New scope for AR10 Match?

[teller]

Hey All,

I don't normally post this kind of thread but I really do need some advice/suggestions. I'm in need of a scope for my new AR10 build, the goal of which is to try and stretch this gun to its/my limits. I'm planning on eventually bringing this bad boy out to use in precision and service condition matches to give everyone an idea of what its intended use will be. This scope will also do some double duty on a bolt action .308 rifle and even possibly on my smaller Colt HBAR. My budget right now is about 2-2.5k.

So far the front running optic has been a Nightforce NVS 3.5-15x50 or 56 lv .5 reticle (not sure how much difference those 6mm will make other than perhaps raising my sight over bore, any insights?).

I'm also considering:

- Leupold MK 4 LR/T 8.5-20 x 50 TMR
- Sightron SIII 8-32 X 56 LRMD/CM

Or save up a few more pennies and go with one of the following:

- US Optics SN-3 3.2-17x44 TPAL
- Hensoldt 6-24x56
- Schmidt & Bender PM II 12-50 x 56 (I'm unfamiliar with the reticles offered by S&B, any recommendations if I decide to go this route?)

Any advice or suggestions are appreciated.


Brian

 

[kombayotch]

I you want to shoot service conditions, make sure the low range is no higher than 3.5x. ORA SR has a CQB stage that is as close as 10 yards. 8x is way too much.

Size and weight are also a consideration. I draw the limit at 24oz. And size envelope at 13" long and a 42mm objective. Smaller is better.

The scope I run is a March F 3-24x. Never use the high end of the magnification range since it's a recipe for a cross fire. After 10x, the probability of doing it goes up. Size wise, it is smaller than the Leupold 3.5-10x40. It is within your budget and top shelf in terms of features and quality.

There is a thread on this in the SR forum:
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?695581-Optics-for-service-rifle

 

[Mystic Precision]

I have never shot an AR10 but assume the stock/rifle config mimics the AR15.

if so, you need a tall set of rings to see into the scope - ie Burris XTR Xtra high rings or the PERP mount. This offers alot of options for big belled scopes - pretty much any modern side focus scope will fit BUT balance will suck. Having a big heavy scope so far above the boreline is not ideal when moving about. Plus there is the "run into something" problem.

for my AR service rifle, I am putting a SIII6-24X50 scope on. Relatively light, compact with a much smaller footprint then the higher mag SIII's. Optics are plenty to see 1" at 500m. It is way more mag then I am likely to use but I love mag and I have the scope.

for a pure CQB scope, I would put on the SIII1-7x20. The 1X actually works and you can aim within a few feet of the scope. You can look through the scope and clearly aim at your toes.

If you are not used to using high mag scopes, they can be very problematic seeing a full field of view quickly. Why many will dial them way down for faster stages. Here eye relief and a wide eye box is critical. Some scopes have old gen eye pieces and are lousy when on the clock. You really need to use them instead of just relying on the spec.

sightron SIII's and SII big sky have some of the widest and easiest eye boxes to use. They are also light for their mag range and features.

Let me know

Jerry

 

[kombayotch]

Scope mounting can make a big difference in SR when shooting in positions, particularly kneeling. You want to have the scope mounted forward. The closer to get to your knee, the less torque you will put on the rifle. I recommend a 3" offset cantilever mount for this type of scope. Military scopes like the Elcan have short eye relief, and you generally have to mount a regular scope 1.25-1.5" further forward to match the eye position.

 

[teller]

So I'm still a little stuck on the Nightforce 3.5-15x50 matched with their 20MOA uni-mount rail. I also took a look at the Vortex Razor HD 5-20x50. It seems like a beefy bugger with a 35mm tube and VERY positive turret clicks which impressed me, until I saw a 2399.99 price tag on it.

Anyone here have experience with this scope or Vortex optics in general? Is this scope really worth that kind of money and is it in the same league as NF?

 

[Dr Evil]

Save up & get the S&B!
Acutally some of the S&B models will fit into your price range of 2k and will work out 800 meters no problem.
Also remeber that the efective range for a semi-auto 308 ar10 is only 800 meters on a man sized target any further than that you should be looking at a different platform.
Also that is the great thing about s&b once you get one its for life and it will work great on many different platforms.
The only other scope that I would say comes close but not quite equal is the Hensoldt line from Ziess. Then again I have seen with my own eyes an guy at the range take a 4x4 block of wood and beat his AI/AX rifle and S&B and not so much as a scratch on it. Then take it out a few weeks later and hit man sized tarets at 1.4km with it but it was in 338 lapua (the long range bolder breaker).