Help Me Choose an AR Optic

Anpaul

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Hey guys,

Looking to pick your brains on optics solutions for my AR. After a couple months of research and having gone back and forth multiple times, I was hoping to get some insight from everyone on here. I'm going to list a series of optics I have considered. Trying to stick around $1000 including mounts, but also a believer in the buy once cry once ethos.

The Rifle:

PWS MK114 in 7.62x39. I primarily shoot surplus, but occasionally will shoot commercial ammo. Rifle currently has MBUS sights on it. I haven't shot groups at 100 yards with "irons". but have shot a number of 5 shot groups at 50 that are around 1-1.5 inches. Nothing to write home about, but not bad IMO considering the round. I'm not expecting 5.56 accuracy, but would like to maximize what this rifle has to offer. I typically shoot with the stock fully extended, so I'm not a NTCH kind of guy; I suspect this will play a role in eye relief.

The Purpose:

The rifle is a range toy, but is my primary shooter. I average 200-250 rounds a week with the majority being shot at 100 yards. In future, my club will be opening up a longer range and I would like to be able to shoot this platform out to 300 yards. I would like to get into 3-Gun and potentially take some carbine courses, but don't have a timeline at this point. I like the idea of having magnification available, but am I overestimating it's value considering the caliber?

The Contenders:

1)Used Eotech with magnifier - I'm a big fan of the reticle, and am not scared off by recent Eotech news. If magnifying a red dot, I'd prefer to do so with one that has a fine reticle to begin with. Maybe consider something like a Vortex magnifier to reduce package price?

2)Vortex PST 1-4 - Keep coming back to this optic, as the 1-4 seems like a good option and the TMCQ reticle allows for holdovers if shooting beyond 200 meters. Affordable, well reviewed, etc. Capped or uncapped? I'm leaning towards capped. Vortex warranty is a plus, but being the optic on my primary rifle, I'd prefer not to use it.

3)Used Trijicon Accupoint or Accupower - Lots to like here and a great reputation for durability. I like the simple reticle, but suspect that it would make holdovers more difficult. Hoping this optic will be a long term addition and tritium fade is a concern with the Accupoint. The Accupower solves tritium issues, but is a new optic and I have yet to see them on the EE.

4)Wild card? Spendy, but used Nightforce 1-4? Maybe a used ACOG and learn BDC equivalents?

I'm the first to admit that I've listed very different optics, but having no significant experience with variables, I wanted to tap into everyone's experience. Maybe I'm on the right track, or maybe I need to have a Wiley Coyote back to the drawing board moment.

Appreciate your time!
 
I love my EoTech combo, but it really excels at CQB and is "ok" at 100m plus. My $400 Bushnell AR 1-4 scope does a far better job for precise shooting at 100m or more. That said, the BDC reticle is designed for 5.56, so your x39 won't quite match up.
 
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I've used tons of different optics on my rifles, and it really depends on what your purpose will be for the rifle.

Red dots and holographic sights like Aimpoint and Eotech are pretty much unmatched for close in work, and are light and compact.

That said, for my purposes, I have always come back around to using 1-4x optics on my guns... they are so good at multitasking. If you find one that has a true 1x on the low end (a lot of optics that claim 1x are really closer to 1.5x, which is not ideal for close range shooting), then you have an optic that in the 1 second it takes to rotate your magnification... you can shoot from 0 to 600 meters with great efficiency.

From your choices, I'd lean towards the Vortex or the NF.

I really like the Nightforce, but I don't like their reticule selection in their 1-4x line. Vortex have awesome optics, however they tend to be a bit large and are quite heavy. My personal favorite for the past several years has surprisingly been the Burris XTR-14 with the ballistic 5.56 reticule. This little optic has good clarity, good field of view, good controls, and a good reticule, and it is compact and lightweight.

Runs around $700 iirc, and I believe that there is a new model out as well, but it is an awesome little 1-4x scope that punches above it's weight and price.

Heres a vid of one on a swiss arms showing what it... or for that matter any quality 1-4x optic can do... food for thought.


Some stock pics of it...

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IMG_2499.jpg
 
Thanks for the quick response!

My concern with something like the Burris is the 5.56 calibrated reticle. It seems as though BDC is always something of an estimate depending on ammo, rifle, etc., but I wonder if 5.56 to 7.62 is too much of a variance?
 
Agreed, the ballistic reticles are never bang on, but are usually close enough to get you on steel... however the math would be pretty simple to work out for which .223 hashmarks work out to what distances for 7.62x39 by overlaying some drop charts or using a ballistic calculator like JBM. Once you do that, just give a quick confirmation shoot on the range and record your findings. My guess is that you probably won't notice anything too significant before you pass 200-250 yards.

Just thowing out options to show you whats out there. Happy hunting!
 
Thanks for that link. I was always under the impression that PA was not available in Canada.

Maybe I've been drinking the Tactikoolaid a little too much, but I'm leary about putting cheap optics on a rifle. Obviously there are some great value options, but the PA price point (USD) seems a little too goo to be true?
 
I concur on cheap optics if you're talking a calibre that can reach out, but frankly, x39 is terrible beyond 200. 8 inch drop at 200m, 24 inch drop at 300. How much difference are you going to get out of excellent glass at that range?

Personally, I would be concerned with how robust a less expensive optic is, and the PA reputation is decent in that field.
 
Thoughts on the Vortex PST 1-4? Seems like a good value and reviews are excellent. Would you guys go capped or uncapped for a 1-4?

Thanks for putting up with all my new guy questions.
 
I like my 1-4 PST, it works well for most close range stuff, but I find it a little lacking past 200 yards. Definitely go for uncapped. It makes it alot easier to make adjustments and there is less to loose/forget at the range.
 
Vortex strike eagle. I've only had mine for a couple weeks. But was able to ring 500 yard steel and do 25 to 50 yard drills with it. I am a big fan of the reticle. I did have an eotech and magnifier before. Eotech absolutely for 300 yards and under. Tougher seeing splash marks to correct for past 300. But, then again, I prefer a good holdover reticle to a red dot, so I'm prejudiced.
 
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