Im looking for a scope for my 6.8spc AR. The rifle will be primarily a hunting rifle. I would like an illuminated reticle for low light situations. I was looking at a trijicon accupoint or a leupold mr/t. obviously the mr/t is pretty expensive. any experience or reccomendations for either?
best illuminated reticle rifle(deer/pig gun) scope?
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steven58
Member
I had a Trijicon TR-21 amber triangle for 10 years. Best hunting scope I ever owned. The Triangle reticle gives a perfect compromise of large "dot" type aim-point for fast up close shots and the tip of the triangle is very effective for longer range / more precise shots.
You can also turn the shade and cover the fiber optic collector. This allows you to tune down the brightness of the triangle on super bright days and if closed all the way it turns the reticle into a simple black triangle post for maximum precision when shooting paper.
There's no batteries to worry about. Ambient light was always enough to keep the tip bright relative to the surroundings. In a worst case scenario you have a black post reticle, never a washout. Add in the tritium feature and it can't be beat.
The only down side is you are limited to max point blank range. (figure 300 yd.) as the thick single post makes any kind of holdover very difficult if not impossible.
The new TR-24 should be even better as it's a true 1X on the low end.
You can also turn the shade and cover the fiber optic collector. This allows you to tune down the brightness of the triangle on super bright days and if closed all the way it turns the reticle into a simple black triangle post for maximum precision when shooting paper.
There's no batteries to worry about. Ambient light was always enough to keep the tip bright relative to the surroundings. In a worst case scenario you have a black post reticle, never a washout. Add in the tritium feature and it can't be beat.
The only down side is you are limited to max point blank range. (figure 300 yd.) as the thick single post makes any kind of holdover very difficult if not impossible.
The new TR-24 should be even better as it's a true 1X on the low end.
Bill_Rights
Member
An AR style rifle, you say? Price an issue? How far you shooting?
If not too far, I recommend a Millett DMS-1 1-4x24mm. $210 at MidwayUSA. There are several other manufacturers with the same basic pattern of scope, true 1X on the low end: Burris TAC-30, Nikon M-223 and so forth.
Many hunters say 3x or 4x is plenty of magnification, for any humane-distance shot unless you want to make a career of long-range shooting. This class of scope will also retain the CQB utility of your AR. On 1X power, you can use this scope head-up, both eyes open with no parallax issue. Whatever the reticle covers, that's where the bullet goes. No worry if your eye is off axis.
If not too far, I recommend a Millett DMS-1 1-4x24mm. $210 at MidwayUSA. There are several other manufacturers with the same basic pattern of scope, true 1X on the low end: Burris TAC-30, Nikon M-223 and so forth.
Many hunters say 3x or 4x is plenty of magnification, for any humane-distance shot unless you want to make a career of long-range shooting. This class of scope will also retain the CQB utility of your AR. On 1X power, you can use this scope head-up, both eyes open with no parallax issue. Whatever the reticle covers, that's where the bullet goes. No worry if your eye is off axis.
Lloyd Smale
Member
I too have an 1x4 accupoint and couldnt think of a better whitetail scope unless the range gets much past 300 yards. Nice thing about them is there versitility on an ar. At 1x they are near as good as an aimpoint. If i could afford it id pick up a couple more.
Abel
Member
I want a Trijicon Accupoint.
Gordon
Member
2.5-10x Nightforce. This:
http://www.angelfire.com/tx5/snipersustainment/Nightforce.html
http://www.angelfire.com/tx5/snipersustainment/Nightforce.html
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For 150-200, I'd say a Nightforce 1-4X then. The little Trijicons are nice. The ones with the triangle reticle are fast too, but holding over with those is difficult at best. The post gets in the way.
If on a budget, check out the Vortex PST line.
If on a budget, check out the Vortex PST line.
Gordon
Member
If you are under 200 yards the 4x range is perfect and ACOGs are very nice .Budget? I bought one of these to try , and Damn if I can find anything under $700 that works better! These are made in Japan optics, very bright and reliable (so far) and BRITE illumination. A very good mout too. ALL for less than $200 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.opticstalk.com/optisan-14x24-mamba-swfa-salt-combo_topic29046.html
http://www.opticstalk.com/optisan-14x24-mamba-swfa-salt-combo_topic29046.html
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I bought a scope that sounds like what your looking for. I searched for a long time and found the Leupold VX-3 1.5-5X20mm illuminated circle-dot, I have not hunted with it yet, but it performed well at the range and the lighted reticle is plenty bright enough fordaytime use, a problem the older versions had.
They are not cheap, running around $600, but it was the best most affordable option I could find.
I almost went ACOG, but wanted variable power option. The only complaint is that the center dot is large, 4moa or larger, it makes precision shooting more difficult, but it should do well for hunting in low light situations or for quick moving shots. Here is a few pics of it installed on my LAR-8 and a pic of the reticle.
They are not cheap, running around $600, but it was the best most affordable option I could find.
I almost went ACOG, but wanted variable power option. The only complaint is that the center dot is large, 4moa or larger, it makes precision shooting more difficult, but it should do well for hunting in low light situations or for quick moving shots. Here is a few pics of it installed on my LAR-8 and a pic of the reticle.
padkeemow
Member
It's on the pricey side, but another option you might consider is the SWFA SS 1-4x24.
Here are some shots of the SWFA SS 1-4x24 reticle. Please note that I have a crappy camera, the glass is actually very clear and the reticle very sharp-- you can see the crosshairs at 1x, though they're faint.
1x, illuminated
4x, illuminated
Here are some shots of the SWFA SS 1-4x24 reticle. Please note that I have a crappy camera, the glass is actually very clear and the reticle very sharp-- you can see the crosshairs at 1x, though they're faint.
1x, illuminated
4x, illuminated
Zerodefect
member
I have a Trijicon 5-20x 50mm scop on my SPR. Green triangle reticle.
Great scope for deer and midrange moving targets.
Great scope for deer and midrange moving targets.
http://www.shopbarska.com/product.cgi?product=5707&group=5125
Just ordered one of these and I did not need another scope. It usually retails for over $300 but they are running a special and purchased it for $99 delivered. It does have an illuminated reticle. If I were going to need and purchase another scope I would get another Vortex but wanted to compare this scope side by side with the Simmons.
Barska's New 4-16x50 IR Green Mil-dot Sniper Riflescope features quick targeting exterior windage and elevation adjustments, military standard mil-dot reticle which can be turned from a normal black reticle to a highly visible green illuminated reticle for low light
Just ordered one of these and I did not need another scope. It usually retails for over $300 but they are running a special and purchased it for $99 delivered. It does have an illuminated reticle. If I were going to need and purchase another scope I would get another Vortex but wanted to compare this scope side by side with the Simmons.
Barska's New 4-16x50 IR Green Mil-dot Sniper Riflescope features quick targeting exterior windage and elevation adjustments, military standard mil-dot reticle which can be turned from a normal black reticle to a highly visible green illuminated reticle for low light
Gordon
Member
Best side by side review I've seen.
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2494255
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2494255
Joe Vaquero
Member
Sounds like you are looking to spend a fair amount of money. Although it is a "budget" scope, I would suggest looking at the Mueller Hybrid 2-7x32. It has a unique reticle with a dot that lights up. I have a 3-10x44 Mueller and I am very pleased with it.
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