Optics for 20" flattop AR? Options

[Guest_MTGee_*]

Hello everyone,

I've got a new 20" RRA A4 (5.56mm) on the way, and now that it's come to optics, I have to admit I've got no friggin idea which way to go.

If it was a .308, I'd be fine, but I'm kind of new at the whole AR as a tackdriver thing (The RRA is factory guaranteed to shoot moa or less from the box, so I figure it's worth putting good optics on). So, I decided to ask you guys, since most of the regular posters here have likely forgotten more about decent glass than I'll ever know.

My first choice was actually the IOR 3-18 Fleascope, but Scott tells me those won't be in stock for around a month yet, and to be honest, they're a hundred or two over the budget I'd like to stay in. That said, if there were any in country for immediate buying, my budget would be revised, heh.

My second choice is the 2-12x32 (also IOR), which I'm told are in stock.

Unfortunately, I've got a minor problem with dropping $900+ on something I've never gotten to look through. I know IOR is quality; I owned a Super M2 6x for about a year and loved it, but it clocked in at half the price of the 2-12.

Another choice, would be the IOR 2.5-10x42, which I'm sure is also nice, and would be cheaper, but would put me out another $100+ on a set of good rings.

So, basically, what I'm asking is for one of you nice guys who's used one or more of these scopes to give me some advice.

I know that 12x is overpowered for nearly all 5.56 work, but aside from that, how is the scope? In the usual tradition of IOR being Zeiss/Hendsholdt quality at half the price?

Or, would it be worth the time and extra money to just pay down on that 3-18 and wait for it?

Finally, assuming I do go with a 35mm, which ring height would work best? The scope will be mounted to an ARMS #19, which raises the rings about .443". I'm going to be mounting a buttstock with adjustable cheekpiece, so too high is better than too low.

Any and all help greatly appreciated.
-Matt

[cmshoot]

On a flattop .223, I would lean towards either the IOR 2.5-10x42 or the 4-14x50. The added size of the 50mm objective isn't a problem on an AR, cuz you have to mount the scope so high anyways to compensate for the comb of the stock being high. With that said, the 2.5-10 would definitely be my first choice.

Contact Liberty Optics here at SP and see what Scott can do ya for on the scope. Also, check with Scott on TPS rings. Those would be my first choice, and they retail for about $63 or so.

I've owned 3 IOR's, and looked through dozens more. The overall quality of the scopes are exceptional, and the glass is simply amazing. I highly recommend them.

[JayCeeNC]

I had a Nightforce NXS 2.5-10x24 on my 20" AR, it shot very well. But...they're about $1200 new.

[canavar]

MTGee, I went with the 3-18 on my Patriot Arms Urban Sniper. I thing that it compliments the capability to the weapon very well. If you go with the 3-18, the high rings work best (on an AR). If you're on a budget you definately will not be disappointed with IOR 2.5-10 either.

http://photobucket.com/albums/c233/solraco...nt=DSC00904.jpg

[Guest_MTGee_*]

I had a Nightforce NXS 2.5-10x24 on my 20" AR, it shot very well. But...they're about $1200 new.

I actually did look over that exact model at my local Sportsman's Warehouse on saturday. I liked the glass, but not the FFP reticle. I owned one before (An FFP, not a Nightforce) and found the reticle was always hard to pick up quickly on minimum power, and then a bit too thick on max power. From the reading I've done around here, that seems to be SOP for the first focal plane scopes. That said, the NXS was a damned nice compact scope.

The cost wouldn't bother me so much, I have some budget left over that I was planning on spending on accessories, but I'm willing to dump it all into a scope if I have to, to get one that I can be reasonably confident will still be working perfectly ten years down the road.

CMShoot, thanks for the advice. I liked the look of the 2.5-10, but I'll be honest, the 4-14 is a little more high profile than I was after. The FFP scope I mentioned above was an ATN with a 60mm obj (don't ask. it seemed like a good idea at the time, and in my defense, back then I thought $350 for a scope was alot), and I found that anything 50mm or over tends to just be a bit big for my taste.

Scott (from LO) was who I was planning to buy from anyway. He's been kind enough to answer my annoying and novice-ish questions for several PM's now.

Canavar, I'm not on a tight budget, but Scott tells me there are no 3-18's to buy until march. That thing looks niiiiice though. I wasn't so much going for dedicated sniper thing with my rifle, I'm working on more of a DMR type. Something utilitarian that will be useful from very close range (with the Reflex II I have for it) out to 400 - 600m, if needed. Did I mention your rifle looks nice? It does. (IMG:http://www.snipersparadise.com/sniperchat/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I'm thinking at the moment I may be better off just waiting on the 3-18 that I really want. Yeah, it's overkill on a 5.56, I know, but the 18x setting looks handy for longer range inspection or getting a positive ID.

With RRA's current backlog, it's looking to be at least two to three weeks before I get the rifle anyway.

Thanks guys, for your help.
-Matt

[JayCeeNC]

My Nightforce NXS 2.5-10x24 was not an FFP scope. I don't think NF makes FFP scopes in the NXS line.

[canavar]

MTGee, I think that the 3-18 is the way to go. If you are still in need or want a close range buck-up sight (depending on your handguard) then mount a Dr. Optics or JP Short Range Tactical Sight on the side. If you need it then rotate the rifle slightly and you're good to go. Alot of 3guns competitors set up their AR's that way.

[Guest_MTGee_*]

JayCeeNC, I'm not calling ya a liar, bro. The one I handled in the store was a 2.5-10x24 compact, and the reticle got bigger when I twisted the power knob. so I naturally assumed it was a first focal plane. Banging around Nightforce's web site, I only saw the one type of 2.5-10 compact listed (though with four reticles). Sorry if I made a mistake someplace, but that was how it looked to me. I've been wrong before though. If it makes any difference, it was the FC-2 reticle, as I recall.

Canavar, thanks for the tip on the back-up optic, but I stole... er... borrowed that trick from here about six months ago. I keep my Trijicon RX01NSN (the M4A1 model with the 4moa dot) set up like that, on the 3 o'clock rail. Tested it a couple times, was Minute of Coke Can accurate at 25 meters, so I'd call that more than good enough for an emergency backup CQB setup. Been considering investing a few bucks in a couple of those rail adapters to change it from 90 degrees off to only 45, figured that would help a bit, but I'll have to play with it when I actually get my paws on the weapon and see if it's even necessary (it wasn't necessary on the FAL listed in my profile). Woulda went with something a little more compact or conventional... but I really like not having to change batteries or adjust brightness levels.

[mri440corbon]

Nice looking rifle Canavar! Is it hard to get ahold of the charging handle with that illumination knob?

[Qstick]

On ym 20" AR I just ordered a US Optic ST 10 10x fixed power with MOA reticle to match the SN3 on the bolt gun.

[canavar]

mri440corbon, not at all. I added a Badger Tactical latch which makes charging the much easier.

This post has been edited by canavar: Feb 8 2006, 15:21

[J. Boyette]

I would go with the IOR 6X42 with the MP8.

J Schulze here at SP has one, I shot his 700 with this optic and I must say it is the BEST optic for a AR I have EVER seen.

As a 6x, I could see the 50yds to 1000yds just fine, spot trace out to 600yds and see hits at 700yds also.

As for the AR goes, this scope is the best bang for the $$$ out there. And to be honest, I did not like IOR Optics tell I got to use this one.

Get it. You will like it. I think John told me the prices was around $360 or so from Scott.

Specifications

Magnification 6x
Objective diameter 42mm
Field of view at 100 yards 20 feet
Exit pupil diameter 7mm
Eye relief 3.75 inches (92mm)
Diopter adjustment -4 to +4 DPT
Reticle adjustment range 100 MOA
Click adjustment 1/4 MOA
Tube diameter 30mm
Length 12.9 inches
Weight 16 oz

(IMG:http://www.valdada.com/vn/ior/03/6x42.jpg)