Mid-range Optics Recommendations?

A

AndysCandy

New member
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Location
Calgary
I am currently looking for a scope for my (new) non-restricted Bushmaster ACR, barreled for 5.56, and I have some preferences that I cannot seem to align in one scope, and was hoping some of the vast knowledge on here might have some recommendations that hopefully include most of what I am looking for:

- I am looking for this rifle to fill a role of shooting between 50-300 or 50-400 yards so I am looking for an adjustable magnification scope with a magnification up to ~10x (a little more or less is fine by me).
- First Focal Plane optic. Having been recently introduced to a FFP/F1 optic when using a friends rifle, I have become an instant fan of the consistent drop per reticle mark, with varied magnification, that this option provides; despite the slight blur to the reticle at higher magnification.
- I would prefer availability of a BDC reticle so avoid "lengthier" drop calculations otherwise required. I will comment that most of my current shooting is beyond 500 yards with a different rifle and I am fine with doing my own calculations for the more extreme ranges, but with this new rifle being of a more limited range I would prefer to give the BDC reticle a try.
- Reasonably small objective lens... yes I know a larger lens provides better light etc etc, but I also want to limit the weight on this rifle. Was hoping to stick to ~32mm or less. This is just a preference and am willing to budge if other conditions are met.

So any suggestions to include most of these?

The friends optic I was shooting was a Vortex Viper PST 2.5-10x32 FFP optic. This scope met 3 or the 4 conditions, but is not available with a BDC reticle.
I have been considering a Nightforce NXS 2.5-10x32 optic, but this option similarly only meets 3 of the 4 preferences listed, lacking the FFP design.

Thanks for any suggestions... very much appreciated.
 
Have you considered the Vortex Razor HD II 1-6 with JM reticle? Not quite a 10x but 6 is plenty power for the distances you are shooting and has the simple ballistic reticle for a .223

I have a Viper PST 2.5-10x32 FFP on my Tavor....excellent optic and almost 1/2 the price of a Nightforce 2.5-10x32. I used my PST all winter shooting coyotes, it was banged around, used in temps as cold as -30 and it really held up, I was impressed. Very nice reticle Vortex has a great ballistic program to calculate drops.
 
Thanks Scott, if i can't find something that fits all the categories then I'll likely go with that Vortex PST. But even that Vortex Razor only meets 3 of 4 as its a second focal plane scope.
 
Bushnell's 1-8 is a nice optic. I played with one in store when they were on sale for $1600 or so. FFP, illuminated, bdc reticle geared for 5.56 and 7.62. I can't remember all the details but overall it was a nice optic. 34mm tube and IIRC 24mm objective. 8x at 3-400 for larger targets and carbine work is plenty.
 
If you're shooting this rifle a decent amount, you won't miss the BDC. It's only good for certain rounds and once you find one you like (or come up with your own load), your going to memorize the hold-overs pretty quickly. I have a lot of fun with my Vortex PST 1-4x24 out to 400 yards and I can hit 12" plates all the way out and back really quickly with just holds. If you're going for sub MOA prone shooting at 400 yards then that's a different story but the BDC isn't going to help since you could be off by a whole MOA on your hold over.

Sorry, I might just have beef with the BDC reticle.. maybe a juvenile problem with authority. Ain't nobody telling me what load I have to use. Sorry, I'll end my rant there..

If I was doing a lot of prone/bench target shooting or hunting at those ranges I would go for the PST 2.5-10x32. If you want to do anything similar to 3 gun/CQB shooting then you want to get something that will give you 1x on the bottom end.
 
Yeah I kind of figure if any one option has to drop off the list it would be the BDC reticle, as you're right in that I should be able to remember the holds.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom