Suggestions for scopes for AR-10 .308

Jeeper44mag

Looking to pick out a new scope for my AR-10 in .308.  I want something that I can use for hunting (mostly ~100-250yd) and (occasionally) some longer range (600-1000yd) shooting.  Quality glass, but nothing like Nightforce.  Would prefer to keep the budget to $500ish if possible, but will spend as much as $800-$900 if that's what it takes.

Tentatively I'm thinking 3-15x (or 4-16x) for power range.   I see lots of suggestions for 5-25x or 6-24x for long range shooting, but since *most* of my shooting will be hunting or <300yd plinking, I think that's too much magnification, especially on the low end.  Currently running an inexpensive Bushnell 4.5-14x on it for testing purposes only atm.

Have been looking over Burris & Viper optics, but wouldn't mind suggestions for other brands.  I keep seeing Primary Arms as a suggestion for less expensive brands worth considering but have no experience with them. 

Thoughts?  Ideas?

Luis

Zee

Vortex Venom

https://www.eurooptic.com/vortex-venom-rifle-scopes.aspx

CHIRO1989

https://www.opticsplanet.com/leupold-vx-3hd-3-5-10x40mm-riflescopes.html

Jay

I have a couple of Primary Arms scopes, including one on my 308 AR, and have been happy with them. 

I also have several different Vortex scopes and have been very happy with them. I’d definitely be interested in the one Zee posted if I was looking for something for the purposes mentioned. Down to 5X for hunting, up to 25x for longer range shooting. And I’d definitely stick with a side focus model. So much nicer to be able to reach up and adjust easily and quickly. 

Gila

It's a little more than you want to spend, but I put a Trijicon Credo 1-8x28 with a 34mm tube on mine. It is a first focal plane scope with a red/green MRAD segmented circle and has exposed locking adjusters. I don't believe it needs anything more like the high powered 6.5-20x50mm Vortex mildot scope I have on my Model 70 WinMag.

Jeff in TX

Anything under 700 yards...actually a grand for me, I would go with a max magnification no higher than 10X.  I've never been a high magnification shooter, even growing up.  Leupold's VX-5 2X10 scopes with fire dot reticles sits on a couple of my rifles.   For shots out to 500 yards my magnification probably is on 4 or 6 power. My .300 BO has a Leupold 2X7.  Leupold and Vortex as well as a few other you can't go wrong.  In sniper school 25-years ago, one thing we learned about high power scopes.  They suck in heat mirage, even in the winter, even at night. We learned to shoot no higher than 10X.  Just my $0.02

Best of luck with what ever scope you choose! 

Mbellum

I have a Burris 3x9 with Mil Dots. Very affordable and let’s you mess with some fun long range plinking. 

What type of load are you shooting?

Jeeper44mag

Mbellum said:

What type of load are you shooting?

I actually own several Burris 3x9's on other rifles, and have been very happy with the quality of the glass on them.   I'm just leaning towards a little more magnification this time... 3-15x, 4-16x, maybe even per Zee's suggestion a 5-25x.

Plinking with 175 grain milsurp atm, but am sitting on (almost... I have shot a couple boxes) 1k rounds of Hornady custom 150gr SST that I expect to use for hunting deer & hogs that i picked up at a bargain price ($650) a few yrs back.  I expect to buy a few boxes of 168 or 175gr match ammo for the occasions that I go to a range with >300 yds.

Luis

Jeeper44mag

Gila said:

It's a little more than you want to spend, but I put a Trijicon Credo 1-8x28 with a 34mm tube on mine. It is a first focal plane scope with a red/green MRAD segmented circle and has exposed locking adjusters. I don't believe it needs anything more like the high powered 6.5-20x50mm Vortex mildot scope I have on my Model 70 WinMag.

No, that's an awesome scope, but it's a LOT more than I'm willing to part with.   $800-$900 at the absolute top end, and I'd rather be <$500-700.  $1500+ isn't going to happen.

6.5x is too much on the low end.  5x at the very most.

Luis

Jeeper44mag

Zee said:

Vortex Venom

https://www.eurooptic.com/vortex-venom-rifle-scopes.aspx

Zee...  is
 https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1018395072
worth the additional $200 over the venom you linked?  I surely do love an illuminated reticle for hunting in low light conditions... 

Luis

Zee

👍🏻👍🏻

I’m not a big “illum” Reticle guy. But, there is surely no detriment to having it.  If the battery dies……..the scope still works. 

Gila

Jeeper44mag said:

Gila said:

It's a little more than you want to spend, but I put a Trijicon Credo 1-8x28 with a 34mm tube on mine. It is a first focal plane scope with a red/green MRAD segmented circle and has exposed locking adjusters. I don't believe it needs anything more like the high powered 6.5-20x50mm Vortex mildot scope I have on my Model 70 WinMag.

No, that's an awesome scope, but it's a LOT more than I'm willing to part with.   $800-$900 at the absolute top end, and I'd rather be <$500-700.  $1500+ isn't going to happen.

6.5x is too much on the low end.  5x at the very most.

Luis

I agree about the 6.5 being too much on the low end for a .308, and that's why I have the Trijicon with no magnification at the low end. I built it with the idea in mind that it would be a great platform for hunting hogs at night. It is my rule of thumb that the optics cost at least as much as the rifle it's going to go on to achieve the full potential of the rifle. The WinMag I mentioned is my big, long range rifle, my other being a model 700 22-250. I would recommend a good LPVO for your .308, and Vortex makes the Strike Eagle FFP in 1-8x24 with a 30mm tube in your price range.

Bigslug

Thinking more in the 1-8, 1-8, 2.5-8, 2-10 range.  More concerned about low bottom end on a rifle like that if it's getting used for things other than paper.

Zee

For lower magnification but still getting to 1,000 comfortably. 

https://www.eurooptic.com/vortex-viper-hs-t-4-16x44-riflescope-with-vmr-1-reticle-moa-vhs-4309.aspx

Also comes in a Mil version as well. 

Zee

Another mid-power range with illuminated reticle. 

https://www.eurooptic.com/Vortex-Viper-PST-3-15x44-EBR-4-MOA-PST-3151.aspx

jbp-ohio

I have a Leupold 6-18 AR scope on my Rock River Fred Eichler.


With the Custom Dial System they have, when you find the load that shoots the best you get a custom drop dial for that load......

https://www.amazon.com/Leupold-VX-Freedom-6-18x40mm-Focus-Riflescope/dp/B081J7291X?th=1

Jeeper44mag

Anyone have any experience with these?  If so, how good is the glass?

https://www.natchezss.com/blemished-burris-eliminator-iii-laser-scope-4-16x50-x-96-lrfr-matte

Luis

Zee

I have a little. Ernie (on this forum), has quite a bit. 

Jeeper44mag

Zee said:

I have a little. Ernie (on this forum), has quite a bit. 

What was your impression of the glass quality compared to (for example) the Vortex scopes that were mentioned above?  Similar?

Luis

Jeeper44mag

Zee said:

I have a little. Ernie (on this forum), has quite a bit. 

Ok, I found 
https://www.opticsplanet.com/vortex-strike-eagle-3-18x44mm-riflescopes-34mm-tube-first-focal-plane.html?_iv_deal-types=coupons
That seems to check all the "ideal" boxes for me... 3-18 magnification, FFP, 34mm tube, illuminated, great reticle.  AND, I can get this model for ~$650 atm.  Do you see any downside?  Oh yeah, MOA or MIL?  

Luis

Zee

I wasn’t a fan of the Burris. Ernie likes them for their purpose. I’ve played with several Burris and own a couple. Never been a fan of their glass. Even their top end models leave much to be desired, in my humble opinion. 

I’d likely much prefer the Vortex, though I’ve not looked through that particular model you listed above. Vortex has generally become my go-to company since Leupold stuck their heads up their asses for reasons unknown regarding several of their lines. 

Min/Mil is a personal choice for you. Whichever subtends you’re most comfortable running in your head. Minutes can be a little more precise depending on the model. Mils can sometimes be a little faster for getting to distance. Really, it’s up to your preference and needs. I run both. 

I think you’re doing yourself justice by open mindedly weighing your many options. 

Jeeper44mag

That's the damn problem... TOO many options!  LOL.  Haven't seen anything else I like as much as this last Vortex I linked.  If I don't run across anything more impressive in the very near future I think I'm going to go with that.

Luis

Jeeper44mag

Zee said:

I’d likely much prefer the Vortex, though I’ve not looked through that particular model you listed above. Vortex has generally become my go-to company since Leupold stuck their heads up their asses for reasons unknown regarding several of their lines. 

Min/Mil is a personal choice for you. Whichever subtends you’re most comfortable running in your head. 

Your willingness to endorse Vortex carries a lot of weight with me since I know you've had the opportunity to try a lot of mid to upper level scopes, and to compare them. 

I went ahead and ordered that 3-18 Vortex Strike Eagle (MOA), and a Burris pepr mount.  With any luck, I'll receive it, install it, and hit the range by this next Friday to see how it does.  Still need to mount my new Ross muzzle brake on it too.  I got one of these... 

https://rossbrakes.com/store/p_2823003/self-timing-0-875-brake  
I'm thinking it should shoot/recoil almost like an unbraked .300 BO AR-15 (except ~2.5 lbs heavier) once I get the adjustable gas block dialed in right.. we'll see!

Luis

Jeeper44mag

Jay said:

I have a couple of Primary Arms scopes, including one on my 308 AR, and have been happy with them. 

I also have several different Vortex scopes and have been very happy with them. I’d definitely be interested in the one Zee posted if I was looking for something for the purposes mentioned. Down to 5X for hunting, up to 25x for longer range shooting. And I’d definitely stick with a side focus model. So much nicer to be able to reach up and adjust easily and quickly. 

BTW, Thank you for the advice Jay.  Going with a Vortex model with side adjustment for focus.  3-18 though instead of 5-25.

Luis

JKP

That brake looks nice! Now I am back to thinking about having my AR-10t barrel threaded...

Jay

Jeeper44mag said:

Jay said:

I have a couple of Primary Arms scopes, including one on my 308 AR, and have been happy with them. 

I also have several different Vortex scopes and have been very happy with them. I’d definitely be interested in the one Zee posted if I was looking for something for the purposes mentioned. Down to 5X for hunting, up to 25x for longer range shooting. And I’d definitely stick with a side focus model. So much nicer to be able to reach up and adjust easily and quickly. 

BTW, Thank you for the advice Jay.  Going with a Vortex model with side adjustment for focus.  3-18 though instead of 5-25.

Luis

I figure you'll be satisfied with it.  I had a Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8x24 on my 308 at one time.  I liked it, but decided I wanted a little more scope on that rifle.  So I did some scope swapping, put the Strike Eagle on my 450 Bushmaster and got the Primary Arms scope for the 308.  I think that Strike Eagle fits the role a lot better on the 450.  So far, it's handled the abuse from that cartridge.

Jay

JKP said:

That brake looks nice! Now I am back to thinking about having my AR-10t barrel threaded...

There's two things that I personally recommend for any LR308/AR10 style rifle.  A brake, and a adjustable gas block.  The brake helps keep the muzzle down and make recovery on target much quicker.  The adjustable gas block, when adjusted properly, really helps reduce the beating the BCG and upper get when they're over-gassed.  Which is common for rifles like that.

Zee

Jay said:

JKP said:

That brake looks nice! Now I am back to thinking about having my AR-10t barrel threaded...

There's two things that I personally recommend for any LR308/AR10 style rifle.  A brake, and a adjustable gas block.  The brake helps keep the muzzle down and make recovery on target much quicker.  The adjustable gas block, when adjusted properly, really helps reduce the beating the BCG and upper get when they're over-gassed.  Which is common for rifles like that.

bullsi1911

I wish Leupold had not killed the Redfield line a few years ago. I have a Redfield 3-9 on my AR-10 pattern rifle, and it is a great pair. I’ve stretched its legs out to 600 and been able to consistently ring steel while also able to headshoot deer at the 70-100 yards that I am normally presented with shots. 

But, since they are gone… I would go with a Leupold or Vortex at the highest price you can afford.  I have never ONCE wished I had cheaper glass on a gun… but there are several times I wish I had spent a bit more

Jeeper44mag

Jay said:

JKP said:

That brake looks nice! Now I am back to thinking about having my AR-10t barrel threaded...

There's two things that I personally recommend for any LR308/AR10 style rifle.  A brake, and a adjustable gas block.  The brake helps keep the muzzle down and make recovery on target much quicker.  The adjustable gas block, when adjusted properly, really helps reduce the beating the BCG and upper get when they're over-gassed.  Which is common for rifles like that.

Agreed.  I'm going to start off with the gas port mostly closed, and only open it a notch at a time until it cycles reliably.

I have a similar muzzle brake (Jerry Miculek) on my AR15 (.223/5.56), and it's almost like shooting a .22 magnum for recoil.   Loud as heck, but  *minimal* recoil or muzzle rise.  Can't wait to see how much it tames the .308.

Luis

Jay

Honestly, I prefer the other way around. But that’s just me. I started with mine adjusted just over half way open, then slowly adjusted it down until I started getting malfunctions. Then opened it back up a couple of clicks and left it. But, I also only shoot one load in mine. My hand load using 168gr Amaxs and H4895 powder. I haven’t had a malfunction in that gun since I set it.