Choosing Your AR15 Scope – Top 5 Picks

With the AR-15 as popular as it is, many optics manufacturers have climbed on the bandwagon to produce AR15 scope. The result is so many choices, that it can be hard to pick the right AR15 scope for your rifle. So which is the best? The fact is that’s a hard question to answer. Pretty much it will depend on how you’ll be using the rifle. Will you be using it for deer or varmint hunting? Is it a ranch rifle? Will you be shooting in competition or is this rifle for home defense? Each of these applications has different optics needs so first, you’ll have to know how you’ll be using your rifle.

Your next decision will be about the AR15 scope features. Do you want a red dot scope? Do you want a non-magnified scope or one with magnification? And if you want magnification, how much do you need? If you are shooting competition with your rifle fixed, high magnification may work great. But if you shoot standing, you could lose your target with any wobble plus you’ll have a smaller field of view. You will need to answer these and many more questions, including what is your budget, as you shop for your AR15 scope.

Best Red Dot AR15 Scopes

Aimpoint PRO

Aimpoint PRO scope

The Aimpoint PRO Patrol Rifle Optic is an always on – always red scope, running for up to 3 years on one battery. No fumbling for switches to turn it on, a nice feature when you need to take aim in a hurry. Its 2 MOA red dot provides accurate and fast targeting at all distances.

This AR15 scope has a front lens with a special coating that allows use with night vision glasses. Both rear and front lenses are recessed for protection against scratches, impact damage, and fingerprints.

The low $400 price range puts the cost of this model within reach of most shooters. The one common complaint is that the red dot is not very bright, almost disappearing in bright sunlight.

Leupold Mark 4 4x24mm

Leupold Mark 4 4x24mm scope

The Leupold Mark 4 4x24mm High Accuracy Multi-Range (HAMR) AR15 scope is designed for mid-range accuracy and fast target acquisition in any lighting condition. This scope features the illuminated and matched CM-R2 reticle, which is even visible without illumination or the use of batteries.

A nice feature is that you can use this scope with most of the popular types of tactical rounds as it wasn’t designed with one type of ammo in mind.

At only 14.8 ounces and 5.7 inches long, it is the perfect sight for a short barrel rifle. The big negative for this AR15 scope is the price point which is around $2,000. Also, for an AR15 scope this expensive, it does not come with lens covers.

Best Tactical Variable AR15 Scopes

Bushnell AR BTR-1 BDC Reticle AR-223

Bushnell AR Optics FFP Illuminated BTR-1 BDC Reticle AR-223

Bushnell is a manufacturer that comes up often when discussing quality rifle scopes. The Bushnell AR Optics FFP Illuminated BTR-1 BDC Reticle AR-223 Rifle Scope is a first focal plane scope that gives you great performance in low light. For great accuracy, turret clicks are .1mm. Rugged and sturdy, made from anodized aluminum, this AR15 scope is hard to scratch and rust-proof. All the openings are sealed to protect it from the elements. With a price around $200, this scope is affordable for shooters who use their rifle often. There are two negatives to consider. The scope’s great performance in low light makes it not so good in bright daylight, with the reticle almost disappearing at 1x magnification. Plus, it is not covered by a full lifetime warranty.

Simmons Predator Quest

Simmons Predator Quest TruPlex Reticle Side-Parallax Adjustment Rifle Scope

The Simmons Predator Quest TruPlex Reticle Side-Parallax Adjustment Rifle Scope, with 4.5 to 18x magnification, with a price about $200, is another great choice in the line-up of variable AR15 scopes. The optics are multi-coated to provide clear and sharp images.

It is both fog proof and waterproof. Included in the package is a 3-inch sunshade. The fingertip side adjustment makes it easy to adjust parallax, even on close targets. This scope will give you solid performance in most conditions.

The only thing you need to be aware of is that adjusting your scope up will actually cause your round to hit lower. Because many other scopes are opposite, this can be confusing. And because there is no standard for this in the industry, this is not a defect but a choice you can make.

Best Magnification AR15 Scope

Nikon P-223 3x32 Carbine Rifle Scope

If you are looking for an AR15 scope for long range shooting, it will be hard to beat the Nikon P-223 3×32 Matte BDC Carbine Rifle Scope. It’s easy to zero and user-friendly. It was designed for use with .223 Remington/NATO 5.56 rounds and the sight works great in hunting or tactical situations. If you are using different rounds, the scope has a 100 MOA range so you can adjust it for you specific ammo.

The reticle has markings at 400 and 600 yds. with a 200 yard cross-hair. Multi-coated optics provides a clear and bright target. O-ring sealed and nitrogen-filled make the scope fog proof and waterproof. Adjustments are made in ¼ MOA and the turrets have zero resets. Simply press on the turrets and then release. This AR15 scope has a large eyepiece and excellent eye relief.

With pricing under $200, it is one of the least expensive AR15 scopes out there. The only negative is a common complaint and that is the lack of good customer service from Nikon.

Typically, if you’ll be shooting long range, you’ll want a variable range AR15 scope. For short range targets, most shooters are happy with a red dot optic. If you are in law enforcement, you might be looking at a tactical scope. When it comes to choosing a scope for your AR-15, you need to consider how often you shoot, your type of shooting, and the usual situation and conditions you shoot in. Once you’ve answered these questions, you’ll be ready to go out and buy your AR-15 scope.

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How to Mount a Rifle Scope (Video)

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Mounting a scope properly is a vital first step to ensure that you get the most possible accuracy out of your rifle. In this article, we will breakdown a video showing you the proper way to mount a scope.
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Trijicon Red Dot Sights Comparison

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Trijicon makes five different types of red dots; they are the ACOG, the MRO, the RMR, the SRS, and the Reflex. Each of these sights has it’s own unique features and has it’s own ideal POU that it can be used for. This article will help you decide which sight is optimal for you and your philosophy of use (POU). All of these have an aluminum alloy casing that is extremely durable, and have fixed magnification. [Read more…]

Top 3 Rated Leupold Rifle Scopes

Leupold is a well known maker of scopes, and offers a wide variety of products. The three we have chosen to give you an overview of come from three of the different price ranges that Leupold offers, though all are lower power scopes which makes them very useful for close range shooting. The first scope is from one of their more affordable lines of centerfire scopes, and is a fixed 4 power magnification. The second scope is from one the more middle of the road price range, and is also a low power scope, with a variable zoom that’s from 1.25 to 4 times. The final scope is from the higher end of Leupold’s scopes, and has a 1-6 times magnification, making extremely valuable for close to medium range shooting. This should hopefully help get you pointed in the right direction as you look for a great scope for your rifle.
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Rifle Scope Basics (Video)

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A scope should be the second most expensive part of your firearm purchase, after the rifle itself. In fact, many target shooters recommend you spend at least as much on your scope as you did on your rifle, if not more! As such, it is important that you know the basics about scopes before you make a decision on what scope best fits your rifle and intended philosophy of use (POU). This is why Midway USA goes over the basics parts of a scope and how it works in the first half of their video “Gunsmithing – How to Chooses A Rifle Scope Presented by Larry Potterfield of MidwayUSA.”

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Choosing the Best Rifle Scope For You (Video)

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Now that we’ve covered the basics of scope components, it’s time to go into comparing some features on the scope that you will have to decide on, such as whether or not you want variable magnification, and what reticle you want, as well as several other features that can make a difference in your experience of the scope’s purchase and use. This is part two of a two part series about the YouTube video  “Gunsmithing – How to Chooses A Rifle Scope Presented by Larry Potterfield of MidwayUSA.” Part one of the series can be found here.

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AR Optics: Scope vs Red dot: 5 Big Differences

Or, you could always use both!

When getting a new AR, the biggest accessory purchase to consider is what sight to use on it. While some people continue to use antiquated iron sights, more and more people are using optics. The two main types of optics are red dots and magnified scopes. These are just a few of the things to keep in mind when purchasing an optic. [Read more…]

Nikon ProStaff Rimfire 3-9 x 40 Black Matte Riflescope (BDC 150)

After a long tiring week, you would want a hobby that will relieve stress but you can still enjoy the great outdoors. Hunting has been a sport many take pleasure in all over the world. It could be in shooting ranges animal hunting or playing airsoft. The problem here is when it comes to the long range shooting, how will you improve your accuracy and precision to aim the target when you can’t even see the mark? What you need is a rifle scope to improve your shooting. There are different kinds of rifle scope. One of the top selling companies is Nikon; it released Nikon Pro Staff Rim fire 3-9 x 40 Black Matte Riflescope (BDC 150) which is now available in Amazon an affordable price. It is the improved version of past rifle scopes made also by Nikon for additional features. [Read more…]

Nikon P-223 3×32 Matte BDC Carbine Review

Nowadays, hunting or shooting has been popular especially in US. If you are interested or into hunting, you must choose a product that is best suited for you. If you have a rifle, you may have some problems with longer shooting range without the help of a rifle scope. If what you want is an affordable rifle scope that is fully functional and easy to use, no need to look further. Introducing the Nikon P-223 3×32 Matte BDC Carbine, this is a product with high quality. Brought to you by the makers of the best optics and imaging products. It is designed to withstand rough environments and still offers you superior accuracy for long range shooting and great sighting speed. You don’t need to worry about the price because this rifle scope can be purchase for reasonable price in stores and Amazon online shopping website.

Features and Benefits of Nikon P-223 3×32 Matte BDC Carbine: [Read more…]

Top Best AR 15 Scopes For You

All that power will be useless unless you can actually hit your target which gives you all the more reasons to buy a scope. Though finding one can be a little bit tricky since you have to take note of several factors like material build, glass quality and reticle especially that you will be using this in the most fragile and rugged of situations. Compared to spotting scopes, rifle scopes are small and can be easily attached on top of a rifle for combat mobility. You can also use red dot sights for your Ar 15.

Best AR 15 Scopes Guide

If you are still new to this kind of category and technology then you will be finding it hard to choose the best AR 15 scope that will fit your needs since there are a lot of products in the market having several different features. Don’t worry though because we have narrowed down that search by accumulating all the best AR 15 scopes in their category and placed them in the table below for easy comparison.

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The Road to the Purchase of the best AR 15 Scope

The table shows only a small amount of information and by this time you still have no clear idea of how to really pick a rifle scope. Don’t worry since the discussion doesn’t end with the comparison table, its main purpose was just to narrow down your choices than going about into the entire market of rifle scopes. If you really want to get the best out of your rifle then here is a guide to help you make up your mind from the 5 products in the comparison table.

  • Magnification –the main idea of getting a scope is to see targets that are of a distance and this is all dependent with the magnification. There are two types: variable and fixed power. A scope that has a range instead of a constant magnification is a variable and is preferred at all times.
  • Reticle of the best AR 15 scope – other than the purpose of seeing distant objects, you would want to use your scope to hit a target accurately which is the purpose of the reticle. It is commonly termed as crosshairs is what you see as the cross in the middle of your scope. There are many variations, you have dot and duplex. Each is good at certain occasions like duplex for camouflage operations and dot for distant contact operations.
  • Parallax – this is a more technical feature that is quite hard to explain. If you have a scope that has magnification more than 10x then you will be experiencing that the reticle constantly comes off the middle without even moving the scope. This is what you call parallax and it is necessary to have adjustable objective lenses for to counter-act this phenomenon.
  • Eye-relief – the distance between the scope and your eye that still gives a full-image is called the eye-relief. This is vital since rifles have recoils and if you have your eyes too close to the scope, you might actually experience getting a black eye.
  • Minute of Angle (MOA) – if you have a scope that has a specification of ¼ MOA, this means that for every click of adjustment, the bullet lands ¼ inches from the specified bull’s eye of the scope. This is used for adjustment purposes and not really that essential for beginners.

AR 15 Target Shooting

Test Scope: Leupold Mark III, 4.5 x 15 x 50mm. Zero was set for 200 yards.

Distances of 175 to 200 yards on steel and water jugs

Top 6 AR 15 Scope Reviews


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A rifle scope doesn’t need much magnification power so its specification of 4-12x40 is already an overkill in terms of magnification. If you cannot understand what this means, it stands for variable magnification power between 4 to 12x with an exit objective lens of 40mm in diameter.
The exit lens is not too big nor too small and being paired with Nikon’s multi-coating formula, light is less likely to be reflected from the lens for a brighter and clearer image quality. Along with a total length of 19 inches and average weight of 2.2 pounds, it is highly-versatile and portable. You wouldn’t be able to feel any changes in the gun’s weight when the scope is mounted.
The reticle also maximizes the rifle’s capability with its BDC 600 opening circle aiming points. What’s great about this is that the open circle changes accordingly depending on the distance of the target and will be functional as long as the target is within the range between 100 and 600 yards.
Additionally, it has a ¼ MOA accompanied by easy to adjust spring-loaded turrets. They are also instant zero reset turrets for fast adjustments especially if your target is on the run.
If you compare this with its other version still having the name Ninkon P-223 3-9x40, you can see that there is not much difference other than the magnification power. Since it has a maximum magnification power of only 9x, it no longer needs the parallax adjustment compared to the 4-12x40. All in all, this comes at a price of .

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This rifle scope is anodize-finished, made of high-durability aluminium alloy and sealed to protect the inside from harmful elements. Its first focal plane reticlegives outstanding low light performance and accurate hold overs out to 500 yards. It has a great price and ranks no. 10 in Sports and Outdoors Best Sellers rank. It features target turrets for pinpoint precise adjustments specifically, .1Mil click value.
Bushnell AR Optics FFP Illuminated BTR-1 BDC Reticle is also built with highly sought features that include tactical turrets for quicker target adjustment, a black finish for easy concealment, and a waterproof/fogproof/shockproof body that ensures longest working capabilities.

Moreover, this riflescope provides illuminated red and green T-dot reticle for better target lock-in and accuracy in shooting even at different hunting environment. Another added feature is the scope's Amber-Bright lens coating, which easily tells apart targets such as a brown tree and a brown critter – allowing this scope to be most effective an useful during autumn days.
With these new and highly innovative features, the Bushnell AR Optics FFP Illuminated BTR-1 BDC Reticle AR-223 Riflescope is considered by majority of hunters to be the most effective and ideal scope to use during autumn deer woods hunt. Lastly, with its multi-coated optics for adjustable brightness even at low-light hunting conditions, you will surely experience a more enjoyable at accurate hunting results that will satisfy your purchase.

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Ranked no. 15 in Sports and Outdoors Best Sellers rank, this scope mostly 5-star reviews. It is optimized with .223 REM/5.56 NATO round with 55-grain polymer tip bullet. From dawn to dusk, it offers maximum brightness because of a fully multi-coated optical system with up to 98% light transmission. It provides a guide to help you magnify your targets and widen your vision as you follow and carefully wait for the perfect timing to shoot.
Provides a vey precise, ¼ MOA hand-turn tactical-style, zero-reset turrets. It has positive click reticle adjustments which get you zeroed in quicker and maintain your setting.
Moreover, BDC Carbine Reticle is equipped with a new BDC Carbine reticle which gives a 200 yard crosshair and can also work efficiently up to 400 yards to 600 yards.
Furthermore, its innovative Fully Multicoated Optical System gives the best light transmission that can reach up to 98%. Lastly, the Zero-Reset Turrets-Positive click feature allows you to zero-in on any target in a much quicker time while enabling you to maintain your desired setting even with several recoils.Nikon P-223 3x32 Matte BDC Carbine is built to last for a long time because it is waterproof, fogproof and has a Nitrogen filled O-ring.

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​This rifle scope is ranked no. 4 in Sports and Outdoors Best Sellers rank. It has mostly 5-star reviews and fully multi-coated optics with up to 98% light transmission. As its specs, it is repeatable, precise and has a hand-turn ¼ inch at 50 yards reticle adjustments with quick zero rest turrets. This product is guaranteed Nitrogen sealed and O-ring sealed.
Aside from a worthy price, this riflescope offers an efficient hunting performance due to its innovative optical system which provides maximum lighting system that can reach up to 98 percent. The result is that you will have maximum brightness at any hunting environment.
Furthermore, its BDC reticle allows you to get a steady target hold even at long ranges for the most accurate shot. With its unique see-through ballistic circles, you are assured ofa more accurate shooting for both short and long-range hunt.
Nikon ProStaffRimfire 3-9 x 40 Black Matte comes with a 3.6 inches eye relief that ensures you will no longer experience severe shooting angles. Another added feature is its waterproof and fogproof capabilities that is perfect for any conditions be it a rainy or sunny hunting terrain.Lastly, this wonderful product comes with a lifetime warranty.

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This is still one of those low magnification rifle scopes good for close quarter combat but with a little bit added specification. Rather than having only 1x, this one is equipped with 2x magnification with an objective lens size of 30mm in diameter. The 2x magnification isn’t much different from the 1x but could at least identify more minor details along with a wide field of view.
The equipped reticle can change color from red or green,as opposed to its twin the SF-BR-AR15 which only has the choice of the bright red color, and it is capable of changing light intensities for easy contrast in most situations. Being multi-coated rather than amber colored, it allows more light to be seen for brighter images.It is also a 4 MOA diameter reticle with ½ MOA adjustments. In terms of wind and elevation adjustments, it has a maximum of 100 MOA.
You also don’t have to worry about parallax adjustments since it is parallax free at most of 50 yards. Just like all other scopes in this low magnification category, it is fog and water proof for uninterrupted performance plus it comes with covers to protect both the objective and main lens of the scope.

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If you are not into hunting or in need of any form of magnification then this scope is worth a try. It is plainly simple and nothing much to offer with its fixed power of only 1x and has an objective lens of 32mm.
It has a 3 MOA T-dot reticle that can be colored green or red depending on your preferences.

The reticle is easy to see especially that it has an amber colored lens to be able to see in dark places during operations. There is also Zoom dot option that allows you to adjust your standard reticle between 1 MOA to 10 MOA to increase field of view but with the standard 3 MOA, you have a field of view of 44 feet at 100 yards.
This scope concentrated more on its rugged functionality since it is made for fast paced multi-event operations so it is all-around hard from water, fog and shock proof. Also, at an average length of 6.75 inches and weight of 15.6 inches, it is nearly unobservable on your rifle scope.
Though this scope is highly comparable to the TRS-25 with 1x25mm specification. The only problem with this one is that it has a smaller objective lens that limits the field of view and the inclined lens is purposed to make the reticle more accurate while also decreasing the total length of the scope. The disadvantage is that the reticle lighting must be regularly adjusted depending on the situation which makes this the loser of the two scopes.

Conclusion

There are several types of rifle scopes you can choose from and some vary significantly than the others. If you know what you are looking for then the process of choosing is made easier but if you are not sure of what you want, don’t worry since there is a simple to follow guide. Overall, getting the Best AR 15 Scopes are tricky and you might need expert help but in the end, it is all going to be worth all the investment.