Scope Setup for My M305 - Your thoughts?

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Yail Bloor

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I'm thinking Vortex Diamondback Tactical 4-12x40 on a CASM mount by M14.ca. From what I have looked into about it, it seems like a decent budget friendly optic, and you can't beat Vortex's warranty policy. What are your thoughts/suggestions?
 
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I had that exact setup on mine. Loved it. Vortex truly does have a fantastic warranty too. I had a small issue with mine, sent it in and had it back a working perfectly in a week and a half.
 
I have a viper HST on a Springfield and it's solid, I had a diamond back on a Norinco and it busted loose the recticle, the good news there is warranty. The bad news you have to send it in. The higher end vortex I have not had to use the warranty, the lower end I have used the warranty.

With optics you get what you pay for, just a not the M14 platform is hard on scopes, buy once cry once :)
 
The CASM is the best “bang for the buck” mounting system currently available IMHO. Personally I prefer the Basset mount as I don’t generally keep a scope on my personal M-14(s). The Basset costs about double the CASM.

Every vortex I’ve tried on a M-14 pattern rifle has subsequently been sent in for warranty. The one that lasted the longest was a Vortex Viper PST.... it made it a whole 40 rounds..... so far I’ve tried a SPARC, a couple Diamondbacks, and 2 Vipers. I’m too chicken to try the Razor HD....

Much to my surprise, I have a Redfield Revolution 4-12x40 with a duplex ret. on a Basset mount that I use for accuracy testing.... 800 rounds + and still going strong.

My LRB M25 is currently wearing a Bushnell Elite Tac 2.5-10x44, and it seems to be holding up fairly well. 300 rounds + at this point.

John
 
The best thing about Vortex is their warranty, the worst thing about Vortex is that there is a very good chance you'll need to use the waranty.

I would steer clear of Vortex, especially their lower lines. I've owned 3 Viper PST and the only one I'm actually happy with is the 1-4 that sits on a 17HMR. The 6-24 I had didn't seem to hold zero reliably and the 4-16 has a very stiff magnification ring which they will supposedly repair but I hate the hassle of sending things away then waiting for it to come back. I much prefer buying a quality optic and it working correctly for years.
 
On the subject of mounts, it seems the casm is quite popular with a good reputation. How's the LSP from m14.ca?
 
CASM is great but you have to remove the rear sight assembly. If you don't mind that, get the CASM. It's better built and cheaper than anything else in my opinion.
 
Dake21 said:
CASM is great but you have to remove the rear sight assembly. If you don't mind that, get the CASM. It's better built and cheaper than anything else in my opinion.
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I was aware of that, but thank you for sharing the info. The CASM does have a backup peep though, so I would be okay with it.
 
It seems like Vortex seems to have very mixed reviews. A few of you have mentioned the Redfield scopes favorable, maybe I will look into that. Anyone know what (if any) warranty policy they have?
 
Yail Bloor said:
It seems like Vortex seems to have very mixed reviews. A few of you have mentioned the Redfield scopes favorable, maybe I will look into that. Anyone know what (if any) warranty policy they have?
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What is your optics budget? Glass is the one place I always push people to max out their budget, you almost always get what you pay for, once you've looked through a Nightforce or any other high end glass you'll have a hard time looking through a Bushnell again. Plus, if you spend the money for quality you can always keep the glass for your next rifle if you sell the one you've been using it on.
A great option for glass is Sightron S-Tac or SIII series, great glass and turrets for around $1000. I buy mine through Jerry at Mystic precision, side by side with my Nightforce scopes the image quality is hard to tell the difference and they're half the price.
That being said, if you don't plan to shoot beyond 300 yards then a cheaper scope would serve you well, the difference becomes more noticeable as you extend the range, at 1000 yards I can clearly see my targets with my quality optics but through the cheap stuff it's just a blurry mess.

As M14medic said Redfield are Leupold so lifetime no worries warranty, you don't even need to keep your receipt to get warranty service.

By the way, I have the M14.ca CASM mount on one of my M305's, it seems pretty good but I think I'd prefer if it was steel instead of aluminum as it flexes a little if you pick up the rifle by the scope, not a big deal but it's only attachment point is the sight ears and it just has adjustment screws front and back to adjust the tension, this is good in that it allows you to effectively give your rail a cant to let you zero with your elevation turret dialed low giving you maximum dial up for long range shooting.
If it wasn't so expensive I'd like to give their long rail a shot, it looks like it would be a bit more solid.
 
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cr5 said:
What is your optics budget? Glass is the one place I always push people to max out their budget, you almost always get what you pay for, once you've looked through a Nightforce or any other high end glass you'll have a hard time looking through a Bushnell again. Plus, if you spend the money for quality you can always keep the glass for your next rifle if you sell the one you've been using it on.
A great option for glass is Sightron S-Tac or SIII series, great glass and turrets for around $1000. I buy mine through Jerry at Mystic precision, side by side with my Nightforce scopes the image quality is hard to tell the difference and they're half the price.
That being said, if you don't plan to shoot beyond 300 yards then a cheaper scope would serve you well, the difference becomes more noticeable as you extend the range, at 1000 yards I can clearly see my targets with my quality optics but through the cheap stuff it's just a blurry mess.

As M14medic said Redfield are Leupold so lifetime no worries warranty, you don't even need to keep your receipt to get warranty service.

By the way, I have the M14.ca CASM mount on one of my M305's, it seems pretty good but I think I'd prefer if it was steel instead of aluminum as it flexes a little if you pick up the rifle by the scope, not a big deal but it's only attachment point is the sight ears and it just has adjustment screws front and back to adjust the tension, this is good in that it allows you to effectively give your rail a cant to let you zero with your elevation turret dialed low giving you maximum dial up for long range shooting.
If it wasn't so expensive I'd like to give their long rail a shot, it looks like it would be a bit more solid.
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I had it in my head I would be willing to go to $600 for an optic. It is for an M14 after all. I always figured down the line when I invest in a good bolt gun I'd drop a couple grand on glass, but I have neither the means nor the need to do that now. M14.ca makes the CASM in steel as well, FYI. I agree the LSP looks like a better choice, but it's expensive and I can't see it looking great on my Boyd's walnut stock setup.
 
Yail Bloor said:
I had it in my head I would be willing to go to $600 for an optic. It is for an M14 after all. I always figured down the line when I invest in a good bolt gun I'd drop a couple grand on glass, but I have neither the means nor the need to do that now. M14.ca makes the CASM in steel as well, FYI. I agree the LSP looks like a better choice, but it's expensive and I can't see it looking great on my Boyd's walnut stock setup.
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For $600 I would scour the EE for a used Sightron S-Tac 3-16×42, I bought one recently and it's a really nice optic. I also have a Burris Veracity 4-20x50 that's currently on my M305 custom rifle with krieger barrel and it is working very well, I've always been impressed with Burris optics considering their price.
I know the CASM comes in steel, I just wish the guy that built my rifle had opted for that instead of aluminum.
My nice M305 is in a Blackfeather chassis so the long rail wouldn't look too bad :)
 
cr5 said:
For $600 I would scour the EE for a used Sightron S-Tac 3-16×42, I bought one recently and it's a really nice optic. I also have a Burris Veracity 4-20x50 that's currently on my M305 custom rifle with krieger barrel and it is working very well, I've always been impressed with Burris optics considering their price.
I know the CASM comes in steel, I just wish the guy that built my rifle had opted for that instead of aluminum.
My nice M305 is in a Blackfeather chassis so the long rail wouldn't look too bad :)
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No, that rail on the Blackfeather is a pretty damn sweet look for sure! Thanks for your suggestions.
 
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