Suggestions for Red Dots and magnifier down the road?

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GoFerARip

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Hi All,

I'm getting my first rifle in a few weeks and was looking for suggestions for a red dot sight where I can add a magnifier down the road. My rifle is a Bushmaster XM-15 QRC.

I'm not looking to break the bank but I don't mind spending a bit more for a quality so I don't end replacing a cheap sight that breaks in a year or two. I read the Black rifle optics sticky but frankly there are so many options it's all a bit confusing for me.

And not sure it matters but the range I will be going to is limited to 300m and I plan on shooting those longer ranges down the road, but I think it would be good to work on getting better at shorter ranges first.

Any help you can give to this noob is greatly appreciated.

Cheers!
 
84wh1 said:
Do you have a red dot first? I would start there before you want to buy a magnifier. The optic that comes on that bushmaster is not a keeper
Click to expand...

No, I don't have any optics at this time. I'm looking for suggestions for red dots, but only ones I can use with a magnifier down the road.

Thanks!
 
Whats your budget? If its fairly high then Aimpoint is pretty much the way to go. Eotech is still good too. Those will traditionally run you 500$-1K$ and can be used with magnifiers. If your budget isnt that high, maybe look at the vortex line such as Sparc AR or Holosun. Both can be used with magnifiers as well.

Same goes with magnifiers. Higher end eotech/ aimpoints will run you close to 1K but the lower end vortex is about 300 and is pretty decent.
 
Best value buy Vortex sparc AR and 3x magnifier new $600-650 on EE 200-250 each.

Best in my opinion Aimpoint Pro and 3x magnifier new $1400+ used $1000+

I normally spend more or the same on glass as my rifle as nowadays most rifles are fractionally better, where as glass has much greater gaps in quality.

I am a vortex fan boy simply because I can't afford better brands for all my rifles. If I was building one rifle I would buy the aimpoint pro because I know for a fact at <200 yards I can outshoot my Vortex with magnifier. At 200-300 I'm even and at >300 it's not even close and that's where the magnifier is the winner. So if your shooting less than 300 I'd spend all the money on a better dot and save up for a magnifier. If you only have 200-300 to spend total buy the vortex knowing there are limitations.
 
Why bother with a red dot and a magnifier?
Why not just get a decent low powered variable scope with an illuminated reticle?
 
Here is a small sample of available optics:

http://www.bushnell.com/tactical/riflescopes/ar-optics/1-4x-24mm-throw-down-pcl
https://www.burrisoptics.com/scopes/mtac-riflescopes-series/mtac-riflescope-1-4x24mm
https://www.leupold.com/scopes/rifle-scopes/vx-r-patrol-1-25-4x20mm-30mm
http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/vortex-strike-eagle-1-6x24-riflescope-ar-bdc-reticle

So many options on the market of true 1 or 1.25 / 1.5 magnified optics, with illuminated reticles. Though I own a red dot with a tilt away magnifier, the extra weight it adds must factor into your choices. I find myself preferring my Leupold Mark 4 MR/T (https://www.leupold.com/scopes/rifle-scopes/mark-4-mr-t-1-5-5x20mm?selectedSku=110180) with CM-R2 illuminated reticle for service rifle matches.

There are many reasonably priced options that won't break the bank but still provide great features. Spend the time reading reviews and examining the optics in person before making your final decision.
 
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