Hello,
I am looking for advice for choosing a scope for my application. I am building a precision AR with 20" medium profile stainless barrel with rifle gas, 1:8 twist, 223 wylde chamber, and free float handguard. I am going to add ssa-e trigger and a good bipod. My goal is to learn mid/long range shooting, test hand loads, and hopefully and eventually shoot to the limit of my handload (which I don't know yet. Maybe 800 yrds on a 12" plate or maybe even more?). This is a systematic project since I am just starting reloading and learning how to shoot to mid- long range. I would also like this rifle to be practical, not just a bench rifle. I might take it hunting with my someday. So big and heavy scopes are out. I have a 16" carbine with vortex viper PST 1-4 MRAD. I have to thank everyone on this forum for that purchase. Many searches on this forum really helped me learning. The PST 1-4 is very sweet and I love it. I can hit the plates at 300 yards with no challenge. Based on my familiarity of the vortex PST, I am going to stay with the same product line for the precision AR. I have narrowed down to either Viper PST 2.5-10 or PST 4-16. I am having a hard time making my mind on either one. I am aware that SPR normally has a 3-10 power scope and I think that has a good balance for close work and mid-long distance. But the 16 power is a huge plus for longer range. Well, please school me here. :) Which one would you pick? All the factors I have considered are: weight, size, lowest and highest power, parallax adjustment, illuminated reticle, eye box. Did I miss anything? I really appreciate your advice. HAPPY THANKSGIVING everyone!