Rifle Scopes Looking for opinions. What magnification for 14.5" AR?

[amedeo1227]

So I built 2 of the exact same rifles.

14.5" 5.56 AR's

one has an ACOG. The other has a T2.


I find myself always putting my 3-9 leupold from another rifle on the one with the aimpoint, because the wife and I like to shoot targets are 100 and 200 yds. So I want to buy a scope for this rifle itself. I like the mag range, the 42mm objective is a little bulky on this rifle, and looks a bit out of place.

so I'm thinking ok picking up a NF 2.5-10x32 for this thing that I can take on and off (it will probably stay on though).


just looking for some feedback, seeing if any of you guys run something similar or different.

my second choice is the new trijicon 1-8. But I like how the NF is bulk like a tank.

 

[CSTactical]

We have many great choices for the AR15 platform from 1-6, 1-8, 2.5-10, 4-16 from a variety of manufacturers like Vortex, Kahles, Minox, Nightforce and Burris in stock and would love to discuss the different options with you at 916.670.1103

 

[Delicatessen]

I personally go red dot on pistol and 14.5 in ars and 1-6 on 16-20 but everyone has different purposes. The 1x variables are nice when you start looking at the nicer scopes with forgiving exit pupil, tried some trijicons and those were pretty good but was poor at the time and bought a cheaper variable that is nice but not quite as good.

 

[amedeo1227]

After looking into it. I have a T2 I can run on it for now.

i think I will sit back and see what pops up. Might pick up a 2.5-10 or a mk6 (since they are so light) to throw on there from time to time.

since the T2 will live on it. I got plenty of time.

 

[longshot2000]

Red dot, like aimpoint or MRO. There is a reason u have an M4, and sharpshooting is not one. The only other alternative is an ACOG with 4x, but again, why bother with a 14.5" carbine. This weapon will not give you MOA shooting, so point and shoot.

 

[Delicatessen]

Have 3 of the mros now...I love that red dot. It quite a good value as quite often you can catch them on sale in the just a bit over $400. Have one still going on original battery 3+ years

 

[wareagle700]

Red dot, like aimpoint or MRO. There is a reason u have an M4, and sharpshooting is not one. The only other alternative is an ACOG with 4x, but again, why bother with a 14.5" carbine. This weapon will not give you MOA shooting, so point and shoot.

How do you figure that? Just because its got a short barrel it isn't accurate?

I say a 1-6 or 1-8 would be a good fit for it. If you want a little more, the NF 2.5-10's are awesome little scopes.

 

[TonyTheTiger]

Red dot, like aimpoint or MRO. There is a reason u have an M4, and sharpshooting is not one. The only other alternative is an ACOG with 4x, but again, why bother with a 14.5" carbine. This weapon will not give you MOA shooting, so point and shoot.

14.5" can't shoot MOA? That's news to me.

 

[Patton63]

I have the NF 2.5-10 and it is a great scope. You couldn't go wrong with that.

 

[Rerun7]

I started with a 1-6 on my reccee style rifle and decided that 6x was too low for me. 2.5-10 seemed to be a good sweet spot. Check out the vortex 2.5-10x32. I used one for a while and really liked it. Only replaced it because I decided to stop having that rifle run a dual role and swapped to an 18" barrel for an spr.

 

[BadDogPSD]

I find that 6x is good to about 200 yards for me to get consistent hits. I run a 2.5-10x32 Vortex PST for longer shots.

 

[longshot2000]

14.5" can't shoot MOA? That's news to me.

Military spec on M4 is 1.5 MOA at 100 yrds. I have several, as well as a 10.3 and 11.5. Great guns. I just would not use an M4 and expect under 1.0 MOA shooting. I am sure it happens, but portability, light weight and short range shooting is what is was designed for. You could... sure, put a 6x or 15x scope on it, but 1-4x is all you need. Also, at 2900 fps +/-, 300 yrds is the outside limit of expected targets (I would say less).

Therefore, 1x red dot or 4x ACOG would be my recommendation. If you want a longer range, get a different weapon and longer range scope. One man's opinion.

 

[TonyTheTiger]

Military spec on M4 is 1.5 MOA at 100 yrds. I have several, as well as a 10.3 and 11.5. Great guns. I just would not use an M4 and expect under 1.0 MOA shooting. I am sure it happens, but portability, light weight and short range shooting is what is was designed for. You could... sure, put a 6x or 15x scope on it, but 1-4x is all you need. Also, at 2900 fps +/-, 300 yrds is the outside limit of expected targets (I would say less).

Therefore, 1x red dot or 4x ACOG would be my recommendation. If you want a longer range, get a different weapon and longer range scope. One man's opinion.

Alright, I mostly agree with you. Just had to make sure you weren't saying that short barrels are always inaccurate.
I personally love a 14.5" with a 1-4x as a jack of all trades gun. The one I have is a MOA gun and hits just fine on 12" plates out to 500yds in reasonable weather. Its not the perfect rifle for any one specific task but it's always nearby because of its size/weight.

 

[Macht]

Red dot, like aimpoint or MRO. There is a reason u have an M4, and sharpshooting is not one. The only other alternative is an ACOG with 4x, but again, why bother with a 14.5" carbine. This weapon will not give you MOA shooting, so point and shoot.

I guess I better tell my 14.5" ACR that it should stop shooting sub-moa...

 

[Nemsis]

I ran a 2.5-10x scope on my 16" 3 gun AR for 2 seasons and we shot from 3 feet to 550 yards. Although it was tuff to shoot close targets quickly with 2.5x it was doable and the 10x was great at distance.

 

[amedeo1227]

I might pick up a nice 2.5-10 and throw it in a larue mount so I can swap between the T2 and that

 

[CSTactical]

I might pick up a nice 2.5-10 and throw it in a larue mount so I can swap between the T2 and that

A Nightforce 2.5-10 might be a great option Nightforce NXS 2.5-10x24 ZeroStop Mil-R Riflescope https://www.cstactical.com/nightforce-nxs-2-5-10x24-zerostop-mil-r-riflescope.aspx
Call 916.670.1103 for hide pricing.

 

[2brothers641]

Have you thought about purchasing a 18-20" upper and scope? I found swapping the upper to be a better alternative than trying to switch from red dot to scope. 20" upper did much better at 200 than the 14.5".

 

[pineoak]

Have you thought about purchasing a 18-20" upper and scope? I found swapping the upper to be a better alternative than trying to switch from red dot to scope. 20" upper did much better at 200 than the 14.5".

+1

different tools for different purposes, no re-zeroing