I’m redoing my 12.5” SBR. At first I slapped a bunch of stuff together and then decided my GTS (Denny’s) barrel deserved better, and that I had a KISS rifle already. So, I’m putting on a DD M4 FF rail, and some other top end accessories. I’ve got a 10.5” for the 50 yds. and under shooting. Got an Aimpoint H-1 on it, and I love it. It’s a great sight. But, I’d like my 12.5” to do shooting between 50-200 yds, with most shooting at about 100 – 150 yds. I know I need more practice, but my eyes are getting older faster than I would have hoped. Even shooting at 50 yds. w/ the 3-4MOA dot of the H-1 is a little trying. Yes, yes I’ve seen folks with an Aimpoint consistently hit steel plates at 300 yds. I know I will eventually get more comfortable with it, and probably do some shooting past 50 yds. with it. Anyway, I’d really like to put a quality optic on my 12.5” that has some degree of magnification (especially for the 200 yd. Plinking). Basically looking for a good all-around optic. I’m considering the following, and would appreciate your input.
My needs:
Clarity / Quality Glass
Eye Relief. I would like fast acquisition when I shoulder, and don’t want to constantly be moving my cheek weld around to get a clear picture.
Weight. I got the DD M4 not only because of their rep for strength and quality, but because they are light.
Scopes I’m considering
Burris XTR 1-4X24mm(w/ Larue Mount) Seems like good glass, little complicated reticle, hefty at 17 oz. Can use the 1x for up close and the 4x for far. Has decent eye relief.
ACOG TAR33R-8 3X30 w/ red chevron (w/ Larue Mount) Nice and light, and always lit. 3 Power is a good compromise and would be helpful for long shots and not too high magnification for close shots. Easy cool chevron w/ bullet compensation. It’s tough, but I’m concerned about eye relief, and it seems pretty small, will I be able to get a decent field of view? Acquisition may take longer due to how small it is.
Trijicon Accupoint 1-4x24mm Scope w/ red chevron (w/ Larue Mount). Very light at only 11 oz. (the new TR24R 30mm is a bit heavier, 14oz – every oz counts!) nice eye relief, variable power, always lit. Will I get a decent field of view? Simple reticle, no bullet-drop compensation. In a lot of ways it seems perfect. Drawbacks?
Leupold Mark 4 1-3x14mm CQ/T. I’ve actually shouldered this one, and I thought it was awesome. Very bright clear optics, great eye relief, variable power. It’s kind of big and bulky. Although when I shouldered it didn’t seem heavy, I shouldered it on a blue faux M4. By weight, it’s a brick. Large bulky and 17 oz. Decent dot that is there with or w/o illumination. I’ve heard the battery life is crap. Very tough, though.
Leupold Mark 4 1.5-5x20mm Optics and eye relief are supposed to be great. Reticle is OK, a little hefty at 15 oz.
With an application distance of 50 to 200 yards I see no reason to shell out a bunch of cake for an ACOG just because they have a BDC that reaches out to 600(+) meters.
I think that there are two options that would do you well-
1- Trijicon Accupoint 1-4X, whatever flavor turns you on.
2- RDS with 3X magnifier (if you already have an RDS this would be very cost-effective).
I have, and some great info there. I wanted to see what the board members thought and see what their specific experiences have been. Maybe get a response/advice form a few folks who have the same wants and see what worked for them.
I like that little 3X30 ACOG, I just can’t tell if its small size will severly hinder the field of view. Hmmmmmm
Hello Bananas,
If you are looking for an optic for use under $500 then I could recommend the Leupold Prismatic sight ($400) and the Leupold FX fixed 2.5 power scope (weighs about 6-7 ounces/ costs about $300). I have used both and the glass is excellent and durable. I mounted the FX scope with an ADM Recon mount on my recce rifle. I have dropped it twice (accidently) no damage or loss of zero has resulted. The Leoupold Vari-X II and IIIs are excellent as well. I have mounted several on different rifles for hunting and target shooting.
The Leupold 1-4 variables are great too. But I decided to mount the FX 2.5X on my 16" carbine because I liked the fact that it was extremely light and it has the greatest amount of eye relief of any standard Leupold rifle scope [approx. 5" & more than any of the scopes you listed for consideration]. It can be shot with both eyes open and does not take up a lot of space on top of the rifle (short length). Also, since I do most of my shooting off-hand I generally use only 2-3 power on a variable power scope. Therefore, I opted for a fixed power scope which I believe should be much more durable (less parts). Because it is regularly mounted onto Dangerous Game/ Heavy caliber guns I believe my assumption should be correct.
The only down-side, the reticle covers a large portion of the target at 100 yards and further. That said, I can regularly hit 8" steel plates at 200 and 300 yards off-hand with no problems. Just not the correct tool for target shooting. I bought it for plinking and hunting.
There are a lot of good choices out there. Choose wisely. I was considering the Burris but decided against it because a variety of sources have called the quality of the lower end Burris scopes into question (many are being manufactured in the Phillipines for Burris). It would seem that the Trijicon 1-4X may make a good choice as well. I have handled and examined one but not fired a rifle with the Accu-point scope yet. Many say that it is a quality scope.
Finally, if money is no object, then I would definitely buy the S&B Short Dot. I don’t own one yet, but have used it. Great scope. I plan on buying one in the future.
I hope No Bananas doesn’t mind if I ask one quick question here. What do people think about the durability and quality of the Burris XTR 1-4x? I’ve looked at one, but I know a member here had a bad experience with one and it scared me off.
ETA. If you want both a scope and QD mount, Larue has a great deal on the Burris.
SoDak,
Glad you asked. I’m curious about Burris’ durability too. No matter what I choose, it’ll be going on a LaRue mount. They do have have a lot of good deals.
