scope quandry, what would you go with?

[Robb]

I put this 6.8 together because a few years back my son thought he wanted to be able to hunt with an AR. He'll be using this for deer, maybe antelope. It pretty much is a dedicated hunting rifle. We'll initially be shooting the Silver State 110 ProHunters.

Currently it has a Leupold 3.5-10 scope on it. We also have a 1-4 Firedot available. I like the 1-4 and love the firedot, but I'm an old fudd and gravitate to the 3-9 type hunting scopes. I can't justify keeping both so one needs to go.

Most of the deer killing he's done since he's been hunting have been around the 100 the yard mark, give or take. We hunt broken country so long shots are very do-able but we often seem to stumble on deer at chip-shot ranges. I asked multiple times, he says doesn't care which scope is on the rifle. We go together but hunt different seasons to pad our chances, so say a longer range .270 backup gun isn't available quick, it's in the truck, if we have a backup with us at all.

So, an 18" 6.8 and a choice between 2 very different scopes, a Leupold 3.5-10 and a 1-4, I still lean to the 3.5-10. Which would you run?

[Marine24]

Always a compromise. I have a SWFA 1-6X on my varmint AR. It is very effective out to 300 yards and at 1X it is fast for those pop up target. That said, I still want a little more magnification for the precision shots. Either will be fine for a broadside shot, but I don't see many of them. The higher top end would be nice when you are looking to slide a bullet between some brush or right behind the shoulder and even at 3.5X on the low end, it is still very usable for close/moving shots.

Given the ranges you typically take the shot from, the 3.5-10X sounds like the better option.

[Delfuego]

What reticle is in the Leupold? If it's a duplex I would go with the firedot. I am a fan more of magnification, but without graduations on a reticle or exposed turrets for dialing you are kinda guessing your drop and wind holds. At 100y it won't matter but if you want to shoot further it will.

You could also sell them both and get the Leupold Patrol 3-9x with the Firedot!
http://www.leupold.com/tactical/scopes/vx-r-patrol/vx-r-patrol-3-9x40mm-30mm/

[ray1970]

Between the two, for a hunting type setup, I'd go with the 3-10x.

I guess I just prefer a more traditional type scope for hunting critters.

[Lars]

My vote is for the 3.5-10x the extra magnification will be a great advantage when he has a small shooting lane, or when a perfect broadside shot isn't present.

[Robb]

Delfuego,
Standard duplex on the current scope. I'm not opposed to dialing when hunting when the opportunity presented itself, I sure have thought about it. Unfortunately I need to learn how to use turrets and dial first.
Appreciate the responses, I've pretty much decided to let the 1-4 go.