Optics Advice for AR-15

[STLslug]

I'm building my first AR-15 (JP, 18") and could use some recommendations for optics. I'll be shooting mostly bench and prone 25, 100, and 300yds. Budget is max $1200 (unless you make a strong case).

From what I've found I'm likely looking at a 1-6 or 1-8 LPVO, or something like a 2-10 with a possible offset RD. I'd really appreciate any thoughts on what makes the most sense for this!

 

[VargmatII]

I am a big fan of the Nightforce NX8 1-8x LPVO. Its small, light, has awesome illumination, a great reticle and great glass.
But I am not sure that your $1200 will suffice.

 

[TonyAngel]

I'm building my first AR-15 (JP, 18") and could use some recommendations for optics. I'll be shooting mostly bench and prone 25, 100, and 300yds. Budget is max $1200 (unless you make a strong case).

From what I've found I'm likely looking at a 1-6 or 1-8 LPVO, or something like a 2-10 with a possible offset RD. I'd really appreciate any thoughts on what makes the most sense for this!

For 300 and in, I'd be looking at a second focal plane 1-6. For your stated budget, including a good mount, I'd go with a Trijicon Credo 1-6, second focal plane. Not the HX. The one with the etched reticle with BDC for 5.56. Put it into a Leupold Mark AR mount. This is a very nice rig.

My primary LPVO is an NX8, but I take that rig out beyond 600 pretty often. Cut that distance in half and the NX8 is wholly unnecessary.

Honestly, if this is going to be a bench and prone gun, you can get a lot more for your money by going with a 2-10 or 2-12x. My 16" 800 yard rig has a Leupold Mark 4HD on top of it. You can get the non illuminated model for about $1k. In terms of actually sending rounds down range, the Mark 4 runs rings around the NX8. Don't get a scope with a 1x, unless you need that 1x and the form factor typical of an LPVO.

Of course, you could always go with a Vortex venom 1-6x AND an Athlon Helos 2-12 and have both and still be within your budget.

 

[mmlook]

wouldn't advise an LVPO for a bench gun

just because most have a fixed parallax, normally 100-150yards

Leupold MK4 2-10 or 4.5-18 would get you a lot more

4.5-18 will allow you to zero the gun without a spotting scope or shoot and C's

 

[TonyAngel]

wouldn't advise an LVPO for a bench gun

just because most have a fixed parallax, normally 100-150yards

Leupold MK4 2-10 or 4.5-18 would get you a lot more

4.5-18 will allow you to zero the gun without a spotting scope or shoot and C's

My advise against using an LPVO has little to nothing to do with the lack of parallax adjustment. Having a 1x as a bottom end seriously limits the size of the objective lense that can be used. What this means in use is a small exit pupil. Which results in a tighter eye box and less light transmission. An adjustable parallax isn't going to fix any of that.

Although the intended purpose of an adjustable parallax is to prevent parallax errors at varying distances, what most use it for is to focus the scope on the target.

The Leupold Mark 4 2.5-10x does NOT have an adjustable parallax, however, it does have an incredible depth of field. I don't miss having that adjustment at all. I feel that the Mark 4 is one of those scopes that flies under the radar and doesn't get the attention it deserves. This is probably because just reading the specs doesn't come close to conveying what it is like to get behind one. As I mentioned, I shoot mine out to 800 and get pretty consistent hits out of my 16" Criterion barreled 5.56.

Of course, for the OP's stated purpose, he could likely be more than happy with an Athlon Helos, or even an Arken EP5 for that matter. I know the Arkens haven't been getting a lot of love lately, but I have one on top of my Lilja barreled CZ 457 .22lr and I shoot that thing out to 300 and I dial the crap out of my Arken and the turrets have been true. Still, I'd prefer the Athlon for the stated purpose. The Arken is too much of a bulky, heavy pig to be anything other than a one trick pony.

 

[Basic user]

For my close in AR, I use an Athlon Helos btr gen 2 2-12 x 42. I dont like telescopes on my rifles especially my lightweight, close range AR's, and this fits the bill pretty well. It's not perfect however. For me the reticle is too thick (i do know that it was intentionally designed that way for bigger targets closer in) and sometimes (not very often) the reticles pretty useless at the lower powers.
Overall though, it's affordable, not big, has locking turrets, and with a throw lever is a fast scope that you can scan at 2 power, pick up a target, throw up to 12 pretty quickly and engage what you need to engage. I think it's a good compromise for me.

 

[Redlion]

For my close in AR, I use an Athlon Helos btr gen 2 2-12 x 42. I dont like telescopes on my rifles especially my lightweight, close range AR's, and this fits the bill pretty well. It's not perfect however. For me the reticle is too thick (i do know that it was intentionally designed that way for bigger targets closer in) and sometimes (not very often) the reticles pretty useless at the lower powers.
Overall though, it's affordable, not big, has locking turrets, and with a throw lever is a fast scope that you can scan at 2 power, pick up a target, throw up to 12 pretty quickly and engage what you need to engage. I think it's a good compromise for me.

What do you consider "close in" and what kind of shooting? My "close in AR" wears an Eotech exps-2.

 

[Basic user]

What do you consider "close in" and what kind of shooting? My "close in AR" wears an Eotech exps-2.

I guess around 400 and under, for me and my eyes.

 

[Redlion]

I guess around 400 and under, for me and my eyes.

I get it. I consider close in to be under 200.

 

[surgeon260]

I love a 3.5x ACOG for the use case you are describing. Super clear glass, and indestructible. ACOGs get overlooked with the current LPVO obsession. Everyone needs an AR with an ACOG.

 

[01911]

QD EoTech G45 and whatever red dot in front that you prefer.

 

[JS8588]

Bench & prone shooting inside 300 yards?
Buy this & spend the rest on ammo. Learn to shoot well, & then buy pricier glass.

Natchez

www.natchezss.com

 

[TonyAngel]

I love a 3.5x ACOG for the use case you are describing. Super clear glass, and indestructible. ACOGs get overlooked with the current LPVO obsession. Everyone needs an AR with an ACOG.

I can't argue with this. I have two almost identical setups that I use for close to medium range distances. Both are 11.5s with suppressors. One wears an NX8, the other a TA11. The one with the TA11 is by far the one that is used the most. To say that it is a 3.5x can be misleading. The eye box is very comfortable and the view through it is pretty large. You can see a lot through it, either by virtue of the size of the image, the glass quality, or both. It isn't great for precision, but out to 300 is very comfortable for hitting steel. I didn't mention it above because it just isn't what I think of when I envision shooting off of a bench.