All Purpose Optics and Mounts Thread

[Makarov]

Well I called Millett which turned out to be Bushnell (which I knew already) to ask where their scopes are made. Sure enough, they are made in China. Just for that my budget has now gone up to $500, MOA or Mil-dot. For all they have, gun shows usually do not have good scopes. You can get UTG and Leapers shit all day long at a show though.

I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this, but you want way to much for way to little. For one thing most optics(read that as probably all) in your pricerange will not be US made, even though they're US branded. The other is that to get a decent, usable optic in the 4-16 range with all the 'bells and whistles' you'll have to bump up the price to approx double.

So to the constructive part; If you can bump up the $, and look beyond the fact that they're not US manufactured, I believe that you get a lot of bang for the buck with the Vortex scopes. I've got a Vortex Viper PST FFP 4-16 in mrad that I'm happy with(although it's not a S&B or Zeiss by far). It'll hold up to some abuse, and with a lifetime guarantee I think it's a good budget optic.

[brothaman]

Anyone have a suggestion for a scope mount for a Ishapore 2a1? It came with a S&K mount, but I think its for a 303 Enfield as can I see the tip of the barrel through the scope and the bolt head hits the scope mount when you tip it to the left for removal.

[RickOShea]

I had a B-Square 2A mount. It sorta "clamps on", which was kind of sketchy.

I ended up drilling & tapping a couple of bolts (the orginal hole in the receiver plus an extra one further back) thru the side of the mount and into the side of the receiver.....Which means you have an extra hole permanetly drilled into the left side of the receiver.

[hatchtrikk]

http://www.primaryarms.com/Leupold_12_7 ... 111233.htm


Is that decent glass?^^^

[RickOShea]

http://www.primaryarms.com/Leupold_12_7x33mm_Leupold_VX_R_Riflescope_Ballisti_p/lp111233.htm


Is that decent glass?^^^

I have a couple of Leupies that I like. But if you get that one, you can let us know how well the "fire dot" works.

[hatchtrikk]

Will do Rick



Which mount do I want? http://www.americandefensemanufacturing ... opemounts/

I'm open to other brands, but I really like the ADM mounts on my TangoDown and Aimpoint.

[RickOShea]

Which mount do I want? http://www.americandefensemanufacturing ... opemounts/

I'm open to other brands, but I really like the ADM mounts on my TangoDown and Aimpoint.

Is it going on a regular flat-top AR (not a monolithic or some such)?

I have the "AD-Scout" on one of mine, been going strong for over three years now. But some folks don't like the single throw lever and get the "AD-Recon" with double levers.

[hatchtrikk]

Yup. This one: http://noveskerifleworks.com/cgi-bin/im ... us=&title=


I'll probably end up going with the dual QD.

[leatherface_y2k]

Recent experience with Midwest Industries.. Bought a Stag Model 2 in Jan., came equipped with a MI ERS buis. Love the sight. I have ~600 rds through the rifle. Last shot it on Memorial Day and after maybe 80 rds. noticed the pivot pin on the sight backing out to the left. Like way out. Tapped it back in and kept shooting. 40 rds. later it's backing out again. Buddy I was with suggested a drop of Loc-Tite. Didn't think that was a good idea on a pivot pin.. lol

Emailed MI explaining the issue and asking if I could possibly purchase a slightly larger pin from them. Not bitching or complaining, after all I didn't actually buy the ERS from them, it came with the rifle. Troy from MI replied very promptly and asked for my address and said they'd make it right. I thought I'd get a pivot pin. Couple of days later I get home from work there is a brand new ERS buis sitting on my porch! Understand, I was asking about a maybe $1 pivot pin. Midwest sent me a brand new buis that retails over $100.

Customer service like that is just outstanding! MI made me a customer for life.

[7.62-ARMO]

I need a recomendation for a long eye reliefe scope for my mosin nagant. I am getting the scout mount from brassstacker to this rifle up. I will be using this rifle for hunting. I'm not really sure on what I really want/need as far as magnification,or any other factor. Please make suggestions on which scope to get that will be nice for hunting. Looking to spend $200-$250

[RickOShea]

I need a recomendation for a long eye reliefe scope for my mosin nagant. I am getting the scout mount from brassstacker to this rifle up. I will be using this rifle for hunting. I'm not really sure on what I really want/need as far as magnification,or any other factor. Please make suggestions on which scope to get that will be nice for hunting. Looking to spend $200-$250

You lookin' for something in a fixed power or a variable (like a 2x or 4x, or something like a 1-4x).

[7.62-ARMO]

I need a recomendation for a long eye reliefe scope for my mosin nagant. I am getting the scout mount from brassstacker to this rifle up. I will be using this rifle for hunting. I'm not really sure on what I really want/need as far as magnification,or any other factor. Please make suggestions on which scope to get that will be nice for hunting. Looking to spend $200-$250

You lookin' for something in a fixed power or a variable (like a 2x or 4x, or something like a 1-4x).

http://brassstacker.com/NcSTAR-2.75x22m ... 7522G.html
What do you think about this one? What are the advantages/disadvantages/limitations of this scope?

I'm assuming a variable scope should be more useful overall? Are there any good articles on how I should choose my scope?

[Doctorr Fabulous]

NCStar is airsoft kit. Avoid, especially on a round like 7.62x54. I think Kalinka Optics still has the old school WWII Mosin scope repros, don't remember the name though.

[AKFTW]

NCStar is airsoft kit. Avoid, especially on a round like 7.62x54. I think Kalinka Optics still has the old school WWII Mosin scope repros, don't remember the name though.

Not really "airsoft" per-se, as NC Star stands for North-China Star, AKA China North Industries Co AKA Norinco


Their electronic stuff is shit but they do make pretty good AK stripper clips

[7.62-ARMO]

Glad you guys told me that.... What kind of ranges is a 3-9x scope good for? Most of the hunts in Western WA will probably be about a 100yards, because of the forests and hills. Is a 3-9x too much in case I happen to run into something within 50-100 yards?
What kind of magnification would I need for lets say 400-500 yard shots?

[RickOShea]

I'm assuming a variable scope should be more useful overall? Are there any good articles on how I should choose my scope?

You don't want too much of a variable power range on a scout type set-up. I have a nice 2-8x scope on one of my scout rifles, but the wider eye relief range actually screws things up a little bit. I have excellent vision, but when I get the focus ring adjusted, it's only good from 2-6x. If I try to run the scope on out to 8x, then things get fuzzy and I have to dick with the focus ring to get it cleared back up.

Here's a few that you may want to consider:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/606819/burris-scout-rifle-scope-275x-20mm-heavy-plex-reticle-matte

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/411427/leupold-fx-ii-scout-rifle-scope-25x-28mm-intermediate-eye-relief-duplex-reticle-matte

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/671489/weaver-classic-k-series-scout-rifle-scope-4x-28mm-dual-x-reticle-matte

As you can see, what most consider to be a "scout scope" tends to be a fixed, low power optic.

You can often use handgun scopes for a scout application, but try to stick with the fixed power or short range variable power models. Something like these, that have an eye relief adjustment range of between 10" - 20", that will work on the typical scout scope mount position:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/785343/simmons-prohunter-pistol-scope-2-6x-32mm-truplex-reticle-matte

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/758783/weaver-classic-pistol-scope-15-4x-20mm-dual-x-reticle-gloss

[Doctorr Fabulous]

I've used a fixed-power 3.5x to engage targwets at 750m+ and a lot of other folks find they work out to 500m with an almost cheeky effectiveness.

Keep in mind though, my AR/M4 is a bloody sight more accurate than 99% of the Mosins on the market. I wouldn't get too worked up about getting a long range scope unless you can pop steel at 800m or more with irons first. I'd say go fixed power in the 2x or 3x range and call it a day.

[Doctorr Fabulous]

Bump and new question: Anyone tried mounting a Vortex Optics VMX3 Magnifier w/ Swing Mount (VMX3-SM-01) with an EXPS 2-0? Is it gonna hold up as well as the $550 EoTech model?

[7.62-ARMO]

I'm assuming a variable scope should be more useful overall? Are there any good articles on how I should choose my scope?

You don't want too much of a variable power range on a scout type set-up. I have a nice 2-8x scope on one of my scout rifles, but the wider eye relief range actually screws things up a little bit. I have excellent vision, but when I get the focus ring adjusted, it's only good from 2-6x. If I try to run the scope on out to 8x, then things get fuzzy and I have to dick with the focus ring to get it cleared back up.

Here's a few that you may want to consider:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/606819/burris-scout-rifle-scope-275x-20mm-heavy-plex-reticle-matte

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/411427/leupold-fx-ii-scout-rifle-scope-25x-28mm-intermediate-eye-relief-duplex-reticle-matte

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/671489/weaver-classic-k-series-scout-rifle-scope-4x-28mm-dual-x-reticle-matte

As you can see, what most consider to be a "scout scope" tends to be a fixed, low power optic.

You can often use handgun scopes for a scout application, but try to stick with the fixed power or short range variable power models. Something like these, that have an eye relief adjustment range of between 10" - 20", that will work on the typical scout scope mount position:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/785343/simmons-prohunter-pistol-scope-2-6x-32mm-truplex-reticle-matte

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/758783/weaver-classic-pistol-scope-15-4x-20mm-dual-x-reticle-gloss

Thank you for those links. I think I like the variable scopes. Is it worth it to pay twice as much for the Weaver?

've used a fixed-power 3.5x to engage targwets at 750m+ and a lot of other folks find they work out to 500m with an almost cheeky effectiveness.

Keep in mind though, my AR/M4 is a bloody sight more accurate than 99% of the Mosins on the market. I wouldn't get too worked up about getting a long range scope unless you can pop steel at 800m or more with irons first. I'd say go fixed power in the 2x or 3x range and call it a day. [/url]

I've never even been at those ranges, and honestly never will, especially with this rifle. But in case I need go up to 300-ish ranges I'd like to be able to adjust the scope to help me a bit.

Off topic: Whats your AR set up? Do you use it for hunting? I've toyed with the idea of building a long range 308 AR, but also leaning towards buying a 7mm Rem Mag rifle., both to be used for hunting.

[Doctorr Fabulous]

I could with a change of ammo. Current rig is the Daniel Defense M4 V1 LW with stock irons and an Aimpoint R1. Probably going to swap that for an EoTech with magnifier until I find the $1500+ for TA31B (ACOG specc'd for an M4) and QD mount. With the 1:7 twist, I can use the 75 or 77gr ammo (Mk262, Hornady TAP, etc) and drop hogs or deer with ease.

For the Mosin, I think most of them are shootign around 4MOA, which makes a clean kill hard at 300m. A 2x optic should be plenty.

[RickOShea]

You can often use handgun scopes for a scout application, but try to stick with the fixed power or short range variable power models. Something like these, that have an eye relief adjustment range of between 10" - 20", that will work on the typical scout scope mount position:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/785343/simmons-prohunter-pistol-scope-2-6x-32mm-truplex-reticle-matte

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/758783/weaver-classic-pistol-scope-15-4x-20mm-dual-x-reticle-gloss

Thank you for those links. I think I like the variable scopes. Is it worth it to pay twice as much for the Weaver?

I have a Simmons 4x pistol scope on one of my .22s, and a Weaver 2-8x handgun scope on one of my .308s.

The fit-&-finish on the Weaver is much better than the Simmons, so yeah, I think it's worth twice the price.

[hatchtrikk]

So I ended up with a Triji Accupoint 3-9x40 and an ADM Recon mount for the wife's XMAS build.

How do I figure out how far back/forward on the receiver it needs to be mounted? I plan to give it to her sighted at 25yrds so she can do the final adjustment out to 200.

Thanks!

[TheLastOne]

Recent experience with Midwest Industries.. Bought a Stag Model 2 in Jan., came equipped with a MI ERS buis. Love the sight. I have ~600 rds through the rifle. Last shot it on Memorial Day and after maybe 80 rds. noticed the pivot pin on the sight backing out to the left. Like way out. Tapped it back in and kept shooting. 40 rds. later it's backing out again. Buddy I was with suggested a drop of Loc-Tite. Didn't think that was a good idea on a pivot pin.. lol

Emailed MI explaining the issue and asking if I could possibly purchase a slightly larger pin from them. Not bitching or complaining, after all I didn't actually buy the ERS from them, it came with the rifle. Troy from MI replied very promptly and asked for my address and said they'd make it right. I thought I'd get a pivot pin. Couple of days later I get home from work there is a brand new ERS buis sitting on my porch! Understand, I was asking about a maybe $1 pivot pin. Midwest sent me a brand new buis that retails over $100.

Customer service like that is just outstanding! MI made me a customer for life.

Fwiw, they were just as good to me. I broke the damn mount and they sent me a new one. How cool is that?

[RickOShea]

I've never even been at those ranges, and honestly never will, especially with this rifle. But in case I need go up to 300-ish ranges I'd like to be able to adjust the scope to help me a bit.

You may also want to look at a Huber ball-bearing trigger for your Mosin. I put one on a Lee-Enfield SMLE and it cut my group sizes almost in-half.

http://www.huberconcepts.com/Mosin-Nagant_Trigger_Replacement.htm

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/177547/huber-concepts-match-grade-rifle-trigger-mosin-nagant-steel-matte