Re: SWFA-SS Tax Day Group Buy: 1-6, 5-20, and more!
For me, the decision between a 1-whatever vs. a scope with an offset option is pretty conclusive. There is no point in using a 1x-whatever with an offset red dot - why sacrifice magnification in your primary if you are going to roll the rifle over and always use a offset mount close up? My biggest concern with rolling the rifle over is that the change in my shoulder pocket makes managing the recoil of fast shots with a .308 harder - I guess I need to practice it more, or put my muzzle brake back on...
The options I see are:
irons
red dot
1-whatever
medium-high powered optic
medium-high powered optic with offset irons
medium-high powered optic with offset red dot
Irons by themselves may very well have their place, but are undoubtedly inferior to all the other options.
Red dots are the fastest. People have run the numbers and they are consistently better than anything else as far as speed is concerned on close to medium-distance targets.
1-whatever scopes are, I think, the best option for a "do-all" rifle. If they are well designed (huge caveat here) you get most of the benefits of a red dot with most of the benefit of a magnified optic, without the weight of two optics or having to sacrifice the consistent cheek weld and interface of one optic.
Medium-high powered optics are obviously great on guns that see their primary use in precision roles, but anything less than true 1x is noticeably slower at close distance.
I think medium-high powered optic with offset irons could be a good option. You get a lot of the benefits close up that you get with a red dot. I still think this setup leans more towards a focus on distance shooting as apposed to lots of close-up stuff, or a healthy mix of both. All I know is, I would not particularly enjoy running a 2 day carbine course with my .308 AR using offset irons and a 4-16...
Medium-high powered optics with offset red dots are heavier, higher profile end result, although they arguably do both roles a little better than the compromise that a 1-whatever scope is. You have a true magnified optic with no sacrifice to usability, and you get a real red dot, not a 1x scope with a illuminated retcile and a small eyebox. I personally prefer the lighter, slimmer, lower profile setup. I also think it looks A LOT better, and looks are important.