AR10 scope

[Coffees]

AR10 finished! Need a scope so I can go have fun. Everyone is suggesting very high magnification scopes, so big and heavy. I want to start with 600 yards and in, mostly because that is the range max at Fickes and Lomand (I know CRC has 1k). Please suggestions on scopes! Thanks.

[ChickNorris]

Can't hit what you can't see & buy once, cry once. That said & depending on your budget & long term goals I would look at something in the 18x & up. You'll likely run it @ mid power most of the time for best performance but when you need that extra magnification, you'll have it to your firearm's presumed capability. Burris makes great mid price point optics that you might want to investigate.

[Coffees]

Thank you for the input.

[Hoser]

Budget?

[Tim K]

Magnification comes down to the size of the target you want to hit and the distance. I’d estimate that 10x would get you a usable sight picture on a 2 moa target at any range. Myself, I’d want more if I were going to be engaging targets that small. Lotsa matches are roughly 2 moa targets, and I shoot mostly at 17-20x.

I’m pretty comfortable on a man sized target out to 700-800 with 8x.

One thing not always mentioned is that higher magnification allows you to spot impacts (hits or misses) much more effectively. Can’t shoot in the wind very well if you can’t see where the bullet hit.

Decide what your precision requirements are and buy accordingly.

To repeat the excellent question above, what’s your budget?

[Coffees]

Tim makes a great point about being able to see hits. Budget is not “really” an issue as I agree with chick on pay once cry once.

[Coffees]

Going on the 2x distance thought, I’d be around a 12 power. Was thinking something like a 3-15?

[zimagold]

For out to 600 and occasionally 1k, I would recommend a NF 4-16x42 F1 ATACR given your buy once budget. Its a great scope for a gas gun. I have one on an 18inch 6ARC. Extra magnification definitely helps with spotting misses.

My 18inch AR10 in 308 mostly goes between a 1-5 T5XI LPVO and a TA11 ACOG. The 1-5 with BDC works well on IPSC size steel down to 12inch plates at 600. The ACOG is just for nostalgia and limits me to 450ish with the same targets above. Correcting misses is more taking an educated guess with a 1-5 and 556. With the 308 it is not as bad. There is some pretty big splash most of the time.

[Coffees]

Thank you all for the input!

[Coffees]

I have heard/read very good things about both the Steiner and NF units you reference. Both are very, very high end pieces.