15 replies to this topic

[ALPHA MIKE]

Lifelong Iron Sight shooter transitioning to optics...bear with me.

 

Found a good deal and purchased a Red Dot Sight as well as a 4x Scope.  Is it practical to keep one on, keep the other on standby, and switch as needed?  Or is it better to stick with one?

 

What do YOU do?  Fill in the gaps, take me to school. 

[pira114]

To me, those fill totally different needs. My red dot stays on full time on my "fighting" rifle. My scopes stay full time on my hunting or target rifles.

If you plan to shoot both on one rifle, it's possible. But figure probably the red dot for defense purposes, so it'll stay on most of the time. For hunting or fun target shooting, put the scope on. You can utilize quality mounts that should keep your optics zero.

[PSDRyan]

I run a red dot. I learned to shoot irons and be deadly out to 500 with them. That's 1x with a bunch of steel obstructing your view. I can shoot even better with a red dot. If I needed magnification, I'd probably get a flip up 3x magnifier. Having 2 optics to swap out is impractical unless it's just s range gun. If you're ever in some shit, you won't know what optic the situation dictates, and you're not honestly going to have the spare with you. If you wanted to say take your defensive rifle hunting and use a traditional magnified optic I could see it, but for a grab and go gun, no way.

[Psybain]

You could get a 1-4x, or 1-6x and kinda have both.

[ALPHA MIKE]

Thanks guys.  Makes sense.  Going to run the red dot on the 5.56.  Scope on the .308. 

[B3dlam]

I would say a red dot on the 5.56 assuming its not some for of 'spr' build.  The .308 it really depends on what .308 you're running but a 1-4 or 1-6 variable is your best bet.

[Spartan24]

I had a Trijicon MRO that I had on my M1A that I'm transferring to my AR. I think for most applications, a quality red dot is about as good as it gets.

[MightyP]

Okay, so why is no one recommending some sort of blend, like an ACOG 4x32? Yes, it's bloody expensive, but it has some magnification while remaining useful at room-clearing distances.

[PSDRyan]

I actually sold my ACOG and went to an aimpoint T2. The ACOG was a great battle optic. For my purposes though, I wanted less weight, and will probably never have to take a shot past 100

[Psybain]

Okay, so why is no one recommending some sort of blend, like an ACOG 4x32? Yes, it's bloody expensive, but it has some magnification while remaining useful at room-clearing distances.

Honestly, i hate using my acog for table 2, the BAC thing doesnt work for me with a 4x optic. My brain still keeps focusing on the 4x view, not transferring the dot to the non-firing eye. I'd much rather use a variable power optic, if i knew I'd be going back and forth between distances a lot.

[ETCGIB]

+1 For red dot on 5.56 and scope on .308. Now to find a super sweet deal on something for my SCAR...

Gib

[Sourdough]

I try to not be prejudice......so I evenly hate all of the sight options for AR-platforms...........

[PSDRyan]

I have a confession to make...

I'm borrowing a 2-6x optic for one of my ARs to shoot the FB3G match at the end of the month lol

There are some 600 yard shots

Edited by PSDRyan, 08 September 2016 - 12:47 PM.

[B3dlam]

Okay, so why is no one recommending some sort of blend, like an ACOG 4x32? Yes, it's bloody expensive, but it has some magnification while remaining useful at room-clearing distances.

 

As I understand it the use of the BAC (Bindon Aiming Concept) using a 4x scope ran into issue which is why you started to see RMRs mounted on the top of ACOGs. 

 

Also you have to look at the primary use of the rifle optic. If the intended use is primarly inside of 100 yards the red dot will be more effective than a 4x scope. So it makes more sense to have the best optic for the rifles primary use.

 

If you want versatility you're far better off getting a 1-4 or 1-6 optic which will be nearly as fast as a red dot when at its 1x magnification and still just as effective as the acog at 4x.

 

Ultimately, I think the ACOG was a great option when it was first introduced and there were not a wide variety of affordable 1-4,6,8,10 optics on the market but now that 1x variable optics are far easier to find they beat out the ACOG every day in my book.

[Psybain]

As I understand it the use of the BAC (Bindon Aiming Concept) using a 4x scope ran into issue which is why you started to see RMRs mounted on the top of ACOGs. 

 

Also you have to look at the primary use of the rifle optic. If the intended use is primarly inside of 100 yards the red dot will be more effective than a 4x scope. So it makes more sense to have the best optic for the rifles primary use.

 

If you want versatility you're far better off getting a 1-4 or 1-6 optic which will be nearly as fast as a red dot when at its 1x magnification and still just as effective as the acog at 4x.

 

Ultimately, I think the ACOG was a great option when it was first introduced and there were not a wide variety of affordable 1-4,6,8,10 optics on the market but now that 1x variable optics are far easier to find they beat out the ACOG every day in my book.

 

The big thing acogs still might have on 1-4x/6x optics is durability in general. I know the vcog was touted to be as durable as an acog, but that's a hell of a price to pay for it.

[PSDRyan]

Also I take back my confession. I'm shooting tactical irons with the red dot on the rifle.

I sold my ACOG to get the aimpoint and don't regret it. I never had trouble on table 2, but somehow it was less effective than even shooting my aimpoint with the front lens cap on. I think it's because it was more sensitive to having a somewhat proper eye relief just to pick up the reticle.