I am looking to upgrade the glass on my old service rifle competition AR. Right now it has a Nightforce SHV F1 sitting on top of it, but I am looking to see what the next step up should be. This rig generally stays within 600 yards, but occasionally gets stretched out to 1000 when I feel like getting humbled.
Honestly, the SHV does basically everything that I need it to. My biggest complaints are that the illumination is limited to the center crosshairs, a nicer zero stop would be nice, and it is a little heavier than I would like.
Tracking is my biggest priority. After that would be ruggedness, durability, and overall build quality. Glass quality is up there, but definitely not at the top of the list along with weight. I would like to stay in the 12-18x on the top end, prefer FFP and MOA, and prefer to stay under $1500. I am also active duty, so I do have access to .mil pricing and I’m not opposed to buying used.
Having said that, I am looking at the following:
-Steiner T5Xi 3-15x50 - I have handled one in the past and know that I like the glass, turrets, etc. The biggest problem is that I’m not really saving any weight.
-Leupold MK5HD 3.6-18x44 - I have heard a lot of good things about this one, but an illuminated version is more than I would like to spend even with the .mil discount. I am also not sure that Geissele makes a 35mm mount that will fit a small frame AR.
-Leupold VX6HD 2-12x42 - There are considerable weight savings, but it is SFP. I keep going back and forth on FFP vs SFP for a 12x scope.
-Keep what I have because it does what I need it to and it isn’t worth upgrading until I decide to spend >$2000.
Honestly, the SHV does basically everything that I need it to. My biggest complaints are that the illumination is limited to the center crosshairs, a nicer zero stop would be nice, and it is a little heavier than I would like.
Tracking is my biggest priority. After that would be ruggedness, durability, and overall build quality. Glass quality is up there, but definitely not at the top of the list along with weight. I would like to stay in the 12-18x on the top end, prefer FFP and MOA, and prefer to stay under $1500. I am also active duty, so I do have access to .mil pricing and I’m not opposed to buying used.
Having said that, I am looking at the following:
-Steiner T5Xi 3-15x50 - I have handled one in the past and know that I like the glass, turrets, etc. The biggest problem is that I’m not really saving any weight.
-Leupold MK5HD 3.6-18x44 - I have heard a lot of good things about this one, but an illuminated version is more than I would like to spend even with the .mil discount. I am also not sure that Geissele makes a 35mm mount that will fit a small frame AR.
-Leupold VX6HD 2-12x42 - There are considerable weight savings, but it is SFP. I keep going back and forth on FFP vs SFP for a 12x scope.
-Keep what I have because it does what I need it to and it isn’t worth upgrading until I decide to spend >$2000.
