Can some one that really knows optics tell me how important it is to purchase one of the new AR dedicated for 223 caliber scopes. I was thinking I was going to throw a leupold vx2 on my AR, but have been tempted to purchase one of the new AR for 223 caliber scopes. Thoughts?

I have been looking at alot of them and the options are absolutely mind boggling. Price and application (hunting, plinking, competetion) all come into play. Pride Fowler has an awesome looking 1-4 for around 1200 ish. The Acogs are sweet but are fixed 4 power and new are around 1150 ish (new, used 8-900ish). Leupold has some sweet AR scopes from 1200 to 500 ish. I have been looking and looking and can not make up my mind. The reviews on all are all over the place too. Comments like "if you are going to spend X you might as well go with X". "I had an X which was great for Coyotes but I could not shoot my comps with it so I switched to X". Reading about all of them has given me tired head. Sorry to give you a long post with no usable inforamtion, ha. Good Luck on your search. Let me know if you find "the one".

I have a Acog for sale .223 reticle .

I have a Nikon m223 on my stag model 7(6.8) and I love it. Even though it's made for 223 you can go onto their website and print out different caliber options for different magnifications. It's my all around hunting rifle and I use it a lot for dropping pigs in their tracks at long ranges but up close and personal in the brush it's too much scope. I just purchased a new to me acog ta31h for my 300 Blk build and it's made for 223 and even though i haven't shot with it yet I'm sure I will love it as the optics are crystal clear.

Re: how important it is to purchase one of the new AR dedicated for 223 caliber

Not any more important than purchasing a BDC reticle for any other firearm. Nothing magical about an AR15 - it is just an autoloading .223/5.56. They make BDC scopes for pretty much every common cartridge.

The real question is, What are you going to be using the gun for? Pig hunting in heavy brush at 50 yards on a moving target? Plinking steel out to 500 yards? Setting up on a feeder with a steady rest and an exact known yardage? A mix of all?

With a lot of standard type scopes you will require a "high" mount that is pushed forward.

On my black rifles I run a mix of EoTech, Vortex, Aimpoint T1 Micro, Leupold VXR. The Vortex StrikeFire is a good option for those on a budget.

If you already have the Leupold VX2 throw it on there (with the right mount) and enjoy. If you will be shooting varying distances the Nikon BDC is fine but again, BDC reticles are common and not special for the AR15.

the ar dedicated scopes dont interest me. I like other brands that are better than the ar dedicated scopes. the vx2 would work fine.

It is not needed at all. I will clarify that I only do 3-gun type competitions with my AR, but I engage targets from a few feet out to at least 500 yds. I run a SWFA 1x4 hd scope that makes it easy. I want to upgrade to the 1x6 when it becomes available, but the 1x4 does what I need it to.

My key is using a good ballistic calculator to understand my holds at different distances.

Matt

Thanks for all the input fellas. Think I will throw the VX2 on there and see how it or I should say, I perform.

B

I put a regular ol' VX-2 on mine....and it works great for me.