After much research, head scratching, window shopping, etc., I've settled on these choices for a scope going on an AR in 308:
<span style="text-decoration: line-through"> Vortex Viper PST 2.5-10x44</span> <--- dropped due to fixed parallax
Vortex Viper PST 4-16x50 <--- added per recommendations below (haven't seen the glass but wonder about comments elsewhere it's not up to Bushy; 6-24x50 not in play due to 100 yd FOV less than I want)
Sightron Siii SS 3.5-10x44
<span style="text-decoration: line-through">Burris MTAC 3.5-10x42</span> <--- eye relief lower than expected
Leupold Mark 4 LR/T <span style="text-decoration: line-through">2.5-10x44</span> 3.5-10x40
Added to the mix:
Weaver Tactical 3.5-15x50 mil/mil (how did I miss listing?!)
Bushnell Elite Tactical 2.5-16x42 Mil Dot
Bushnell Elite Tactical 3-12x44 Mil Dot
Bushnell Elite Tactical 3-12x44 BTR-Mil
Bushnell Elite Tactical 3-12x44 G2DMR
(Thanks for inputs on Bushy. They niggled at me all night. I must have confused them with another brand! I did check HDMR - like the reticle, but want more 100 yd FOV @ 10x than the 3.5-21 has.)
What I'd like to know - based on your personal experience using any or all of the above - is whether any are more likely or less likely than the others to have any issues working well through:
2,000+ rounds fired (gotta know it will last a while)
High heat and humidity (Houston area gets >100 degrees F and >90% humidity with regularity during May-Sep)
Thanks,
Prep for Zombies
----------------
It's not pertinent to the above, but based on responses I've seen to other specific questions it's gonna come up:
What am I shooting? Various ranges from 100 to 1,000+, target / fun / skill development in case of SHTF.
Why 308? - wanted 30-06 but it's tough to find in tactical auto loaders (no big bucks available for a Cobb MCR). 308 is reasonably cheap to shoot, has pretty decent range, and won't kick me or wife on ass (like 458 SOCOM probably would)
Why those scopes? - want fully tactical knobs, Mil Dot or similar calibrated ranging reticle that does not limit it's useful range (such as Z-600 does), SF or AO, 80+ MOA adjustment, keep max mag to 10x so mirage is not a major problem, need variable mag for FOV in case of near-CQB situation. I can appreciate what NF or USO offer, but am not in position now to go that expensive. As it is I am searching for used on the above. Yes, I've looked at <span style="text-decoration: line-through">Bushnell (only a couple ET have good MOA - for me that puts their design quality in question since they seem to have trouble getting >50 on most),</span> IOR - SWFA - S&B - Hensoldt - PFI - Horus (pricey), Meopta - Nikon (low MOAs), Zeiss (like the glass, hate the ranging reticles). Others missed the cut for Made in China, no US warranty, glass (needs to be equal to or better than Leupold VX3 for my taste), and other things that led to "nah, don't wanna do that."
Why an AR? - for faster follow-up shots than a regular bolt action, and more flexibility than a BAR for future changes.
<span style="text-decoration: line-through"> Vortex Viper PST 2.5-10x44</span> <--- dropped due to fixed parallax
Vortex Viper PST 4-16x50 <--- added per recommendations below (haven't seen the glass but wonder about comments elsewhere it's not up to Bushy; 6-24x50 not in play due to 100 yd FOV less than I want)
Sightron Siii SS 3.5-10x44
<span style="text-decoration: line-through">Burris MTAC 3.5-10x42</span> <--- eye relief lower than expected
Leupold Mark 4 LR/T <span style="text-decoration: line-through">2.5-10x44</span> 3.5-10x40
Added to the mix:
Weaver Tactical 3.5-15x50 mil/mil (how did I miss listing?!)
Bushnell Elite Tactical 2.5-16x42 Mil Dot
Bushnell Elite Tactical 3-12x44 Mil Dot
Bushnell Elite Tactical 3-12x44 BTR-Mil
Bushnell Elite Tactical 3-12x44 G2DMR
(Thanks for inputs on Bushy. They niggled at me all night. I must have confused them with another brand! I did check HDMR - like the reticle, but want more 100 yd FOV @ 10x than the 3.5-21 has.)
What I'd like to know - based on your personal experience using any or all of the above - is whether any are more likely or less likely than the others to have any issues working well through:
2,000+ rounds fired (gotta know it will last a while)
High heat and humidity (Houston area gets >100 degrees F and >90% humidity with regularity during May-Sep)
Thanks,
Prep for Zombies
----------------
It's not pertinent to the above, but based on responses I've seen to other specific questions it's gonna come up:
What am I shooting? Various ranges from 100 to 1,000+, target / fun / skill development in case of SHTF.
Why 308? - wanted 30-06 but it's tough to find in tactical auto loaders (no big bucks available for a Cobb MCR). 308 is reasonably cheap to shoot, has pretty decent range, and won't kick me or wife on ass (like 458 SOCOM probably would)
Why those scopes? - want fully tactical knobs, Mil Dot or similar calibrated ranging reticle that does not limit it's useful range (such as Z-600 does), SF or AO, 80+ MOA adjustment, keep max mag to 10x so mirage is not a major problem, need variable mag for FOV in case of near-CQB situation. I can appreciate what NF or USO offer, but am not in position now to go that expensive. As it is I am searching for used on the above. Yes, I've looked at <span style="text-decoration: line-through">Bushnell (only a couple ET have good MOA - for me that puts their design quality in question since they seem to have trouble getting >50 on most),</span> IOR - SWFA - S&B - Hensoldt - PFI - Horus (pricey), Meopta - Nikon (low MOAs), Zeiss (like the glass, hate the ranging reticles). Others missed the cut for Made in China, no US warranty, glass (needs to be equal to or better than Leupold VX3 for my taste), and other things that led to "nah, don't wanna do that."
Why an AR? - for faster follow-up shots than a regular bolt action, and more flexibility than a BAR for future changes.
