Rifle Scopes Hunting AR scope help

[jda2631]

I'm almost done with a new hunting AR build. 20" 6.5 creedmoor. It's a light weight build, will be used mainly for white tails, inside 400, 500 tops. Looking for a mid power range, 3-15, 3-18, 4-16, etc. Budget will be around $2k.

The 2 I am looking at now are atacr 4-16x42 and leupold mark 5 hd 3-18. Of those 2, which has the better glass? (I know that's subjective). From reviews of the leupold and reputation of nightforce both should track extremely well. Has anyone used both? If so do you have a preference? Another scope I should look at?

Also, I live in an area where I won't be able to find either of these in a store to look at in person before purchase.

 

[19dsniper]

I will admit that i have not used the MK 5, but i would get the ATACR. I was in a similar situation to you a few weeks ago. Needed an optic for my 28" 6.5 CM gas gun. I ended up going with the ATACR and im extremely happy with it. Excellent features, lighter than i expected, excellent glass, great turrets, and the only reason i considered the Leupold was because of the MIL pricing. There is a big difference between the two price wise with the MIL program, but im Very happy that i spent the extra money and went with the NF. Definitely not a regret.

 

[RTH1800]

NF 2.5-10 x24 or NF 2.5-10x 32 if you cannot find x24

 

[19dsniper]

I would recommend something larger than a 24 mm front bell. In a hunting situation most of the best times are those darker dawn and dusk times of 30 minutes prior to sunrise and 30 minutes after sunset. Sure, a 24 will work, but I personally prefer more light coming into the tube in those situations, especially if there are multiple deer and your trying to discern which is which. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Temper]

Another vote for the NF 2.5-10.

 

[jda2631]

I've got a 16" 308 I use up in the woods, when I'm hunting closer ranges. It's got a 1-8 on it, looking for a higher top end for this one, why I'm looking for a 4-16 or so.

 

[Temper]

4-16 ATACR then.

 

[stwcattle]

Without question the NF ATACR 4-16x42! It is my favorite hunting optic. I also run several NF 3.5-15x50's that i prefer over the 2.5-10 NF

The only other scopes I would consider over the NF scopes I run would be a Kahles K18i or a US Optics B17.

 

[jda2631]

Without question the NF ATACR 4-16x42! It is my favorite hunting optic. I also run several NF 3.5-15x50's that i prefer over the 2.5-10 NF

The only other scopes I would consider over the NF scopes I run would be a Kahles K18i or a US Optics B17.

How would you compare the 4-16 to the 3.5-15? I like the Mil-C reticle, but its not offered in the 3.5-15. Would save me some money though.

 

[stwcattle]

Of course the NXS line is 2nd focal plane and the ATACR you are looking at is 1st focal plane. In a hunting situation, 2nd focal plane will give you a advantage if faced with a up close shot on low power.

The ATACR does have better glass and better turret feel and has capped windage but if you keep a eye on your windage turret, this should not be a issue. Both the ATACR and NXS seem to me to be equeal in reliability and repeatable.

The advantage of the Mil C reticle is the center dot and .2 windage holds for shooting smaller targets. So is a center dot a advantage on deer? probably not. But the dot is hugely helpful when zeroing rifle and shooting groups.

The NXS 3.5-15x50 will get the job done. My wife and I have taken lots of game with the 3.5-15 However, the 4-16x42 is a better scope and if you had the means to spend the extra money, I'd recommend the 4-16x42F1 or the ATACR 4-16x50 if want 2nd focal plane.

 

[lou400a]

Lot of good scopes out there, but can't go wrong with LRHS 3-12x44 on ar platform or 4.5-18x44.

 

[Alaska_Guy]

I liked the leupold glass better. I haven't had extensive testing with leupold but my old mans 15 year old nightforce still tracks perfectly fine. If price isn't an issue I would go with the nightforce.

 

[SLG]

If you are looking at the nxs, but want ffp, look at the shv f1. It is an excellent scope, and costs way less then the others as well.

 

[htowncoog]

^ this. SHV would be my vote since it’s for hunting.