Need optics suggestions for 10.5" AR SBR

[mbogo]

Primary use will be as a range toy, with occasional hunting of pigs and deer (out to 200yds. or so).

I don't want a busy reticle like the ACSS, mil-dots, milliradians, TDS, etc. Illuminated would be nice, but not required. Nothing made in China.

I doubt I'll need more than 8x or 9x magnification except when shooting groups.

What do you folks with similar rigs use?

Thank you

[Rangerofthenorth]

[Bigs28]

Something small, 1-4 to 1-8 or even a simple red dot

[mbogo]

My budget is essentially unlimited, but I am not going to put a U.S. Optics, Schmidt & Bender, or Swarovski on it.

I've got many Leupolds(Vari-X IIs and IIIs) but have lost track of which features their various newer lines have. The Firedot and Burris' illuminated plexes sound closest to what I want.

A straight red dot sight doesn't have the magnification I want; my Trijicon ACOG4x would work but its reticle is designed for 5.56.

[Bigs28]

With an unlimited budget, i have the nightforce nx8 1-8x on my 12" sbr. I really like it and it does everything i need better then i need it to. With that said my cousin has the vortex strike eagle 1-8x and i can shoot the same size groups with it as i can my nightforce and it was a fourth the price. For light weight leupold owns the market. Their ar mod 1-4x is like 9oz or something if i remember correctly.

[mbogo]

The Strike Eagle has this reticle:
opplanet-vortex-ar-bdc2-r1.jpg

unfortunately, it is calibrated for 5.56 ballistics.

[Bigs28]

It's calibrated for a specific bullet out of a specific barrel length like all bdcs are but it's not hard to figure out what distances each mark would be for your rifle/bullet choice. That's why i personally don't like bdcs. They are a guide only.

[mbogo]

I just checked and the Vortex Strike Eagle is made in China.

[Drillboss]

See what you think of this: http://www.65grendel.com/forum/showt...hepherd-Scopes

I have an Atibal 1-8 on my pistol build. It's priced competitively with the Strike Eagle and gets pretty good reviews. I like the 1-8 magnification range that covers about any distance I'd shoot with the pistol.

If I had known about the Shepherd, I very well may have gone that route.

[A5BLASTER]

I say go 2moa red dot with a 3 or 4x magnifier. I'm running same setup on a 16 inch and with a 25/200 sight in its point and shoot too 200 yards.

Any more then that and I pull out the long grendels and 4-16 or 4-20 scopes.

Just something to think about.

[mbogo]

Atibal is also made in China.

The problem with red dots (even my Trijicon RMRs and Aimpoints is washout in bright sunshine.

[Drillboss]

Atibal is also made in China.

Yes they are, so I wasn't recommending it for your requirements. The Shepherd is a similar setup, but doesn't appear to be Chinese.

[mbogo]

Shepherd scopes are made in Japan by Light Optical Works.

[Rangerofthenorth]

Just got back from the range with the Shepherd 1-8x24 r-mil scope mounted on my 10.5" Blackout. Has positive clicks, locking turrets, red and green illumination, with the red being daylight visible, but not daylight bright, and green better for low light. The eyebox is great until 8x when it becomes a little tight. The reticle (r-011) just flat out works close up and to longer range. The glass is crystal clear and bright even to 8x. I zeroed my Blackout at 100 and then took it to 200 yards shooting 9" paper plates and a 4" tin can in swirilng winds using holds. I am very impressed and may have to pick up another one.

[mbogo]

I checked my shelves, and found a NIB Primary Arms 1x-4x, a NIB Nikon Monarch 1x-4x, and a NIB Leupold Vari-X III 1.75x-6x. I'm going to try the Leupold first; I think that will be the most practical for my needs.

Thanks for the suggestions.