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Need help finding the right scope

3K views 16 replies 13 participants last post by  Bravo16 
#1 ·
I recently retired from the police service where we ran M-4s and DAO pistols. Now I am no longer bound by policy, I got a 1911 and an M1A. Once I get the barrel broken in, I will be looking for an optic consist ante with the rifle capabilities . I am hearing good things about the Nikon M 308. Any advice ?
 
#2 ·
I have been doing some research into this as well.

I have a Burris scope on my m1 Garand and a Leupold on my Tacsol 22lr. I have always been a big fan of Burris and wanted the get the XTR II 5-25 scope. These scope have a of the features of the more expensive 3,000 setup but cost about 1100 or so. Some of these features are turrets with good tracking and repeatability, a front focal plane reticle, zero stop for elevation, a 34mm main tube.....

But what ultimately ended up happening was the Vortex Viper PST. This scope is much like the Burris XTRII but has one very neat feature and that is a mill/mill or MOA/MOA system that is the reticle is calibrated to the turrets. For example the MOA version has a reticle that is "graduated" if you will in MOA and 1/4 MOA turrets. If you want to hold over 6 minute one would simply place the 6 min hash on the target or if you notice a round hit 4 min low as seen in the reticle you could dial in 4 min elevation and be on target. Because it is a front focal plane setup the reticle changes size with the power so it is always calibrated.

This is going to be my next scope

Hope this helps

-Gun
 
#3 ·
Vortex Viper HS-T 6-25x50

Vortex Viper HS-T 6-25x50 $$
You can not go wrong
OR
Vortex Viper 6-24x50 $
 
#6 ·
Scope....

You will defintely have a lot of things to consider when picking a scope. I have been using Nikon's M-308 scopes since they hit the market with excellent success. I have used them on bolt action .308's and 7.62 AR's. The furthest I have shot is 525 yards and with Nikon Spot On Ballistic Program I was able to blast soda cans. The 4-16 magnification definitely lets you see your target clearly and using the BDC reticle is very easy.

Decide how far you think you will be shooting and how much magnification you will neeed. The M14 is a very accurate rifle, one of the issues will be how you plan on mounting the scope. I have seen some mounted over 3 inches above the barrel, if this is what you intend, make sure when you look at Spot On, you enter scope height at whatever you measure mid bore to mid scope. Makes a big difference in long range accuracy.

I know there are some Nikon scope Promo's going on right now that will give you instant saving's, don't miss out, I think they end in about 2 weeks. One scope to consider is Nikon's PROSTAFF 5 2.5-10 BDC Reticle.
Not as big as the 4-16 and I think it will do all you want it to at a great price.
 
#7 ·
Two great choices...my favorites as well!

What is your M1A? Standard? Loaded? Super Match? etc....what discipline of shooting do you plan to do? Lots of variables may be in play.

For a decent "general purpose" fixed scope look at the SWFA 10X Super Sniper....fairly affordable for most folks. Great reports. Favored by many LEO and choice of many GI types....I love mine. Soon as my Standard barrel is swapped with a heavier barrel it will be mounted.....it has been living on a bolt rifle used for PA Ground Grizzlies...; )
 
#9 ·
I too have been doing quite a bit of optics information gathering and purchasing.

Like other things, in many cases the opinions are divided by what generation the shooter is from. The old school shooters lean towards what has worked for them over a lifetime.

The younger shooters will lean more towards optics that have been developed recently.

There is no "right or wrong" (although you will certainly get that type of opinions)..

One of the questions I was asked by some of the board members was this: "What is the mission?"....... If you can answer that question, it will help you to focus your search.

Thanks,

Hobo
 
#11 ·
Just my opinion, but I would at least spend half of what the rifle cost you. I have spent nearly the same on optics as I have on the gun themselves. Its like buying a safe you hate to blow a thousand plus but afterwards you're quite happy you did. Good optics are never a waste of money.
 
#12 ·
My intended uses

At the gravest extreme, Shipboard Security from pirates. Most vessels are about 1000 ft. I have worked out methods to get from Point A to Point B in the fastest way. Either way, it is about 30 seconds under ideal conditions.
It takes a vessel (hijack boat) 72 seconds to get from the mother ship to my vessel 800 meters away at 30 (land miles) an hour, again in ideal circumstances. So, I got 12 seconds to reach a position where I have good cover (lots of steel on ships), get my breathing right and assess the approacher's intentions.
So, to answer the question, I need a rugged, 1 MOA glass with a mount from which I can co-witness my iron sights.
I am not concerned about shipboard combat. I always have my M-4 (516P) with and EO Tech for that.
Thanks for any help and I am sorry I was less than detailed in my previous post. Bravo-16
 
#14 ·
Interesting...

At the gravest extreme, Shipboard Security from pirates. Most vessels are about 1000 ft. I have worked out methods to get from Point A to Point B in the fastest way. Either way, it is about 30 seconds under ideal conditions.
It takes a vessel (hijack boat) 72 seconds to get from the mother ship to my vessel 800 meters away at 30 (land miles) an hour, again in ideal circumstances. So, I got 12 seconds to reach a position where I have good cover (lots of steel on ships), get my breathing right and assess the approacher's intentions.
So, to answer the question, I need a rugged, 1 MOA glass with a mount from which I can co-witness my iron sights.
I am not concerned about shipboard combat. I always have my M-4 (516P) with and EO Tech for that.
Thanks for any help and I am sorry I was less than detailed in my previous post. Bravo-16
You will probably be waiting for the potential boarders to come within a certain effective kill range? Possibly taking a sweeping fire? Is your mission to kill the threat or force it away by firepower? Those bobbing "targets" are tough to keep steady aim point. We used to shoot at stuff on a pallet bobbing around on top of waves to practice. With both the M14 and M2.

I would seek help from a consultant with the Trident Group. They specialize in Maritime security/training. They would give more precise advice for your question. It's what they do.
 
#13 ·
US Optics

I think that 1 to 8 power US Optics would be tough to beat under the conditions you describe, along with the Blackfeather scope mount system.
 
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