Variable power optic (Y-9x or Y-12x) for precision AR; budget: $1500 +/- (help?)

[DreadPirateMoyer]

Hi there everyone,

I've got two ARs on the way (16" Recce and 20" LaRue OBR) that I'd like to share a common optic between. Why? Because I'm not rich.

To keep the request simple, I was hoping you guys could help me sort out the kind of scope I'd need to meet the following criteria?

• Variable power with 9x through 12x max magnification (will be shooting up to 600 yards)
• Illumination preferred
• FFP preferred (I've only used FFP and love it, but I can be swayed otherwise)
• Mil-dot or Horus-like reticle
• Tough, reliable, able to take some abuse
• Budget up to $1500 for the optic itself (though I can maybe squeeze a bit more for some good glass)

So far, I'm considering the Nightforce NXS 2.5-10x, Leupold Mark 4 3.5-10x, and the Trijicon Accupoint 3-9x. None of them are absolutely perfect, though, so I'm having a hard time deciding, not to mention I've got absolutely zero experience with them and there are probably tons of other options on the market that I'm missing.

Any insight, people of M4C?

[RD62]

For $1500 I'd look at Nightforce though I'm not sure you'll be able to get FFP at that price. Vortex has some very vice options in that price range. Don't forget to check the secondary market as well.

You can find some good deals on nice used glass on the for sale boards here and on sites like Snipers Hide.

[Shao]

I concur... I would go Vortex Viper PST 4-16x50 FFP and don't look back. A little extra magnification never hurt anyone. If you shop around, you can pick one up for about $800 shipped.

[BrigandTwoFour]

Your specs are kinda hard to meet in your price range. You can get FFP mil/mil illuminated mil dots, or non-illuminated christmas tree reticules.

IOR Valdada 2.5-10x42 FFP Illuminated ($1275)


Bushnell Elite 3-12x44 FFP illuminated mil-dot ($899)

But, for $1595, IOR does have a 4-16x30 FFP Illuminated with Horus type christmas tree.

Check out these pages:

http://libertyoptics.com/contents/en-us/d72.html

http://libertyoptics.com/contents/en-us/d69.html

[DreadPirateMoyer]

Ahhhhh, thank you so much, guys. I knew I was out of my league in shopping for these things.

I really like the idea of the Valdada and Vortex optics you guys suggested. In particular, I REALLY like the IOR Valdada 2.5-10x42 FFP Illuminated scope. I've never used or seen these brands used before, though -- does their quality and toughness stack up to the likes of Trijicon/Nightforce/Leupold? Water submersible?

EDIT: Same for Bushnell's quality? I've only got experience with Trijicon and Aimpoints myself, and know of NF's alleged quality through word of mouth. I'm a bit of an optics noob otherwise. :\

[BrigandTwoFour]

Ahhhhh, thank you so much, guys. I knew I was out of my league in shopping for these things.

I really like the idea of the Valdada and Vortex optics you guys suggested. In particular, I REALLY like the IOR Valdada 2.5-10x42 FFP Illuminated scope. I've never used or seen these brands used before, though -- does their quality and toughness stack up to the likes of Trijicon/Nightforce/Leupold? Water submersible?

EDIT: Same for Bushnell's quality? I've only got experience with Trijicon and Aimpoints myself, and know of NF's alleged quality through word of mouth. I'm a bit of an optics noob otherwise. :\

When you get up into paying for Nightforce, you are getting the durability they are known for.

Trijicon Accupoints are not known to have the same level of toughness as the ACOG line, but that doesn't mean they aren't durable. Same goes for Bushnell and some others. They are more than sufficient for every day use (and a bit of hard use), but I wouldn't expect to get shot out of a submarine with one.

I don't have any experience with IOR, but the general gist of everything I've read about them is that they have fantastic glass but come in quite heavy when compared to scopes of comparable size. But, regardless, that's the scope that best met your initial requirements.

[DreadPirateMoyer]

Makes sense. I don't mind the weight one bit; just want something that can survive some rough treatment and won't fog/get wet if it takes a quick dunk.

Got some research to do, then! Thanks for the help.

Anyone out there with an IOR Valdada scope?

[DreadPirateMoyer]

I'm tending to lean towards the NF at this point due to its established reputation. I'm having a hard time finding concrete information on the IOR Valdada's ruggedness, which is the most important aspect of this whole thing for me. I know NF can take a beating, but I can't find anything that attests to the same for the IOR Valdada stuff.

Hmmmm.

[BrigandTwoFour]

It's tough to beat NF for toughness.

If you can spare the scratch, Nightforce has a 3.5-15x50 NXS with Velocity 1000 reticule. It is illuminated and gives you the christmas tree type BDC. It meets every spec you wanted except for FFP and cost. This one costs about $1800.

NF FFP scopes cost quite a bit more than that.

If this was my choice, I'd probably not use illumination and go with one of the Bushnell FFP scopes with the G2DMR reticule. The Vortex options are also nice. If you can really get the scratch together, the Vortex Razor HD line has something that I think would be perfect for you, but it's $2k.

http://libertyoptics.com/contents/en-us/d58.html



Good luck!