What do you think of these scopes for my FN Scar 17s?

[jaypkay]

I just got an FN Scar 17s and want to put a scope on it. After research, I decided that I wanted the following:


1-6x Variable Power
Higher (note not highest) end optics/clarity
illuminated reticle
ability to do two eyes open close range shooting
BDC system optimized for .308/7.62
light weight but built for hard use


Nice to have but not necessary are night vision compatibility, user friendly AO dials and easy on/off scope mount system.

Yea...and I'm looking for all this in the $800-$1200 range. So far I've gotten the following choices narrowed down. Let me know if you've used any of these and what you think. Also let me know if I am missing any other options that would work nicely:



Leopold VX-6 Multigun: http://swfa.com/Leupold-1-6x24-VX-6-Multigun-Riflescope-P57682.aspx




SWFA SS MRAD 1-6x: http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-HD-1-6x24-Tactical-30mm-Riflescope-P53845.aspx



Burris 1.5-6 Xtreme Tactical™ XTR Scope: http://swfa.com/Burris-15-6x40-Xtreme-Tactical-XTR-30mm-Rifle-Scope-P48170.aspx




Trijicon accupoint 1-4x: http://www.trijicon.com/na_en/products/product2.php?id=AccuPoint&mid=1-4x24




Norden Performance 1-6x: http://www.nordenperformance.com/crs_specs.html


Of all these, the Leopold VX-6 multigun or the SWFA SS MRAD seem the best bang for the buck, but that's only on paper. No idea how they will really perform. I put the trijicon accupoint lower on the list because it only goes out 4x which seems a little short for a .308. The Burris XTR doesn't make it to the top because I want a true 1x scope for close range targets. I've never heard of Norden and can't find any info/reviews on them that seems a true third party review. I think you can get the Leopold VX-6 multigun customized for the .308 caliber from their custom shop. Not sure about BDC calibrations on the SWFA and not sure when it will become available for sale.

[rboyes]

Vortex 1-6 in that price range. Retails for about $1400. http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/razor-hd-gen-2-1-6x24-riflescope-with-jm-1-reticle
Here's the reticle so you can calculate the drop for whichever round you're using: http://www.vortexoptics.com/uploads/sub_rzr-g2_s_1-6x24_jm-1_moa.jpg

[jmg8550]

I would eliminate the Burris. They are known to have major tracking issues.

[USNrigger]

I looked over your needs and ive played with the Mk17 alittle and found after trying many differant optics that a ACOG or a Specter DR is about the only thing i liked. The ACOG with training can be a very nice both eyes optic, and the Spectre is alittle bit on the expensive side for me as the one i used was govt provided.

The thing i always got into with scopes that had a 1x 1.1x was that they took forever to change magnification, and found i ran it on 1x 95% of the time and the bulk was just not worth it. With the ACOG i ran the objective cover down and could both eyes and if i needed the 4x or take a look see i could flip up the cap quickly and put it back down just as fast. the Spectre is a flip of a lever.

USNRigger

[ChunkyMonkey]

ACOG

[ray1970]

ACOG

This.

[MarkCO]

I'd ignore post #3...sounds like some sour grapes.

I'd look at the Burris MTAC and if you don't like one of those, the Vortex would be my choice. The glass on the MTACS is better than all the ones you listed except the Vortex. I prefer the less cluttered reticles of the MTACS over the XTRs.

You do realize that there is no such thing as a "produciton" BDC "optimized" for any load. They are close, but your gun and load combo won't match. Depending on the type of shooting you are planning for, a Mil or MOA reticle works and you are going to have to create your own data points. Custom reticles for your loads are available in some custom optics, but they don't really start until after your price point and even then, they are really only good for a certain set of conditions and a load.

[USNrigger]

You can get a ACOG BDC for 7.62mm 147gr and it will be very close. I had a TA33 with the 7.62 reticle and was good to go, even with ML118 it was pretty close out to 300 meters. A ACOG is the only magnified optic i would run for CQB(Objective cap down), i tried running a T1 and a 3x on a FTS mount but red dots just are not my cup of soup. I got egg shaped reticles a few time with the 3x in place and they bleed easy in changing light, and a PITA to adjust for brightness. Now yes the ACOG wll have this sometimes if you get the dual fiber optics & Trijicon versions. Just tape over the fiber optic rod with a matte piece of packing tape or High speed tape and cut a small box in at the center of rod all good. I liked the red reticles over the green and amber as amber is a bit light on some backgrounds and green is a natural color and can be hard to pick up in wooded/jungle settings. Red is nice and bright and is not a natural or common for a background color. Cheveron in good for CQB work, Donut is kinda a all around reticle and the crosshair version is good for DMR rifles. All can fill any roll with training on your part. Oh you will have to train with the ACOG in CQB settings as its not natural to look through a tube with the objective cover down, but after you get it down its second nature and scary effective. If you really want to change magnification fast you can use your hand to cover the objective.

[jmg8550]

I'd ignore post #3...sounds like some sour grapes.

I'd look at the Burris MTAC and if you don't like one of those, the Vortex would be my choice. The glass on the MTACS is better than all the ones you listed except the Vortex. I prefer the less cluttered reticles of the MTACS over the XTRs.

You do realize that there is no such thing as a "produciton" BDC "optimized" for any load. They are close, but your gun and load combo won't match. Depending on the type of shooting you are planning for, a Mil or MOA reticle works and you are going to have to create your own data points. Custom reticles for your loads are available in some custom optics, but they don't really start until after your price point and even then, they are really only good for a certain set of conditions and a load.

He didn't state he was looking at an MTAC. He stated he was looking at the 1.5x6 XTR. I know they have tracking issues because I had to fix those pieces of junk when I worked there.

My vote would be one that is not on the list, which is the Vortex.

[RedDogFabrication]

tracking is not terribly important on this type of scope as you will likely not be dialing your shots but doing holdovers via the reticle. I would wager he sets up the sights and rarely if ever changes them from his zero. Not to say tracking is not important but it is subjective to the type of scope and type of shooting being done. That's why most of the scopes mentioned have scope caps and not external turrets.

As for your question of which to get, what type of shooting are you planning what is your realistic engagement distance? What type of ammo will you be using? BDC reticles are good at getting you close but bullet weight and altitude can really throw them off.

[jmg8550]

Yes but you do need them to adjust correctly when sighting in.

[RedDogFabrication]

It needs to adjust initially, but tracking implies you can dial out to a particular point to re zero the weapon for different conditions This point needs to be precise and where you think it is, then the scope needs to track back to your original zero. Tracking has noting to do with establishing your initial zero. If that is what you meant by tracking then I assume the scope would have a problem with its ability to hold zero in which this would be a huge problem.

[USNrigger]

When he implies tracking he is talking about repeatable adjustments. This would be like the box test, take a 8" x 8" piece of white paper and put it at 100yds with optic zero'd. start at upper left corner and shoot three rounds, then adjust 8" right and shoot again, now adjust down 8" and 3 more rounds and now left 8" send 3 again and up 8" and 3 more rounds. you should be back at where you started and zero'd once more. If you do not the scope does not "track" as he put it.

I do this with all new scopes i try out as i use my turrents for range adjustment over hold-overs and i can dial right back to my zero on the turrents and i know im good to go. Hold overs are good to practice for fast shooting when ranges are changing or targets are moving, but you need to have rifle level and its easy to loose point in "space" where your to holds cross like a -4 mil for range and 2 mil right for left to right wind. unless you have a horus reticle you can loose that spot in the scope. Horus's are just to busy for me personally


USNRigger

[jaypkay]

Damn...a lot of info I have to digest. Maybe I was being to simple minded, but what I wanted was a good all purpose optics that is an effective CQC when needed but could sight accurately down range to 300 maybe 500 yards max. Not expecting to use the scar 17 as a sniper rifle! But...I've decided my scar 17 will be mine main all around rifle if SHTF. I am also looking to go pig hunting with it this year.

I originally had my mind set o the ACOG with the red dot attachment but I thought it would be nice to have a variable power scope that went out further than 4x. The Leopold VX-6 is a 1x-6x variable power scope with an illuminated reticle. I thought this would work CQC and for mid range accuracy. Given what's been posted, ill look at the vortex and ACOG again.

I expect most of my ammo will be military surplus. I don't expect to use a lot of match grade stuff and when I hunt with it ill use .308 hunting rounds. BDC. system is nice but when I think on it...not really a must have.

I get me rifle this Friday so ill throw some rounds down range with the iron sights. Thanks for the input and give me more suggestions.

[Delfuego]

SWFA scopes are killer for the price, glass and durability they are very hard to match. I have 2 (5-20xHD & 10x) and would not hesitate to buy the 1-6x.