Budget needs to include a QD mount.

Optic needs to be illuminated.

Optic needs to go down to 1x or darn close.

Of course, has to withstand the recoil abuse.

What do you choose and why?

I don't own a SCAR-17 yet, but I'm in the penny saving/planning phase.  I am figuring the rifle purchase will be pretty pricey, so I am planning on running a 'place holder' budget optic until I could repeat the penny saving process for a high end optic at a later date. Using this logic, I still want an optic that will be quality enough to last a few years until I can purchase said top tier optic.  

Like you, I want an optic that is close to 1x, but I want more magnification to take advantage of the longer legs that the .308 offers.  Logically a 1-4x or a 1-6x would be a good option. (Ideally, a 1-8x would be perfect, but that's more in the second phase of the two-part penny saving plan.)  The three options I settled on were the SWFA 1-4 Classic, good quality and a reticle that I really like, the Vortex 1-4 PST, not so in love with the reticle, but the quality and warranty are awesome, and the Primary Arms 1-6 ACSS, my favorite reticle, but not sure how the scope would hold up on a SCAR-17. I'm figuring my optic budget to be $500 or less, so you have some upward wiggle room.

Another option is to troll the used optics Section in the EE.  Some really great values on mid range optics that are a step above the three I listed for not a whole lot more.

What I do plan on is buying the American Defense Delta mount, specifically designed for the SCAR.  It is expensive, ($220 or so) but if you do upgrade to a better optics at a later date, at least you would already have what I think is the world's best QD mount.

Good luck OP.

aimpoint T1 for me, tried magnified optics and not for me on the SCAR.

Acog and be done with it

Not even a 1-4X?

How come?

Yep

If you can swing a little bit over your budget, the Vortex Razor HD 1-6x24 may be worth looking into.  

~Augee

You might want to wait a few weeks and see what deals are to be had on optics for black friday, a few years I got a Leupold Mark 4 MR/T 1.5-5x for under $700 delivered. Even after adding a Larue mount I was under $1000 total. Works very well on my SCAR 16. Of course you can never go wrong with an ACOG either.

Yeah, SCAR 17's are known for being hard on optics.  I think I would budget a bit more and move to the Razor.

This is what I use on one of mine with an Aadland mount.

For the price range, look for a deal on a Ta 11 Acog, or vortex viper PST 2.5-10-32. However, I have heard of issues on this vortex on the 17. But it is ok due to the warranty from vortex.

Meopta k556.

It's built like a tank (lifetime warranty)
True 1x
Aimpoint daylight bright
Although it's a 556 ret it's BDC matches up with the scars VERY well with a 200yd zero.
It falls just in your budget including a good QD mount.

I was impressed with the Meopta optics I have seen at the NRA show.

Do you have any links or info on the BDC compatability?

I assume you mean zero the center crosshair at 200 yards on the SCAR to get the numbers to line up?

Don't rule out the EOTech EXPS3 with G33.STS magnifier. Not as much magnification as the aforementioned Vortex, but does saris fly all your criteria. You should have no trouble getting the combo around $900-$950 brand-new.

I just got a 17, and just got a TA-11 horseshoe .308 in a GDI mount. It's very forgiving in eyebox, very fast on target, yet I was shooting 1-1.5" groups at 100m w/ fusion when sighting it in. I considered the Elcan DR but I appreciate the weight savings, as it helps keep the lightweight scar lightweight. My other contender was a TA-33 but the 11 just looks right.

I've got a TA-11 on mine at the moment and I think it's perfect. Originally had a Mark 4 3.5-10 on it, then an Aimpoint T-1. The ACOG is the best fit so far, IMO. A close second would be the T-1.

Nightforce 1-4 in the EE right now for $900, add an Aero mount for $100......

Ta33 would be great on a scar

I got 1 scope for most of my 308 guns. No need for individual for each gun. Get the best one you can with a QD and move them around without loosing zero.

You still have to adjust it between every rifle.  Depending on the mount you use, you may have to adjust it to mount as well.  Depending on the rifles used, you may need completely different mounts to get correct eye relief and height.



I'm not going to say it's unworkable, but I prefer to have separate optics for my rifles.

thats what I went with

I run a TA11 on mine.  Excellent optic for the gun.  






 
 
 

Find a nice used Bushnel 1-6.5 SFP with BTR-2 and throw it in a Bobro Mount.

I run one and a LRHS in a Bobro on my 17 depending on how far I plan to shoot and you can't beat them for the price.  Lifetime warranty, good illum, Great reticle with Mil holdover. Slighty tight eyebox and not the greatest turrets, but they are capped anyway so who cares.

Should be able to snag the bushy for $600-650 and the Bobro for $220ish if you call sportoptics/europtics.  Spend the rest on a IWC charging handle and PMM Goodies.

I run a Vortex 1-4 PST in a Larue on mine now.  It fits my needs perfectly.

US Optics SR-8 FTW.

You won't be sorry.

I used a Leupold VX R 2-7x32 with the fire dot in a American Defense off set mount. It's a short 11" scope that looks really good I think. [email][/email]

I went with the Meopta 1-4 that LaRue sells. Slightly over the budget but such is life.

It shows up this week, can't wait to check it out.

I'm running an ADM Delta w/2.5-10x24 Nightforce scope.  The exact setup is way beyond the budget, but 2.5-10 is a great range for the rifle given a QD mount on the optic!  The used 1-4x Nightforce that was mentioned is probably a great choice, but in a .308, I prefer something a little better than 4x.

I did a Vortex Viper PST 1-4x24 MRAD on mine win a LT104 and sometimes swap my EOTech XPS on.

Quick question guys and gals, would anyone recommend using a TA31 for a SCAR 17, or is that generally an inadvisable purchase for a SCAR?

The TA11C would probably be the better choice IMO

yep, or a TA33.  Both have much better eye relief than the 31.

TA33 is perfection on the scar... If your eyes are fubar and don't work with BAC: throw an RMR on top... Works great with helmet mounted pvs-14 as a bonus.

Only if you want a sweet half moon mark over your eyebrow.

IMHO the ta-33 or ta-11 are vastly better choices due to their much greater eye relief.

I've been running a Bushnell Elite 1-6.5x SFP on mine for a few years now. Its absolutely money. I don't know why people say that SCARs eat optics; I think this claim is unfounded. If you use quality optics, you shouldn't have an issue. I've never understood why people buy a $2700 rifle and want to put a $400 optic on it.