Ok, so I finally got an AR, I got a dpms 223/556, my question is about the scope, I am being told that it is better to get one specifically designed for the AR due to stability, basically by shooting more rounds it can cause other scopes to become not sighted in properly by loosening up, is that true or is it just smoke? I will probably be going with a Nikon but was curious if it really matters. Thanks in advance.

A good red dot is a lot of fun.
Aimpoint PRO here.

I guess it would depend on what you're going to do with it. 1000's of rounds in competition and/or hard tactical usage (which I have no experience in btw) would probably necessitate a more heavy duty setup than say, a general use plinker or coyote rifle.

I would think any quality scope in a decent mount properly installed would be fine, not much recoil with a 223 AR even with high volume shooting.

I have ran two different "AR" scopes, a Nikon m223 and a mark AR, and I've traded both off since. The M223 had turrets that spun way too easily and I didn't care for the too thick illuminated TMR reticle in the Mark AR.

My 3 AR 223's now wear a Conquest 3-9, VX2 3-9, and a Viper PST 1-4. As far as mounts, all are one piece mounts, non QD type all $100 or less. They all work fine so far.

If it's a hunting rig, I would advise against exposed tactical turrets that you're not likely to use but will have to constantly be checking to see if they've been accidentally moved.

Thanks Anton, this will primarily be for hogs and messing around, not for competition for sure.

I'm having a upper built in .260 right now that I plan to use for pig hunting. I will put a VXR 3-9x40 CDS on it. Should be a nice for low light hunting, with enough magnification to shoot as far out as I need to. The vxr in 2-7 would be a nice hunting scope as well. I like the firedot duplex reticle. Daytime visible red dot when you need it, regular heavy duplex when it's off.

BS... Anthing in the mag range you are looking for will do fine. Get a solid mount and go form there.

I would sugest a vortex 1.75-5 or a 2-7, low power is really nice for moving pigs..

get reputable brands and you'll be just fine

thanks guys, that is what I thought.

Nikon M223.

Good call on the vortex 2-7

I have a nikon P223 on mine that i really like

Vortex Viper 1-4 or Razor 1-6. They will do everything an Eotech or Aimpoint will do, and then some.

After a ton of research, I purchased the Vortex Viper PST 1-4 for my new AR. Great optics & a lot of fun.
Also, Skylar at SWFA was great to work with on my purchase.

dig it... want the razor 1-6 but need more money lol

I had a Mark AR 3-9 for over a year. It was alright, but the turrets were too easy to move.

When I sold my Sig .308, I kept my SWFA 3-9x42. It is on my .223 now, but I don't like it there as much as I did on the 308. I'm considering selling the SWFA and getting the PST 1-4.

BULLSH on BDC crap, get a good scope and figure out how to use it

I started working the gun counter at Cabela's around three months ago so I sell a lot of optics. This is the impression I've come away with regarding AR specific scopes: it seems to me that most companies add AR to the name of the scope and then jack the price up. I don't think they are more rugged than other scopes. I'm not talking about high end stuff but scopes in the $150.00 - $600.00 range. I could be wrong, that is just my impression.

I just put a VX-R 2-7 on my AR and am very happy with it.

I shoot 3 gun and shoot over 600 yards on occasion, mostly between 300-500 and I bought the Burris MTAC 1-4. It's been a great scope, never used the lighted reticle but what drew me to it was being able to still shoot if the battery had died. For the price, it's a great scope. The BDC is awesome, quick to put on target and it's taken the abuse you would expect from competition shooting.