Low-power scope for AR

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CopperFouling

CopperFouling

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So I was pretty set on an Aimpoint for my AR until some members here mentioned in another thread that a low-power scope might be worth considering. I did some reading, and I'm leaning that direction now. I'd like a 1 x 4 (or close to that range) that has an illuminated reticle. What are some good scopes at which I should be looking? I have a fair amount of money saved from some OT last year, so I would consider anything from about $250 to $800. If you have a suggestion at both ends of that range, I think that would be pretty helpful. Thanks in advance.
 
Pretty much every major offers a scope in that category. I chose a nikon p-223 years ago for my mini and its been a great scope. Nikon now offers an upscale version in the m-223 havent used one yet.

I also have a brunton eterna 1.5-5x20 and thats ridding on my .458socom upper. Very nice scope, very bright.

I cant offer opinions on the other scopes in the range but im sure others can.
 
Good advice. The scope can do what the aimpoint does and a lot more.

I have been very happy with the weaver tactical although I would prefer this model in mil mil setup but it is not as critical as a long range scope.

http://shop.opticsplanet.com/weaver...plusbox-beta&gclid=CNHf7MH249ECFcS6wAodoZ4MTQ

Also check the SIG Sauer tango 6 at discount with 1-6 with the mil mil. setup.

https://swfa.com/optics/browse/riflescopes/sig-sauer-1-6x24-tango6-30mm-riflescope-3.html

See if you can find them both like a dealer or as at folks in the area and look through them.
 
Yeah one of the downsides about buying scopes over the interwebs is you can't look and compare.
I've bought more than one good scope that ive sent on its way because it just didnt work for my eyes.
 
I like my Vortex Viper PST 1-4x24. Selection of reticles. They just replaced it therefore some deals could be in the near future. http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/vortex-viper-pst-1-4x24-riflescope-with-tmcq-moa-reticle

Have mine mounted to an AD Recon.

vA1VzxO.jpg

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I have a leupold vxr patrol 1-4 with illuminated reticle (firedot) it's perfect for my needs. Cost is about $550-600
 
An illuminated reticle wouldn't be high on my list of needs. I just don't think the benefits, if any, justify the added cost. But I approve of your plan to buy a 1-4X scope over a dot sight with or without illuminated reticle. I've found them far more accurate, just as fast and better all around. I have Leupold VX-1's on a couple of AR's. Rather than use an illuminated reticle I prefer a weapons mounted light. The illuminated reticle will help you see the cross hairs, but won't do a thing to help you see and identify the target.
 
jmr40 said:
An illuminated reticle wouldn't be high on my list of needs. I just don't think the benefits, if any, justify the added cost. But I approve of your plan to buy a 1-4X scope over a dot sight with or without illuminated reticle. I've found them far more accurate, just as fast and better all around. I have Leupold VX-1's on a couple of AR's. Rather than use an illuminated reticle I prefer a weapons mounted light. The illuminated reticle will help you see the cross hairs, but won't do a thing to help you see and identify the target.
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I've found that they help with getting on target more quickly, at least when I have shot red-dot sights on pistols. I haven't shot one on a rifle, though. I'm trying to find an LGS near me that stocks a variety so that I can look through them. I'll have to compare the illuminated ones to ones that aren't.
 
The Steiner P4Xi is another good option at just under $600. I recently tested one and it did very well. The test was box style at 100 yards, 20, 10 and 5" boxes. Scope movement was checked against a ruler and by shooting groups. Elevation was dead on and windage was no more than 3/8" off which occurred in the 20" box. Only time will tell how the scope holds up to hard use.

Bear in mind that it is hard to precisely aim a 4X scope. There is a big difference in the scope picture of a 25x power scope with a fine dot or cross hairs and 4x scope with a large dot. You are also testing the gun and trigger puller.

There has been a lot of attention on 1-4.5X scopes since the CMP and NRA rules last year were changed to allow them. The price range of scopes in this class vary between <$400 to over $2K with a big vacuum between $600 and $1900. Reliability and repeatability are generally higher with the premium priced scopes.
 
I've been pleased with the Leupold MarkAR 1-4x I picked up last year. For a Leupold, the price I got at Optics Planet was very good. Happy with the glass, the reticle seems useful, and the green illumination is practical without being too much.

DSCN1540.JPG

At low power (1.5x):
DSCN1549.JPG

At 4x power:
DSCN1551.JPG

I got the Leupold illuminated Mark AR 1-4x and the Aero Precision EXTENDED mount for under $440, shipped.
 
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Sam1911 said:
I've been pleased with the Leupold MarkAR 1-4x I picked up last year. For a Leupold, the price I got at Optics Planet was very good. Happy with the glass, the reticle seems useful, and the green illumination is practical without being too much.

index.php


At low power (1.5x):
index.php


At 4x power:
index.php


I got the Leupold illuminated Mark AR 1-4x and the Aero Precision EXTENDED mount for under $440, shipped.
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Hey Sam, I'm not seeing the pictures.
 
An illuminated reticle wouldn't be high on my list of needs. I just don't think the benefits, if any, justify the added cost
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The idea is that with the scope on 1X and the illumination ON, you can use it pretty much as you would dot optic with both eyes open for fast and close work. OTOH unless you are shooting small hard to see targets, or at ranges well over 100 yards I prefer the smaller size and lighter weight of a dot optic.
 
In that price range ($399) there's the SWFA SS 1-4x24 Tactical scope.

https://swfa.com/catalog/product/view/id/109309/s/swfa-ss-1-4x24-tactical-30mm-riflescope/

It has an illuminated reticle and it also has system for ranging targets by using stadia lines on a Mil-based reticle. It helps to know the general size of the targets you're possibly going to be shooting (hog, deer, silhouette target torso, a Russian paratrooper trying at access an RPK from a weapons capsule at the local high school or whatever) in order to use the stadia lines to its highest capability.

I'll probably tape a small range card to tape on the stock at first, but eventually I'll just memorize them. On the SWFA 1-4x Tactical the shooter actually zeros the rifle on the tip of the upper part of the diamond which is a familiar system for me because of the length of time that it been using that Trijicon 2.5-10x56 Accupoint green triangle and post. On that one you use the tip of the triangle as well. The center of the dot within the triangle is 200 yards and the bottom of the diamond is 300 yards and so on. Pretty cool.

28184998034_7315eb7958_h_d.jpg

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It's a really good scope for a decent price. After that I'd make the jump into the Trijicon Accupoints and those are at the top end of your budget.
 
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I like that SWFA reticle, uncluttered, decent range estimation, although I'd say the Russian PSOP type is still my favorite along with the super cluttered Horus grid.
 
Howard Roark said:
The Steiner P4Xi is another good option at just under $600.
Click to expand...

I have one and I like it a lot more than the various Leupolds 1x4's I have. Course its a new product, so it needs to stand the test of time that my Leu's have done 1000x. Time will tell.
 
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wally said:
I like that SWFA reticle, uncluttered, decent range estimation, although I'd say the Russian PSOP type is still my favorite along with the super cluttered Horus grid.
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Yeah, I like that SWFA 1-4. It's an unbelievable scope for the price.

Besides that mostly I stick either to Trijicon or Nikons.

Trijicon has both the Accupoint's as well as the Accupower line in 1-4x24. Both are within the price range set, but the Accupower is a bit less.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00V...wer+1-4x24&dpPl=1&dpID=31ZbSVGF7RL&ref=plSrch

I never tried the Horus just because of how cluttered they are, but I did try the Russian POSP a million years ago. I remember my buddy had a hard time getting the battery back then, but if I remember right they changed that.

Cool Reticle though. I typically do well with illuminated triange or chevron shaped reticle's. Easy and fast to hit with.
 
When I look at this type of use I want my equipment to be a versatile as I can afford
so I don't see the reason for a 1-4 when we have very nice 1-6 and 1-8 options.
Perhaps there is a reason for limiting the range but I could not find one in practical terms.
 
In my case, at the budget point I was looking to hit, I could have the Leupold 1-4 or I could go for some other maker's 1-6 choices.

I wanted Leupold more than I wanted the extra 2x.
 
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