Choosing AR-15 Optics

The AR-15 is a versatile rifle available in a variety of configurations. With the hundreds of options, magnifications, features and configurations available from different manufacturers choosing optics can be challenging. The most important thing to consider when choosing optics is the type of shooting you’ll be undertaking. Whether your purpose is hunting, target practice or self-defense, there are optics designed for every level of shooting.

Things to consider when looking for AR-15 optics:

• Magnification
• Size of Objective Lens
• Eye Relief
• Field of Vision
• Reticule
• Magnification
• Weight

A sight or scope can significantly improve the accuracy of your shooting. A scope is much simpler to use than iron sights since all that is required is lining the target up in the crosshairs. Most scopes also have magnification that allows greater precision. When comparing scopes, there are a number of attributes that are useful in determining the performance.

The magnification designates the multiplier by which an image is enlarged. For example, a 2X magnification makes the target appear twice as large. Low powered scopes don’t provide high magnification but are less susceptible to shaking. High powered scopes have a smaller field of vision, are more susceptible to shaking and may have a dimmer image but offer greater magnification.

The objective diameter controls the amount of light collected to form an image. As magnification increases, the field of vision grows smaller and the image becomes dimmer. Higher magnification scopes often employ a larger diameter objective lens to collect more light. Lens diameters usually range between 30 and 40 mm but are available as larger as 50 mm. A larger diameter lens adds more weight and height and is usually more expensive.

Eye relief is another important characteristic. This is the distance the eye must be positioned from the ocular lens to view the full field of vision. The eye relief usually ranges between 1 and 4 inches. A larger distance lowers the odds of the eye being struck when the rifle recoils after firing.

The field of vision is defined as the number of feet visible through the scope along the horizontal of the image from a distance of 100 yards. The field of vision decreases with increasing magnification and increases with decreasing magnification. A 3X scope will typically have a field of vision of approximately 30 feet while a 9X scope may be about 14 feet.

The reticule is the crosshairs visible within the scope that are used to align the rifle with the target. There are many types of reticules, the simplest of which is an intersecting horizontal and vertical line.

Scopes are designed with various characteristics that allow them to be more effective for one type of shooting or another. For instance, some scopes allow better visibility of moving targets while others are designed for stationary objects. One of the primary factors that determine the type of scope needed is the distance you will be shooting. Once you determine the range, you will easily be able to determine the type of scope you need.

The most commonly used close range optics are red dot sights. These are non-magnified sights used for shooting at 100 yards or less but can be extended with a magnifier. Red dot optics allow faster and easier sighting. The size of the red dot may vary. A larger dot is preferable for close range shooting while smaller dots provide better accuracy.

AR-15 mid-range optics are usually fixed magnification between 1X and 4X and are optimized for distances of around 400 yards. They substantially improve the speed of lining up targets. Mid-Range scopes are less expensive than either close range or long range scopes. Long range scopes are extremely accurate with magnification of 9X to 16X. This allows them to be used for small targets at long distances. One of the advantages of using the long range scope is that the magnification can be decreased so that it can be used for mid-range targets.

Another aspect to consider when choosing AR-15 optics is weight. Most scopes weigh between 12 and 20 ounces. Scopes with larger lenses will weigh more. If you’re planning to carry your AR-15 for an extended distance, the extra weight of the scope makes a substantial difference. You may want to limit the weight if you expect to carry the scope on a hunting trip.

Ultimately, selecting the right optic for your AR-15 is going to come down to personal preference, practical application, and the range of the target you will be firing at. Make sure that you are comfortable with your optics and make sure you get enough range time to understand the benefits and limitations of the optics that you have selected.