SBR scopes

WirgmanUSMC

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So I've been running red dots on both of my SBRs and I want to get some magnification out of my 556. I'm running an Aimpoint T1 on my 300blk 8.5" SBR and that suits it fine cause I only launch subsonics out of it, and never further than 80yrds or so.
My 10.5" 556 on the other hand I would like to make better use of, and the cheapo TruGlo I was rocking was getting old.
I tossed my Sightron SIII 1-7 on there and while I like the sight picture and all, it just seems so heavy. What do you guys run on your SBRs for magnified optics?
I know it's an optic thread, but I wanted it specific to SBRs so I put it here.
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I am good with my MRO, but wouldn't mind one of those compact fixed Trijicon scopes. They're nice and compact and really nice quality.

@NKD has a sweet little 1x thing that I believe you can get in a 3x. Maybe he'll chime in.
 
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https://www.carolinafirearmsforum.com/index.php?threads/steiner-p4xi-and-adm-qd-mount.11064/

That scope should be a bit more compact than the 1-7 above and would be a pretty sweet variable option.
I have one and like it a lot!

Yeah, it certainly looks a bit more compact. I'm gonna have to weigh my Sightron and see what it comes in at, I would like to shave some weight too.
How good is the glass clarity on that Steiner? I think the Sightron SIII glass holds its own against anything else I've seen. My friend has a Trijicon accupoint, and I think it's just as nice.
 
Yeah, it certainly looks a bit more compact. I'm gonna have to weigh my Sightron and see what it comes in at, I would like to shave some weight too.
How good is the glass clarity on that Steiner? I think the Sightron SIII glass holds its own against anything else I've seen. My friend has a Trijicon accupoint, and I think it's just as nice.

I used to think the Trijicon 1x4 was the gold standard of clarity but the 1x4 Steiner is just as good. Possibly better.
I was impressed!!
 
I used to think the Trijicon 1x4 was the gold standard of clarity but the 1x4 Steiner is just as good. Possibly better.
I was impressed!!

Not sure if you've ever got to look through my Steiner binoculars, but they are what sold me on their optics. Definitely heavy built stuff, but the glass is friggin amazing.
 
I have had really good luck with a 4X BAC ACOG on a 10.5 inch 5.56. Lightweight, tough, decent at close range and great at long. The graduations are off, but once you know the dope, it's not a problem. I have ran it at several rifle only matches and was faster with the ACOG than red dot or 1-4x variable.
 
I like the Leupold Mark 8 1-8; alas, my wallet does not. In the area us mortals can afford, I like the Nightforce 1-4 and the Vortex PST 1-6.
 
Not sure if you've ever got to look through my Steiner binoculars, but they are what sold me on their optics. Definitely heavy built stuff, but the glass is friggin amazing.

Actually, your binocs is what made me interested in Steiner.
I had never seen an image through binos like that before. I think I saw a bee flip me off from 800 yards!
 
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I have had really good luck with a 4X BAC ACOG on a 10.5 inch 5.56. Lightweight, tough, decent at close range and great at long. The graduations are off, but once you know the dope, it's not a problem. I have ran it at several rifle only matches and was faster with the ACOG than red dot or 1-4x variable.

Haven't used mine on a 10.5" but at an event recently my 3.5x ACOG (a little big for an SBR, I'd recommend a 3x30) was dead nuts on my 16" with 69gr SMKs out to 400yds. I wasn't fiddling with elevation knobs and losing time on short shots. Very good recommendation but not the cheapest option out there...but it's super tough!
 
Keep in mind all the 1-4x with a unit of mesure reticle are damn near useless for holds, range finding and such.

You are always better off with a fixed power 3x, 4x with a 3a or duplex, triangle style
 
Thing is, 95% of the time I'd prefer no magnification.

I'd rather be stuck with no magnification than with 4X on my SBR. Actually, I have a 1x prism scope on mine, so I am stuck with 1x, lol.

But happily we live in 'Merica, with variable scope 'o plenty.
 
I have a Steiner 1-4 on my 12" Awesome glass with a daylight bright reticle. Definitely adds a little weight over a micro though.
 
The PST is not daylight bright.

Vortex upgraded the illumination module a while back and the newer ones are supposedly brighter; I don't think it's meant to be an extremely bright illum, but offer some mild contrast between the reticle and dark targets
 
The Steiner is nice because it is just a red dot (edit: the illumination that is) in the middle. I like that a lot. One of my complaints with the Vortex Strike Eagle was that the whole reticle lit up. Too much, imo. The high end Vortex HD 1-6 has just the center dot as well. That is what I would use if money were no object. But the Steiner actually compares well to that scope, with less mag, but half price. Glass is much better than you would expect. I got mine for 459.00 which, frankly, its hard to believe they could make it for that.
 
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The Steiner is nice because it is just a red dot (edit: the illumination that is) in the middle. I like that a lot. One of my complaints with the Vortex Strike Eagle was that the whole reticle lit up. Too much, imo. The high end Vortex HD 1-6 has just the center dot as well. That is what I would use if money were no object. But the Steiner actually compares well to that scope, with less mag, but half price. Glass is much better than you would expect. I got mine for 459.00 which, frankly, its hard to believe they could make it for that.

Yep. Killer scope for the loot. DSG is a good place to buy as they offer combos with a quality mount. I got mine with a ADM Recon but they also have them with the MI QD's too.
 
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