Almost 2 years ago I got caught up in the furor and decided I needed to get an order in for a .308 tactical style rifle before legal issues made that problematic. Ostensibly it would be for heavy metal division 3 gun. So, after some feedback here I ended up ordering a LaRue Tactical PredatAR in .308 and waited. And waited some more. And forgot about it until a week or two ago when they got to mine. Now in reality I don't have time for 3 gun for probably at least a couple more years so I'm mostly likely to just take it to the range. So what optic would you put on it? Since I'm going to be at a range I think my nearest is 300 yards. With what I paid for it I'm looking for something I can wring it out a bit with, so need better than minute of man sort of glass. Bad weather is coming so I have some time to set it up before I would start shooting it more regularly. What do you suggest? Oh and bonus thumbs up for back up irons that work with the optics system and mount.
?2014-10-26T13:54:30Z
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There is glass that will suit your needs for $300, there is glass that will suit your needs for $3000. What is your budget?
"Budget for optic and mount full up is less than $1000"
My short list would be: http://www.leupold.com/tactical/scopes/mark-4-lrt-riflescopes/mark-4-lrt-4-5-14x40mm-30mm-target/ http://www.amazon.com/Vortex-Viper-4-16x50-Riflescopes-PST-416S1-A/dp/B003AQMYDW/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1414358032&sr=1-1&keywords=vortex+viper+pst+4-16x50 http://www.amazon.com/Vortex-Viper-6-24x50-Rifle-PST-624S1-M/dp/B003AQIX5A/ref=sr_1_7?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1414358032&sr=1-7&keywords=vortex+viper+pst+4-16x50
That being said, I have one of these on my Grendel build: http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-12x42-Tactical-Riflescope-P53714.aspx And at 300 yards, it's as clear as I've seen any scope, and looks the same as the Mark 4 or the Pride Fowler Industries RR800 I have on my other rifle.
Very happy with it, so I can't say I have many reasons to push you for a scope more expensive than that. A LOT of guys steel with the SWFA 10x42 and 12x42 out to 1.2k yards without complaining about it (granted, it isn't F-class, but it doesn't sound like that is what you had in mind anyways). The elevation adjustment and tracking is unreal.
I don't have a reason to recommend anything more than http://www.amazon.com/Burris-410341-30-mm-Scope-Mount/dp/B0028JNRW4 for a mount either.
The range I shoot at only carries some $250 NF monstrosity for cantilever mounts... Which, I'm sure would be worth it if I ever had to dig a grave with my scope rings, but dumping crazy money on mounts seems silly to me given how little trouble I've had with less expensive mounts and how I'm not shooting .50 BMG with a monster brake or anything.
As for irons, I think in-line backup iron sights under a scope are not optimal, since they effectively force you to take the optic off to use them, have an optic that compromises a lot to use them, or have a scope with such a wide range of variable power that you can use the scope for closer range and really only use the backup iron sights for emergencies.
Plus, they cost a fortune because they have to flip out of the way. Lots of silly design there.
Canted irons make much more sense, as they don't have as many parts to break or require as much to make, and so are much less expensive. They can be used alongside a scope in many more circumstances than in-line BUIS can be.
I cheaped out with these: http://www.amazon.com/Front-Degree-Rapid-Transition-Backup/dp/B006X9DLQM/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1414358763&sr=1-1&keywords=canted+iron+sight and they work perfectly fine. I can shoot with reasonable accuracy out to 100 yds, and since my scope can easily focus in to closer than 20m, and has a wide enough field of view at 75m to be practical, there is plenty of overlap between the canted irons and the scope to give me options.
If you want a fancier (more expensive) pair that does... stuff extra, look at: www.amazon.com/dp/B00I4ES4TI?psc=1
I keep posting this picture, but it's because I'm bragging. You can see the canted irons and SWFA SS 12x42mm It has a sunshade, but I usually keep it off.
RE: What to put on a LaRue Tactical PredatAR .308? Almost 2 years ago I got caught up in the furor and decided I needed to get an order in for a .308 tactical style rifle before legal issues made that problematic. Ostensibly it would be for heavy metal division 3 gun. So, after some feedback here I ended up ordering a LaRue Tactical PredatAR in...
Boy this format stinks. Budget for optic and mount full up is less than $1000, but would need a really good reason with my skill level to break the grand mark.
I went a different route with my 308 bottom feeder and can offer no real help. I set mine up as a CQB hammer. Hope you don;t mind my non answer here, it makes it easier to find this question again to read other replies. I am curious what's out there for your application.