I’m lookin for recommendations on good optics to grace the rail of my SR 556. I’ve chewed up six different hunting scopes in the life of this rifle, and now i’m lookin for the fabled Trijicon toughness without the Trijicon price. My target ranges are from 100 yds to 500 yds, I’d like to keep it under $300, and my biggest expectation is that it needs to hold a zero through some rough treatment. Any advice is welcome
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As mentioned above, you are asking a lot for that budget, but in that price range I would recommend these.
I’ve used Nikon scopes for years for a hunting optic, no complaints I have not had one fail me yet, I currently have a P223 fixed 3x32 on an AR with BDC reticle and a Slughunter 3-9x40 on a rifled barrel shotgun. Both have served me well getting drug around through the woods.
What was the combined total cost of the six hunting scopes? Buy once cry once.
Yeh, by limiting your price range that much, you’re setting yourself up for having a 7th trashed scope in the drawer.
Just had this conversation yesterday with a buddy. What you pay for in high end optics is the toughness factor and top of the line glass as well. Other thing with optics is getting a good mount. Check out Larue and all of their optic combos. Larue does not mess around and all of their products will hold zero!
The only thing that could match ACOG toughness in that price range is an older used Aimpoint. There is no $300 magnified optic that would come close. That said, do you really need an optic that you can pitch like a baseball against a wall, throw on a concrete floor as hard as you can, or survive an explosion that destroys the rifle it’s mounted on? If you just want something you can beat around in the woods, drop the rifle its mounted on, get wet, stand up to op-rod recoil impulse, and not break, you might look into a Burris TAC30. I’ve used one in a bunch of cross country run 'n guns in all kinds of conditions, and subjected it to that sort of treatment and it held up well. It is the best sub-$300 scope I know of.
Do you mind sharing which hunting scopes you chewed up so the rest of us don’t make the same mistake?
What has caused the other optics to fail, or how have they failed?
To echo what has already been said, buy once cry once. If you are wanting a Trijicon optic then save up for a Trijicon optic. If you shop around you may be able to find an ACOG on the used market for under the $800 range, hell I bought mine for around $600. I have seen Accupoints pop up for the $500 range from time to time as well. So you can sometimes find deals, that said, if you are wanting to get into a top end optic you are going to end up spending more than $300 dollars. On the flip side, I can personally tell you that if you want an ACOG or something like that then save up for it. You have to have goals after all.
Yes this ^^^ also watch the EE forum, a lot of good Trijicon deals pop up there.
So you bought a $1000 rifle and want to put a $300 optic on it after 6 other trash optics shat the bed? In sales, I tell the customer what they need to hear, not what they want to hear. I don’t think you want to hear what you need to hear, nor do I think you will listen. I know this post offers nothing, but it’s the same song and dance all the time. Good luck.
There are reasons Trijicon optics are expensive, you obviously haven’t learned a lot after going through 6 scopes.
Given 556 rifles aren’t notorious for destroying even the cheapest hunting optics, I have to assume you’re physically abusing them, which is even more reason to get the Trijicon optic.
Doing the same thing (buying a budget scope) and expecting a different result won’t make you happy.
Saving for a quality scope will.
What is the consensus on quality, toughness and durability of EOTech?
OP if you are looking at $300-ish and want a durable optic I would look at the Primary Arms 4X prism optic.
http://www.primaryarms.com/Primary_Arms_4X_Prism_Scope_p/pac4x.htm
I recently logged 9500 rounds through one with the only issue is the mount coming loose around 1000 rounds but Loctite fixed that. The glass is clear and the reticle give you a decent BDC out to 800, I’ve only reached out to 600 with mine though. I know 4x isn’t preferable when shooting 500 yards but for your limited price point a Prism and or fixed magnification optic will be more durable than an adjustable one.
Some guys like them, however it seems that most prefer Aimpoint. If you decide to go with an Eotech make sure it’s the (E)XPS series as they have been much more problem free than the 5XX series.
Buy once cry once.
This…
It doesn’t exist… period. Close thread.
You’ll have better luck finding bigfoot, or maybe a unicorn!
If you want a red dot, check out the Aimpoint ACO:
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/Aimpoint-ACO-Aimpoint-Carbine-Optic-p/aimpoint-aco.htm
OP hasn’t been back. Maybe he realized that starting the same thread twice with his first two posts was a bad way to kick off an M4C membership.