Need help choosing low power variable optic for AR

[cpoth]

I have reviewed several threads regarding optics 1-4x to 1-8 power. My budget is 2K to 2500 max. I would like to mount this optic on an MR556 for use for 3 gun and general sport shooting. I want an optic with genuine 1x power on the low end. From my reading I'd prefer a FFP with a large bold circle like reticle. Day light illuminated washout is not as important to me as long as the black bold reticle is still identifiable quickly in daylight. Below are several options I have considered so far. Any first hand experience is much appreciated.

Leupold Mark 6 1-6
Nightforce NXS 1-4x24mm
Kahles K16i 1-6x24
Trijicon AccuPower 1-8x28
Swarovski Z8i 1-8x24

I am open to other suggestions as well.

Thanks for any help,
Chris

[tylerw02]

I know you said you want FFP, but gave you considered the Vortex? FFP isn't very important on lower-powers. I find that I'm faster with a SFP, but that's blondes and brunettes.


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[cpoth]

Sure I would consider that. Which model Vortex do you recommend?

[BrigandTwoFour]

Most commonly, it's the Razor II 1-6

[cpoth]

I had been leaning to the trijicon accupower 1-8. Outside of price are there other advantages to the razor over the accupower?

[noonesshowmonkey]

Many of your listed optics are discussed in the very recent LPVO for Military/SOF thread which had some participation by SMEs.

[cpoth]

Thank you for pointing me that way. That thread info is very helpful.

[irondude]

I have two Kahles K16i scopes with the SM1 reticle. They are running $2K currently. I can't speak highly enough about this scope. I also have the Razor HD II with the Mil based reticle. The Kahles wins in every way, except price.

With a LPV I don't want a FFP optic. At 1X the reticle gets to small for me, if the target very far away I find myself dialing to 6X anyway. If I were in my 20's that might be a different story. My old eye appreciate the larger reticle.

[17K]

FFP on a LPV is not a good thing.

I'd go K16i. I'm still shooting an NXS 1-4 and won't change soon, but the Kahles is a better scope.

[bp7178]

I have to agree. On a 1-8x you're probably going to be on 1x or 8x. I doubt you'd ever be ranging or using holds on any setting other than 8x. The need for a FFP just isn't there. Its not a 5-25x that picks up too much mirage at x25 in the heat. In that power range SFP makes much more sense.