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Old October 7, 2012, 06:19 PM   #1
seansean1444
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ar 15 optic question

hi i have a bushmaster carbon 15 and have a bushnell trophey red dot sight but i am looking for a nice scope that wont break the bank, what do you guys recommend
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Old October 7, 2012, 06:25 PM   #2
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also i will only be using the scope out to 200 yards regularly, possibly 300 every now and then. mainly target shooting
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Old October 7, 2012, 06:32 PM   #3
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The Nikon M-223 line are nice scopes for the money. Are you looking for more of a compact optic with minimal magnification since you have a more compact light weight rifle? (around x4-x6) The 1-4x20 pointblank would be nice. They have a new(er) one call the P223 also in a compact called the 3x32 BCD carbine I was pleased with the M223 3-12x42 nikoplex and will be ordering another one soon for my SPR.

P.S. How do you like that bushnell trophy? I was thinking of getting one for my 9mm.
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Old October 7, 2012, 06:48 PM   #4
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its nice but the settings are just way to bright i use it on the 1 setting in the middle of the day, the 11 setting blinds you pretty much. that being said its accurate and always stays spot on which is good. i was going 2 try to stay compact. i will check out those scopes
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Old October 7, 2012, 06:54 PM   #5
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Well, depends on your preference/price range etc.

Personally, I like low power optics on AR's. For me, my AR is first and foremost a defensive carbine. Not a precision rifle. (I have more appropriate tools for precision). IMO, an AR optic must be usable easily from point blank range, to whatever max distance you want.

I run this: Vortex Viper PST 1-4 X 24mm in a Larue Tactical LT-104 Mount GREAT SYSTEM! I really do love it.

I have shot this system all the way out to 600 yards.

This may be outside your price range, but the Nikon series already mentioned are awesome scopes from what I have heard.

Also, you should look at a mount from Larue, or similar. (Larue mounts are not cheap, but worth every penny) Nikon makes a Larue mount "copy", so does Burris and Weaver. Can't imagine they don't work.

I would say the Nikon scope of your choice, and the offset mount, unless your budget is larger.

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Old October 7, 2012, 07:33 PM   #6
seansean1444
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what makes the larue mount better than just bolting my optic up?
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Old October 7, 2012, 08:43 PM   #7
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Sean,

A Larue mount, or similar, provides the proper height for the scope, and clearance for an iron sight like the one on mine. Also, allows for easier access to the charging handle, and proper eye relief.

Sometimes higher power scopes in standard rings will not fit on the top rail. The larue mount solves this problem by being one piece.

Just depends on the scope though. The other advantage of the Larue mount is the ability to be quick detach. I can remove the mount and scope combo, run the gun with iron sights, re-attach the scope in the same position on the rail, and the scope will keep it's zero. (trust me it works).

I run a 50 yard zero, which makes me scope just about dead on at 200 yards. I have tested the Larue mount many times, and it will hold zero, even out to range. (Have you figured out i'm a Larue fanboy yet??)

See this linK: Larue's description of the advantages of their mount, but applies to similar style mounts as well.

http://www.laruetactical.com/larue-t...ount-qd-lt-104
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Old October 7, 2012, 09:46 PM   #8
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As stated by golfnutrlv...if the Larue is inside of your budget, I'd seriously look into them. The mounting is almost as important as the optic itself. And larue is the cream of the crop. If it's not in budget, RRA make a VERY solid and pretty nice one piece scope mount for $60 + or -. Available in both 30mm and 1" standard and cantilever. I had one of their 1" cantilever mounts and while it was a little on the heavy side...I was very happy with it. The only reason I traded it out for a set of ARMS #22 rings was due to clearance issues and weight on my already heavy pig of an SPR

The RRA Mount on my little 16" Varmint stick

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Old October 7, 2012, 09:57 PM   #9
seansean1444
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nice i may look into them... what would be a good power scope because even the p223 come in a couple magnifications. id like to be able to hit fairly small targets at 200 yards
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Old October 7, 2012, 11:27 PM   #10
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Sean, "break the bank" is subjective. What's your budget?
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Old October 7, 2012, 11:30 PM   #11
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Well, magnification is a personal preference. in the Nikon M223 line, 2-8 power or higher would be my thought.

You can also look at Vortex scopes. They are in the same price range, and they are a lot of scope for the money. Opticsplanet.com has good prices, usually free shipping as well.

http://www.vortexoptics.com/

The viper line is their high quality, reasonable price line. Viper PST is a step up. I have the 1-4x 24 version on my AR. Again, power is a preference.

I don't think you can go wrong with either. Spend as much on the optics/mount as you think you can afford. It will make you happier in the long run.
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Old October 8, 2012, 02:15 PM   #12
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i was looking to spend a max of 200
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Old October 8, 2012, 02:58 PM   #13
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Burris AR-332 ( http://www.burrisoptics.com/ar332.html )

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Old October 8, 2012, 06:00 PM   #14
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A tad more than you wanted to spend, but I second the Burris AR-332. Great optics, BDC, works with or without a battery and comes with a mount that is the proper heighth. They do make a QD, which I have, that holds its zero if you take it off.
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Old October 8, 2012, 09:27 PM   #15
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When I saw that you only wanted to spend $200 and shoot small objects out to 200 yards, I figure you would need a scope package.

Here it is. A Weaver Kaspa scope of your magnification choice and a Burris PEPR QD mount all for $199.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index...s-package.html

You're welcome.
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Old October 9, 2012, 07:55 PM   #16
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Quote:
When I saw that you only wanted to spend $200 and shoot small objects out to 200 yards, I figure you would need a scope package.

Here it is. A Weaver Kaspa scope of your magnification choice and a Burris PEPR QD mount all for $199.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index...s-package.html

You're welcome.
Hard to turn that down...sweet deal. Never argue with Weaver...
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Old October 9, 2012, 09:25 PM   #17
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The budget solution is a Weaver V3 1-3x20 for less than $150. Don't let the price foll you it's a good scope. You can get SWFA to price match and combine shipping with a Burris QD P.E.P.R. mount for $90. Or you could do a V10 2-10x38 for not much more. Both are good quality scopes. FWIW a V16 4-16x42 is still pretty affordable.

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Old October 19, 2012, 03:06 PM   #18
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I wish I could recommend a U.S. made scope that wouldn't break the bank, but unfortunately one does not exist. So my top picks are either Nikon M-223 or Vortex for the AR platform.
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