Recently picked up a PredatOBR in 5.56. Now I'm in search of a optic and I'm having trouble making a decision on what would suite my needs best so I'm in need of advice from more experienced people. My planned use of the rifle is shooting paper and steel and maybe once in a blue moon a 3 gun style comps (just for fun not for serious competition). At my range I have access out to 800 meters so that would be my max but 100-500 would more than likely be the norm. I already have a mini red dot mounted on a 45 degree offset mount for close range stuff if needed to shoot close in. On to the scope I'm currently considering a Vortex Viper pst 2.5-10x32 also looking at the Bushnell elite 3.5-21x50 with the Horus 59 reticle. I'm leaning towards the Bushnell due to the higher power as I do t have the greatest eyes and higher magnification might help with shooting tight groups but not sure if that's to much magnification for me needs. I'm not set on just these two optics so I'm open to other suggestions my budget is 1500 max with a mount. Thanks in advanced for the help guys.
Rifle Scopes Help picking optic for PredatOBR 5.56
- Thread starter ncbmx64
- Start date
Burris XTR II 2-10x42mm
Burris XTR II 3-15x50mm
Bushnell Elite Tactical 3-12x44mm
Bushnell Elite Tactical Hunter 3-12x44mm
IOR 2.5-10x42MM FFP
Any of the Leupold Mk4 MR/T models
SWFA 1-6x24; 3-9x42mm; 3-15x42mm
Vortex PST 2.5-10x32mm
Vortex Razor 1-6x24mm
Weaver 2-10x36mm: 3-15x50mm
The above are all in your price range, and are suitable for AR use. I may have left some out, but this a bunch for you to evaluate. Also here is a good article (although somewhat dated) of scoping an AR Fighting Optics for the AR-15
Burris XTR II 3-15x50mm
Bushnell Elite Tactical 3-12x44mm
Bushnell Elite Tactical Hunter 3-12x44mm
IOR 2.5-10x42MM FFP
Any of the Leupold Mk4 MR/T models
SWFA 1-6x24; 3-9x42mm; 3-15x42mm
Vortex PST 2.5-10x32mm
Vortex Razor 1-6x24mm
Weaver 2-10x36mm: 3-15x50mm
The above are all in your price range, and are suitable for AR use. I may have left some out, but this a bunch for you to evaluate. Also here is a good article (although somewhat dated) of scoping an AR Fighting Optics for the AR-15
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I do think it's too much power, and too much weight, for an AR15, although the 3.5-21x50mm is a fine scope. But I'm of the view that most folks grossly over-scope their 5.56mm AR's for a rifle that generally runs out of steam @800 yds or so, but it seems that is the popular trend today, so what the hell do I know...
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I went with the Leupold Mark4 MR/T 1.5-5x20 Illuminated CM-R2 for my AR Recce rifle. I wanted to be able to make quick accurate hits inside 100yds while still make hits out to 600yds. Just received the scope yesterday and my Recce is torn down having the upper/lower cerakoted. Will post a report once I get everything put together in the next few weeks.
Thanks for all the input guys keep it coming. I was concerned the 3.5-21 might be too much but was interested in the H59 reticle that's what made me consider it. Which ever scope I get I plan on getting QD mount to use on other rifles in the future as well since I cannot afford multiple high end scopes rather buy 1 scope at the top of my budget and use them on all my rifles. I was looking at the NF as well but it's a little out of my price range right now but looks to be a really good option.
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Vortex Razor HD or SWFA 1-6 are also good choices.
Also can't go wrong with an ADM AD-Recon QD mount
Also can't go wrong with an ADM AD-Recon QD mount
I would add the new Burris XTR II in 1.5x8x28 to that list. 8x is plenty of power for any range you'll be firing that rifle at, and it's perfect for 3 gun.
34mm tube, mil turrets, daylight bright illuminated reticle, BDC and mil reticle on a dual focal plane. Great AR scope.
34mm tube, mil turrets, daylight bright illuminated reticle, BDC and mil reticle on a dual focal plane. Great AR scope.
I would have put it on the list, except for two reasons:
It may be great, but nobody has one yet, as they haven't reached the public, so no evaluations from users. The only part of the reticle that is in MILS is the windage.
For the OP I'm currently running on my Precision AR a Leupold MK 4 MT/R 2.5-8x36MM Illum TMR in a Bobro Slighly Forward 30mm Mount. I plan on replacing it shortly with a Burris 2-10x42mm, I think.
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My choice for a Recce or SPR type precision AR' build: A Nightforce 2.5-10 in one format or another:
Sure, this will wreck the budget by a bit. Some budgets are worth re-thinking, however. You'll get an excellent return on the additional investment.
Sure, this will wreck the budget by a bit. Some budgets are worth re-thinking, however. You'll get an excellent return on the additional investment.
I would like the NF esp the 2.5-10x25 do they still make that? I could save a little longer to get a NF but would like to stay in my budget and get something sooner so I can go put some rounds through the new rifle.
Bobinnc where are you located I'm in fuquay varina. Where do you normally shoot at? Always up for new place to shoot
Bobinnc where are you located I'm in fuquay varina. Where do you normally shoot at? Always up for new place to shoot
There was a very limited run of the NF 2.5-10x24 as shown above built recently, which quickly sold out. These are even better than the originals:
1. NV capable illuminated reticle.
2. Power throw lever (PTL).
3. The two best reticles NF has ever offered.
I know where you can get one.
Odd reasons to exclude someone else's suggestion.
I did say the reticle was both BDC and mil, yet you say the windage is the only part of the reticle that's in mils and you disqualify it for that reason. Yet you list the Vortex Razor in your list that is BDC ONLY, and has no system for windage whatsoever. Having used the 1x6 Razor in competition, I can honestly say the reticle on the XTR II will be an improvement. Windage on the Razor is all Kentucky. And BDC is a super simple system for fast target holds out to 500 yards.
You also say the XTR II 1.5x8 hasn't been out for evaluation. Yet you list the 2x10 and 3x15 XTR II's in your suggestion that have only been out mere weeks. None of them have been out long. VERY few people even have them and no one has put them to lengthy evaluations. What little feedback has been tendered has all been positive, so at this point everyone is basing their purchases off that very limited feedback.
The 1.5x8's should start rolling out in the next couple weeks. It has the potential based on feedback from other scopes in the XTR II line to be an excellent glass. Especially for the needs listed by our OP or 3 gun competitors like myself. It's all good if folks don't like it. But lets at least be unbiased in our reasons.
Coming in exactly in the OP's suggested budget is the XTR II 1.5x8x28 with the 34mm PEPR mount, and a tube mounted Fastfire III red dot included. Pretty good value.
Vortex Razor 1-6 also comes MIL/MIL, not just BDC Vortex 1-6x24 Razor HD Gen II 30mm Rifle Scope which is why I included it. Both the Burris 2-10 and the 3-15, are out and even though they have been out mere weeks we do have evaluations . And nobody has the Burris 1.5-8 in there hot little hands, that you so glowingly reported as "Great". Do You?
It may be outstanding, or it may be a dud, but currently it's vaporware....
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You're right on the Razor, my bad. Being predominantly a 3 gunner, every Razor I have used or looked through (I have several friends using them) has had the Jerry Miculek BDM reticle. I forgot they offered the other reticle.
The local Burris rep has the 8x in his "hot little hands" (he's a friend of mine). I have no doubts whatsoever that it will be a great AR15 scope. I ordered two of them. I have a least handled an XTR II and got a great deal on them. So don't think I object to you putting them on your list, I am simply saying it doesn't make sense to add two scopes of that line, yet exclude another. I would think good reviews through several of the magnification ranges would bode well for the entire line.
There is as much "measurable" information on it as there is on the other XTR II's. If a couple fellas running some rounds through their blasters and saying their new scope is the bomb on various forums is sufficient validation of quality to you that they made your list, then by all means carry on. It's your list brother
You're right on the Razor, my bad. Being predominantly a 3 gunner, every Razor I have used or looked through (I have several friends using them) has had the Jerry Miculek BDM reticle. I forgot they offered the other reticle.
The local Burris rep has the 8x in his "hot little hands" (he's a friend of mine). I have no doubts whatsoever that it will be a great AR15 scope. I ordered two of them. I have a least handled an XTR II and got a great deal on them. So don't think I object to you putting them on your list, I am simply saying it doesn't make sense to add two scopes of that line, yet exclude another. I would think good reviews through several of the magnification ranges would bode well for the entire line.
There is as much "measurable" information on it as there is on the other XTR II's. If a couple fellas running some rounds through their blasters and saying their new scope is the bomb on various forums is sufficient validation of quality to you that they made your list, then by all means carry on. It's your list brother
You can put whatever you like on "your" list. I gave you my rational for leaving off, but apparently that's not good enough for you. I recommended over 16 scopes to the OP, for his consideration. Yet you still want to argue with me cause I left "yours" off.
The sum total of your contribution to this thread is: One scope you were totally wrong on, and one scope that the OP cannot buy "yet". But yeah, you have no doubt's; bully for you.
Have a sparkling evening....
Thanks for all the input from everyone. It has made the decision even harder. But looks like the 2-10 power range is highly recommended for my needs. Im thinking the 2.5-10 might be the best option for me now I have to figure out which one. I am really digging the NF 2.5-10x24 if I could find one in my price range that would be perfect but if not will have to look at other options.
If you're planning to shoot 5.56 or 7.62, I have a hard time seeing any disadvantage offered by the JM-1. 600 yards is approaching the effective range of a 5.56 semi auto. Sure, you could probably squeeze a little more, but a 5.56 semi-auto platform has a lot more fidelity inside 600 yards; if you're reaching beyond with any regularity, choose a different rifle. With the JM-1, you zero the sucker at 200 yards, cap the turrets and you're ready to rock. So simple, easy and fast. Vortex offers other reticles with this scope, and I considered them, but I have a hard time seeing their value unless you are running something other than the 5.56 or 7.62.
OP are you intending to use your rifle to shoot small groups in the 300-500 yard range, with limited engagement inside 100 yards (and pretty much nothing inside 25)? If so, a 2.5ish-10ish scope would suit you best; sure, you could buy something with more top end power, but I doubt your semi-auto will have the precision needed to make use of it. Or, are you wanting to have flexibility to engage from nearly point blank out to 600 yards against steel plates, clay pigeons, and such? If so, a 1-6ish scope is what you want.
If you look at scopes in the 2.5ish-10ish range, take care to pick something that has matching turrets with the reticle. One thing I don't like about some of the Leupolds is that they have mil reticles and MOA turrets.
i respectfully have to disagree with those that say the Bushnell Elite Tactical FFP 3.5-21X50 scope is to heavy and over powered for a 556. On my H&K MR556 I started out with a Leupold Mk 6 1-6x scope withe the CMR-W reticule. I very quickly found out I was sorely lacking, for my eyes at least, once got out past 200 yards. So based on the reviews on the hide I purchased the above scope and an ADM Recon QD mount. Yes it is slightly heavy but that doesn't bother me at all. Especially since I don't have any of the usual accessories many folks hang on their AR's. I really like the scope and the 21X really serves me well at distances over 200 yards. I rather have the magnification and dial down than wish I had it as I did with the Mk 6 1-6X. Additionally the glass is great and tracking is spot on. A lot of scope for the money. I'd say go for it.
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You seem to think a lot of yourself.
Do you honestly think I care that you left my suggestion off your list.? The way I recall the thread going is you came in and had to justify with your poor use of so called rationale, the reasons you left it off your list. I never asked you. I don't even care why you left it off. That is, until you gave your stupid reasons for leaving it off.
I was simply pointing out that there was very little rationale to your rationale. What would have been rationale would have been to say, "yeh, that may be a good one as well". Or simply say nothing at all (novel thought there). It was my suggestion, not yours. I never asked you for your opinion on my suggestion. You brought your flawed reasoning into my post, not the other way around.
But that's ok brother. I'm sure all the other XTR II's that have been on the market for a week or two are great scopes. After all, they must be, they made your list. And it's entirely possible that the XTR II 1.5x8 is crap. It will be out in a week or so for everyone's viewing pleasure (I've already seen it). But I'm not you of course, so my opinion doesn't count.
Ignore my post OP. My suggestion is not on Bob's list. And I didn't realize that once Bob makes a list, he gets to come on the thread and critique everyone else's suggestion and rationalize why it wasn't on HIS list.
Carry on
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I agree with you. I like BDC reticles for the 5.56. I used a Razor with the BDC to shoot the week long MGM Ironman in the second week of June. It performed fantastic.
I do wish it had some mil subtensions for windage as well. But it was workable. We had a lot of shots between 300 to 500 where we were holding off in space on the left edge somewhere to compensate for Idaho wind. But for elevation it was spot on.
It's easy and fast.
Thanks for all the advice guys. After looking at reviews and reading your posts I went with the nightforce 2.5-10x42. Really wanted the 2.5-10x24 but couldn't work out a payment with a seller. I hope this scope will work out for me so far I'm happy with it from just playing with it and looking through the glass haven't had a chance to take the rifle or scope out to see how they perform hopefully i can do some shooting tomorrow and see how the set up works for me.
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