So, I'm having trouble deciding on an optic for a current AR10 build. It's a toy to me. Steel, paper, coy dog, fox, expell ammo, etc. You get the idea. Ar15 is a red dot/lpvo rifle to me, but a .308 deserves a little more. I would like lower power (3-9/15, 4-12/16, 10x), and a smaller objective lens (40, 42, 44, maybe 50mm). Does anyone know if there is something out there that has, potentially; exposed elevation turret, low capped windage, and maybe parallax adjustment on the ocular? And if that's not enough, something that is not xmas tree, bdc, or duplex?
Rifle Scopes Streamlined scope for AR10 build
- Thread starter AMGtuned
- Start date
Sorry, price. I'm really not sure what I'd spend. Got a few criteria, so I know you have to pay for that. I think I want capped windage, being as low as possible because my intent is to run a 45° rds. Gotta keep it HD fresh if you know what I mean. And then theres that pesky parallax knob that hits things like ribs, and clothing, and tree branches; would be nice to keep it out of the way.
You don’t need to be low to run a red dot? You just wanting something you don’t think will snag stuff much? I’m assuming that is your main criteria? Also assuming you don’t need illumination?
^ illuminated reticle is not necessary, just a bonus if it comes along. Yes, snagging is a worry for me. I carry my AR 15 around on my land, and I catch everything I'm not trying to. Granted, that has a light, bipod, 1-6 scope, 30rd mag, etc. AR 10 will get a bipod, but after that, I'd like to keep it sleek and stealthy. I've never used a 45° rds so it will be new to me, but I've told myself were in it to win it, and it's going on there. Next question after scope, will be what the best offset mount for rds.
The only FFP scope with an adjustable objective I've heard of is the Delta Optics Titanium 4.5-14x50, but they're not available in the US yet. They also have tall (but capped) turrets with no zero stop.
Do you need an FFP reticle? If not, you may be better off looking at hunting scopes. Leupold offered a bunch of AO scopes in the VX-2 and VX-3/3i lines at one time - 3.5-10x, 4-12x, 4.5-14x, 6.5-20x (which is still available). There are also side focus models in the VX-3/3i line and the much more modern VX-5HD line that may work. With them you're dealing with capped MOA turrets, simple reticles, and dodgy tracking, but the Custom Shop could tweak a scope to fit your needs if you're feeling spendy. Also, the VX-5HD does have an exposed locking elevation turret and a (MOA) Christmas tree option in the 3-15x44 model.
Swarovski and Zeiss also have a variety of hunting scopes with exposed (BDC) elevation turret options that are light and compact like Leupolds.
On a more practical note, I think the 3-12x Bushnell LRHS or 3.5-18x Leupold Mark 5HD are the rational choices, but they have the large parallax knobs you aren't a fan of.
Do you need an FFP reticle? If not, you may be better off looking at hunting scopes. Leupold offered a bunch of AO scopes in the VX-2 and VX-3/3i lines at one time - 3.5-10x, 4-12x, 4.5-14x, 6.5-20x (which is still available). There are also side focus models in the VX-3/3i line and the much more modern VX-5HD line that may work. With them you're dealing with capped MOA turrets, simple reticles, and dodgy tracking, but the Custom Shop could tweak a scope to fit your needs if you're feeling spendy. Also, the VX-5HD does have an exposed locking elevation turret and a (MOA) Christmas tree option in the 3-15x44 model.
Swarovski and Zeiss also have a variety of hunting scopes with exposed (BDC) elevation turret options that are light and compact like Leupolds.
On a more practical note, I think the 3-12x Bushnell LRHS or 3.5-18x Leupold Mark 5HD are the rational choices, but they have the large parallax knobs you aren't a fan of.
This will not be a popular opinion, but the Leupold AR Mod 1 meets all of that but the capped windage.
https://www.leupold.com/scopes/rifle-scopes/mark-ar-mod-1-4-12x40mm
I have it on my Sig 716 with no complaints, but I wish I had at least gone with the Mil Dot reticle. Instead I went with the Duplex.
https://www.leupold.com/scopes/rifle-scopes/mark-ar-mod-1-4-12x40mm
I have it on my Sig 716 with no complaints, but I wish I had at least gone with the Mil Dot reticle. Instead I went with the Duplex.
I am out of the store today, but back Monday. Please give me a call, 516-217-1000, and we can discuss different options and what might be best for you.
Have a great weekend
Doug
Have a great weekend
Doug
Well that's good because most manufacturers put the illumination control on the parallax adjustment. A lot of recommendations above are for "smallish" FFP scopes; however, the majority of these still have side focus/parallax which you're trying to stay away from. There are not many manufacturers who are putting parallax on the objective lens anymore. While it may not be the best scope out there, the Leupold Mark AR that loveha mentions above seems to fit most all your criteria, it is a relative cheap scope and you'll most likely get what you pay for but it's probably good enough to get the job done. Out of curiosity why have you said no to BDC? To be honest, a SFP scope with BDC is probably going to get you the most streamlined, and the fact you're shooting 308 means you should be able to get some BDC reticles that match pretty closely with your ballistics. It would also greatly help us if we knew your budget, I could recommend some very expensive optics that might work for you (like the Swarovski Z6 2-12x50), but if they're out of your budget...
You can also do away with an RDS all together if you look at something like the Schmidt & Bender - http://www.schmidtundbender.de/en/p...itary-forces/1-1-8x24-pm-ii-high-power-2.html
With regard to scope mounted RDS mount for 30mm tubes the TPS CORA mount works great - https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1009149834/tps-cora-i-30mm-picatinny-style-accessory-ring-matte
Burris also makes a scope mount for the FFII platform - https://www.burrisoptics.com/mounting-systems/mounts-and-bases/scope-tube-fastfire-mounts
There are also scope mounts that accept RDS plates right on the rings like ERA-TAC, here was my Schmidt Ultra Short 5-20 with an ERA-TAC mount and a Doctor RDS on it
For hogs and deer can’t go wrong. Not as sexy as some higher end and not as feature rich but sure gets the job done.
For exposed elevation and low capped windage you could go with the ATACR 4-16x42 but it has parallax on the side.
An SWFA SS in a fixed 10x42 can be purchased with the parallax on the ocular lens. They’re cheap, too. But the windage and elevation turrets are both exposed.
An SWFA SS in a fixed 10x42 can be purchased with the parallax on the ocular lens. They’re cheap, too. But the windage and elevation turrets are both exposed.
I had always seen bdc reticles as cluttered, but could be persuaded I guess. The big open circles seemed like they would cover too much. First or second focal, does not matter much. I like to save the dough for better quality FFP glass on my bolt rifles.
As for rds, I'm not looking to change cheek weld. Where I think I'd have to if the rds was atop the scope. Rotating the rifle counter clockwise to view the rds is what I was hoping for, hence the capped, or I guess at least low, windage. Let's say sub $1200
The Leupold MK 5 works well on an AR10. Here's mine on a GAP10 in an ADM mount.
The Tract Toric 2-10x42 might be worth a look, I have the Toric 4-20 and the scope is very impressive, the 2-10 seems to fit the sleek design you’re looking for and the BDC reticle is not too cluttered - https://www.tractoptics.com/products/riflescopes/toric-2-10x42-bdc
Leupold VX3 LRP FFP 4.5-14X50 ($800-ish street price) with TMR or TMOA reticle might work. No illumination, so the parallax knob isn't huge. Small form factor, light weight relative to similar scopes. Windage capped. The exposed elevation is a bit tall, and it's 50mm (but won't 50mm fit without problem in a standard height AR mount?).
Leupold Mk6 or Mk5 if you want feature rich and FFP, simple and lightweight go Nightforce 2.5-10x24 or 42.
If SPUHR made a 35mm version of the SP-4616 and I could actually get a through-scope picture of the current TMR (only reticle offered with illumination) I would consider the 3.5-18 mk5.
I’m pretty disappointed that the only illuminated reticle for the Mark 5 3.5-18 is the TMR reticle. Others illuminate on the higher magnification models, but not in the 3.5-18. I had the opportunity to look through a bunch of Mark 5 scopes and really liked them. I was planning on one of them for my revamped .308 but I want to be able to holdover and have illumination. The TMR will only get me to about 650 yards with the 5 Mils available. Since it’s Leupolds own reticle design perhaps they’ll eventually give a little more on the elevation.
I have a Mark 4 3.5-10 with the TMR that is great. Was on my SPR so the 5 Mils on the reticle was all I needed. I’m planning on listing it here for sale and that was going to go towards a Mark 5 but now I’m not so sure.
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