Rifle Scopes Long Range Optic needed for 20inch AR-15

[minsane]

Hi Guys:

I have a Krieger barreled AR-15 coming in shortly and wanted to get suggestions on a long range optic. I currently have the Nightforce 1-4 NXS with an FC2 reticle that I have been using on my 16 inch RR LAR-8. I like the turrents on the NF, they are very positive, it's a great optic for it's purpose, but out to 200 yards the dot is a little to big for me.

I am new to long range optics. I am looking for a good scope for 200+ yards for about $1300(I still have to spring for a Larue mount) I was also thinking about a 15 power scope in that price range as well. Any suggestions and experiences are greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

 

[Dogtown]

Re: Long Range Optic needed for 20inch AR-15

The 2.5-10x NXS has been quite versatile in my 18" SPR. If I had to do it all over again, I'd get a USO SN-3 w/Horus reticle - but that's not at all a cheap option and a bit overkill to be honest.

 

[DT1]

Re: Long Range Optic needed for 20inch AR-15

+1 on the NXS 2.5-10, great scope for longer range shooting with the NF. It'll stretch your budget when you add the LaRue mount, but a good choice.

 

[deersniper]

Re: Long Range Optic needed for 20inch AR-15

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DT1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">+1 on the NXS 2.5-10, great scope for longer range shooting with the NF. It'll stretch your budget when you add the LaRue mount, but a good choice. </div></div>

+1. The clear optics on the NF make higher powers not needed as much.

-dan

 

[minsane]

Re: Long Range Optic needed for 20inch AR-15

Wow. I know that NF is a good optic, but I did not expect this kind of response. What reticle are you guys using? The Mil dot?

Feedback on other optics besides NF is appreciated as well.

 

[scotharr]

Re: Long Range Optic needed for 20inch AR-15

Get the 2.5-10x32 NF. It's a little better than the 2.5-10x24.

 

[300WSM]

Re: Long Range Optic needed for 20inch AR-15

USO man

 

[eddy]

Re: Long Range Optic needed for 20inch AR-15

carry handle and front sight post. cant go wrong

 

[Sterling Shooter]

Re: Long Range Optic needed for 20inch AR-15

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: eddy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">carry handle and front sight post. cant go wrong</div></div>

Good advice. Considering the sort of target the AR is associated with, good hits are possible using the BDC carry handle out to about 600 meters, with just a little understanding of basic marksmanship and wind favors.

To the OP, are you expecting to get better results from the scope than you perceive you can get from irons?

 

[crossgun]

Re: Long Range Optic needed for 20inch AR-15

Nightforce 5.5-22x56 NXS NP-R2 reticle on my SPR with LaRue mount. I prefer the additional upper end power over the 3-15 which I had previously mounted. Kreiger 1x7.7 18" barrel with the 0.936 gas block turned to accommodate an OPS 15 can.

Keep an eye out for a used one here. Seems that there is always something available in your price range but they go really quick.

 

[Bronco]

Re: Long Range Optic needed for 20inch AR-15

I recently put a SN-4 1.5-6 on a 20" AR. Have shot it in 1 comp that had shots from 25 yd to 600 yd. Also had movers at 125, 200, 300, 500, and 600. Never felt like I needed more power, or that I was at any disadvantage using a low power variable. SN-4 isn't as heavy as it's big brothers and fits nicely on an AR flat top.

 

[Sig685]

Re: Long Range Optic needed for 20inch AR-15

I like crossgun's setup; it is not dissimilar to mine except for the length of the barrel (and my optic is certainly not as good as his NF.) The Krieger barrel with the appropriate ammunition has enabled my shooting system to be extremely accurate at long ranges and I believe that higher magnification scopes provide my aging eyes better acuity which I believe translates into greater accuracy. That's just a fancy way of saying that I have trouble hitting what I can't see, but that's probably just me.

If you are going to feed your rifle some good ammunition, there is no reason not to get a scope to match that potential accuracy. I have said many times i the past that for a long range rig like yours, a variable in the range of 5 or 6x to 20 or some such is the best; it is low powered enough to be useful up close and has the capability to bring in a distant target very close and everything in between. Certainly that NF 5.5-22X is an excellent choice.

 

[81sfo]

Re: Long Range Optic needed for 20inch AR-15

I have a RRA ar15 20" with a Nightforce 2.5-10x32 npr2 reticle.I dont have to deal with mirage too much since it only maxes out at 10 power.I shoot out to 600yds with blackhills match ammo,and i see no reason to get a bigger scope.the scope is mounted with ARMS #22 rings.

 

[maxgusmc]

Re: Long Range Optic needed for 20inch AR-15

Put a US Optics SN12R 4x w/JP reticle on my 20" and am much happier with the results than I thought could be possible. It has exceptionally clear glass. The JP reticle has a 100 yd dot with inverted Christmas tree bullet drop out to 800 yds in 200 yd increments. Two pictures of my rifle with scope at:

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Main=99279&Number=1090795#Post1090795

Base price is - $945, JP reticle is - $160, Posa Slide & Lock MkII Quick Detach - 175.00, so it is right in your price range. Have fired with it alot since receiving it last month and am very happy with the accuracy.

 

[Ishallbie O'Cullkillin]

Re: Long Range Optic needed for 20inch AR-15

Do you want to engage targets to 600yds, or do you actually want to see the bullet holes at that range? After taking some of Sterling Shooter's advice, I began lobbing 77gr. SMK's @ my 650yd steel using iron sights with a RRA NM flat top, and was truly amazed at what I could accomplish. Now, when I see a .556 rig with a large or heavy scope above 10X, I get the impression that the shooter is attempting to spot his own rounds, which is pretty damn cool too. If you have a good muzzle brake & ultra clear optics, then you can actually be your own spotter. On light rifles, I like a light weight, quality, target turret adjustable optic.

 

[minsane]

Re: Long Range Optic needed for 20inch AR-15

I'm just looking for a good all around scope. I researched the NF with magnification above 10X and they are damn big over 15 inches and 2 pounds. I love the 1-4 that I have now and hopefully I'll be able to pick up a 10x NF scope.

Thanks for everyone's posts.

 

[Krebaum]

Re: Long Range Optic needed for 20inch AR-15

I have a Leupold Mark 4 3.5-10x40 M2 Illuminated on a m110 clone and am very happy with it. I also have the Night Force 1-4 with Zero stop on a carbine, which is also very nice scope.

 

[younggun22]

Re: Long Range Optic needed for 20inch AR-15

Im waiting on a 20 in. from CLE and just picked up a leupold mark4 10x, really a nice scope and I got a killer deal on it too

 

[Rafael]

Re: Long Range Optic needed for 20inch AR-15

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bronco</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I recently put a SN-4 1.5-6 on a 20" AR. Have shot it in 1 comp that had shots from 25 yd to 600 yd. Also had movers at 125, 200, 300, 500, and 600. Never felt like I needed more power, or that I was at any disadvantage using a low power variable. SN-4 isn't as heavy as it's big brothers and fits nicely on an AR flat top. </div></div>

Very happy with my SN-4 1.5-6 as well.
Great little scope!!!!

 

[dmachine]

Re: Long Range Optic needed for 20inch AR-15

I'm curius, why are there no IOR scope's being recomended here? The glass is better than NF, and they make some of the best config's going. (Like 1.5-8x, 2-12x & 3-18x) My only gripe is they use an odd-ball tube size, 35mm, making it hard to get ring's. I always thought NF was a great scope, (esp. for the $) but Scott doesn't seem to like them very much. For an AR out to 500+ yards, I like the IOR 2-12x, it goes down low enough to go in a building & high enough to reach out to the max range of the rifle. I like the 1.5-8x better for the AR-15 because it's smaller and has enough power to get out to where I think the AR should be shot to, 400 yards or so. Only thing is, like most scope builder's today the people at IOR are bone heads. Just hope you never have to deal with them.

 

[Rafael]

Re: Long Range Optic needed for 20inch AR-15

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dmachine</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm curius, why are there no IOR scope's being recomended here? .............................. Only thing is, like most scope builder's today the people at IOR are bone heads. Just hope you never have to deal with them. </div></div>

I have no experience with IOR, but you seem to have answered your own qestion.

I really wouldn't know.

 

[Adam B]

Re: Long Range Optic needed for 20inch AR-15

I have owned a few IOR's and they have great glass but the internals leave a lot to be desired and the customer service is a JOKE! They have had one of my scopes for a year and I still don't have it back, I will never buy another one again!

 

[Tackleberry]

Re: Long Range Optic needed for 20inch AR-15

if you have not tried a acog you need to. It is calibrated out to 600yds and hits very good even though only 4 power. an added bonuses is one with a docter optic on top for close stuff. I love mine. ta31

 

[scotharr]

Re: Long Range Optic needed for 20inch AR-15

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: adam boynton</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have owned a few IOR's and they have great glass but the internals leave a lot to be desired and the customer service is a JOKE! They have had one of my scopes for a year and I still don't have it back, I will never buy another one again! </div></div>

Great glass, but when paint starts peeling off the inner tube and falling on your glass it doesn't matter much how good the glass is...and I'm definitely not the only one this has happened to. Their customer service is improving and yes, Scott at Liberty makes it much easier to buy an IOR.... but its so much easier to just buy a Nightforce and not worry about any of that.