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+--- Thread: Need help with scope selection (/showthread.php?tid=21355)
Need help with scope selection - Tgself1 - 06-01-2020
I am building a 6.5 Grendel ar with a 18 inch barrel for deer hunting. All my shots will be under 200 yards. I will also take the rifle to the range occasionally to shoot, but nothing over 400 yards. I have decided on a 2-7 power scope but need help picking which brand to go with. The choices are; burris fullfield E1, leupold vx freedom, sig sauer whiskey 3, vortex crossfire II, or the Nikon p3. Any input from members who have experience with any of these would be greatly appreciated, or if anyone knows of any other 2-7 power scopes in the $200 range that I'm overlooking.
Need help with scope selection - Bullseyetony - 06-01-2020
I built my Grendel with pretty much the same thing in mind. I'm a hunter and wanted the platform specifically for hunting but I decided on a little bit more powerful scope. I went with a little know company called Barra, the warranty was what sold me. The warranty is as good as it gets, they'll replace the scope no matter what happens to it or how it happens. I went with 4-12x40 just in case I wanted to take it out to 500 yds for fun.
Need help with scope selection - Lemonaid - 06-01-2020
I have the Burris fullfield 2-7 E1 and it is fine but.... It was my intention to use it for a AR in .223 for close to medium range. As I was doing load development it was clear I needed more magnification. So it got swapped to a Ruger 10-22 until I got a Bushnell AR drop zone 4.5-18x40 (amazon at around $200.00) that can focus/parallax adjust down to 15 yards and has a side parallax knob, the same one I have on my Ruger RAP in 6.5 Grendel. So the Burris is in it's box until load development is completely done.
It will help get you better advise if you can provide magnification, weight or size limit. A red dot with a 3x magnifier might be an option.
If it's durability that is a prime concern I would go with Leupold.
Need help with scope selection - Redomen - 06-01-2020
My wife and son use the crossfire 2 scope and they are very nice. I have a Burris full field on my .270 and it is great as well.
Need help with scope selection - FLshooter - 06-01-2020
For hunting, you want to keep it light. A Vortex or Nikon 3-9 would work perfectly.
Need help with scope selection - Harpoon1 - 06-01-2020
Ive got a bunch of these 4-12 power with AO parallax adjustment. Theyre rated for a springer airguns harsh double impulse recoil, so, they should easily hold up on an AR. I use them on airguns and bolt action powder burners. I prefer the 20 MOA reticle but they also have Mil-Dot, Duplex and a Hunters Holdover BDC. The are clear, crisp, bright Japanese type glass. There is also several 3-9s with fixed parallax as well. Made in the Philippines. Dont let that scare you, so are some of the Vortex models.
https://sightronusa.com/product/sih412x40ftmoa/
Need help with scope selection - justinspicher - 06-01-2020
I have used both vortex and Luepold scopes. Im now using nightforce. My 16 Grendel has the NF NX8 1-8x and Ive really enjoyed it. Its by far the lightest scope Ive ever had.
Need help with scope selection - Harpoon1 - 06-01-2020
justinspicher Wrote:I have used both vortex and Luepold scopes. Im now using nightforce. My 16 Grendel has the NF NX8 1-8x and Ive really enjoyed it. Its by far the lightest scope Ive ever had.
Are they in the $200 range?
Need help with scope selection - Tgself1 - 06-01-2020
Thank you everyone for the info. I had thought about 3-9 power scope, but was also wanting something a little bit more compact. One of the 3-9 scopes I looked at was the bushnell at optics, but I was concerned the turrets would get bumped in the field since they do not lock.
Need help with scope selection - Kswhitetails - 06-02-2020
Your budget is your limiter. In that price range, all optics are going to be relatively similar. Leupolds are usually much lighter than their counterparts at any price range.
I'd look through anything your planning on - extensively - preferably side by side - preferably outdoors at the range you're considering. You won't see much difference between any of them, but the one that impresses you the most when you look through it should be the comparison by which all other features are measured. First goal in your optic is vision. Everything else comes next. For me its glass, warranty, turrets, reticle, tube -(size material and weight), mount ability - in that order.
Your mount should be a high quality affair. Don't discount it's job, and it's duties. Keep the optic secure to the weapon, and how rough are you going to be with it? I'd suggest the LaRue LT-204 for an AR platform rifle, it's about double the standard entry level "duty" mounts, but it's worth the extra 70 bucks, IMHO. There are others, but at $140 new, it's the LaRue every time.
2-7 is a good window for Grendel. You're more than capable of 300 yard hunting shots with that. Another good option for the less expensive optics are fixed power versions. 10x is fine, but it's not as nice inside 100 yards, though it's easily done. 4x is good 1-200 in my experience. Beyond that, it's a bit more challenging and will require a position much more stable than you're likely to obtain in a hunting situation.
One final piece of advice, at the risk of being unsolicited and unwanted - save up and raise your budget. You'll be pleasantly surprised what you can get a hold of for $500.
Good luck. Optics have become my hobby, looking into the construction, materials, erector construction, etc. has proven to be a real bit of reading and research. The benefit of this is the used market. You can get some truly high quality optics right now if you know what you're looking at, especially if they're a few years old, for that $500.
Need help with scope selection - drewthebrave - 06-05-2020
I would take a good hard look at SWFA's new Ultralight hunting scope with BDC reticle. It's a bit over your $200 budget, but it seems to fit your intended role nicely and I think it would be money well spent. This bundle includes a lightweight Aero Precision mount (street price around $75) and some logo swag for free:
https://www.swfa.com/swfa-ss-2-5-10x32-ultralight-rifle-scope-w-aero-mount.html
If you don't mind a little larger & heavier scope, the SWFA fixed 6x scope is a really good option, too. It's built to survive serious abuse, and the glass quality is very good for the price. If you go this route, it will come out to about the same price as the Ultralight bundle above after you buy a mount for it (I like Warne mounts on a budget).
https://www.swfa.com/swfa-ss-6x42-tactical-30mm-riflescope-3.html
Need help with scope selection - A5BLASTER - 06-06-2020
Tgself1 Wrote:I am building a 6.5 Grendel ar with a 18 inch barrel for deer hunting. All my shots will be under 200 yards. I will also take the rifle to the range occasionally to shoot, but nothing over 400 yards. I have decided on a 2-7 power scope but need help picking which brand to go with. The choices are; burris fullfield E1, leupold vx freedom, sig sauer whiskey 3, vortex crossfire II, or the Nikon p3. Any input from members who have experience with any of these would be greatly appreciated, or if anyone knows of any other 2-7 power scopes in the $200 range that I'm overlooking.
Best advice I can give is this.
Safe up a lil longer and buy the vortex viper pst gen 2 1-6 and pair it with the Leopold mark ar scope mount.
That scope mount combo will be perfect for your needs.
It's the exact combo I use on my 12 inch and 12.5 inch grendels.
Nice low power for quick snap shots are just up close shots and plenty of power at 6 too shoot steel targets out too 600 yards are hunt game out too 300 yards.
Nice simple hashmark reticle for holdovers and also has a red dot feature you can turn on and off.
Need help with scope selection - Lastrites - 06-06-2020
Mentioned above you should take a look at the SWFA's new 2.5-10 Ultralight hunting scope with BDC reticle, though it's a bit more than your budget,. I have one of these on a light weight hunting grendel, glass is really good, it's like 9.5oz, pretty compact, with the right mounts it can do double duty as a carrier handle and I'd buy it again for low recoiling rifle like the grendel. Likely wouldn't use this on a rifle that has some kick though as the somewhat short eye relief (3.35 - 2.56) could be a potential issue of getting scoped, not a problem w/the grendel.