What optic are you running on your SBR?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - What optic are you running on your SBR? (Page 1 of 3)

Posted: 12/8/2014 3:16:23 PM EDT

Thinking of buying a 11.5" and getting a suppressor for it. I've only run Acogs on my guns, and was wondering what you SBR owners prefer for yourselves.

Seems like a 11.5" .223 should still have no problems getting out to 400 yards and acogs can still handle CQB decently if they have good eye relief like the TA11 or TA33... which makes me lean towards one of those. But I imagine Red Dots are still considered kings for a SBR type setup.

Posted: 12/8/2014 3:20:13 PM EDT

[#1]

EoTech on my 8" BLK; TA33 on my 11.5 BCM 556

Posted: 12/8/2014 3:26:49 PM EDT

[#2]

Red dots all the way...I have a T-1 on my 11.5 SBR and an XPS3 on my .300BLK. Note if i hadn't gotten the XPS3 lightly used and for $250 there would be an aimpoint in its place.

I wouldn't have any hesitation with putting a lightweight low-power variable (1-4/6) on an SBR either.

Posted: 12/8/2014 3:29:48 PM EDT

[#3]

I have a PA micro and love it.

Posted: 12/8/2014 3:35:24 PM EDT

[#4]

Red dots on all mine. Specifically Vortex SPARCs.

Posted: 12/8/2014 3:35:28 PM EDT

[#5]

+1 on the Primary Arms Micro red dot as a great budget optic when you dont want to spend 700 on a T1

Posted: 12/8/2014 3:38:22 PM EDT

[#6]

Vortex Viper PST 1-4x24 on my 12.5" AR.

Posted: 12/8/2014 3:39:01 PM EDT

[#7]

2 Eotech XPS

Posted: 12/8/2014 3:49:40 PM EDT

[#8]

My eyes love the Vortex Spitfires. I don't have em yet, just played with them at the LGS. For my 300blk I think I'm going to go with a 1-6 so I'll have some extra range if I ever decide to start hunting.

Posted: 12/8/2014 4:14:19 PM EDT

[#9]

I'm currently running an EoTech EXPS 3-0 but I've been waffling on going to a 1-4x or 1-6x variable.

Posted: 12/8/2014 4:18:39 PM EDT

[#10]

Red dot. Although a 1-4x or 2.5-10x is tempting.

Posted: 12/8/2014 4:34:11 PM EDT

[#11]

Elcan for me, but I'm looking at the TA33 for my next sbr project.

Posted: 12/8/2014 4:46:10 PM EDT

[#12]

Comp M2 for my BCM 11.5

Posted: 12/8/2014 4:59:57 PM EDT

[#13]

I ran Aimpoints for years, then I decided 1-4 was much better.

Posted: 12/8/2014 5:52:00 PM EDT

[#14]

I have a 1-4 SWFA and T1 Micro. That 4x mag is nice, but not worth the 2-3x weight difference.
I have one more SBR I need a sight for and I need it to be battle ready but not $600...

Posted: 12/8/2014 6:07:36 PM EDT

[#15]

My 8.2" 300blk has a TA47. Traded my Aimpoint micro for it. My 11.5" 5.56 has a TA33. I love the baby acogs.
Here is the 300blk. The 11.5" still needs an NSR 9.

Posted: 12/8/2014 6:17:40 PM EDT

[#16]

SWFA SS HD 1-4

Posted: 12/8/2014 6:27:01 PM EDT

[#17]

Aimpoint T1, TA31F, and TA44SG

I may put a TA11 on my Armalite AR-10 after I see how it shoots when the F1 comes back.

RC

Posted: 12/8/2014 6:46:30 PM EDT

[#18]

I use a VX-R Patrol 1.25-4x20 with Firedot SPR reticle on my 12.5" barrel AR, setup/zeroed for 25-300yards. That length keeps an SS109 over 2700fps. The Firedot is effectively a scope and dot sight anyway, and I have the dot on at all distances.

Posted: 12/8/2014 7:56:54 PM EDT

[#19]

11.5" with ACOG TA33G-H-RMR
10.5" 300 BLK with an Aimpoint T1
AK-105 with an Aimpoint T1
AKS-74u with a Holosun knock-off aimpoint
SCAR 16s with an Aimpoint T1
SCAR 17s with an Leoupold Mk6 1-6x

AR's:

Posted: 12/8/2014 7:58:10 PM EDT

[#20]

I personally like the C-MORE ATACs with click switch for AR or M16 variants.

Built in rear BUIS, ability to change dot size by swapping the diode, easily co-witness (especially since the rear is built in), quick to change LED intensity, no "tube" effect, and I feel like you get a larger round viewing pane than most of the micro-type dots on the market. They also seem to have less of a blue-ish/green-ish tint than other red dots.

Cons:

They are not cheap
Batteries are an odd size (N-type)
No Auto-Off capability

If you do buy a CMORE TAC variant, roll up and get the all aluminum version and skip the polymer one as they can break.

I know I am in the minority liking the C-MOREs but they are my favorite for non-magnified AR type builds. I also use a mix of Trijicon RX, Burris Fast Fire, EO-Tech XPS, and CMORE STS on non-AR guns.

Posted: 12/8/2014 8:04:33 PM EDT

[#21]

I like Aimpoints, long battery life. Always ready, rugged, and simple. Point and shoot. I do have an eotech on one of my rifles, and a trijicon tr-24 on one also. Have a PA micro on my "budget" build.

Posted: 12/8/2014 8:07:18 PM EDT

[#22]

A mix of red dots. Mostly Aimpoint and primary arms micros.

Posted: 12/8/2014 8:24:07 PM EDT

[#23]

Aimpoint PRO. Best value for the money IMO.

Posted: 12/8/2014 8:54:18 PM EDT

[#24]

Eotech 516.

RDS, flashlight, and TLR-2 all take the same batteries that way.

Posted: 12/8/2014 9:22:13 PM EDT

[#25]

Eotech exps-3 on my CQBR clone. Took a carbine class with it on a prior sbr and it's difference between a 20" television and a giant screen TV.

Posted: 12/8/2014 9:59:56 PM EDT

[#26]

aimpoint pro on the 12" and leupy mark ar on the mini recce 11.5

Posted: 12/8/2014 10:02:58 PM EDT

[#27]

RMR on my 7.5" PDW
H1 on my MK18 CQBR

Posted: 12/8/2014 10:47:17 PM EDT

[#28]

Is this a stupid idea?

Running a TA31 Acog with a T1 or T2 offset at 45 degrees with the Larue mount?

The red dot should be pretty light so it wouldn't add too much weight, right?

Posted: 12/8/2014 11:16:33 PM EDT

[#29]

Quote History

Quoted:
Is this a stupid idea?

Running a TA31 Acog with a T1 or T2 offset at 45 degrees with the Larue mount?

The red dot should be pretty light so it wouldn't add too much weight, right?

View Quote

It's only a stupid idea if you go for the 3x acog as opposed to the 4x.

I tried the 3x acog and its field of view was so nasty horrible that I sold it within a week. And I'm a guy that keeps both eyes open with nearly everything that I used and I still wanted to kill that thing.

Posted: 12/9/2014 12:01:44 AM EDT

[#30]

LMAO!!!

Appreciate the honesty hahahaha

Posted: 12/10/2014 3:48:50 AM EDT

[#31]

I run red dots on almost all of my SBRs:

EOTech on my 10.5" 5.56 LWRC:

It's effective range is limited as the short barrel can't get the 5.56 going fast enough to fragment outside of 75-100yds (depending on bullet type). No purpose in putting a magnified scope on it.

Vortex Sparc on my 9mm SBR:

EOTech 516 on my KRISS Vector SBR:

I have another Vortex Sparc on my 10.5" 5.56 Sig 556 Patrol, and a Vortex 1-4X Viper PST on my Sig 556xi in 7.62x39.

However, on my 300BLK, I run a Vortex 2.5-10X:

As it is still effective at much longer distances, it can take advantage of more magnification and better glass.

Posted: 12/10/2014 9:20:21 AM EDT

[#32]

for my 11.5" in 556/223 I opted for the Burris FF III and ARF3 mount which give absolute cowitness.

Posted: 12/10/2014 10:45:59 AM EDT

[#33]

Well this may sound dumb, but how is it ineffective past 100 yards still? I thought 11.5" sbr ar15s can still make reliable hits up all the way to 500 yards out.

Are you saying the round doesn't do much when it gets there?

Posted: 12/10/2014 11:37:35 AM EDT

[#34]

Quote History

Quoted:

Red dots on all mine. Specifically Vortex SPARCs.

View Quote

I have a first gen sparc and I love that thing. Amazing warranty too.

Posted: 12/10/2014 11:45:05 AM EDT

[#35]

Quote History

Quoted:
I have a first gen sparc and I love that thing. Amazing warranty too.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Red dots on all mine. Specifically Vortex SPARCs.

I have a first gen sparc and I love that thing. Amazing warranty too.

Yep. I have a dozen of them. On everything from a 16" Beowulf down to a 4.5" 15-22, and my PS90.

Posted: 12/10/2014 6:41:43 PM EDT

[#36]

Aimpoint H-1 for me.

It does everything I need it to.

Posted: 12/10/2014 7:13:24 PM EDT

[#37]

Currently a PRO on my 11.5" BCM and a PA Micro on my 7.5" .45 ACP carbine.

Best of both worlds, and what I wish I could afford, would be on of the smaller Aimpoints for each.

Posted: 12/10/2014 11:23:01 PM EDT

[#38]

I have two BCM 11.5s, on one is a Vortex Sparc II, and the other has an Aimpoint PRO. But they will both have a PRO now that the UPS man arrived.

Posted: 12/11/2014 12:47:08 AM EDT

[#39]

I use the following:

Primary Arms red dot on 5.5" 22 AR
H1 - 5" 9mm AR
T1 - 10.5" AR
PRO - 10.3" AR
PRO - 10.5" SCAR16
Vortex 1-4x - 8.2" 300blk AR
3-9x - 13" SCAR17 (when my stamp gets back and my barrel gets cut)
I plan on getting a 4x ACOG for my 13" AR

Posted: 12/11/2014 2:51:57 AM EDT

[#40]

Quote History

Quoted:
Well this may sound dumb, but how is it ineffective past 100 yards still? I thought 11.5" sbr ar15s can still make reliable hits up all the way to 500 yards out.

Are you saying the round doesn't do much when it gets there?

View Quote

Here's a good read on the subject: http://angry-peasants.blogspot.com/2012/08/effective-range-of-your-223-or-556-rifle.html

"If we move up to an 11.5" barrel we pick up a bit more velocity, 2875 fps or so. It's a pretty nice bump from 10.5". ... So by moving from a 10.5" to a 11.5" barrel we extend our fragmentation range out to 50 meters. This is a more useful range, but still very limited."

In short, the 5.56 bullet can do damage to a target by: (1) punching a hole in a vital organ, (2) punching holes through bones, or (3) fragmenting upon impact, delivering maximum effective damage to a target. Fragmentation requires velocity. Without velocity, you have a .223 caliber ice-pick. Good luck hitting the brain/spine.

Posted: 12/11/2014 10:30:01 AM EDT

[#41]

Quote History

Here's a good read on the subject: http://angry-peasants.blogspot.com/2012/08/effective-range-of-your-223-or-556-rifle.html

"If we move up to an 11.5" barrel we pick up a bit more velocity, 2875 fps or so. It's a pretty nice bump from 10.5". ... So by moving from a 10.5" to a 11.5" barrel we extend our fragmentation range out to 50 meters. This is a more useful range, but still very limited."

In short, the 5.56 bullet can do damage to a target by: (1) punching a hole in a vital organ, (2) punching holes through bones, or (3) fragmenting upon impact, delivering maximum effective damage to a target. Fragmentation requires velocity. Without velocity, you have a .223 caliber ice-pick. Good luck hitting the brain/spine.

View Quote

That article is specifically about using M193-type ball ammunition in a defensive situation. A better option is to use a bullet more suited to duty use (i.e. Gold Dot, Federal LE T3 bullet, etc.) which will function down to much lower velocities.

To answer the OP's question, I run dual optic setups with QD mounts on my 5.56 SBR's:

12.5" gun - Aimpoint H1 and Weaver Tactical 1-7x
11.5" gun - Aimpoint PRO and Leupold Mk6 1-6x

I also run a Bushnell 1-6.5x on my 9" 300 BLK upper.

Posted: 12/11/2014 6:46:31 PM EDT

[#42]

Quote History

Quoted:
Well this may sound dumb, but how is it ineffective past 100 yards still? I thought 11.5" sbr ar15s can still make reliable hits up all the way to 500 yards out.

Are you saying the round doesn't do much when it gets there?

View Quote

An article I wrote about SBRs in 5.56:

https://fortheloveofthegun.wordpress.com/