• The Shot You’ll Never Forget Giveaway - Enter To Win A Barrel From Rifle Barrel Blanks!

    Tell us about the best or most memorable shot you’ve ever taken. Contest ends June 13th and remember: subscribe for a better chance of winning!

    Join contest Subscribe

Optic for big gas gun

Sako man

profesional dilettante
Supporter
Full Member
Minuteman
  • Sep 7, 2012
    3,241
    3,078
    Galactic Sector ZZ9 Alpha Xray Plural.
    Ok, heres the story. Have a SCAR H that shoots amazing. Had a few optics on it that it loves to eat, it ate my NF F1 3-16, it also ate my leupold CQBSS. Anyone have any thoughts on a good big gas gun optic that has up to 8 or 10x preferably. Something sturdy.

    Thoughts, opinions all appreciated.

    Sako
     
    • Like
    Reactions: deersniper
    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...
     
    • Like
    Reactions: Sako man
    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.
     
    • Like
    Reactions: deersniper
    500 Rds maybe?

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

    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.
     
    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.

    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.
     
    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.

    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.
     
    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.

    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.