usability further out. The latter with a removable/flip-to-the-side 3x magnifier can be pretty good at surprising distances while still being a little faster at short ranges than a variable, at the cost of increased weight and expense.

[Deep13]

2. Thanks. I actually need the correction a scope provides.

My eyes are not good enough at 50 or 100 yds. to make out the target with just a reflex sight. And an ACOG or a Trijicom scope are just too expensive.

I'm thinking of something like a 1-4x scope or a 1.5-6x.

[dashrif]

3. Check

out the swfa used section for things like http://www.samplelist.com/Trijicon-125-4x24-Accu-Point-DEMO-B-P95.aspx">this
for $499.00 right in your budget
:hi:

[Deep13]

4. 1x or 1.5x for lowest power?

I think I'm going with a 20mm Leupold scope. They have three varieties.

VX II 1-4x
Mark AR 1.5-4x
VX III 1.5-5x

I figure at 4x they have the same exit pupil as a pair of 10x50 binoculars, so they ought to be bright enough. The question is, is it worth going to 1.5x as lowest power to get the somewhat better transmission of the VX III series as well as the more powerful high end? My shooting location restricts me to 50 yards or 50 feet (with .22LR conversion) at an indoor range. Still, I would like it to be able to handle within-the-room distances if possible.

There is also a Burris fixed 4x 20mm model but I can't see being stuck at 4x, although at the actual ranges I use it probably would not be a problem.

[dashrif]

5. I

would look at the 3-9x40 Mark AR in case you have a chance to shoot at a longer range it has a bdc for the 55gr for easy range adjustments and easy rezero. Also you can have custom calibrated dials for any load for around $50, plus it will be brighter than any thing you have listed with it being a 40mm.

3-9x is the most common scope magnification around for deer hunting it will be just fine and at home on a 50yd target, as most deer kill shots take place between 50-100yds also it will be closer to the magnification of your binos at the 9x setting and with a wider fov at the 3x setting.

The duplex will be the cheapest and comes in at $20 more than 1.5-4x20 mark ar info http://www.leupold.com/tactical/products/scopes/mark-AR-riflescopes/mark-ar-3-9x40mm/

swfa will be the cheapest place to buy from http://swfa.com/Leupold-Mark-AR-Riflescopes-C1837.aspx

also go find a place to try some out its a good chunk of change and what I would buy you may not like try academy, dick's, bass pro, cabela's or local ma&pop.....ect

just my .02

[Deep13]

6. Thanks.

I have a 3-9x40 on my CZ .22, a 2-7x35 on my Marlin and a 45x something or other for my Savage model 12. If I still had an AR15 target rifle, I would definitely want a bigger scope. I'm actually looking for an alternative to an EO Tech. I tried out the 35mm scope I have on my Marlin .357 carbine. It's pretty good but also bulkier than I really want.

For this AR carbine, I was going for something smaller. It is true that at high power, one needs more aperture. Nevertheless, the daylight adapted eye only has a 2 or 3mm pupil. At 4 or 5x, therefore, a larger objective will not deliver any more light into the eye than a 20mm objective. At 5x, a 20mm scope delivers a 4mm exit pupil. The effect of the narrow, daylight eye pupil is to stop down that 20mm aperture since most of the light cone will fall on the iris and will not shine on the retina. At 3x, the exit pupil will exeed the maximum average dark-adapted pupil. Granted, in the dark you can use high powers on a 40mm scope, but that assumes one can even see the target without any light. As soon as ambient light becomes available, the human pupil skrinks to about 5mm, or about 4x on a 20mm scope or about 8x on a 40mm scope.

My concern about wide aperture scopes is their weight and their sacrifice of very low power for medium-high power. A L. V-III 1.5-5x20 weight 9.5 oz. versus 12.5 oz. for a 40mm scope.

[Euromutt]

7. Have you considered a Millett DMS?

http://www.millettsights.com/scopes/dms/

Ignore the sales price, you can buy it at Midway for $240, though it's on sale for $215 right now. http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=186660

[Deep13]

8. I have actually.

It's heavier than it looks. Plus I've lost some confidence in Millet since they have been bought out by Bushnell recently. I noticed that the two most negative reviews and the one that complains about the adjustments are all from the last six months. And I already have a zero-reset quick release set of 1" rings.

[Deep13]

9. I bought the Leupold VX-III, 1.5-5x20mm.

It seems like a great scope, but the fracking thing didn't come with lens caps. For $400, you'd think they would throw that in!