4
Burris Tac 30, Leupold Mk AR 1.5-4x or Nikon M223 1-4x
Started by
unforgiven5150
, Mar 24 2013 02:06 AM
#1
Posted 24 March 2013 - 02:06 AM
I need some options here. Right now I'm running an Eotech 511 with a 3x magnifier in a flip to side mount on a 13.5" 1x7 twist barrel with a rifle length gas system. Sounds strange I know, but it runs great.
I love the Eotech reticle for fast acquisition but realizng my bad eyes need some magnification after about 50m. So I thought adding the magnifier in a flip to side would be perfect for me. Well I'm finding that I almost always have the magnifier engaged. It has a fairly narrow FOV and a pretty unforgiving eye relief.
So I'm thinking if I'm going to always have the 3x magnifier engaged in most situations why not go with a low power variable? I've had good luck with them in the past. At the lowest setting I can shoot with both eyes open at close targets and dial-up when I need too.
I have it narrowed to 3 choices:
1. Leupold Mark AR 1.5 ( or is it 1.25)-4x
2. Burris Tac 30
3. Nikon M223 1-4x
I like both of the Leupy and Burris as the have illuminated reticle a which will be nice for indoors and lowlight shooting. I think I like the Firedot SPR reticle on the Leupold the best and the Nikon 600m BDC second best. The Leupy is also the lightest, coming in at 9oz and change. Burris the heaviest at 17oz and Nikon at 13 and change.
The beat value right now is the Nikon. SWFA has it with the 600m BDC reticle, factory flip-up caps and M223 mount for $299 + shipping. The Burris, with a SWFA mount and no caps for about $260 plus shipping and the Leupy with a SWFA mount, no caps for $420 plus shipping.
So I need your opinion on these scopes. The mounts aren't an issue right now. Eventually it will probably be swapped for a LaRue SPR or similar mount.
I love the Eotech reticle for fast acquisition but realizng my bad eyes need some magnification after about 50m. So I thought adding the magnifier in a flip to side would be perfect for me. Well I'm finding that I almost always have the magnifier engaged. It has a fairly narrow FOV and a pretty unforgiving eye relief.
So I'm thinking if I'm going to always have the 3x magnifier engaged in most situations why not go with a low power variable? I've had good luck with them in the past. At the lowest setting I can shoot with both eyes open at close targets and dial-up when I need too.
I have it narrowed to 3 choices:
1. Leupold Mark AR 1.5 ( or is it 1.25)-4x
2. Burris Tac 30
3. Nikon M223 1-4x
I like both of the Leupy and Burris as the have illuminated reticle a which will be nice for indoors and lowlight shooting. I think I like the Firedot SPR reticle on the Leupold the best and the Nikon 600m BDC second best. The Leupy is also the lightest, coming in at 9oz and change. Burris the heaviest at 17oz and Nikon at 13 and change.
The beat value right now is the Nikon. SWFA has it with the 600m BDC reticle, factory flip-up caps and M223 mount for $299 + shipping. The Burris, with a SWFA mount and no caps for about $260 plus shipping and the Leupy with a SWFA mount, no caps for $420 plus shipping.
So I need your opinion on these scopes. The mounts aren't an issue right now. Eventually it will probably be swapped for a LaRue SPR or similar mount.
#2
Posted 24 March 2013 - 07:16 AM
I'm strictly a Leupold guy. Been that way for years.
You can't beat their warranty. Tie it maybe, but not beat it.
You can't beat their warranty. Tie it maybe, but not beat it.
#3
Posted 24 March 2013 - 05:08 PM
Brian;
Whereas I can't comment directly on the three scopes you have in your post, I can agree with your comments on why a low powered variable does have some merits. Especially when considering aging eyes as in my case. I recently bought a Leupold 2x7 VX-R with the Ballistic FireDot reticle and mounted it on one of the safe queens. At low power and the reticle turned on, it gives a very quick target acquisition with both eyes open in the FOV. With practice found it is as fast and as accurate of the AimPoint up to 100 yards. There was problem with parallex and I did need to have a good cheek set, but with practice it was easily overcome. Past 100 yards, a push of the thumb turns off the dot and presents a clear crisp "circle" reticle capable of typical Leupold accuracy up to as far as you think you are capable of accurate shooting. I was plinking at rocks @300 yards away with hand loads, found at 7 power and a bi-pod it was quite easy to blast out 10 accurate rounds once I found the hold-over (less than two rounds) with one of the aiming points on the reticle.
With any of the three you mentioned, I'm sure you will get a a quality optic. Based upon what I've seen in the VX-R, I would say go with the Leupold. I have my scope mounted on a set of Vortex scope mounts and pleased with the lines and secure fit it has with the scope.
http://www.leupold.c...ncludes-metric/
Whereas I can't comment directly on the three scopes you have in your post, I can agree with your comments on why a low powered variable does have some merits. Especially when considering aging eyes as in my case. I recently bought a Leupold 2x7 VX-R with the Ballistic FireDot reticle and mounted it on one of the safe queens. At low power and the reticle turned on, it gives a very quick target acquisition with both eyes open in the FOV. With practice found it is as fast and as accurate of the AimPoint up to 100 yards. There was problem with parallex and I did need to have a good cheek set, but with practice it was easily overcome. Past 100 yards, a push of the thumb turns off the dot and presents a clear crisp "circle" reticle capable of typical Leupold accuracy up to as far as you think you are capable of accurate shooting. I was plinking at rocks @300 yards away with hand loads, found at 7 power and a bi-pod it was quite easy to blast out 10 accurate rounds once I found the hold-over (less than two rounds) with one of the aiming points on the reticle.
With any of the three you mentioned, I'm sure you will get a a quality optic. Based upon what I've seen in the VX-R, I would say go with the Leupold. I have my scope mounted on a set of Vortex scope mounts and pleased with the lines and secure fit it has with the scope.
http://www.leupold.c...ncludes-metric/
#4
Posted 24 March 2013 - 05:15 PM
I've pretty much settled on the Leupold. Now I just need to sell my 511 and magnifier to cover the cost.
The weight was a big determining factor on the choice. At only 9oz and change it is by far the lightest in its class that I have seen.
The weight was a big determining factor on the choice. At only 9oz and change it is by far the lightest in its class that I have seen.
#5
Posted 26 March 2013 - 01:34 PM
Burris Tac30
Great glass for the dough, true 1X on the bottom end for both eyes open use, nuclear bright illumination, and extremely useful BDC, and it's survived my abuse thus far.
Tac30 was my choice when I was looking for a 1-4, and I'm damn glad I made that call.
Great glass for the dough, true 1X on the bottom end for both eyes open use, nuclear bright illumination, and extremely useful BDC, and it's survived my abuse thus far.
Tac30 was my choice when I was looking for a 1-4, and I'm damn glad I made that call.
#6
Posted 26 March 2013 - 06:36 PM
I looked at a Tac30 this weekend and was impressed. The glass was very clear and if you have an astigmatism I don't think you will be affected because the reticle just illuminates black reticle(is that right Berd?) when it is turned on. I didn't notice any problems with it like I do with an Aimpoint dot. I think the next rifle I get will have the Tac30 on it.
#7
Posted 27 March 2013 - 11:25 AM
I inherited the tAC 30 on a rifle I bought and while it is an OK scope I'd much rather have the Leupy.
#8
Posted 27 March 2013 - 03:14 PM
I looked at a Tac30 this weekend and was impressed. The glass was very clear and if you have an astigmatism I don't think you will be affected because the reticle just illuminates black reticle(is that right Berd?) when it is turned on. I didn't notice any problems with it like I do with an Aimpoint dot. I think the next rifle I get will have the Tac30 on it.
Yep, reticle is black when the illumination isn't turned on.
I inherited the tAC 30 on a rifle I bought and while it is an OK scope I'd much rather have the Leupy.
And why is that?
#9
Posted 27 March 2013 - 04:06 PM
So I wonder with the reticle turned on to red if I would have the "blooming" problem I have with Aimpoints and Eotechs.
Does anyone have experience with Leupold's FireDot SPR reticle, specifically?
Does anyone have experience with Leupold's FireDot SPR reticle, specifically?
#10
Posted 29 March 2013 - 05:58 PM
Yep, reticle is black when the illumination isn't turned on.
And why is that?
I really do not like the thick outer circle and Maltese cross reticle. I would rather have a simple reticle like the one found on the Millet DSM-1. I find it much easier to shoot accurately out to 200 yards. Just a personal preference I guess.
#11
Posted 29 March 2013 - 06:07 PM
I ended up ordering the Leupold with the FireDot SPR reticle. I really like that reticle. Seems like its a good compromise of both something for close up and for distance. I've also shot several of Kevin's rifles that have Leupolds and was always impressed by the glass.
#12
Posted 30 March 2013 - 06:30 AM
A wise choice Brian. I've got several Leupolds I've purchased over the years and have never had a reason to be dissatisfied with any of them.
#13
Posted 04 April 2013 - 04:11 PM
Got the scope on Tuesday. I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet but very happy I went with the Leupold. The glass is super clear and bright. Also its shorter and lighter than the rest of the similarly priced 1-4x scopes out there. It weighs a little over half of what the Burris weight.
I'm also pretty impressed with the SWFA S.S.A.L.T. mount. Sturdy, well built, looks good, comes with 1" inserts and is about the price of a Primary Arms mount.
All I have is a crappy cell phone, but it will have to do for now.
I'm also pretty impressed with the SWFA S.S.A.L.T. mount. Sturdy, well built, looks good, comes with 1" inserts and is about the price of a Primary Arms mount.
All I have is a crappy cell phone, but it will have to do for now.
#14
Posted 04 April 2013 - 04:16 PM
Nice.
#15
Posted 11 April 2013 - 05:36 PM
Better pic:
#16
Posted 13 April 2013 - 07:07 AM
Cantilever mounts sure look odd, don't they?
#17
Posted 13 April 2013 - 08:55 AM
They do take some getting used to. But I've come to like them bunch better than rings.
#18
Posted 13 April 2013 - 10:12 AM
Why is that Brian?
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