Let's talk low-power variable optics - which do you like?

[USMC-Johnson]

By the end of the week if you are closer to FW you can always stop by ZX and check both out as well.

Both are really good options.

 

[rvb]

help me notice more easily my own impact on fliers, such as subtle shifts in POA.

Maybe some folks can, but I can't see my hits w. 4x at 100, at least not .22 cal. Not tried w. .30....

-rvb

 

[Hookeye]

I think 12X is min for target work at 100 yards.

 

[ryan3030]

I usually check my hits with 9x at 100 yards via the scope I have on another gun, or my binos.

 

[Tombs]

Maybe some folks can, but I can't see my hits w. 4x at 100, at least not .22 cal. Not tried w. .30....

-rvb

Your glass may not be up to par for resolving it.

I can't see my own hits with 5.56 at 100 using my leupold VXR 2-7x, but my trijicon TA31 most certainly can resolve those little holes. My cheapie 25-80x spotting scope can't resolve those holes at 100 yards either, magnification is no replacement for glass quality.

I haven't encountered a variable power optic I'm impressed with so far, at least shy of $2k. Leupold's mark 8 cqbss impressed me, but that price tag is just Woah...

 

[Jeremy1066]

Burris MTAC is another good option.
Burris MTAC Rifle Scope 30mm Tube 1-4x 24mm Illuminated Ballistic CQ Reticle with Free PA Deluxe Mount - Burris 200437 - Primary Arms

 

[chipsher]

Leupold VX2 1x4 about 300 bucks, no frills, plain recticle, decent glass. It's been beat up and keeps working. Cons, it's not a true 1x. Another good buy is a Weaver 2.5x about 130.00 and pretty tough.

 

[phylodog]

I'll agree with many and say the Vortex PST 1-4x. It's a phenomenal piece of glass for the money and worth saving a bit more to purchase (I see them for sale used occasionally under $400). I recently purchased the second one that I've had (bought one when they first came out to test and sold it when I was done) and I'm pleased with it.

I agree that more magnification is appropriate for target/precision work at 100yds and beyond so I have been using my spotter to check my hits (I'm too old and fat to run back and forth to the 100yd line all day).

With a 1MOA center dot and only 4x the type of target you choose to shoot at (if working on getting tight groups) can make all if the difference. I've found a 2MOA white circle surrounded by black or some other color works really well and allows you to drop your center dot into place. I was shooting at 1/2MOA orange dots on these groups and I wish I'd have chosen a better target, I suspect I would have had better results.

 

[ryan3030]

That is the lowest mount I've ever seen. What is it?

 

[42769vette]

He has .97 Precision match rings.

 

[M67]

Yeah they look like Seekins/Vortex match rings, no clue what's under the scope though

If anyone can get their cheek that low all I can say is damn

 

[phylodog]

42769vette would know, he's my go to for Vortex! He is correct since he sold them to me. I tend to differ from a lot of people in how I shoot and most people cannot see through the scopes on my rifle. I've got less than 1/16" clearance between the magnification lever and the receiver rail in this rifle. Since I can't use a one piece mount and get it as low as I need it I had to mount the forward ring onto the hand guard which is not a great option. The piece between the rings and under the scope is a modified factory ACOG mount that I used to reinforce the hand guard and prevent movement/loss of zero.

 

[phylodog]

If anyone can get their cheek that low all I can say is damn

I shoot with my cheek bone on the stock whereas most guys get some meat between the two. I've found that to be the best way for me to gain consistency.

If I get some time later today I'll take some pics to show just how screwed up I am in my technique lol.

ETA for pics:

My bolt gun is almost as low

 

[42769vette]

If anyone can get their cheek that low all I can say is damn

That's what I said when I sent the rings, but its one of those things, Cory knows enough to know what works for him so rock on.

 

[ryan3030]

After doing more thinking I realized size and weight were a huge factor for me. After being disappointed by my first venture into this low power variable field (Millet DMS) due to it's seemingly huge size and weight for the results it produced I didn't want to go down that road again.

With this in mind I put together a spreadsheet to compare these aspects of the main options in this field.

Being at least an inch shorter and just over HALF the weight of all the competitors the Leupold Mark AR was my final choice. I ended up with the Mark AR Mod 1 SPR Firedot accompanied by the Leupold Mark 2 IMS mount. This is my first Leupold optic and I am thus far thoroughly impressed by the build quality. I took it to the range to sight it in today and produced some 1 MOA (.5") groups at 50 yards using 62gr FMJ rounds from Federal American Eagle.

Thanks everyone for your input.

Here is the scope on its new host, my 10.5" pistol:

 

[Who Dares Wins]

Looks good! I was going to suggest the Leupold VX-R with Pig-Plex Reticle. 1.25 to 4x magnification, but around $500 to $600 with the IMS mount. It looks like you have a good set-up here. I need to check out the Vortex scopes reading everyone's comments above.

 

[Webster-dl]

I'll bring up the economy end of the discussion:

What about the firefield 1-6x24 first focal plane riflescope?

Overstock.com: Online Shopping - Bedding, Furniture, Electronics, Jewelry, Watches, Clothing & more

Firefield 1-6x24mm front focal plane rifle scope with rings review » OpticsThoughts

 

[Small's]

Burris xtr 1-4 has been great so far

 

[wsenefeld]

Maybe some folks can, but I can't see my hits w. 4x at 100, at least not .22 cal. Not tried w. .30....

-rvb

I can see my .223 hits using 4x at 100 yards with a Shoot N See target but not standard paper.

 

[rvb]

I can see my .223 hits using 4x at 100 yards with a Shoot N See target but not standard paper.

I thought about this the other day while I was shooting my 9mm at 25 yds.... I could only just barely see the hits if I squinted just right. Even then I wasn't sure what I was seeing. Since 100yds at 4x is basically the same as looking at a 25yd target, there is no way I'm seeing .22 holes, no matter how clear the glass....

maybe some folks can, but not my eyes....

-rvb