Rifle Scopes What magnified optics are in use by military?
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Re: What magnified optics are in use by military?
Counter Sniper, they supply the super secret squirrels....
Counter Sniper, they supply the super secret squirrels....
Re: What magnified optics are in use by military?
All I know and can be pretty sure of is the SPR MK12 mod0 and mod1 that uses either a Leupold 3.5-10x40 or a NF 2.5-10x24 (which NF does not catalog anymore).
Also Schmidt and Bender 3-12x50 and I think NF F1 3.5-15x50 for the USMC M40xx rifles.
Mil dot or GenII reticle most likely but not sure also.
Someone else should be along with proper info.
All I know and can be pretty sure of is the SPR MK12 mod0 and mod1 that uses either a Leupold 3.5-10x40 or a NF 2.5-10x24 (which NF does not catalog anymore).
Also Schmidt and Bender 3-12x50 and I think NF F1 3.5-15x50 for the USMC M40xx rifles.
Mil dot or GenII reticle most likely but not sure also.
Someone else should be along with proper info.
Re: What magnified optics are in use by military?
USMC:S&B 3-12x50
Army:i think they now use the F1 but used the Leupy Mk4 Ultra 10x for a long time
USMC:S&B 3-12x50
Army:i think they now use the F1 but used the Leupy Mk4 Ultra 10x for a long time
Re: What magnified optics are in use by military?
I think you will see all the alpha level scopes used across different branches on different platforms. If you throw special forces in the mix every major brand is probably represented.
You will typically see smaller, less powerful scopes until you get into the 50 BMGs so that NV hardware can be mounted in front of them.
I can see why everyone wants what the military uses, but look at the type of hardware that fits your shooting style. I see people all the time with Scar 17ses and they do nothing but shoot from a bench with front and rear bags.
I think you will see all the alpha level scopes used across different branches on different platforms. If you throw special forces in the mix every major brand is probably represented.
You will typically see smaller, less powerful scopes until you get into the 50 BMGs so that NV hardware can be mounted in front of them.
I can see why everyone wants what the military uses, but look at the type of hardware that fits your shooting style. I see people all the time with Scar 17ses and they do nothing but shoot from a bench with front and rear bags.
Re: What magnified optics are in use by military?
Here's the better question... What rifles are you talking about and used by which branch/unit? Honestly there's so many scopes out there in service, more on the way and more still that have been retired, that a blanket question like yours is going to get little in the way of accurate responses.
You'll find USMC M40xx out there with anything from S&B or PH and even some legacy Unertls, US Army using the new or old Leupolds, and the higher tier units using a bit of everything from everyone including NF and many others.
If you're wanting to build a replica, post what you're interested in and you'll get a lot more help.
Here's the better question... What rifles are you talking about and used by which branch/unit? Honestly there's so many scopes out there in service, more on the way and more still that have been retired, that a blanket question like yours is going to get little in the way of accurate responses.
You'll find USMC M40xx out there with anything from S&B or PH and even some legacy Unertls, US Army using the new or old Leupolds, and the higher tier units using a bit of everything from everyone including NF and many others.
If you're wanting to build a replica, post what you're interested in and you'll get a lot more help.
Re: What magnified optics are in use by military?
Army:
M110- Leupold M2 3.5-10x40
M107- Leupold M4 4-14x50
M24- Leupold M3A 10x40
XM2010- Leupold M5 6.5-20x50
That is standard issue items- units may buy other optics, and SOCOM units will have optics provided by socom (NF for example)
Going to have to ask a USMC sniper for the dope on what their rifles are currently running, but last I heard they have something of a mix as noted above.
One thing that agrivates me is that as new optics come out, and they adopt new rifles, on the army side, they will often go with optics that are more in-tune with what is the best options available. The problem is that they fail to update their legacy optics. Thus you end up with a range of optics set-up very differently (some mil/mil, or mil/moa, some SFP, or FFP, some illuminated, some not) instead of one pattern of specs (example- FFP, Mil/Mil, illuminate, exposed turrets w zero stops). Changing this would really streamline things. But like everything else, that would cost money.
EDIT: Consider the fact that the military does not buy the "best" but the best for their contract purposes. Especially the big Army- they want someone who can supply the volume of optics and repair those optics. Thus leupold always wins out
Army:
M110- Leupold M2 3.5-10x40
M107- Leupold M4 4-14x50
M24- Leupold M3A 10x40
XM2010- Leupold M5 6.5-20x50
That is standard issue items- units may buy other optics, and SOCOM units will have optics provided by socom (NF for example)
Going to have to ask a USMC sniper for the dope on what their rifles are currently running, but last I heard they have something of a mix as noted above.
One thing that agrivates me is that as new optics come out, and they adopt new rifles, on the army side, they will often go with optics that are more in-tune with what is the best options available. The problem is that they fail to update their legacy optics. Thus you end up with a range of optics set-up very differently (some mil/mil, or mil/moa, some SFP, or FFP, some illuminated, some not) instead of one pattern of specs (example- FFP, Mil/Mil, illuminate, exposed turrets w zero stops). Changing this would really streamline things. But like everything else, that would cost money.
EDIT: Consider the fact that the military does not buy the "best" but the best for their contract purposes. Especially the big Army- they want someone who can supply the volume of optics and repair those optics. Thus leupold always wins out
Re: What magnified optics are in use by military?
I never witnessed a "standard" issue optic with the triple tab types. As mentioned above it seemed to be a "what works for me" sort of game.
I never witnessed a "standard" issue optic with the triple tab types. As mentioned above it seemed to be a "what works for me" sort of game.
Re: What magnified optics are in use by military?
We had U.S. Optics SN-3 T-pal's on a few of Our M107's.
We had U.S. Optics SN-3 T-pal's on a few of Our M107's.
Re: What magnified optics are in use by military?
I believe Leupold is the standard. I wonder why...
I believe Leupold is the standard. I wonder why...
Re: What magnified optics are in use by military?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Redmanss</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Here's the better question... What rifles are you talking about and used by which branch/unit? Honestly there's so many scopes out there in service, more on the way and more still that have been retired, that a blanket question like yours is going to get little in the way of accurate responses.
You'll find USMC M40xx out there with anything from S&B or PH and even some legacy Unertls, US Army using the new or old Leupolds, and the higher tier units using a bit of everything from everyone including NF and many others.
If you're wanting to build a replica, post what you're interested in and you'll get a lot more help. </div></div>
I'm building a DMR/SPR/Recce, but not trying to replicate--. I'm using Larue receiver/handguard, and a Krieger 17in barrel.
This info is all good. I had been aware of NF, but didn't realize the extent of Leupold's mil use.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Redmanss</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Here's the better question... What rifles are you talking about and used by which branch/unit? Honestly there's so many scopes out there in service, more on the way and more still that have been retired, that a blanket question like yours is going to get little in the way of accurate responses.
You'll find USMC M40xx out there with anything from S&B or PH and even some legacy Unertls, US Army using the new or old Leupolds, and the higher tier units using a bit of everything from everyone including NF and many others.
If you're wanting to build a replica, post what you're interested in and you'll get a lot more help. </div></div>
I'm building a DMR/SPR/Recce, but not trying to replicate--. I'm using Larue receiver/handguard, and a Krieger 17in barrel.
This info is all good. I had been aware of NF, but didn't realize the extent of Leupold's mil use.
Re: What magnified optics are in use by military?
If you're not trying to build a replica and are just trying to see what's in service for a guide, then you might want to read DP425's post again. Just because it's in service doesn't mean it's good, but the reverse is true too. It all depends.
Leupold has some good scopes out there, I'm excited about the new Mark 6 and 8 offerings coming soon, but don't go Leupold just because it's popular with Uncle Sugar. Find the optic that fits your intended application and budget and you'll be both satisfied and efficient.
Good luck in your search.
If you're not trying to build a replica and are just trying to see what's in service for a guide, then you might want to read DP425's post again. Just because it's in service doesn't mean it's good, but the reverse is true too. It all depends.
Leupold has some good scopes out there, I'm excited about the new Mark 6 and 8 offerings coming soon, but don't go Leupold just because it's popular with Uncle Sugar. Find the optic that fits your intended application and budget and you'll be both satisfied and efficient.
Good luck in your search.
