Help me find a scope for my SHTF rifle

A.R.X-D

A.R.X-D

Member
EE Expired
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
So... I have read all of your great comments in my previews thread and I have decided to drop the budget limit.

Now, before you all jump to offer me all the expensive nice red dots out there, I wish to explain that I am trying to build a SHTF rifle.

In other words, I need a scope/Red dot, that will stand events like solar flares or lack of resources such as battery or Tritium.
Now, it can have a battery or Tritium, as long as the scope can still works in the event that the electronics are fried.

Also...
My rifle (Tavor) effective range is 500m, so I wish to have a variable scope that is 1-4 or 1-6, but true x1 is a must.

All I could find on my own was:
- "AccuPoint 1-4x24", as it has fiber optics?
- Vortex Viper PST 1-4x24, Leatherwood Hi-Lux & Burris (all can work without batteries)
but I know nothing on quality or value.


I will consider all your valuable input, so please don't be shy to hit me with your hard opinion!
Thank you all!

*excuse me for my poor English.
 
I used a Viper PST 1-4 for two years before I saved up and bought the Razor. It was a stellar scope! Worked great for me every time I had it out!

The only other optic I would seriously consider if you were looking for a SHTF optic would be the Mepro 21. Its the IDF issue, and totally passive. For $500 you get a red-dot that can never die. And the new ones are much brighter than the M21's being sold a few years ago! The only thing there is that if you want magnification, you have to add it after the fact.

But there are lots of good 3x magnifiers out here now. You can get a vortex one down the line for another $300 if you decided you liked the Mepro. Or the Mepro brand one for like another $500.
 
Bushnell Elite 4200 1.25-4x24
bushnell_elite_4200_1.25-4x24_illuminated_reticle_riflescope.jpg
 
ACOG. Fibre optic powered fixed 4x and BDC reticled for 55gr 5.56.

I have one on my ACR and love it. Also it's Army/Navy seal tested. There's a reason they still use them
 
Look into a Burris mini scope. Don't think I'd want a relatively rare(as in not a whole lot of 'em around to scrounge parts from should the need arise) foreign made rifle for your purpose though.
 
Well, I've been in love with the Leupold VX-R Patrol 1.25-4x20 Firedot SPR

However, it's not a true x1, and it takes batteries, but it can still be used without them.
 
TV-PressPass said:
The only other optic I would seriously consider if you were looking for a SHTF optic would be the Mepro 21. Its the IDF issue, and totally passive. For $500 you get a red-dot that can never die. And the new ones are much brighter than the M21's being sold a few years ago! The only thing there is that if you want magnification, you have to add it after the fact.
But there are lots of good 3x magnifiers out here now. You can get a vortex one down the line for another $300 if you decided you liked the Mepro. Or the Mepro brand one for like another $500.
Click to expand...
Death said:
ACOG. Fibre optic powered fixed 4x and BDC reticled for 55gr 5.56.

I have one on my ACR and love it. Also it's Army/Navy seal tested. There's a reason they still use them
Click to expand...

Kevin M. said:
ACOG would probably meet your demands.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your input!
About Mepro 21 or ACOG , I never liked fix power and magnifiers...
in my opinion, variable scopes more convenient and versatile.
 
As a Ubuntu user, I know you want lots of bells and whistles, but remember that variable mag scopes have more moving parts that can fail :cool: Fixed are good to go any time. If money's no concern, I'd go with ACOG. Otherwise, there are 3x fixed options. I'm tempted to start rockin' a new production run POSP (that can be used with 25mm rings). Good enough for mounting on a Mosin that's also used for crackin' Nazi skulls, good enough for any shtf scenario, like a Unity crash or NVIDIA driver incompatibility :D
 
Nightforce NXS 1-4. Used one overseas, and on my personal rifles once I got out, and I'm a big fan.

Built like a tank, great glass, and true 1x power. Multiple reticle patterns available as well.
 
Would red dot sights like Eotech's and aimpoint's be fried in the event of an EMP or solar flare? I am asking because I have no idea.
 
Check out the Bushnell like I suggested. I have some high end red dots with a x3 magnifier like the Aimpoint T1 and the Trijicon SRS, and the Bushnell is much better because:

1. Cheaper by half compared with T1+magnifier
2. Better sight. Target acquisition is much quicker on the Bushnell at 1.25.
3. works without battery
4. red dots on the T1 and SRS look horrible magnified, but the Bushnell reticule is the same size magnified; the red dot on the bushnell looks like a 1 MOA dot (and stays the same size magnified), whereas the red dot on the T1/SRS is a 2MOA dot.
5. Lighter than the red-dot + magnifier combo
6. has auto contrasting reticule (love this feature)

The ones with the optic fiber are cute, but they're expensive. I saw a trijicon accu point 1-4 scope with optic that is really nice, but that is almost $900 compared with $520 for the Bushnell. Red-dot beats optic fiber any day unless you're really that scared about an EMP pulse - and if you're afraid of that, then storing the gun+optic in a safe will protect it from EMP. Plus the Accu Point doesn't have the contrasting reticule feature and doesn't work very well at night-time (the main time you'd really need a bright coloured dot IMO).

As far as SHTF is concerned, movement is life. Those survival role-players imagine a world where they'll hunker down and protect their bunker, but in real-life conflict zones 100% of the time - you move or you die. In other words, you don't really need to worry about years of supply (in this case - of battery supply) - just enough to get you to somewhere safe. The Bushnell is fantastic during daylight, and the red dot is only needed at night-time, and Bushnell have better red dot technology (in terms of battery life) than Vortex.
 
tnsaf said:
Would red dot sights like Eotech's and aimpoint's be fried in the event of an EMP or solar flare? I am asking because I have no idea.
Click to expand...

No to Solar Flare, maybe to EMP.

Solar Flares affect anything attached to a power line, and the longer the power line the greater the effect; it works by interfering with the earth's magnetic field which is why anything huge that runs across the earth that could be affected by the magnetic field (eg power lines) are impacted. EMP have 2 pulses - the first pulse knocks out electronics (the pulse ionizes the atmosphere sending the distructive force down to earth), and the second pulse acts like a solar flare.

Now they say that electronics on the periphery of the impact zone of an EMP (ie. in Canada) are more affected because the pulse crosses a greater volume of ionized atomosphere creating a greater impact, but the pulse is also weaker. The EMP that was tested in Hawaii some 50 years ago is the only real-life evidence we have on its effects but back then the results weren't that dramatic, but also the amount of electronics was exponentially less. Modern electronics are supposedly far more susceptible to EMP because of their intricate circuitry.

I am not at all worried about Solar Flares. Electric regulators have sophisticated early warning processes to shut down critical parts of the grid when they see a solar flare approaching (I think the early warning is like 14 hours). There was a lot of buzz about a massive Carrington level solar flare that was supposed to hit in 2011/2012 timeframe. I think such a solar flare did hit the earth, but we never heard about it right? Scare mongers like to make us fear such events, but they often pass without us even knowing about it. The solar flare that took out the grid over in Quebec I think 10 years ago covered the whole earth, and yet only one grid was affected (the power line in question was very long, therefore amplifying the effects of the pulse) - when things like that happen, regulators upgrade equipment and make it stronger against future occurrences.

As for EMP, an attack on the US is equivalent to declaring war and the US will attack will full force (their military infrastructure is protected from EMP). An EMP attack is therefore as unlikely as a thermonuclear atack.

Store your electronics in a grounded and lined safe/metal container, and you'll be fine.
 
Last edited:
Greg_VP said:
Nightforce NXS 1-4. Used one overseas, and on my personal rifles once I got out, and I'm a big fan.

Built like a tank, great glass, and true 1x power. Multiple reticle patterns available as well.
Click to expand...

Nightforce battery life? 200 hours
Bushnell Elite 4200 battery life? 1 year.
 
I'd rather trust my life to a $1500-2500 Nightforce or Trijicon then a $400 Bushnell. I put Bushnell and Savage in the same category (waste of time and money)
 
Trijicon accupoint. 1-4 x 24
IOR eliminator. 1-10 x 26
March scopes tactical 1-10 x 24
March scopes tactical ffp 1-8 x 24
Zeiss Victory Varipoint 1.1-4 x 24
Schmidt & Bender PM II Shortdot 1-8 x 24
Nightforce NXS compact 1-4 x 24

Or you can go for something low quality for less money.
 
I love it when someone says "heres my budget" and a pile of people either ridicule them for their lack of funds (haha... your POOR) or ignore it all together and suggest things worth 3X more.

I have had 2 bushnell 1-4s. The last one was illuminated (like the one pictured above) and it was GREAT. I paid $200 for it used. Lived on my VZ-58, XCR in 7.62 and .223 AND my Tavor. It WAS cheap, but it was clear, worked without the illumination on (so no battery was no problem) and held zero. What more do you want.

After switching to a Vortex Viper I CAN tell a tiny difference in the quality of the glass but honestly, its nothing to be embarrased about. I just bought another Bushnell... a slighly higher end model ($275 retail) with tactical style turrets but no illumination. It has a .223 ranging reticle. I havent tried it yet but plan to put it on my T97 when the M14.ca top rail comes out. Its clear, feels tough and wasnt expensive. I see no reason to try one and see if you like it. If you don't, youll get almost all of your money back when you sell it.

Tavor with the first Bushnell on it:

 
If this rifle is for a SHTF rifle, something you trust your life to ( in the event that ever happens...That is another thing. ) their really should be no budget set. Buy the best you can afford, and if you can't afford the one you really want that fills your needs - SAVE! Optics are not the place to cheap out on, specially for the needs you outlined. Better to pay the price once, then have to pay several times - or worse, it craps out when you need it the most.

Although I did suggest the Viper PST 1X4X24 to you as to closely meet your budget as I could with a quality optic, and I like it myself - But, let's be honest here, it's a budget Specter DR. So for that, i'm going to suggest the DR.

+ One of the clearest glass optics on the market
+ Canadian made
+ Has BDU retical for.556
+ Illuminated
+ Variable power
+ Tough

- Prohibitory expensive
- On the heavy side
- Ugly as all hell!

Since there was no weight or ascetics restrictions on your list, this sight seems to fit. Worth a hard look IMO.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom