New to AR - Scope suggestions

Petey1987 · June 28, 2011, 02:34 PM

I need a scope for my AR. Most all my shots are 150 yards or less, but I need magnification. I also use this rifle for night varmit hunting. Am using a light, but do I need a lighted reticle?
Would like to keep it in the $200 range. Any suggestions?
Can I use a 3x9x40 standard scope? Rifle is a 5.56.

Thanks!

GURU1911 · June 28, 2011, 03:51 PM

A fixed 4-power burris compact or the same burris compact in the 2--7 power variable would be excellent.

Guru1911

zippy13 · June 28, 2011, 05:01 PM

Greetings Petey1987, and welcome aboard.

Yes, of course you can use a 3-9x40 on an AR; however, they are not all created equally. The grey beards will remember the initial Colt AR scopes were very compact fixed power units, typically accompanied by a stock riser. The flat-top uppers and adjustable stocks have changed things. Years ago, when I scoped my carry handle AR, I selected a variable Burris compact (IMHO, the Colt scopes were outrageously priced). There are several Burris scopes available in the $200 neighborhood.

For night work, my old eyes are happier with some internal illumination, YMMV. You mentioned 150-yard shooting. In reality how far will you see at night with lights? Perhaps, you'd be happy with a simple illuminated dot 1x unit. Of course, there's nothing that says you can't have two units: magnified optical during the day and a simple dot at night. Both can be had for under $200.

saands · June 29, 2011, 01:40 PM

Don't overlook something like a Weaver 1-3X ... at 1x, you get the ease of aiming from the scope's reticles, but the ability to shoot with both eyes open for better awareness ... and 3x is pretty good magnification as long as your targets @ 150yds are not golf balls. I believe that they are also in your price range.

Saands

ClydeFrog · June 29, 2011, 10:29 PM

I'd check Mid-South Shooters, Natchez Shooters Supply, Brownells, or Cheaperthandirt.com.

They may have optics/glass for AR models in your budget range.
NOTE: Brownells has a full printed AR parts/gunsmithing catalog.

www.Brownells.com www.Cheaperthandirt.com www.Natchezss.com

Delaware_Dan · June 30, 2011, 12:15 AM

I just bought a Nikon M223 2-8 x 32 that I have not had a chance to take out yet, but I'm very suprised how clear it is.

NWdude83 · July 7, 2011, 09:20 PM

Vortex Diamondback 2-7 or 3-9. OpticsPlanet, SWFA, MidwayUSA.

jsimmons · July 8, 2011, 12:23 PM

I have a Nikon 3-12x42 on burris rings, and I LOVE it. Side focus is the shizzle.

RC20 · July 14, 2011, 03:33 PM

Leupold Mk4 is the only way to go.

Makes all the others look bad and it has a terrific side focus, and a lifetime warranty and they are not going away.

My brother sent in a scope that was 30 years old and they fixed it.

June 28, 2011, 02:34 PM	#1
Petey1987 Junior Member Join Date: June 28, 2011 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1	New to AR - Scope suggestions I need a scope for my AR. Most all my shots are 150 yards or less, but I need magnification. I also use this rifle for night varmit hunting. Am using a light, but do I need a lighted reticle? Would like to keep it in the $200 range. Any suggestions? Can I use a 3x9x40 standard scope? Rifle is a 5.56. Thanks!

June 28, 2011, 03:51 PM	#2
GURU1911 Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2010 Location: SEALY, THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS Posts: 501	Scope recommendation A fixed 4-power burris compact or the same burris compact in the 2--7 power variable would be excellent. Guru1911 __________________ NRA LIFE MEMBER (1984) & PRESIDENT: S.W. LA. R&P CLUB, LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (1994-1999) METALLIC CARTRIDGE RELOADER (1977) & GENTILE CHRISTIAN ZIONIST INFIDEL !!! "THERE AIN'T TOO MANY THINGS THAT YOU CAN'T FIX, WITH $500 DOLLARS OR A .30-06"

June 29, 2011, 10:29 PM	#5
ClydeFrog Junior member Join Date: May 1, 2010 Posts: 5,797	Natchez Shooters Supply... I'd check Mid-South Shooters, Natchez Shooters Supply, Brownells, or Cheaperthandirt.com. They may have optics/glass for AR models in your budget range. NOTE: Brownells has a full printed AR parts/gunsmithing catalog. www.Brownells.com www.Cheaperthandirt.com www.Natchezss.com

June 30, 2011, 12:15 AM	#6
Delaware_Dan Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2008 Posts: 1,304	I just bought a Nikon M223 2-8 x 32 that I have not had a chance to take out yet, but I'm very suprised how clear it is. __________________ To hell with circumstances. I create opportunities. -Bruce Lee

July 8, 2011, 12:23 PM	#8
jsimmons Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2008 Posts: 226	I have a Nikon 3-12x42 on burris rings, and I LOVE it. Side focus is the shizzle. __________________ Aim small, miss small... CamoPicker

June 28, 2011, 05:01 PM	#3
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	Greetings Petey1987, and welcome aboard. Yes, of course you can use a 3-9x40 on an AR; however, they are not all created equally. The grey beards will remember the initial Colt AR scopes were very compact fixed power units, typically accompanied by a stock riser. The flat-top uppers and adjustable stocks have changed things. Years ago, when I scoped my carry handle AR, I selected a variable Burris compact (IMHO, the Colt scopes were outrageously priced). There are several Burris scopes available in the $200 neighborhood. For night work, my old eyes are happier with some internal illumination, YMMV. You mentioned 150-yard shooting. In reality how far will you see at night with lights? Perhaps, you'd be happy with a simple illuminated dot 1x unit. Of course, there's nothing that says you can't have two units: magnified optical during the day and a simple dot at night. Both can be had for under $200.

June 29, 2011, 01:40 PM	#4
saands Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 1999 Posts: 1,573	Don't overlook something like a Weaver 1-3X ... at 1x, you get the ease of aiming from the scope's reticles, but the ability to shoot with both eyes open for better awareness ... and 3x is pretty good magnification as long as your targets @ 150yds are not golf balls. I believe that they are also in your price range. Saands

July 7, 2011, 09:20 PM	#7
NWdude83 Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2008 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 351	Vortex Diamondback 2-7 or 3-9. OpticsPlanet, SWFA, MidwayUSA.

July 14, 2011, 03:33 PM	#9
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,014	Leupold Mk4 is the only way to go. Makes all the others look bad and it has a terrific side focus, and a lifetime warranty and they are not going away. My brother sent in a scope that was 30 years old and they fixed it.