Rifle Scopes Scope for a first time AR user

[Bridges90]

Just bought my first AR (ruger mpr) and while i have some MBUS sights on it, I am looking to put some kind of optic. Not sure how i feel about red dots but have been looking at different scopes. I’ve looked at pa and Athlon scopes. I was wanting to get your all’s opinions on some good at scopes. Chambered in 223/556, 18inch barrel. I’m not looking for anything above $350-400 as this rifle will just mainly be used for fun plinking, possible coyote hunting. Distances anywhere from 100-500 yards. Also, what mounts do you all have experience with? I’ve looked at the Burris pepr since I have had good luck with Burris products.

 

[spife7980]

https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/tips-for-asking-advice-about-rifle-scopes.6252657/

Cant help with the red dot vs anything else but I like a 2-10 or there abouts as a do anything scope.

 

[Shifty6BR]

Factory refurb pst 2.5-10 sfp for $400, I have one on my 16" yote ar, and picked up a refurbed one for my .22wmr ar...I use both for hunting and with a nv clip on so the lower 1x variable scopes were not of much use for me either is a ffp..just my .02.

 

[BarrettBoy]

swfa

 

[Opticsspecialist]

Bridges,

There are plenty of great options for you. I'd be happy to help you find the right one for you and at the right price. Hit me up any time.

 

[Dsparil]

Vortex has my vote.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Athlon Argos BTR 1-4x24, a Hawke Endurance 30 1.5-6x42, a Steiner P4Xi 1-4x24 (we have a couple of demos which would be in budget)

 

[KYAggie]

Might as well look at the Leupold Mark AR line as well.

 

[bobke]

SWFA 3x9-FFP. Hard to kill, reliable tracking. Top of your price range, however.

 

[predator308]

Go with a SWFA

 

[TonyTheTiger]

Steiner P4XI if Doug can get you one inside your budget. Burris RT6 after that.

 

[Mossyoak44]

I’ve used Primary Arms 4-14x44 ffp and right have the Athlon Talos BTR on one of my ARs and I think both are good for the money. Both were reliable and did everything I wanted for fun and hunting. SWFA would be one to consider too.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

I use the Bushnell AR Drop Zone .223 3-12x40 on my 16" CMMG Heavy Barrel AR Upper, and on my Mossberg 20" MVP .223 Predator. It provides a good magnification range, decent brightness, 30mm tube with side focus/parallax, and at a price that made me do a double take; a lot less than what I paid for my pair. Coupled with a 600yd Laser Rangefinder, it can be very effective in the field, as well as at the range. I find it's right on with 55 M193, 62 M855, and shoots the 62gr Federal Fusion MSR Bonded factory load with good accuracy in both rifles.

The fusion MSR Bonded load is very accurate for a factory load, and is purposed on the box for deer, antelope, and coyote. Note, there are two Fusion 62gr loads, only one is the MSR, and this one is much better for 16"-20" AR's and bolt guns with similar spec barrels. The other is better out of longer varmint/hunting barrels.

I like to maintain a bolt gun to back up my (Semi or) AR (or Upper) for each of several applications. This same scope on both rifles makes this process ever so much easier.

My other pairs are a Garand and a .30-'06 Axis II, still a work in progress, and two stag Model 6 Super Varminters, and a Savage 11VT .223 for distance precision. The Stags and the Savage 11VT all carry the Mueller 8-32x44 Target Rifle Scope, also 30mm, also with side Focus/Parallax.

Both scopes, even with rings, fit nicely into your budget limit. I have multiple examples of both and have been shooting these scopes for years.

Greg

 

[Birddog6424]

If you like Burris products you're in luck. The RT-6 is an excellent optic for AR's, made in fact for AR's. It gets excellent reviews for being one of the nicest scopes in it's price range.

You won't have any issues with 6x at those distances and you will have a great true 1x for up close hosing with a daylight bright illumination. I have 6x and 8x on all of my AR15's, and regularly shoot them to 600 and 700 yards. So if you are thinking red dot, but might want some magnification, this is the best of both worlds.

It can be had everywhere for about $350.

https://www.burrisoptics.com/scopes/rt-6-riflescopes-series/rt-6-riflescope-1-6x24mm

 

[koshkin]

Just bought my first AR (ruger mpr) and while i have some MBUS sights on it, I am looking to put some kind of optic. Not sure how i feel about red dots but have been looking at different scopes. I’ve looked at pa and Athlon scopes. I was wanting to get your all’s opinions on some good at scopes. Chambered in 223/556, 18inch barrel. I’m not looking for anything above $350-400 as this rifle will just mainly be used for fun plinking, possible coyote hunting. Distances anywhere from 100-500 yards. Also, what mounts do you all have experience with? I’ve looked at the Burris pepr since I have had good luck with Burris products.

If you want a low range variable, Burris RT-6 gets my nod:
http://opticsthoughts.com/?p=2017

Generally, here are my recommendations in the sub-$400 range:
http://opticsthoughts.com/?page_id=90

And $400 to $600 range:
http://opticsthoughts.com/?page_id=91

ILya

 

[spaniel]

The Burris PEPR mount is great.

A lot of decent scope options depending on what you want, but I would AVOID the Nikon M223. The change in eyebox relief from low to high magnification is extreme and the worst of any scope I have ever used. At 16X you better have your eyebrow plastered to the scope and an adjustable stock so you can bring it in a notch just to maintain good ergonomics. I'm likely to buy another scope for a different rifle so I can swap things up and sell mine off.

 

[Snuby642]

Bushnell ar optics on a short budget should get a good look.
Got a new one recently should have got 2 while on sale.
Have a 3x9, and have been lent a 6x24 on a pepr mount.
I like both.
This 4.5x18 will probably be my next.

http://bushnell.com/tactical/riflescopes/ar-optics/4-5-18x-40mm

 

[Bridges90]

Thanks guys! Looking into the Burris RT6 since I’ve had really good luck with my Burris veracity.

 

[Birddog6424]

I love the PEPR mount as well. I have this one on my 6.5 Grendel that I use to chase wolves, lions, and coyotes with in the winter and spring. It spends a LOT of time bouncing around in the back seat of a UTV. Never loses zero..

 

[koshkin]

Has the PEPR mount changed significantly recently? It has been a little while since I looked at it, but I remember that I had a couple of earlier versions that were not great. Usable and good for the money, but needed to be looked at closely. One wasn't srtaight and put odd pressure on the scope tube and another one had weird machining marks that had to be de-horned. It was a long time ago, though, so perhaps, they've got all of that under control now.

ILya

 

[Birddog6424]

Has the PEPR mount changed significantly recently? It has been a little while since I looked at it, but I remember that I had a couple of earlier versions that were not great. Usable and good for the money, but needed to be looked at closely. One wasn't srtaight and put odd pressure on the scope tube and another one had weird machining marks that had to be de-horned. It was a long time ago, though, so perhaps, they've got all of that under control now.

ILya

Yes, they completely redesigned it Ilya.

They shaved a few ounces off of it, it now weighs only 8.6 ounces, versus 11. The cantilever extends farther forward, giving you more space between the rings, and it mounts much better to the rail. They also offer it in a 20 MoA version now. The QC is much better all the way around.

 

[Bridges90]

Do they make a qd mount pepr?

 

[koshkin]

Yes, they completely redesigned it Ilya.

They shaved a few ounces off of it, it now weighs only 8.6 ounces, versus 11. The cantilever extends farther forward, giving you more space between the rings, and it mounts much better to the rail. They also offer it in a 20 MoA version now. The QC is much better all the way around.

Good to know. I'll need to try it out at some point. I always run out of mounts when I do large comparisons.

 

[Birddog6424]

Do they make a qd mount pepr?

I haven't yet seen the new design in a QD. Only the older version.

 

[bman940]

#26
Nikon has designed the M-223 scope and it is much more user friendly and has some great added features. It is called the M-Tactical and you can get it in BDC, MOA or MRAD. Different magnification setting's as well. 30 MOA tube's and no plastic or decal's applied. Definitely a much nicer more user friendly scope. Check ouut the feature's here.