Professional and serious users of long distance
precision AR-15 rifles require high end quality scopes.
If you can not clearly see the target it is difficult
to hit the target. High quality scopes are made of the
best materials including lens of the highest quality
ground glass and are assembled
to the highest level of care. The better the scope,
the more it gathers light and the more light the
clearer the scope.
Long Distance Range:
Let's get this out of the way: Serious long range shooting is
not inexpensive, the rifles and optics are just the
beginning. Long range shooting is expensive because
it requires a lot of practice to become really good,
and practice means time and ammunition.
The
Scope of choice
for long distance precision shooting with an AR-15 is
generally a larger objective scope (50mm +) with high
magnification over 12X. Most AR-15 precision
shooters choose at least a 16X to 24X magnified
scope from the list of high quality manufacturers such
as the Leupold
MKIV, Zeiss and others. The fore
mentioned AR-15 scopes include features such as bullet
drop compensation, Target Turrets,
Mil Dot Reticles
and some with built in Range finders. Most shooters
will chose a scope featuring variable magnification to
give them more versatility when shooting at different
targets at varying distances.
It is more important to get some
quality gear and get shooting, than it is to get
paralyzed with indecision due to too many choices, or
change equipment too often to get good. A quality
shooter can shoot any combination of equipment well -
However they will shoot the top equipment better.
Mid-Range
Distance:
The choice Scope
for Mid-range shooting is generally a 7x up to a 12X magnified
scopes with the average 40mm objective. Mid-distance
shooting is generally 100 to 300 yards at animal size
targets. Many Mid-range shooters will also chose the
very common 3-9x or 3.5-10X variable scopes in order
to keep their costs a little lower.
Close Quarter
Combat Range:
CQC rifles are
generally 16" or shorter barreled carbines with a
combination of iron sights and Close Quarters Combat optics. The CQC
AR-15 operator has a unique mix of specific needs when
choosing an optic. Most CQC rifles utilize optics with
little or no magnification so the AR-15 operator can
quickly acquire there target. Look to the Leupold CQC,
EoTech holographic sights with or without a multiplier
as well as the Aimpoint red dot sights. EoTech offers
the AR15 shooter a reliable optic that features an
ultra clear lens with a quick target acquisition.
A common rule of
thumb for professional shooters when adding a scope is
that they will often spend as much or more on the
scope than their rifles. |
If you
are a casual user of an AR-15, than most any level of quality when it comes to an AR-15 scope will fit your
needs. Of course not all casual use is at the same
level for everyone. If you are a Varmint Hunter or
beginner to mid-level Target
Shooter, than most likely your needed quality level
will be higher than the average Couch
Commando.
Long Distance Range: The Scope for
long distance precision shooting with an AR-15 is
general a large objective scope with high
magnification over 10X. With most AR-15 precision
shooters choosing at least a 16X up to a 24X magnified
scope.
In the past most precision shooters would
utilize a fix powered scope, however with the
advancement of scope technology most of the same
shooters have switched to variable magnified scopes.
The possible choice of scopes range from Leupold,
Burris, Nikon and
NcStar as well as other
manufacturers. Many professional long distance
precision shooters prefer the higher end Leupold where
as the average AR15 owner is fine with the mid-level
quality of the
NcStar scopes.
It is more important to get some
quality gear and get shooting, than it is to get
paralyzed with indecision due to too many choices, or
change equipment too often to get good. If you never
plan to be seriously involved in long distance
precision shooting than the mid quality NcStar is
fine. A quality
shooter can shoot any combination of equipment well -
Some just better than others. Long distance AR15
rifles are generally 20" or longer barreled rifles.
Mid-Range
Distance:
The choice Scope for
Mid-distance shooting is generally a 7x up to a 10X magnified
scopes with the average 40mm objective. Mid-distance
shooting is generally 100 to 300 yards at animal size
targets. Mid range quality scopes are the NcStar,
lower end Nikon or Leupold such as the Vari-X I.
Mid-range AR 15 rifles can be either the 20: full size
rifles or 16" carbines.
Close Quarter
Combat Range:
For the casual
users of a scoped Close Quarters Combat AR15 there is
an almost endless list of optics. CQC rifles are
generally 16" or shorter barreled carbines with a
combination of iron sights and CQC optics. As a casual
user you do not need to invest in an
 EoTech (Unless you
want one) when the various NcStar
Red
dots and holographic
sights will fit your CQC needs.
Red Dot sights by
design are not magnified in order to give the user the
ability to quickly acquire their targets.
Bottom line: Buy
what ever scope you want at a price point you are
comfortable with spending. If an NcStar 3-9x42 scope
with illuminated Reticle for under $150.00 is fine for
your needs, than buy it. If you want to spend more or
just like to have better the average stuff , than buy
it. |