I haven’t kept up with the many latest offerings so am appealing here to those that have.
This is for local 3-gun matches, where I’ve found in the past that a 1-4X configuration covers the range of distances about optimally (at least for me).
As far as ruggedness, this won’t be getting thrown around inside an armored vehicle but it could definitely incur some dings.
The main point here is that I want to keep overall rifle weight to a minimum. I realize that a tritium-sourced optic has the weight advantage but I don’t want to have to worry about fading over time. I’m also hoping that by now the electronics have advanced enough to have slimmed down some of the heft of earlier models.
Lots of good info there. You’ll find that many people here like the Leupold VX-R 1.25-4 because it weighs 11.5 oz, making it one of the lightest low power variable optics, along with it having daylight bright illumination. Especially considering it’s low cost.
Thanks. I was aware of the sticky but was hoping to not wade through 43 pages going back to 2006.
That Leupold looks too good to be true! :eek: Lightweight but with lots of good featues, and retails for only around $440. I’m not surprised it’s popular, and will be seriously considering it.
About a third of a pound heavier than the Leupold but otherwise looks good, especially the price – these seem to have come down some since I was last in the market a few years ago.
I wonder how the MTAC’s drop reticle is working for people.
Though a 1-6, the Leupold VX6 1-6x24 with illumination is another scope on the lighter end of the range at 14.1 ounces. One plus of this scope and the PST I mentioned above is that both are advertised as true 1x.
Just start with the last 5-10 pages and you’ll find current and good advice.
Also, in response to several other suggestions in this thread, I actually have a Burris mtac on my workbench, plus a viper PST with capped turrets. The mtac reticle is specific to one ammunition so you’d have to figure out your holds with whatever you’re using. It’s also a rather thick reticle, especially compared to the viper PST. I’d almost say the mtac is more cqb oriented while the viper is more precision oriented, as far as a 1-4 optic can be called “precision.”
The VX-R Patrol is a great choice, but some people may not like that it’s 1.25x instead of “true” 1x. The Trijicon Accupoint TR24 is another popular choice, especially with the green triangle, but some people prefer a different type of reticle or want battery powered illumination.
IMHO the Leupold VX-R is your best bet in the $500 and under price range. Very simple, clear glass, one red dot that’s bright enough to use. It doesn’t go to a true 1x but should work fine for most people. The motion sensor and 5 minute shutoff on the dot is a bonus.
The Burris MTAC goes to a true 1x, but the glass is a bit murkier, and the reticle is just fat and clumsy, in my view.
The PST is at the opposite end, with a reticle that’s too small and fine to work well for close up uses like typical 3-gun.
If you want real usefulness at both 10 feet and 400 yards, I would suggest a higher end 1-6x scope, like the VX-6, SWFA SS, or Vortex Razor. I have the Razor, and will have a VX-6 shortly. The Razor is terrific in every way but weight. I haven’t used the SS but it gets great reviews. For use on an AR15 I think the light weight of the Leupolds (VX-R or VX-6) is compelling.
I swapped a TR24 out for a Burris MTAC because I wanted stadia lines for distance. If your matches only have you shooting inside of 200 or silhouette sized steel inside of 350, you can get away with most reticles. Some of the matches I shoot here have you on 12" steel to 500, and the BDC is pretty close to spot on.
The glass isn’t as good on the MTAC, and there is no doubt that the Trijicon was more durable and had better glass, but it’s good enough for games, and it’s been tough enough to take my abuse.
I just bought a Leupold MK6 but I haven’t received it yet nor developed any thoughts.
The VX-R as has been stated gets pretty good reviews.
Budget? As in “absolute top-end”.
Reticle style preference, or definite dislike?
What capability of the optic is the most important to you?
Is daylight illumination a must?
Max weight?
Preferred eyebox range?
Is true 1x a must?
Do you have past experience on low power variable optics? If so, what did you like/dislike?
There are lots of options out there, and while I have some that I prefer, my needs might not correspond with yours (along with many that might give advice) and I don’t want to waste time giving recommendations that don’t do you any good.
Typos brought to you via Tapatalk and autocorrect.
Thanks everybody for the replies and prompts for more specifics. I’ll try to fill in some gaps.
I’ve mostly used Aimpoint Micros and Eotechs, but for awhile was running a Trijicon Accupoint 1-4X. This time I want to go electronic though, so that fading of the tritium over time won’t be an issue.
At any matches I go to “long distance” is 200 yards or less (typically more like 100), although targets include steel as small as 4-5 inches.
Previously I found that 1-4X worked pretty well. A bottom end at 1.5X might be OK, but I would have to try it to tell – some of the closest targets can be within just a few yards.
The single-dot reticle also seemed fine , so I wonder whether a more elaborate drop reticle might be more distracting than useful. I would continue to want an illuminated reticle though – my 55-year-old eyes need as much help as possible.
As far as weight, the Accupoint is 14.4 oz. not including a mount. I’d like to stay near or preferably below that now.
Lastly regarding price, I bought the Accupoint slightly used and with a so-so mount at the time for $800, which to me is a lot. From what I’m hearing now something at or under $500 seems doable, and would be preferred over anything higher-end.
Is one of your requirements shooting at night with no ambient light? The tritium illumination would only be used in that specific situation, since at all other times the accupoint’s fiber optic illumination would be brighter and never wear out. Plus, tritium has a half life of what, 12 years or so? Meaning it’ll be half as bright in that period of time.
I used a Vortex Viper PST 1-4x for a long time for 3-Gun stuff, just recently switched to a Razor 1-6. The 1-4 is true 1x, and it’s light. The illumination is not true daylight bright, but the reticle works pretty well by itself, and if you get on a dark target, the illumination works well. The substensions are a little fine for holdovers, but they are usable once you get used to them, and if you’re talking 200 yards, you don’t need them anyway. If 200 yards is your long shot, you want true 1x, as you’re probably shooting a lot of burner stages.
I just picked up a Vortex PST 1-4 for 3gun. Wanted something inexpensive, but with “decent” glass. Everyone that has used them highly recommends them for an entry level optic. It will be going in a Brobo extended mount.
If I had seen the Leatherwood CMR before I bought my MTAC, I would have bought that instead. Shot an AR with a CMR at my range recently, and really liked it.