Hey guys, so I just ordered up my First AR and I am very excited. But here’s the situation! I’m very nervous about what optics to put onto it.. should I go with a tactical scope or a reflex sight? What are your guys’s opinions and what are the pros and cons of each? Also to add a little context to this post, my local range has a 100m range for restricted rifles so I want to be able to use it but I also don’t want to be isolating myself from going and shooting at longer ranges in other towns as well. Thanks In advance my dudes! Be excellent to each other!
Tactical scope vs Reflex sight for AR
- Thread starter Jason595
- Start date
Been struggling with the same dilemma. However, my astigmatism has moved me towards a tactical scope from a red dot or holographic. Red Dots were just too blurry and I think kinda useless at 100m, the fuzzy dot covers up the entire target.
I am seriously looking into a Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6x24. It looks usable for CQB, maybe not as fast as a RD or holographic, but it can easily reach out to 100m and certainly 200 to 400m. A little birdy told me this Friday might be a good day to do the deed,
I am seriously looking into a Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6x24. It looks usable for CQB, maybe not as fast as a RD or holographic, but it can easily reach out to 100m and certainly 200 to 400m. A little birdy told me this Friday might be a good day to do the deed,
A good variable with low to medium range works well. You don't need a "tactical" scope. Low power works fine for close range, turn up the power for longer.
A reflex sight is fine for shorter ranges. A magnifier can be added for longer ranges - an ingenious solution to a problem that need not exist in the first place.
A reflex sight is fine for shorter ranges. A magnifier can be added for longer ranges - an ingenious solution to a problem that need not exist in the first place.
Been struggling with the same dilemma. However, my astigmatism has moved me towards a tactical scope from a red dot or holographic. Red Dots were just too blurry and I think kinda useless at 100m, the fuzzy dot covers up the entire target.
I am seriously looking into a Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6x24. It looks usable for CQB, maybe not as fast as a RD or holographic, but it can easily reach out to 100m and certainly 200 to 400m. A little birdy told me this Friday might be a good day to do the deed,
this.
btw, I have strike eagle 1-8, bushnell ar 1-4 AK 1-4 and they are fine for the reticules and illumination,but none of them get close to leupold vx11 glass
I mostly use red-dot reflex sights... I just put a C-More railway on mine and love it.
I have also run EOtech, Aimpoint, Meprolight, and others.... As well as 1-4x optics, Irons, and even a SeeAll.
It is all preference, but I prefer close range, 100m and in... and red dots are more fun for me.
I have also run EOtech, Aimpoint, Meprolight, and others.... As well as 1-4x optics, Irons, and even a SeeAll.
It is all preference, but I prefer close range, 100m and in... and red dots are more fun for me.
Still alive
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Rainy mosquito infested part of BC
Depends on the quality of your AR and what you want to use it for.
If you are only going to bench shoot and load develop, then any mid- high end scope that fits your budget will work.
If you plan on a 3Gun set up, then a more rugged “ Tactical” illuminated or red dot scope with a 1-4 or 1-6 mag works for most.
If you’re keeping it under 100m and plan on CQB, then a nice RDS or Holo sight works well. You can use a magnifier for the more distant shots but they will not be as precise as a true scope, especially if you have astigmatism issues.
Pros of a true scope is more precision for long range shots. Cons is limited field of view for CQB situations especially support side shooting. Also, weight may be a problem depending on what you buy. The sky is the limit here as to what you want or can afford.
The illuminated 1-4/1-6 quick flip AR scopes are a good compromise between the true scopes and the RDS, has the best of both worlds but still not easy to acquire quickly for close in shooting. The red dot helps, hence the compromise, but it won’t be quicker than a regular RDS. Vortex, Burris, Elcan ( not a true scope) and Bushnell among others make scopes of this category.
The RDS is great for CQB up to around 150yds , maybe more, if you have excellent eyesight and no astigmatism. Quicker close up target acquisition but not as precise for long range. Many makers but my vote goes to Aimpoint personally. Cheap Bushnell TRS to Holosun, Vortex, and Trijicon, Aimpoint and Eotech etc.
If you are only going to bench shoot and load develop, then any mid- high end scope that fits your budget will work.
If you plan on a 3Gun set up, then a more rugged “ Tactical” illuminated or red dot scope with a 1-4 or 1-6 mag works for most.
If you’re keeping it under 100m and plan on CQB, then a nice RDS or Holo sight works well. You can use a magnifier for the more distant shots but they will not be as precise as a true scope, especially if you have astigmatism issues.
Pros of a true scope is more precision for long range shots. Cons is limited field of view for CQB situations especially support side shooting. Also, weight may be a problem depending on what you buy. The sky is the limit here as to what you want or can afford.
The illuminated 1-4/1-6 quick flip AR scopes are a good compromise between the true scopes and the RDS, has the best of both worlds but still not easy to acquire quickly for close in shooting. The red dot helps, hence the compromise, but it won’t be quicker than a regular RDS. Vortex, Burris, Elcan ( not a true scope) and Bushnell among others make scopes of this category.
The RDS is great for CQB up to around 150yds , maybe more, if you have excellent eyesight and no astigmatism. Quicker close up target acquisition but not as precise for long range. Many makers but my vote goes to Aimpoint personally. Cheap Bushnell TRS to Holosun, Vortex, and Trijicon, Aimpoint and Eotech etc.
Keep in mind as well. A red dot can Easily ring steel out to 300 yards. (understanding ballistics)
a 2 MOA Dot is only 6" at 300m -
It is great fun running steel with a red dot... running and gunning.... barricade shooting. etc.
a 2 MOA Dot is only 6" at 300m -
It is great fun running steel with a red dot... running and gunning.... barricade shooting. etc.
Hand Skills
CGN Regular
- Location
- In the 'heartland', southern SK
I like red dots a lot. To me though, an AR platform is better suited to a low power scope. Reason for this is mounting height. Red dots really excell when there is a need to get the line of sight as close to the bore as possible. With an AR, the opposite is true, they seem to work best with a LOS 2" above the bore. Because there is a lot of room there, red dots just look funny to me. I would go with a 1-6x or 1-8x scope. Even a good old 1-4x. Some guys mount a red dot to their scope, this works really well for tactical drills like shooting while moving, or shooting from a ready position without having to maintain a cheek weld on the rifle
