Question for Sarge...

[02Ls1Formula]

I think this is the route Im going to take. The rifle is owned by an LEO and it has never been fired. 800 shipped for everything is a pretty good deal I think. Any opinions on optics? Im going to be using this for hunting as well as target shooting, etc etc. I live and hunt in North Georgia so its a heavily wooded area.

[Nhra Firebird]

Im in the market for an AR-15 and was wanting your expertise on what would be a good starter rifle for me?

You're going to want something you can shoot a 1/2" group at 300 yards with.

[IH8EVRY1]

I think this is the route Im going to take. The rifle is owned by an LEO and it has never been fired. 800 shipped for everything is a pretty good deal I think. Any opinions on optics? Im going to be using this for hunting as well as target shooting, etc etc. I live and hunt in North Georgia so its a heavily wooded area.

If it comes with the leopold, I'd use it. What kind of hunting are you talking about. I'm from central GA and do a lot of planted pines hunting so I don't normally need a scope that I can see 400 yards with for hunting, plus I use a different rifle for longer shots anyway. The Leopold with the MILDot will work for just about any scenario unless you are doing close hunt, stalking kind of stuff. It would still work but the target acquisition time will be higher for moving targets at close ranges.

Anymore info about the type of hunting/target shooting? I can keep from rambling more if I have some direction.

[02Ls1Formula]

If it comes with the leopold, I'd use it. What kind of hunting are you talking about. I'm from central GA and do a lot of planted pines hunting so I don't normally need a scope that I can see 400 yards with for hunting, plus I use a different rifle for longer shots anyway. The Leopold with the MILDot will work for just about any scenario unless you are doing close hunt, stalking kind of stuff. It would still work but the target acquisition time will be higher for moving targets at close ranges.

Anymore info about the type of hunting/target shooting? I can keep from rambling more if I have some direction.

Mainly just deer/hog hunting for now. Ive got a 7 mag to hunt anything bigger than deer. The Leo wont come with it, it would be an add on. Im not thrilled about the price but from what little research Ive done thats about the going price. As far as target shooting it would just to be something to go to the range with and have fun. On my 7 Ive got a 3-9x40. Ide like something around that range.

[IH8EVRY1]

Mainly just deer/hog hunting for now. Ive got a 7 mag to hunt anything bigger than deer. The Leo wont come with it, it would be an add on. Im not thrilled about the price but from what little research Ive done thats about the going price. As far as target shooting it would just to be something to go to the range with and have fun. On my 7 Ive got a 3-9x40. Ide like something around that range.

Sorry, I thought the scope came with it. If you are going to door deer and hog, from a stand...If you don't want to break the bank on an optic, I'd say get a 3-9x40 Bushnell. They are a little rougher than some of the leopold or nikon stuff but still good quality for not bad money. They stand up to a fair amount of abuse too. All of my heavy recoil weapons have bushnells now. I tried Tasco and Simmons for hunting rifles and over a few seasons and target shooting, I have trouble with both reticle adjustment settings. An AR shouldn't have an optic destroying recoil though. Bushnell also makes some models with mildots which are nice for judging distances.

If you are going to ground hunt/stalk and plan on closer hunting and reaction type target shooting I'd go with an EOTech or Aimpoint in that order. My M4 in the military had an Aimpoint for a long time until I convinced the powers that be that there are better optics for CQB and magnification and we went with Acogs. All of those three have the ability to magnify but the Acog is built in. The other 2 you need to purchase a separate magnifier in most cases. They can be bought fairly cheaply used and have lots of options.

With all that said, knowing what I do about GA and medium game hunting with an AR/target shooting, I'd go Acog. Sight acquisition is faster than high magnification optics but you will have good magnification in either the 3x or 4x versions. I've shot out to 500 meters with the Acog and was really pleased. They don't add a lot of weight to a weapon if you are walking a lot.

In the end it all depends on the amount of money you want to spend and what you use the weapon for. If you do mostly stationary shooting at medium range (300 yards or closer) I'd say save the money and go Bushnell in a 3-9x40 or 4-16x50 type of scope. If you want the ability to move and react with magnification that works well out to 300-500 yards and it's in the budget I'd go Acog 4x.

[02Ls1Formula]

Sorry, I thought the scope came with it. If you are going to door deer and hog, from a stand...If you don't want to break the bank on an optic, I'd say get a 3-9x40 Bushnell. They are a little rougher than some of the leopold or nikon stuff but still good quality for not bad money. They stand up to a fair amount of abuse too. All of my heavy recoil weapons have bushnells now. I tried Tasco and Simmons for hunting rifles and over a few seasons and target shooting, I have trouble with both reticle adjustment settings. An AR shouldn't have an optic destroying recoil though. Bushnell also makes some models with mildots which are nice for judging distances.

If you are going to ground hunt/stalk and plan on closer hunting and reaction type target shooting I'd go with an EOTech or Aimpoint in that order. My M4 in the military had an Aimpoint for a long time until I convinced the powers that be that there are better optics for CQB and magnification and we went with Acogs. All of those three have the ability to magnify but the Acog is built in. The other 2 you need to purchase a separate magnifier in most cases. They can be bought fairly cheaply used and have lots of options.

With all that said, knowing what I do about GA and medium game hunting with an AR/target shooting, I'd go Acog. Sight acquisition is faster than high magnification optics but you will have good magnification in either the 3x or 4x versions. I've shot out to 500 meters with the Acog and was really pleased. They don't add a lot of weight to a weapon if you are walking a lot.

In the end it all depends on the amount of money you want to spend and what you use the weapon for. If you do mostly stationary shooting at medium range (300 yards or closer) I'd say save the money and go Bushnell in a 3-9x40 or 4-16x50 type of scope. If you want the ability to move and react with magnification that works well out to 300-500 yards and it's in the budget I'd go Acog 4x.

How much do those Acogs go for? Anything close to the Leopolds?

[IH8EVRY1]

I've seen them for 200-250 used but new they can be found around 600 bucks. There are several different models and the cost changes a bit between the different options.

[tiny47]

I have 2 bushmasters, RRA(rock river arms) .308 ar, Starting another RRA .223 ar rifle. After searching for awhile I will not buy any other brand than RRA for ar and ar variants...You might pay a little more but I think it is worth it... I have pics of the .308 in another thread ( new addition to the family).

[02Ls1Formula]

I've seen them for 200-250 used but new they can be found around 600 bucks. There are several different models and the cost changes a bit between the different options.

Awesome, you think this would be better than a leopold? Price wise?

[IH8EVRY1]

Awesome, you think this would be better than a leopold? Price wise?

Depends on the model of the Leopold. I've never looked at Leopold's used but the new ones I've looked at in gun shows have been in the 800 buck range. I know they get a lot higher but it's never been in my budget so I haven't looked that hard.

[02Ls1Formula]

Depends on the model of the Leopold. I've never looked at Leopold's used but the new ones I've looked at in gun shows have been in the 800 buck range. I know they get a lot higher but it's never been in my budget so I haven't looked that hard.

Well I musta not been looking in the right spot cuz all the ACOGs I saw were upwards of 800. Maybe I was looking at the wrong shit?

[IH8EVRY1]

That's not off track. I guess I forgot that all of the one's I normally look at are on government vendor sites.

[02Ls1Formula]

That's not off track. I guess I forgot that all of the one's I normally look at are on government vendor sites.

Well shit! How do I get on that deal?

[Willfully Armed]

A leupold vx-ii 3x9x40 is only $250. Lifetime warranty.

That's an easy choice to make.

Check out Bushnell elite series. They are good.

[IH8EVRY1]

A leupold vx-ii 3x9x40 is only $250. Lifetime warranty.

That's an easy choice to make.

Check out Bushnell elite series. They are good.

That's good info. I use Bushnell on all of my rifles except my AR. I recommend them under most circumstances. I was tailoring my responses to info in this thread but it OP is open to suggestions, Bushnell makes a good product at a good price.

However, a Leupold 3-9x40 at $250 sounds like a good deal too. They are a proven company also.

[02Ls1Formula]

A leupold vx-ii 3x9x40 is only $250. Lifetime warranty.

That's an easy choice to make.

Check out Bushnell elite series. They are good.

Thats a good deal there. May have to look more into that.

[ztrouble]

look into vortex optics. Inexpensive and getting awesome reviews

[Detroit Power]

I bought the Oly Arms Plinker Plus a few years ago and have had no issues at all. I researched and the complaints against Oly through the BBB just "stopped" once they got their quality control issues resolved a few years back.

Got it with a sling, flash hider, 2 mags, and a hard case for ~$575 brand new.

[jad628]

Mainly just deer/hog hunting for now. Ive got a 7 mag to hunt anything bigger than deer. The Leo wont come with it, it would be an add on. Im not thrilled about the price but from what little research Ive done thats about the going price. As far as target shooting it would just to be something to go to the range with and have fun. On my 7 Ive got a 3-9x40. Ide like something around that range.

You can hunt deer with a .223/5.56?

I don't want to stray from your request, but have you considered a DPMS Panther is .308/7.62? I'd much rather have that round for deer and hog than the smaller .223/5.56.

Still, if you are set on a "AR", there isn't much reason to look further than the standard makes like Rock River, DPMS, Bushmaster, Olympic, etc. There can be SOME differences between makes when you look to add aftermarket stuff (an example was my Bushmaster M4 when I had an ACE stock added and the buffer assembly is slightly larger on the Bushmaster). It doesn't look like you are inquiring about the ultimate in portability, so go ahead and stress the heavier (HBAR) barrels and twist rates for heavier bullets as two good criteria to make a selection (assuming you see the heavier bullets as better for hunting). If you are certain you want optics, maybe opt for a model with detachable/folding iron sights, and a lower mount flattop (mounting the scope as low to the barrel as possible is usually a good thing). I would definitely suggest you don't go for too high a magnification on any variable. This won't be a beanfield rifle (likely), so stress a lower magnification setting as prudent to keep close shots more instinctive. The old standby 3-9 X is okay and not a bad choice, but I find that more powerful than necessary for your average shooting situations. A lower (starting) 1.75 or 2X magnification for a variable appeals to me on such rifles but I grant you, the selection and price will limit your choices.

While some lesser priced scopes are perfectly fine, I highly recommend you don't cut corners on your glass. I put a Zeiss Conquest 4.5-14 x 44 Rapid Z 1000 (reticle) on my DPMS Panther, and I look at it as a $800 bargain. Zeiss has a basic 3x9-40 for $399 and I would not hesitate to put it on about ANY centerfire rifle. You will never regret making a good, informed, riflescope purchase. Too many people look at mount/rings/scope as secondary to the rifle and spend way too little time creating a solid, COMPLETE rig. The same DPMS I mentioned earlier has two uppers; the target barreled version with the Zeiss, and a carbine upper that will ony have iron/reflex sights. You could probably do that with your AR purchase as well, if so inclined.

Kinda hard to make one rifle do everything well. There will be compromises. Keep that in mind as you choose.

Good luck.

[jad628]

Nothing special whatsoever. Ive actually been looking to see what kind I could go with. Been recommended a Leopold mil-dot scope I saw at the local gun shop...think he was asking 350ish for it? Not sure how much I want to spend on it tho.

Pics of future new toy...

I'm not trying to rain on anybody's parade, but I truly don't see the reason to put higher powered optics on a carbine length rifle with a collapsible stock. The shorter barrel and stock on those weapons are compromises for portability and CQB. Both will work against the advantage of higher magnification (the stock will have lateral play and wiggle, and the shorter barrel will likely have a lower velocity and lesser accuracy potential than a comparably made barrel of longer length), making the potential of the scope less meaningful and even a drawback.

I'm not saying there aren't example of very accurate shorter barreled rifles, but they won't be as easy to come by. It's just the nature of the beast.