Rifle Scopes Seeking scope advice for a new AR-15 build

[EchoDeltaSierra]

Here's my dilemma, while at the range with a friend yesterday, shooting steel 150-200M, he casually offered to buy my AR-15. I'm pretty fond of this gun and have it shooting really well. It's a piston gun with a 16" 1/9' barrel with compositor, bipod and 3-9 mil dot scope (Leupold VX-R Patrol). Let's call it my SPR 'concept' rifle. I really had no intention or desire to sell it, until the offer was made.

Considering I will get a fair price for my existing rifle, I'm considering replacing it with a build that would be able to run heavier bullets out to maximum effective range of .223. I would get another piston gun with a 16-18" 1/7" barrel; I may be able to get a LWRC locally that fits my spec. The part I'm undecided on is the optic upgrade.

I have a Bushnell HDMR with H59 reticle on a different gun (.308) and _really_ like it. For a .223 optic I'm looking something that will magnify at least 9x and would prefer something could go higher, but I don't want greater than 3x on low side and would prefer lower. I'd also like something with a FFP Horus (or similar) illuminated reticle. And one final thing, the $1500(ish) is my top price point though I'd prefer around $1000. Is such a thing available?

Thanks in advance.
-E

 

[EchoDeltaSierra]

Here are a few that have perked my interest:

Looks interesting.
Vortex Optics - Viper PST 2.5-10x32 FFP EBR-1 MRAD

Extremely interesting but pricey.
Bushnell - SMRS 1-8.5x 24mm

I wonder if this would be under powered for 500+.
Bushnell - SMRS 1-6.5x 24mm

 

[scudzuki]

Bushnell makes an FFP Elite Tactical 3-12x44 with the G2DMR... not as much windage hold as the Horus but it will enable you to hold wind and elevation.
It's a little past halfway down this page, BUSET3124FG.
Bushnell Elite 4200 Riflescopes, Tactical, Illuminated Reticle, Hunting Scope
Add it to the shopping cart and it magically drops $135 in price.
Call Scott and tell him you're a Hide member, maybe you get a better deal.

Joe

 

[scudzuki]

Here are a few that have perked my interest:

Looks interesting.
Vortex Optics - Viper PST 2.5-10x32 FFP EBR-1 MRAD

Extremely interesting but pricey.
Bushnell - SMRS 1-8.5x 24mm

I wonder if this would be under powered for 500+.
Bushnell - SMRS 1-6.5x 24mm

Good scopes but the reticles are not very H59-like.

Joe

 

[EchoDeltaSierra]

Good scopes but the reticles are not very H59-like.

Joe

As I read more, I realize I should have said, 'advanced reticle'. I dig the H59, especially when going .308 distances, 2x what I'm looking at for this .223 build. I would like to consider something beyond a basic mildot.

 

[scudzuki]

As I read more, I realize I should have said, 'advanced reticle'. I dig the H59, especially when going .308 distances, 2x what I'm looking at for this .223 build. I would like to consider something beyond a basic mildot.

All the more reason to check out the Bushy 3-12x44 G2DMR.

Joe

 

[Crosshair]

As I read more, I realize I should have said, 'advanced reticle'. I dig the H59, especially when going .308 distances, 2x what I'm looking at for this .223 build. I would like to consider something beyond a basic mildot.

It would be nice to have 10 mils of holdover in the reticle vs the standard mildot, pretty nice without going to the Horus or G2 type, though you're still holding in free space for wind. I think the most compelling SPR scope on the market right now for my envisioned role of an AR is the PST 2.5-10x32 FFP (8 mils of hold over and 2 mils of hold under in the reticle). I also really like the SS 3-9x42 and the mil quad reticle, thought not really a giant step up from the VXR, though a step nonetheless...mainly in the reticle. There are a few other cool spr scopes, but not as good of values. IMO, they should be kept under 20 oz. If you do want to go to the tree-type reticle for an SPR, the Bushy that Joe mentioned is probably the best value and a great scope, so I've read.

 

[EchoDeltaSierra]

Well, after consideration and speaking with a few people, I decided on the Bushy SDMR 1-8.5 BTR-2. Ultimately I took Scott's recommendation from Liberty Optics. Well, I have to say that Scott was spot on and I'm glad I step outside my originally planned amount. This optic provides a nice setup for .223; at 1x, with the illuminated horse shoe reticle, you essentially see a red dot, at 8.5x one has a nice mid-range power with a nicely featured (and uncluttered) reticle.

Thanks for pointing me to Scott and Liberty Optics. He saved me a lot of time by listening to my situation, needs and wants and making a great recommendations.