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User Panel
User Panel
NC, USA
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Posted: 5/1/2024 7:43:05 PM EDT
I need your help. I just bought a Daniel Defense AR with an 18 inch barrel. I want to shoot 300-500 yards with it.
What scope power do I need? Thanks in advance |
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Posted: 5/1/2024 7:48:15 PM EDT
[#1]
My favorite gas gun scope is the NX8 2.5-20 Mil-XT.
LPVOs have too many drawbacks, but a nice MPVO is where it's at. |
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MN, USA
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Posted: 5/1/2024 8:08:11 PM EDT
[#2]
I use a 2.5-15 on my 20
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AZ, USA
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Posted: 5/1/2024 8:28:53 PM EDT
[Last Edit: StealthyBlagga]
[#3]
There’s not enough information in your question to give any intelligent advice - you need to tell us what you want to use the rifle to do. I have an 18” with a 1x Aimpoint red dot that makes hits at 500+ in 3-Gun competitions. I have another 18” that I use for shooting Prairie Dogs with a 5-25x scope.
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Posted: 5/1/2024 8:35:39 PM EDT
[#4]
I follow a different process.
Identify the range you and to shoot at. Identify a suitable barrel length and accuracy requirement. Identify an optic that fits the range and accuracy requirement. For the range you want to shoot at I would pick a 3.6-18 or 4-20 optic. |
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Posted: 5/1/2024 8:36:39 PM EDT
[#5]
I generally run a 2.5-10
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TX, USA
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Posted: 5/1/2024 8:38:23 PM EDT
[#6]
1-8x ATACR
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NM, USA
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Posted: 5/1/2024 8:38:55 PM EDT
[#7]
I have personally been gravitating towards the Leupold MK5HD 3.6-18 and the Nightforce NX8 2.5-20 for my longer (18"-20") gas guns. Completely agnostic of the specific make and model, that general magnification range seems to be the sweet spot for me and my applications. While the options seem to be a little more limited in the 2.5-10 range, there are a couple on my list to try out on my 16" uppers after I finish up a couple of other projects. Having used a number of optics around that magnification range, I know they are more than adequate for my uses. That said, I have shot service rifle and XTC matches out to 600 yds and back with both iron sights and a 4x optic.
Are you wanting to shoot groups on paper or ringing steel? Are you shooting from a bench and bags or unconventional positions? Your specific application should inform your decision. |
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Posted: 5/1/2024 10:36:49 PM EDT
[#8]
What size targets? Fit the reticle and power to that.
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Posted: 5/1/2024 10:57:54 PM EDT
[Last Edit: cms81586]
[#9]
2.5-10x would be fine for what you want to do. This budget/parts bin SPR got a 4-16x because it was an extra optic I had laying around.
 Attached File |
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GA, USA
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Posted: 5/1/2024 11:20:25 PM EDT
[#10]
Budget option?
SWFA 10x Mid-range? Leupold MK3HD 3-9x Firedot |
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IN, USA
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Posted: 5/2/2024 12:03:13 AM EDT
[#11]
General rule I have for PID is 2x per 100 for 1moa.
If your accuracy requirements doubles, mag requirements half. 500 yards and 1 moa target implies 10x minimum. 500 yards and .5 moa target implies 20x minimum. 200 yards and 4 moa implies 1x minimum. 600 yards and 2 moa implies 6x minimum. |
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Posted: 5/2/2024 10:14:07 AM EDT
[#12]
Depends on what you do want to do with it. I have a 3-15x on mine. I know people with 25x on theirs.
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Posted: 5/2/2024 10:18:43 AM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By PistoleroJesse: General rule I have for PID is 2x per 100 for 1moa. If your accuracy requirements doubles, mag requirements half. 500 yards and 1 moa target implies 10x minimum. 500 yards and .5 moa target implies 20x minimum. 200 yards and 4 moa implies 1x minimum. 600 yards and 2 moa implies 6x minimum. This is a good rule although I tend to to 1.5X per 100. So, for LPVOs, 6X is minimum if shooting out to 400 yds. |
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Posted: 5/2/2024 10:43:05 AM EDT
[#14]
I run a Vortex Viper PST2 5-25x on my 18" AR. Normally I shoot in the 10-15x range but I like to have the extra power for observing hits on a target or if I need to see more detail on what I am aiming at. One time it was useful to look at the spread on a buck at an extended range I luckily did not take the shot because it was not a legal buck to take. Later that day I ran into a game warden for the first time ever after hunting at a Dairy Queen. I like to buy the most power I can get because I can always dial it back but I do have LPVO and MPVO's as well. I do really like the 2-10x I got that is not living on my SCAR 17 it really gives me everything I want that the LPVO kind of comes up short on. Each have there place and I have an array of scopes but most of them are 15x or higher on the top end and my lower power scopes I have the 1-6 and 2-10x and that is it.
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MN, USA
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Posted: 5/2/2024 11:09:16 AM EDT
[#15]
General rule I have for PID is 2x per 100 for 1moa. This is my take as well. Sure you can hit a target in the open @ 400 yards with a 4x, but seeing the target @ 400 on 4x can be a challenge, especially if the "target" doesn't want to be shot 
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NC, USA
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Posted: 5/2/2024 8:58:12 PM EDT
[#16]
I have a 2-10x on a 18”. It’s great for “tactical” shooting, meaning accurate fire on body size targets out to 600ish yards. That would be my go to scope power for a real world application.
For more “target/competion”, I’d be at the 3-15ish power. More power is generally easier to see, especially for PID, but it comes at a cost of weight generally. My 2-10x sits on a bcm ss410 upper with mcmr rail, and I could carry it all day. Would I take it for woodchucks? No. Do I take it for coyotes ? Absolutely . |
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Posted: 5/3/2024 1:52:55 PM EDT
[#17]
I have an SWFA 3-9x HD on my SPR. It is adequate for 1000 yard shooting. However, if I was planning to do a lot of shooting beyond 800 yards or so, I'd prefer a little more magnification. It gets difficult spotting misses with the light 5.56 bullets and not a lot of magnification.
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Posted: 5/3/2024 7:47:51 PM EDT
[#18]
Just ordered a Trijicon 2-10x 36 for my 18” rifle.
We will see |
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NC, USA
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Posted: 5/3/2024 8:14:04 PM EDT
[#19]
Thanks everyone
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Posted: 5/6/2024 12:27:15 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By 3-gun: Just ordered a Trijicon 2-10x 36 for my 18” rifle. We will see I really want to order the trijicon but the lack of parallax adjustment has gotten in my head. I don’t have enough experience with optics at say 400-700 yards to know if it’s really critical. Also looking at the Nightforce NSX 2.5-10x42. I am a trijicon fan and have been very happy with the RMRs, Acog and accupoint scopes I have. |
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IN, USA
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Posted: 5/6/2024 12:54:42 PM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By 870Fan: I really want to order the trijicon but the lack of parallax adjustment has gotten in my head. I don’t have enough experience with optics at say 400-700 yards to know if it’s really critical. Also looking at the Nightforce NSX 2.5-10x42. I am a trijicon fan and have been very happy with the RMRs, Acog and accupoint scopes I have. Did you think about the TR26? It seems pretty analgous except it has capped windage (yay) and no zero lock (boo). I made a cap for my NXS 2.5-10x42 out of an HSGI taco rebuild. 
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Posted: 5/6/2024 1:12:06 PM EDT
[#22]
That's bad ass! I haven't looked at the TR26. I would like to have return to zero elevation and windage dials.
I haven't used a Christmas tree type reticle like the credo 2-10x ffp yet. I have dialed for elevation and held for wind with a Trijicon 1-8 and a Steiner 4-16 and it worked fine. |
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USA
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Posted: 5/6/2024 2:00:39 PM EDT
[#23]
vortex spitfire 5x or ACOG 4x. they were built explicitly for your need.
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Posted: 5/6/2024 4:39:28 PM EDT
[#24]
For man-sized torso target, 1x for every 100 yards was usually recommended. A 1-6x would be adequate for ringing a steel torso target. I like to shoot smaller targets and prefer a bit more magnification for ID'ing targets, so a 4-16x is nice to have. I have a 3.5-20x on my .308 rifle.
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Posted: 5/7/2024 2:46:37 PM EDT
[#25]
Got the 2-10x36 installed today.
 Attached FileVery precise reticle, great glass and plenty of eye relief. |
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Posted: 5/8/2024 8:31:48 AM EDT
[#26]
For a gas gun, I highly recommend a Christmas tree type reticle. There is a lot of value in being able to engage targets without touching the knobs at all and wind holdovers with those types of radicals are super easy.
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Posted: 5/8/2024 3:06:02 PM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By 3-gun: Got the 2-10x36 installed today. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/751/image_jpg-3208041.JPG Very precise reticle, great glass and plenty of eye relief. Nice scope. Trijicon is known for their durability and repeatability. Personally for a 5.56 18” rifle I don’t think the 2-10 range can be beat as an all around power range. IME you can’t get much more than 900yds(accurately anyways) out of a 18” 5.56 gas gun. |
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Posted: 5/8/2024 3:09:59 PM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By 870Fan: I really want to order the trijicon but the lack of parallax adjustment has gotten in my head. I don’t have enough experience with optics at say 400-700 yards to know if it’s really critical. Also looking at the Nightforce NSX 2.5-10x42. I am a trijicon fan and have been very happy with the RMRs, Acog and accupoint scopes I have. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By 870Fan: Originally Posted By 3-gun: Just ordered a Trijicon 2-10x 36 for my 18” rifle. We will see I really want to order the trijicon but the lack of parallax adjustment has gotten in my head. I don’t have enough experience with optics at say 400-700 yards to know if it’s really critical. Also looking at the Nightforce NSX 2.5-10x42. I am a trijicon fan and have been very happy with the RMRs, Acog and accupoint scopes I have. I’ve got a nxs 2.5-10x32 that doesn’t have parallax adjustment and I’ve not found it lacking out to 1k. While I’d rather have it, I think it really depends on the make/model of the scope on whether or not it’s a necessity. |
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Posted: 5/9/2024 8:53:31 AM EDT
[#29]
Thanks!
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TX, USA
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Posted: 5/9/2024 9:10:46 AM EDT
[Last Edit: DevL]
[#30]
Leupold MK5HD 3.6-18x44
This is the best optic for your goal of precision shooting on an AR platform IMO. Don't waste money on the illuminated reticle. They are much more money and it is a poor illumination system. Just pick mil or moa and whether or not you want Christmas tree style reticle. The only downside is the limited availability of 35mm mounts. Very few options. Spend the money on Badger or Reptila for fixed. Way better place to put money there than the illuminated reticle. |
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Posted: 5/12/2024 11:36:20 PM EDT
[#31]
I have a 4-20 XTRII on my 18”. Was shooting an 8” square at 550 and was on 11X. Square was reddish hanging in the woods in a small cleared out spot. Have a spare SWFA 3-9 I may put on it and move the 4-20 to a bolt gun.
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TX, USA
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Posted: Yesterday 8:52:43 AM EDT
[#32]
I had an XTRII. Great mechanicals but some of the worst optics at any price. Crazy chromatic abberation. Could not get a setting of diopter and parallax that made the image clear and removed parallax error. If you had a clear view, it reticle moved with head movement. If reticle did not move, scope was blurry. I hear the XTRIII are much improved optically. I upgraded to a PST Gen 2 which is head and shoulders better than the Burris XTRII optically. I honestly preferred the XTRII mechanically. Very easy to set zero stop. Very robust.
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Posted: Yesterday 9:31:50 AM EDT
[#33]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By DevL: Leupold MK5HD 3.6-18x44 This is the best optic for your goal of precision shooting on an AR platform IMO. Don't waste money on the illuminated reticle. They are much more money and it is a poor illumination system. Just pick mil or moa and whether or not you want Christmas tree style reticle. The only downside is the limited availability of 35mm mounts. Very few options. Spend the money on Badger or Reptila for fixed. Way better place to put money there than the illuminated reticle. This guy knows what’s up. |
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LA, USA
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Posted: Today 12:28:52 PM EDT
[#34]
If this is a range toy or something you're gonna use to shoot from a stand, get the biggest, quality scope you can afford. If you're gonna be carrying it around, get the biggest, quality scope you're willing to carry.
I don't usually shoot past 5 or 600 yards and can bang torso sized steel with a 4X ACOG pretty easily, but 4x doesn't allow for much PID past about 300 yards. My 13.9 has the ACOG and my 14.5 wears a 2-10x gen II PST. |
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