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Posted: 5/17/2010 10:01:28 PM EDT
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OK, I have one AR with an Aimpoint M3 and plan on getting the 3x magnifier. Now I just bought the Nikon 6x18-40 buckmaster with mil-dot and was going to put it on my next build. Does everyone think its too much magnifacation? I haven't decided what upper to go with yet so I'm wondering if I should buy another scope for the next upper I get and save the Nikon for future builds. Is this too much scope for the 5.56?
Thanks in advance. |
Thanks for the inputs. See I figured I would have one AR for close to mid-range and one for distance (Nice for range dates  ). I already have the Larue LT104. Now should I get the longer barrel, 20" or you think 16" is fine? I do have my eye on the Larue OBR but that maybe a year down the road. But thanks everyone for inputs as I try to decide.
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| I went for a Leupold VXII 2x7x33 on my Stag Arms Mod 8. I maintain flexibility with the 2x for close targets while the 7x allows me to take coyote size varmint out to 200 yards. I like the size and weight of the scope as well as its versatility. My RRA has iron sights only installed. It is my designated personal protection rifle. |
| I find that when you have a scope with high magnification head placement is a PITA.You really have to be in line with the scope or you loose your target especially when its moving.My highest magnified scope is a Vortex diamondback 3-9 and works well up to 200 yards. |
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Thanks for the replys. I understand too much magnification it would be hard to hit a moving target but thats what my Aimpoint is for. Now do you guys think a 16" barrel is to short for this scope?
I'm just trying to figure out which barrel length I want. What I have in mind is a 16" barrel, low profile gas block with 12 or 13" rails. Do you think this set up with scope would look off abit? |
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Quoted:
Thanks for the replys. I understand too much magnification it would be hard to hit a moving target but thats what my Aimpoint is for. Now do you guys think a 16" barrel is to short for this scope? I'm just trying to figure out which barrel length I want. What I have in mind is a 16" barrel, low profile gas block with 12 or 13" rails. Do you think this set up with scope would look off abit? Do i think it would look off, might be overpowering dimension wise. 18 or 20" barrel would carry it better for looks in my opinion. Its your dime and my thoughts, take it for what it cost you. Post up your finished build when you get it. |
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There is no such thing as too much magnification. There is such a thing as choosing the right equipment. As you probably know, everything, with regard to choosing equipment, is a trade off. It's why I run 16" barrels instead of 20" and run a 2.5-10X scope instead of something bigger.
With scopes, what you give up with high magnification is field of view. I've seen guys out at the range with 20X+ scopes not be able to find the target they are trying to shoot at because the field of view is so narrow. How much is too much depends on you and what serves you well. I try to go with as much magnification as I can without sacrificing too much of everything else. I do that because I tend to shoot at small stuff and magnification helps with that. As far as high magnification scopes being cheek weld sensitive, that isn't always true. As a practical matter, that seems to be the way it works out, but the reason that it is so, isn't because of the magnification, but more because of the exit pupil. The larger the exit pupil, the less sensitive to cheek weld the scope is going to be. Assuming a decent scope, I've found (for me) that around a 5mm exit pupil leaves me with a comfortable range of forgiveness. The way that you calculate the size of the exit pupil is to divide the objective diameter by the level of magnification. So, with a 3-9X40 scope, the exit pupil will be 4.44mm, which ain't so bad, and is probably why scopes of that size are so popular. They offer good magnification in a size that is manageable with a bell that isn't stupid big and it all makes for a package that is easy to use. With my Nightforce 2.5-10X32, when set to 10X, it is a bit finicky with regard to cheek weld. At 6X, it's very comfortable and fairly forgiving. As for barrel length, there's nothing wrong with a 16" barrel. All you give up is a bit of velocity, which will mean less energy the farther down range you get. On the other hand, a 16" barrel will arguably be more accurate than a longer barrel having a like profile. As for big scopes on short barreled rifles, check this out... 
This rig was ungodly loud, had BIG muzzle flash and quite a bit of muzzle flip, but it was stupid accuracte and easier to hump around than it would have been with a longer barrel. I'd say that an 18" would make a good compromise. Personally, I like the 16" barrels. if the rifle is going to be a bench shooter or something that you aren't going to have to carry around, a longer barrel will probably be preferable, but if you're going to have to carry it, the shorter barrel will probably be the way to go. |
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I have a 6-18x40 Mark AR scope mounted on a 20" BBL and love it. But I built the rifle for Varmints / Coyotes and target shooting as far as my ability will take it. The 18x is great for prone or bench shooting at still targets. For those who say its too much magnification remember that it is a variable power. You don't have to go above 6x if you don't want to. For me 6x is great if my intention is to use this rifle at 100yds plus. Having 6x on the low end does limit your ability to hit moving targets, but is that what you are intending?
Seems like the 1-5 power scopes are very popular with the 16" &18" recce rifles. Now if money is no object Leupold has a 1.1-8X in the works that would be sweet. |
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