Build in progress - optics advice?

[ASH556]

F2S, that's a really good point. I've been thinking of tight groups at 200 yards instead of just hitting the paper, but that doesn't jive with what my aspirations are for this gun, which is to practice on our range's new defensive rifle course and maybe someday compete.

I've always been range target shooter so I tend to think in those terms. When I started this thread I started with a false premise - what optic is right for the gun. The real question is, what optic is right for what I'm going to DO with the gun.

I'm going to slow my roll a little bit and shoot iron sights for a while. I have a feeling the solution will become apparent.

I went through the same thing about a year ago. If you can squeeze in a carbine course with someone like Vickers it will really show you what you do and don't need. I went into the class debating an ACOG vs a 1-4 variable. After the class, I bought an Aimpoint T-1. For AR's, the RDS rules the day until you get beyond 200yds.

[lethal dose]

Although variable power scopes and optics like the acog fill a niche roll, you are EXTREMELY limited at cqb (0-100m) when faced with shooting from awkward positions. Try shooting urban prone under a vehicle or engaging a threat from behind a barrier and aquiring the reticle rapidly... not always a simple task. As was stated, a 1x dot is extremely simple to use out to 200m. Another question... do you consider something that can be brought down with a 5.56 chambered rifle beyond 200m a threat? Maybe. Maybe not. But at practical fighting distances, you absolutely cannot beat a 1x red dot.

[TehLlama]

Aimpoint PRO at a minimum, but with a rifle that heavy (M93/F93 are heavy, that's a heavy barrel), adding a big cheap heavy variable is going to make it almost unusable on weight except off a bench (not unusable, but that's a 10lb rifle that does less than a predatAR .308 and costs the same).

A decent aimpoint will do contact to 250m without a worry, and adding a magnifier will extend that range further - I'd start there.