|
Professional and serious users of long
distance precision AR15 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 AR15 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 AR15 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 AR15 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
AR15 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. |