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Old November 21, 2012, 12:09 PM   #1
usnavdoc
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Ar15 scope power

I primarily use this rifle for varmint hunting and have been using an aim point rds. I want to extend my range some but don't want to loose the up close defensive range either. How far out is a 1-4 power scope effective and if I got a 3-9 how much would the 0-50m range and speed be impaired. Thoughts?
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Old November 21, 2012, 12:29 PM   #2
JimDandy
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You could always get a magnifier on a swing out mount for your RDS.

For how far out something would be effective.. that kind of depends on you. Are your eyes bad? How accurate are you normally? My 3X is good but not special to at least 225. (max range at one of my ranges) I have a 6x24 Varmint rig for plinking fun that I never really run up high, so I don't know why I have it... but the higher I set it, the better I can see, but somewhat shoot worse when factoring in how I can see.
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Old November 21, 2012, 12:43 PM   #3
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It all depends on you.

I can hit a 5 gallon bucket at 500 yards with my Aimpoint equipped Colt 6920.

Of course, it takes a couple of shots to walk it in to get the holdover/wind compensation right.

All magnification does it make the target look X times closer. It won't help you shoot better, but it will help you see better.

If the optic has hash marks in it, it will make remembering holdovers easier though.

Less, "Hmmm, that looks about right, BANG, oops, little higher, BANG oops too high."
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Old November 21, 2012, 12:52 PM   #4
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As long as you maintain good alignment you'd be good. Inconsistent check weld will manifest parallax issues. But depending on the animal 1 or 2 inches may not matter
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Old November 21, 2012, 07:50 PM   #5
Mobuck
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I mount 1-3, 1-4, or 1.5-5 variables on 16" carbines. Considering the muzzle velocities from that length barrel, 250 yards is a fairly conservative max range for coyote size varmints. Two factors are considered in this assessment. First is bullet performance relative to the reduced velocity of the 16" barrel. The second is the field accuracy attainable from the carbine. In some types of ammo, velocity loss is right at 10% vs. a 20". The lighter weight makes the carbine harder to hold steady in actual field use.
With these factors taken into consideration, I feel the need for more magnification is not justified and makes the carbine top heavy and unwieldy.
I carry a 16" H-Bar profile carbine almost daily during winter. The heavier barrel makes it hold steadier for me. If I'm expecting shots much over the 250 yard mark, I carry a bolt action 22/250 or 220 Swift.
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Old November 23, 2012, 12:33 AM   #6
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I use a Bushnell Elite 3-9x40 SF scope on my varmint AR. It seems to work very well for the intended use. At 3x a 50 yd. shot is very easy. I have a Horus Vision Talon 1000 1-4x24 on an XCR. That works very well for that setup as I can dial down to 1 and use the illuminated reticle just like an EOtech., or dial it up to 4x for 200-300yd shots. Most shots I take in my neck of the woods are 200yds or less, so I really have no use for a high power scope, especially considering the effective range of the .223.
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Old November 23, 2012, 10:11 AM   #7
Marquezj16
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1-4x for me is good up to 300 yards for a 12x12" target. Don't know what size varmint that would be.
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Old November 23, 2012, 10:37 AM   #8
Art Eatman
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I figure that the K4 on my AR makes it a good 200-yard coyote gun. Were I serious about jackrabbits and coyotes beyond 200, I'd likely go to a 3x9. It's not difficult to find a running critter at 3X, at around 40 to 50 yards.

In my walking-hunting, I always had my 3x9 set on 3X. Never a problem, and even 3X is plenty good for Bambi at 350 yards--as I found out.
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Old November 23, 2012, 10:40 AM   #9
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A 1-4X scope is probably the best all around scope for up close and fast shooting and good accuracy out to 300 yards or so. For all around use I'd much rather go this along with BUIS. I've found it to be just as fast as a dot sight up close, and far better at extended range.

For a dedicated varmit rifle the 3-9X is really a better choice. The higher magnification will help with precision shots on smaller varmits at exended ranges much better than a 1- 4X. The bigger objective helps a bit in low light too.

A good 2-7X might be a good compromise for you. 2X is still pretty useable up close and 7X on the high end will be better than 4X.
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Old November 25, 2012, 09:47 AM   #10
MarkCO
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Quote:
How far out is a 1-4 power scope effective and if I got a 3-9 how much would the 0-50m range and speed be impaired.
I use a 1-4 MTAC on my competition AR and I can hold 8" 5 shot groups easily at 600 yards. When I put a 10x optic on the same rifle, my groups are about 5" at 600 yards. At 300 yards, I am right at 3" with the 4x and always under 2" with the 10x.

When I leave 1x (for 1.5 or 2x) in the 1 yard to 25 yard range, my target transitions slow by about 25% in daylight and about 40% in the dark.
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Old November 25, 2012, 01:20 PM   #11
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I had a Nikon Prostaff 2-7X shotgun scope on my MP-15 Sport, but it shoots so well at 100 yards, I have moved a Redfield Revolution 4-12X onto it. It should be good for Montana gophers now out to 200 yards or more. If things change, I can always switch to something lower power, or pick up another AR with irons.
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Old November 25, 2012, 01:42 PM   #12
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delete double post.
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Old November 25, 2012, 01:44 PM   #13
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I put a CRS (Combat Rifle Scope) 1-4 power on my S&W M&P and I just love it.

Out of all the different optics my friends and family have on their AR's from Eotech's, Red dots, Buris Prism's and other scopes they all like shooting my setup best and ranges from 50-300yrd.

I mounted a Primary Arms Green dot on top of it for close up shots and the combo works great.
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