Best Optic for a AR-10?

[JBaldur]

Looking for a good battle sight for a big AR (308) ? Any suggestions?

[ArizonaGunOwners.com]

[870policemag]

What's your budget?

[car-ram-rod]

budget

purpose

future potential dual purpose?

[SnidelyWhiplash]

In my area a lot of folks swear by Vortex though I can't say I've any experience with one.  I am kinda partial to Burris products but like Weaver as well.  Leupold makes great stuff but you said budget which leaves them out.

What you can do is look on the Natchez Shooters Supply website...they carry some blems...you might be able to score a usually more expensive scope for short bucks.  https://www.natchezss.com

[JBaldur]

Great Ideas! I would use the rifle for defense purposes. I'm not sure it will shoot tight enough for big game (purposes). My budget isn't in the Aimpoint range. I used to shop at Natchez when I reloaded. I'll look there again.

[870policemag]

I'd go with a SIG or Holosun red dot/magnifier combo if you don't spend the money for an Aimpoint or Eotech.

I use a Aimpoint and magnifier on my "do all" defense carbine. It's the rifle on the bottom.
https://imgur.com/a/k6HibCH

[JT]

I have one AR that is carrying a Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6x24. Available in 1-8x24. Battery life is on the short side with scopes but they still work turned off. My other AR is carrying a Sig Romeo 5XDR circle dot. I really like the circle dot and shake awake. Any movement turns it on. At least a pound of weight difference. If you have astigmatism you can dial it out with the scope. For home defense I would grab the one with the red dot. I tried a 3x prism but did not like it.

[Ballistic Therapy]

i would do the same thing I do on all my scoped rifles.
Put a good Leupold on it.
If I wanted a red dot it would be an Aimpoint.
There is no way I would put Chinese glass on any of my guns.

[JarheadAZ]

My goto AR Reflex Style Sight is the Vortex SPARC AR. Among other features, it runs a long time in a pair of AAA batteries.

When mounted on an AR with a magnifying scope, it occupies the place of an ABUIS, (Angled Back-Up Iron Sight).

Greg

[Widnerkj]

My experience will be different than yours, so here is what I’m running and why.
  My AR-10 is an 18” barreled 6.5 creedmoor with a Faxxon rifleman 5r barrel, and an OSS “banner” brake.  Because of the ease to stretch it’s legs, I knew I needed a scope with really good resolution, so I could actually see at distance.  But I didn’t want to attach a 3,000 pound space telescope to it. 
   So I found that Leupold had discontinued the Mk4 line.  (The Mk4 4-14 power is what the military was using on the M82A1’s). With that scope being phased out, I regret only buying two. But here is the link.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1362173644?pid=936654

[car-ram-rod]

how does that faxon barrel shoot? my barrel went back after alot of machining chatter in the bore. are you running a JP high pressure bolt?

[Widnerkj]

how does that faxon barrel shoot? my barrel went back after alot of machining chatter in the bore. are you running a JP high pressure bolt?

That Faxon barrel shoots better than I do. It cleans up really easily as well.  And my bolt and carrier are aero precision. Aero’s bolt has a “small firing pin hole” and doesn’t cost nearly as much as JP. 

[car-ram-rod]

when aero says small its just on the tight end of spec, not a true HP standard. they run .070 on firing pin holes. FYI JP runs a .059 with enhanced upgrades.

[Widnerkj]

I know JP parts well.  However I’m also not trying to squeeze this 6.5 hard. Just pushing a 140 grain at 2700 fps.  This one here is mostly JP rifle parts. The other two are pretty much clones.  I’ve had no primer flow issues.   Or any of the carnage associated with creedmoor AR-10’s.  But I did get a little frustrated about having to file and fit small parts because there isn’t an ar10 standard like the 15.

[JarheadAZ]

I have shot a lot of 1000yd competition. That Leupy looks to be a bit pricey.

A lot of folks who swear by Vortex have looked through my scopes and gotten I big surprise. https://www.midwayusa.com/s?searchTerm=mueller+optic+8-32x+44mm&perPage=48

The magnification is actually a bit high for mirage, etc., but the clarity is very good. I find that the higher mags are actually better at shorter distances, where mirage is less like to be an issue.

These scopes are very popular with rimfire shooters, too. I own three.

Downside, the Objective is a tad small, and in low light, the image brightness can suffer. Only very rarely have my matches run into low light, though.

I also have this one on my 260. It has an aiming points BDC reticle with aim points out to 850yd. The ballistic curve is built around the 140gr class bullets. https://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-MSR-Optics-4-5-18X40-Creed/dp/B079HBNPN8/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Bushnell+ar+optic+6.5+creedmore&qid=1638203244&qsid=145-8544055-3194043&sr=8-1&sres=B079HBNPN8%2CB07SVMNQ5Q%2CB00200E0HM%2CB07C39YLT3%2CB00J2RGBHI%2CB079HHVF97%2CB00ABP8YCA%2CB00J2RGEXE%2CB07SSH3D29%2CB079H9N1LC%2CB001IBE42K%2CB0744QRXWX%2CB079YJ9C8V%2CB079H7ZKZF%2CB07SVMTN4M%2CB00ABP5UXG%2CB06VXCFJSF%2CB079HD3LKZ%2CB07DGSR4HL%2CB079YH9JDX&srpt=AIMING_SCOPE_SIGHT[/url

Greg

[medved]

I'm not an Optic snob but if one has the coin I'd put a NightForce on a rifle/carbine. I own 6 of various magnification ranges. My second favorite is the Bushnell Tactical Elite series.I've also used Leupold, Burris which ave served me well. But if I could afford it they would all be NightForce scopes. When it comes ro red dots I like the EoTech line. For a fixed power I have several TA 31 ACOG's. To many guns and not enough funds.

[JBaldur]

Finally was able to get my AR-10 equipped with a EOTECH out and was easily hitting forehead shots at a hundred yards with it. It didnt take long to zero and I'm happy with my choice. Very rugged and not too heavy.

[medved]

Finally was able to get my AR-10 equipped with a EOTECH out and was easily hitting forehead shots at a hundred yards with it. It didnt take long to zero and I'm happy with my choice. Very rugged and not too heavy.

Good choice as long as your content with it limitations for longer rings targets. But great for CQC.

[JBaldur]

The rifle is a battle rifle. Thus long range accuracy past 300 yards would not be much of a option or worthy of investment unless you have bad eyes already.

[car-ram-rod]

Can you ID a sub compact pistol vs a phone at 100 yards with your red dot? If not then find that location and that would be a start of an effective range

[JBaldur]

Can I use your phone?

[delta6]

The rifle is a battle rifle. Thus long range accuracy past 300 yards would not be much of a option or worthy of investment unless you have bad eyes already.

Fair choice
Better than a battle rifle open sights.

[ArizonaGunOwners.com]