Scope for AR-15

Lurch37 · May 14, 2011, 11:14 AM

Although I would love to have an ACOG, my present budget doesn't allow for that. I am presently trying to decide between the Nikon M-223 or the Leupold AR. I see that for roughly the same money one can purchase either. Thru the end of May, Nikon is throwing in one of their mounts free, although SWFA has a package deal with the Leupold that includes a Burris mount.

I have searched the forums and tried to gleen as much info as I can. It's my opinion that both are quality scopes. I have read some reports of the Nikon mount being "so-so".

I would like opinions from those of you that have one or the other or possibly have used both. Thanks!

NWdude83 · May 14, 2011, 02:57 PM

I have found Nikon's to have better optics clarity.

Skadoosh · May 14, 2011, 03:30 PM

I went with Nikon as well for my 20" AR. Very nice scope.

I had a Leupold that would not hold zero. I sent it back and was shipped a brand new replacement in less than two weeks. It sits on my boltgun.

Comparatively, the Nikon seems to have slightly better clarity and brightness than the Leupold.

HiBC · May 15, 2011, 03:48 AM

I have not looked at the Nikon but I recently bought aLeu MK A R Mildot.I would buy another one if I needed another AR scope.Once you get your load,chrono it,send the Velocity,BC,your altitude,sight height etc to the Leu custom shop,they will make you a new dial-a range elevation knob for your load.You also have the mildot.I have a couple of the Burris PEPR mounts.I might give them 3 stars.Cheap,and OK,but not great.Look close at the mating surfaces to the rail and dress any high spots.I'm using them,they work.

shanzlik · May 15, 2011, 12:30 PM

I have a Mark AR 3-9x40 mildot in an M223 mount. (The M223 scopes weren't out when I bought the Leupold) It's a good scope and is better than a Buckmaster but not quite up to the Nikon Monarch clarity level. I haven't had a chance to see through an M223 yet.

The M223 mount is very nice in my opinion. It is lighter weight than a PEPR, which is good for saving weight and should still be plenty stout for an AR. I would think you would break the scope before you would break the mount.

I have a couple PEPRs, too, and if you're really hard on gear or need the top rails on the rings, that may be the way to go. I tried using a FastFire II on the top rail and found it to be too tall - a 1 o'clock offset rail works better for that.

One nice thing with the Nikon is you get a built-in 20MOA cant to help gain more effective elevation range with your scope.

It would be hard to go wrong with either scope or either mount.

NWdude83 · May 15, 2011, 03:33 PM

Since you are looking for a compact scope thats around 1-4x might I suggest the Vortex Diamondback 1.75-5x32. When I eventually build or buy another AR carbine, that will probably be what Im gonna put on it.

HJ857 · May 15, 2011, 05:08 PM

Another possible option is the Burris Tac30.

I just have a general comment. If you are going to use it like a red dot/both eyes open - the the 1X must be a true 1X to really work well, even a 1.1X can screw up your binocular vision.

For that reason I'd say that if a both eyes open technique is important to you then accept only a true 1X scope. If it's not important, then skip anything in the 1.5 to 2x range and go straight for a 3x to whatever range and probably save some money in the process.

madcratebuilder · May 16, 2011, 06:20 AM

Nikon's running a special on the M223, comes with a free M223 mount ($100). SWFA was them in stock and if you find a cheaper price Swfa has a 110% price match guarantee.

tirod · May 16, 2011, 09:08 AM

I always find it amusing to see recommendations - and yet we have no idea what the scope will target, at what range.

Add the difficulty that both models have more than one range of powers - the Leupold has four models, the Nikon, five.

An honest recommendation could include not even using a scope, help us out and fill in some details.

Lurch37 · May 16, 2011, 07:20 PM

Over this last weekend I had the opportunity to examine both Models and found that I preferred the Nikon over the Leupold. Both looked to be well made and had what I wanted, but the Nikon glass seemed to be clearer. I didn't buy the scope where I was as I knew I could get the free mount deal from places online, so I will be ordering that soon.

Thanks for your input!

May 14, 2011, 11:14 AM	#1
Lurch37 Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2006 Location: Middle of Nebraska Posts: 941	Scope for AR-15 Although I would love to have an ACOG, my present budget doesn't allow for that. I am presently trying to decide between the Nikon M-223 or the Leupold AR. I see that for roughly the same money one can purchase either. Thru the end of May, Nikon is throwing in one of their mounts free, although SWFA has a package deal with the Leupold that includes a Burris mount. I have searched the forums and tried to gleen as much info as I can. It's my opinion that both are quality scopes. I have read some reports of the Nikon mount being "so-so". I would like opinions from those of you that have one or the other or possibly have used both. Thanks! __________________ I reject your reality and substitute my own.

May 14, 2011, 03:30 PM	#3
Skadoosh Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2010 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 2,016	I went with Nikon as well for my 20" AR. Very nice scope. I had a Leupold that would not hold zero. I sent it back and was shipped a brand new replacement in less than two weeks. It sits on my boltgun. Comparatively, the Nikon seems to have slightly better clarity and brightness than the Leupold. __________________ NRA Life Member USN Retired

May 15, 2011, 03:48 AM	#4
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,283	I have not looked at the Nikon but I recently bought aLeu MK A R Mildot.I would buy another one if I needed another AR scope.Once you get your load,chrono it,send the Velocity,BC,your altitude,sight height etc to the Leu custom shop,they will make you a new dial-a range elevation knob for your load.You also have the mildot.I have a couple of the Burris PEPR mounts.I might give them 3 stars.Cheap,and OK,but not great.Look close at the mating surfaces to the rail and dress any high spots.I'm using them,they work. Last edited by HiBC; May 15, 2011 at 03:54 AM.

May 15, 2011, 12:30 PM	#5
shanzlik Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 547	I have a Mark AR 3-9x40 mildot in an M223 mount. (The M223 scopes weren't out when I bought the Leupold) It's a good scope and is better than a Buckmaster but not quite up to the Nikon Monarch clarity level. I haven't had a chance to see through an M223 yet. The M223 mount is very nice in my opinion. It is lighter weight than a PEPR, which is good for saving weight and should still be plenty stout for an AR. I would think you would break the scope before you would break the mount. I have a couple PEPRs, too, and if you're really hard on gear or need the top rails on the rings, that may be the way to go. I tried using a FastFire II on the top rail and found it to be too tall - a 1 o'clock offset rail works better for that. One nice thing with the Nikon is you get a built-in 20MOA cant to help gain more effective elevation range with your scope. It would be hard to go wrong with either scope or either mount. __________________ TSRA Life Member, NRA Endowment Life Member, SAF Life Member My EDC - STI Shadow My blog - firearm reviews, etc.

May 16, 2011, 07:20 PM	#10
Lurch37 Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2006 Location: Middle of Nebraska Posts: 941	Over this last weekend I had the opportunity to examine both Models and found that I preferred the Nikon over the Leupold. Both looked to be well made and had what I wanted, but the Nikon glass seemed to be clearer. I didn't buy the scope where I was as I knew I could get the free mount deal from places online, so I will be ordering that soon. Thanks for your input! __________________ I reject your reality and substitute my own.

May 14, 2011, 02:57 PM	#2
NWdude83 Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2008 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 351	I have found Nikon's to have better optics clarity.

May 15, 2011, 03:33 PM	#6
NWdude83 Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2008 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 351	Since you are looking for a compact scope thats around 1-4x might I suggest the Vortex Diamondback 1.75-5x32. When I eventually build or buy another AR carbine, that will probably be what Im gonna put on it.

May 15, 2011, 05:08 PM	#7
HJ857 Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2007 Posts: 447	Another possible option is the Burris Tac30. I just have a general comment. If you are going to use it like a red dot/both eyes open - the the 1X must be a true 1X to really work well, even a 1.1X can screw up your binocular vision. For that reason I'd say that if a both eyes open technique is important to you then accept only a true 1X scope. If it's not important, then skip anything in the 1.5 to 2x range and go straight for a 3x to whatever range and probably save some money in the process.

May 16, 2011, 06:20 AM	#8
madcratebuilder Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2007 Location: Northern Orygun Posts: 4,923	Nikon's running a special on the M223, comes with a free M223 mount ($100). SWFA was them in stock and if you find a cheaper price Swfa has a 110% price match guarantee.

May 16, 2011, 09:08 AM	#9
tirod Junior member Join Date: January 21, 2009 Posts: 1,672	I always find it amusing to see recommendations - and yet we have no idea what the scope will target, at what range. Add the difficulty that both models have more than one range of powers - the Leupold has four models, the Nikon, five. An honest recommendation could include not even using a scope, help us out and fill in some details.