Rifle scope

[thywar]

So this 'friend' of mine bought an AR-15, .223 and he's curious what kind of scope to put on it. I thought why not ask y'all what your preference would be. Seems he traded some old garage shelving, some garden hoses and reels, and $400. So he's not looking for real expensive but serviceable and functional. Doesn't have to be overtly tacticool but something electronic he says. Whatever that means.

PS. It's black and went thru the 30 steel cased ammo rounds like buttah. :-)

[marc]

As my eyes get older, I need more scope horsepower. But, before I buy a scope, I am forced to decide what it is that I want to do with THAT rifle. There is a reason for the low magnification red dot/holographic EO Tech ACOG sights being super popular. It's all about the trade off between super fast target acquisition and more precision at long distance. Super fast acquisition and instinctive shooting can quickly be achieved with what the military uses.

Once you use one, you understand just how slow target acquisition is with a conventional scope.

Because I'm very comfortable with 12ga or a rifle with iron sights inside of 50-75 yards, I chose to go conventional optics on rifles that can shoot flat at longer ranges - where a 1x - 4x would handicap my ability to focus on the sights and the target at the same time. Having BDC specific for your round is a big plus too!

Like anything else, the answer to "what's the best choice?" is "How long is piece of string?" - because the answer is: It depends......how good are your friend's eyes and what does he want the scope to do for him?

When looking at spending some money, low light/night vision electronics are dropping FAST in price and offer some pretty interesting capabilities - if that's important for hog hunting or zombie protection as an example.........

Just my 2 cents in a world where pennies are worthless!

Marc

[USCGME2]

If you gots the cheddar, Trjicon baby!

[marc]

And throw in a couple of Mcmillan custom rifles on your budget!

[thywar]

Jun 11, 2014 16:31:19 GMT -7 USCGME2 said:

If you gots the cheddar, Trjicon baby!

Lol. Really? A scope that costs four times the cash outlay? No thanks. I'll look around at gun stores and see what I can find. Thanks guys.

[USCGME2]

The one I wanted goes for $1400. That is a large chunk of cheese for a scope if you arent spending the government's money. Used Triji's go for alot too. I use standard sights on my AR because thats how I was trained on that weapon and its less to go wrong. Dont get me wrong, I like a scope and there are many out there that wont break the bank.

I do understand Thywar, my friend, you are an artillery guy. You think in terms of lobbing ordinance a long way off! Love ya man, let us know what your friend decides! Lol

[mud]

Primary arms have some really nice options as does vortex. But for my money throw on a nikon p-223. Its designed for it.

[Number5]

Jun 12, 2014 0:35:04 GMT -7 mud said:

Primary arms have some really nice options as does vortex. But for my money throw on a nikon p-223. Its designed for it.

+1. Low power is better as it reduces the "shakeiness" of the image. Remember there won't always be nice flat shooting tables in the woods for hunting or when SHTF. Having something whth an illuminated reticle helps for dusk / dawn and bad weather but retaining a reticle which does not run on batteries is a very important feature.

I keep wondering what the guys with 1,200 dollars worth of EO Tech sights & magnifiers are gonna do when the batteries in their wiz-bang optics fail. BUIS are always good but notsomuch for older pharts.

Give the Primary Arms line a good look.

[Cwi555]

Replacing batteries applies to 'wiz-bang' flashlights, radios, gps, and any other electronic gear.
What is more to the point, and applicable to all the above is what kind of batteries. Specialized non-standard batteries are all well and good until your 'wiz-bang' device needs a new one.
EOtech 512 uses standard form factor AA batteries, which was a big plus in our decision process. The magnification unit flips out of the way as well, and with the A64 variant can support a night vision device.
There are better optic options out there, but none that run standard AA batteries.

[thywar]

That 512 looks good. Wouldn't be the first time 'someone' paid as much or more for a scope as they did the gun

[Number5]

Not flaming but;

Batteries be batteries and they tend to fail at the most inopportune times.

There's something to be said for plain old crosshairs or at least an etched reticle. (read: black dot)

Guess my point is; Will any EO Tech work without batteries ?

There are plenty of low or variable power optics both dot and 'scopes with illumination and the option to function without batteries.
Many are less costly (I realise quality follows cost - to a point.) personally I'd rather buy more ammo to pratice with.

Because marksmanship is a perishable skill.

[missasip]

Jun 14, 2014 7:05:34 GMT -7 Number5 said:

Not flaming but;

Batteries be batteries and they tend to fail at the most inopportune times.

There's something to be said for plain old crosshairs or at least an etched reticle. (read: black dot)

Guess my point is; Will any EO Tech work without batteries ?

There are plenty of low or variable power optics both dot and 'scopes with illumination and the option to function without batteries.
Many are less costly (I realise quality follows cost - to a point.) personally I'd rather buy more ammo to pratice with.

Because marksmanship is a perishable skill.

100% in agreement. I do love my battery powered goodies. But they have their limits regardless of battery type, dead is dead. Period.

Best marksmanship plan is practice, practice, practice...

Jimmy

[thywar]

I too love my battery powered gizmos. Heck what I really want is a night vision scope with incredible clarity. I just don't have the cash to spend on that. So I'll find what will fit the bill.

[Cwi555]

Jun 14, 2014 7:05:34 GMT -7 Number5 said:

Not flaming but;

Batteries be batteries and they tend to fail at the most inopportune times.

There's something to be said for plain old crosshairs or at least an etched reticle. (read: black dot)

Guess my point is; Will any EO Tech work without batteries ?

There are plenty of low or variable power optics both dot and 'scopes with illumination and the option to function without batteries.
Many are less costly (I realise quality follows cost - to a point.) personally I'd rather buy more ammo to pratice with.

Because marksmanship is a perishable skill.

Given that it works off of AA batteries if I no longer have a supply of them, there are larger concerns, such as breaking out the lanterns.
I also have a good supply of them. Solar rechargeable, standard rechargeable, and I keep a supply of none rechargeable as well.

As a general rule of thumb, any electronic/mechanical device is subject to failure. That includes non-powered scopes and or sights. I've had Lyman target sights fail by busting the wire, the A2 variety on an AR 15, etc.
Preppers or wanna be preppers both make the faulty assumption that back up mechanical sights are full/fool proof. They are not, not even close.

Rule of threes apply to training regimes. Train with the electronic sights, train with the none electronic sights, and train with iron sights. That is my minimum. That btw is another benefit of the EOTECH. I can use the flip up iron sites through the glass by simply flipping the magnifier down. No Removal of any part required.

For the record, if you say your not in this fashion;
Not flaming but;
You probably are.

[marc]

I sure didn't see it as flaming at all. It struck me as "I really have to strongly disagree with your opinion."

I've never worried about how I phrase things around here, but now I wonder if need to?

Marc