Sooooo, lots of options out there and more coming.
Top picks I see are (in no particular order) SB shortdot, nightforce 1-4, Trijicon, Aimpoint M4,
but then there is a slew of 2-10 (or so) variations like nightforce and Leupold which you could couple with a Aimpoint T1
Or do you just go 3-12?
Understanding that it comes down to application I would like to make it a “go to” gun capable of doing whatever I need. Everything from quick close in shots to 500m.
Thoughts/Recommendations?
I have a Nightforce 2.5x10 that is Great. You can’t go wrong with it. It is a very nice optic.
I am using a TA11H-308.
BAC works for me, so its good close up, and I have shot it to 600m with good results.
Very happy with it.
That new Leupold 1-8 looks to be a solid optic, I trust KevinB and Jfreuler’s reviews. Or the S&B Short Dot…
I would pick up an Aimpoint M2 or M3 while I saved money for one of those.
I ordered the Leupold Mark 4 LR/T 3.5-10 for my RRA .308 and I love it! Now I am trying to decide on the aimpoint H-1 or a Dr. Optic for short range. Any suggestions?
Aimpoints win for up close and quick, but forget it for 500M. I temporarily have a NF 2.5-10x32 on my 16" and it is indeed awesome at distance, but it would not be my choice for a house gun. The NF 1-4 might be the best compromise.
I love the magnification, but I want to couple a red dot of some sort with it for shorter range engagements. I have seen the Dr Optics mounted on top of scopes and the t/h-1s on the side. I’m not sure which to run.
2.5X10X32 NF NP R2 /FC-2 Ret or 1.1X8 Leupy
Are the leupold 1.1-8 CQBSS available yet? Who has em and what are they charging?
I have one 
I got a bunch of solid one hole groups yesterday with it on a SR-25 EM Carbine.
Right now Leupold is not releasing them beyond some evalutation models.
I beleive production models will be out in May, however they are all spoken for.
I do not see this sight becoming commercially available in the next 6 months, I beleive government orders will eat up the production runs.
Dont suppose you want to send it this way for a little fun atop my SR25 EMC?
Cant hurt to ask right??
I used to be a Supervisor in the Trijicon ACOG Department. Now I’m a Military and Law Enforcement Tactical Gear retailer.
The general breakdown I give to “Best Combat Optics at Specific Ranges” is:
0-200 Meters = Aimpoint and EOTech (adding the 3x magnifier extends it to 0-300 meters)
50-600 Meters = Trijicon ACOG (adding the RMR sight extends it to 0-600 meters)
200-4000 Meters = Leupold Mark 4
There are some additional factors that factor into the above calculations:
Durability - Trijicon, Aimpoint, and EOTech are going to be more durable than the Leupolds (or other variable power scopes for that matter)
Target Acquisition - The higher the magnification goes, the harder it is to engage close targets. Overzoom can become an issue.
Bullet Drop Compensation - It’s harder to engage long distance targets without some type of precise bullet drop compensation reticle built into the optic.
Generally we recommend Trijicon ACOGs for the short to medium range applications. If you want 0-500 meters you’re going to get that all in an ACOG.
I recently got back from a tour in Iraq and I had a Trijicon ACOG on my rifle. I had a choice of all the optics in our retail outfit and I wanted something that was going to perform well at the 50-600 meter range (I did add one of the first generation TRD sights, but now the RMR is preferred). The ACOG held zero despite a tremendous amount of abuse that I put the rifle and scope through.
Basically it boils down to a range / durability / bullet drop compensation / overzoom issue. Take a look at the pluses and minuses of each optic.
If you have any other questions don’t hesitate to ask. If you’d like to email us just use the contact email in our profile. You can also see our website address in our profile.
How about the ACOG that’s issued with the LMT .308 to the UK? What’s the scoop/cost on that one?
Thanks for the input MILWAR, good info. Cant you run the RMR with the Leupold and get the best of all worlds?..or is there a down side to that?
I am gonna pull the trigger on the nxs 3.5 (x50) for upcoming .308. I currently own the 2.5-10x32 and it has the LV ret. so its not the best suited for the job, moreover I just think the nxs 3.5 mates best with a .308 and the nxs 2.5 goes best with .223.
The brits are rolling w. the acog TA648 because they have excess inventories of them already on hand from IIrc brits machine guns (L7A2’s)…thats is the only reason they are on there.
They can run close to 2k i think, not a fan personally but more info to be had on them here:
http://www.trijicon.com/user/parts/products1.cfm?PartID=819&back_row=6&categoryID=3
eta…KEVINB, what gov’t contracts did the leupy pick up already, interesting?
Based on my combat experience here in Iraq, if you’re going to try and use your 308 for anything in a city environment, i’d recommend picking up either an Eotech XPS2 (i think it’s what ill get) or an Aimpoint CompM3. I have some experience on an M16A2 with the aimpoints, and they are just fine.
We haven’t had many engagements where you would need to hit something in excess of 200 meters.
I would really love to pick up the TA11H-308s from Trijicon, but they are so damn expensive. :mad:
A lot of guys don’t realize just how good you can shoot with an Aimpoint. I’ve done some things at distance with a 4 MOA Aimpoint that would get me called a liar if posted publicly.
Mine will probably be getting an M3 until I decide which longer-range glass I want (if any).
Like anything optics (and guns) are a compromise. With a 16" 7.62mm NATO carbine, especially one that is reliable and accurate, you end up with a dilema of usage. With the CCO’s you give up a lot of useful range, as you can’t see what you shoot. With a larger magnified sight you get more range, but lose the close in.
The 1.1-8x CQBSS gives you Aimpoint like speed, and still magnification to detect, discriminate and engage targets out to 700m
yeah if only the CQBSS were available. i’m sure it’s going to cost as much as a Trijicon ACOG anyway. If only it were more in the Aimpoint range.