Help me pick an optic for my AR15

ShaneN.

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I just got an AR15 and will mostly be shooting it at an indoor range with maybe the odd outdoor range trip in the future. I have a holosun 510c on mpx and was going to buy a second one but I'd like something that might have different aiming points for different distances. Something I can zero at 25 yards (for example) but has a second dot/mark for closer ranges. I remember a friend had some eotech model on his and it had different marks for different distance. Essentially, I'll spend most my time shooting between 10-30 yards at an indoor range and would like an optic that would have points of ammo for multiple distances if possible.
 
You will not notice much difference in point of impact between 10-30yds. Zero for 25 with your Holosun and call it done. The Eotech reticle won’t help you much with 10yd increments.

You’re at height over bore distance for the up close shots anyways.
 
You will not notice much difference in point of impact between 10-30yds. Zero for 25 with your Holosun and call it done. The Eotech reticle won’t help you much with 10yd increments.

You’re at height over bore distance for the up close shots anyways.


Really hey? Does 9mm take longer time to rise/ have a much different trajcetory then? I find with my mpx or scorpion i'm a few inches different between 10 and 25 yards so I tend to sight them in around 15. Since I'm not shooting steel or anything I'm more going for accuracy/bullseye shooting.
 
When you said AR, I was assuming .223. There will be a difference in 9mm but not that much especially out of a carbine barrel and for short distances. I think a 9mm drops 2” at 50yds or something like that, with a 10yd zero off pistol sights?

The RDS you’re thinking of has measurements for 100yd increments ( I think?), not 10yds and most are calibrated for rifle calibers. If you’re going for true precision work, a 1-4 or 1-6x illuminated scope may be of more value than a red dot sight.
 
Also, on a semi-related note, how do you go about sighting in a red dot that has a 2-3moa dot at 25 yards with no magnification? With no magnification and a dot that is covering the circle on my target, I find it a bit hard. Just keep at it until you get a group of 3 roles all close together as possible?
 
When you said AR, I was assuming.223. There will be a difference in 9mm but not that much especially out of a carbine barrel and for short distances. I think a 9mm drops 2” at 50yds or something like that, with a 10yd zero off pistol sights?

The RDS you’re thinking of has measurements for 100yd increments ( I think?), not 10yds. If you’re going for true precision work, a 1-4 or 1-6x illuminated scope may be of more value than a red dot sight.

The AR is 223, what I meant by 9mm was from the mpx or scorpion. You made it sound as if the I sighted in 223 at 25 yards it'll still be hitting pretty bang on up around 10-15. If I sight the 9mm rifles at 25, they shoot too low at 10-15 because the bullet hasn't risen yet (i think?). If I sight them in at around 15 they're plus/minus a smaller amount between 10 and 25.
 
Also, on a semi-related note, how do you go about sighting in a red dot that has a 2-3moa dot at 25 yards with no magnification? With no magnification and a dot that is covering the circle on my target, I find it a bit hard. Just keep at it until you get a group of 3 roles all close together as possible?
A 2 or 3 MOA dot will cover 0.5" or 0.75" at 25 yards...I wouldn't worry about it. You could always just the sight so that the rounds are hitting just above the dot if you want to.
 
The AR is 223, what I meant by 9mm was from the mpx or scorpion. You made it sound as if the I sighted in 223 at 25 yards it'll still be hitting pretty bang on up around 10-15. If I sight the 9mm rifles at 25, they shoot too low at 10-15 because the bullet hasn't risen yet (i think?). If I sight them in at around 15 they're plus/minus a smaller amount between 10 and 25.

Sorry for the confusion. You will have to aim higher to compensate for height over bore at closer distances even if sighted in for 25yds. You will not hit to POA at closer distances as the round is still rising to meet the dot at close range. This is the same for 9mm. It’s not really that the round hasn’t climbed. It’s more that the dot sits high on your rail and is a certain distance away from your barrel. The two points don’t meet till 25yds ( your sight in distance) so it will always shoot low at closer distance, regardless of gun or caliber. This is the height over bore concept. Only a big deal for close range shooting.
 
Makes sense, I guess if I'm going to spend most my time around 15 yards I should maybe sight it in there, since it'll prob be just slightly low 10 and slightly high at 25?

I'll likely get another 510c.
 
Makes sense, I guess if I'm going to spend most my time around 15 yards I should maybe sight it in there, since it'll prob be just slightly low 10 and slightly high at 25?

I'll likely get another 510c.

You will likely find the difference between 15 and 25yds to be quite minuscule. But you might notice a bigger difference between the 10-15 range due to the height over bore issue. You have to experiment and see. I’ve not tested for precision at 10yds off an AR. My rifle is zeroed for 50yds. At 10yds or less, I hold 3” high off the center of the A zone of an IPSC or IDPA Target.

Most guys who compete locally with their ARs zero at 25, 36, 50 or 100yds but that’s for action shooting and not precision work.
 
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There are! Abby and Chilliwack both have steel bays for pistols. Chilliwack has 2 steel targets for rifle at 200yds.
I believe Mission has or allows rifle steel also, out to 300!

oh nice! I'm going to do a little research to see which allow drop ins or maybe even just get a membership. I'm usually at langley indoor.
 
There are! Abby and Chilliwack both have steel bays for pistols. Chilliwack has 2 steel targets for rifle at 200yds.
I believe Mission has or allows rifle steel also, out to 300!

Mission only allows "club approved targets" for centerfire rifles, which pretty much means club-only steel, which there is now none of left on the range. They took down the 200m/300y steel due to CFO wanting a wood shroud (apparently they think wood catches rounds better than rubber... they literally should've encased the rubber in wood IMO) last summer, been waiting for a solution but there's no public steel at all at Mission as of last time i was there. Mission is the same as Chiliwack, guests of members only, no public drop ins.
 
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