Optic for big gas gun

Interesting problem... sorry to hear of your woes.

All I got is not specific to how tough a scope is.. but..

https://precisionrifleblog.com/2014/10/24/best-tactical-scopes-what-the-pros-use/

Razor GenII 3-18.

Those scars are so harsh on optics.

If you don't mind, how many round to failure on those optics? I've had a Bushnell HDMR on mine and it will not die.

A NF 2.5-10x24 with a piggybacked MRDS would be perfect on a 17.

Otherwise, whatever has a generous warranty policy...

Athalon cronus is rated for 50bmg and has life time warranty

Fixed power SWFA?

My NF 3.5-15x50 F1 is still alive and well on my GAP10 in 308 at 850+ rounds.

If you research the scar it’s nothing like any other firearm except maybe a pellet gun lol. They destroy optics.

Kadams1563 said:

If you research the scar it’s nothing like any other firearm except maybe a pellet gun lol. They destroy optics.

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So the SCAR has that odd vibration when it shoots like a pellet gun? Do those companies replace the optic after they hear it was placed on a SCAR?

What mount are you using? The durability of the optic seems like it’s only a portion of the solution. I’m not sure what engineering work went into the dedicated SCAR mounts but sometimes different attachment methods and changing the natural frequency of the attachment can be engineered so vibrations don’t drastically compound on one another.

What did NF have to say about the NXS failure? I just have a really hard time seeing how they wouldn’t stand behind their products, regardless of what rifle it’s mounted on.

knuckleballz said:

Athalon cronus is rated for 50bmg and has life time warranty

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+1 on the Athlon Cronus.

I'm using them on two rifles now including an AR-10. Very happy with them. Great glass, nice reticle and they don't cost a fortune.

Sako man said:

500 Rds maybe?

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Bad luck seems like, but they do have a wicked recoil impulse. Hence why the HDMR went on mine. Was hoping it would die, but it won't.

I would think a new NF 1-8 would be OK if that's the mag range you want. They were very quick to fix my NX8 with no questions asked when it went bad.

What mount are you using? They say the cantilever mounts cause issues.

Scars are hard enough on recoil related problems that .mil had a bunch of stuff re engineered to be scar proof

Anyone had issues with Primary Arms 1-8x24 ACSS on a SCAR? Looking to put one on mine.

Damn that blows. Hopefully the manufacturers have taken care of you. You've already broken a NF but they just announced their new 2.5-20 NX8 which might be a great fit. If not, I say go with someone that completely guarantees their warranty.

mgrs said:

If you don't mind, how many round to failure on those optics? I've had a Bushnell HDMR on mine and it will not die.

A NF 2.5-10x24 with a piggybacked MRDS would be perfect on a 17.

Otherwise, whatever has a generous warranty policy...

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I would recommend a Bushnell HDMR to OP

US Optics scopes are very robust. Maybe the B-10? I would recommend calling them and hearing their thoughts if you are interested. Best of luck.

knuckleballz said:

Athalon cronus is rated for 50bmg and has life time warranty

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Its not the recoil itself thats the issue, but the type of recoil. Similar to how an air rifle doesnt recoil much at all, but the type of recoil can wreak havoc on typical scopes (or so ive heard - cant say as I dont use an air rifle)

Is it some kind of reverse recoil impulse like with air rifles that causes the damage?

The SCAR 17 has a very heavy bolt. Scope are built to handle recoil in one direct when the rifle fires it pulls backwards on the scope. When the big heavy bolt slams home, it pushes the scope. The force opposite what is scope was designed for is what kills optics.

Crazy1323 said:

The SCAR 17 has a very heavy bolt. Scope are built to handle recoil in one direct when the rifle fires it pulls backwards on the scope. When the big heavy bolt slams home, it pushes the scope. The force opposite what is scope was designed for is what kills optics.

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So just mount the scope backwards... Problem solved! ???

Kadams1563 said:

If you research the scar it’s nothing like any other firearm except maybe a pellet gun lol. They destroy optics.

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I would throw the FAL into the mix of scope eaters. My FAL ate a scope within 300.

I would suggest looking at a fixed power SWFA SS.

So it would seem that scopes like the S&B which were specifically designed to be able to be used for air field target as well as firearms would be a good bet on something like the SCAR and FAL etc?

M1a’s have been known to eat scopes as well. They have a heavy moving mass with the oprod and bolt and a very fast action. The scope gets hit hard in both directions and can tear things up inside a scope. My Leupold Mark 4 4.5x14x50 has held up for 5,000++ rounds on mine and still tracks true. It’s a tough piece of equipment.

If your looking to throw a S&B on something like a SCAR, FAL, or M1A, I would just call/email them, or one of their distributors, and ask them what they recommend. If it was designed for air rifles, you’ll likely be good to go. The reason I suggested the fixed power SWFA is that it’s a super tough scope.

Faronth said:

M1a’s have been known to eat scopes as well. They have a heavy moving mass with the oprod and bolt and a very fast action. The scope gets hit hard in both directions and can tear things up inside a scope. My Leupold Mark 4 4.5x14x50 has held up for 5,000++ rounds on mine and still tracks true. It’s a tough piece of equipment.

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I also ran a Mk4 (3.5-10) on an M14 and it held up great for a few thousand rounds. It has a Bushnell LRTSi 3-12 on it now that's held upswell although it doesn't get shot as much anymore so who knows.

Yes the SCAR 17 can eat optics due to the design. It can be mitigated by using an aluminum lower instead of the factory polymer. The SCAR 16 seems to be fine. I have yet to hear of the SCAR 20 eating any optic yet.

cobra655 said:

Yes the SCAR 17 can eat optics due to the design. It can be mitigated by using an aluminum lower instead of the factory polymer. The SCAR 16 seems to be fine. I have yet to hear of the SCAR 20 eating any optic yet.

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I think the 20 will be fine, more mass to absorb the harmonics. Just a speculation though.

16 does not have the issues of the 17 due to the smaller cartridge. But the lower from Handl defense is a Magnesium Alloy, weaker than 7075 T6 Aluminum, but stronger than Polymer. Just find it hard to justify $1000 to upgrade the lower which will also add more weight, that being said it does allow access to Magpul 25 Round M118 magazines, eliminating the SCAR mag issue of expensive mags that are not as durable as the polymer.

Just my opinion.

Saclee Rhino said:

I think the 20 will be fine, more mass to absorb the harmonics. Just a speculation though.

16 does not have the issues of the 17 due to the smaller cartridge. But the lower from Handl defense is a Magnesium Alloy, weaker than 7075 T6 Aluminum, but stronger than Polymer. Just find it hard to justify $1000 to upgrade the lower which will also add more weight, that being said it does allow access to Magpul 25 Round M118 magazines, eliminating the SCAR mag issue of expensive mags that are not as durable as the polymer.

Just my opinion.

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Handl is not the only one making an alternative lower. Handl used to make aluminum and magnesium ones. There is also Stryker Ent., and X-Products. Now Handl is questionable if they are even in business as no one has any communication with them in the last week and their website has been down. To be honest I like the magnesium Handl lower with the cutout. To me that would be perfect as I use my SCAR 20 for PRS. Also not anywere near $1000 when you go with someone other than Handl.

As far as the mag issue I never thought the factory mags were not as durable. There was a time when the 17 mags were hard to find and that did drive up price. Now you can get them all day for $35. A little bit more expensive than a PMAG but I don't have to buy an expensive lower just to use them.

DustBun said:

US Optics scopes are very robust. Maybe the B-10? I would recommend calling them and hearing their thoughts if you are interested. Best of luck.

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I use an LR17 on an SR25 and an ER25 on an HTI in .50BMG. I have the 1-8x DFP also and it's nice too for it's range. They are built like tanks and it was my goto for that .50 rifle.