Tactical Scopes for AR15
The AR15 is one of those rifles you absolutely must own as a hunting/shooting enthusiast. It is a lightweight, powerful, and easy-to-customize rifle that can easily hit up to 120 yards without a sight. If you marry this with an excellent scope, you get to easily hit 500 yards and over. You probably do not want to hit that far, however, it is great to know you can hit that distance with enough practice and a great scope. Tactical scopes for AR15 make it possible for you to hit your target with the first shot. But which tactical scopes are the best in the market?
Here is a comparison table
| PRODUCT | IMAGE | MAGNIFICATION | OBJECTIVE LENS | PRICE |
| #1) Vortex Optics Crossfire II Adjustable Objective |  |
4-12X | 40mm | |
| #2) Athlon Optics Talos 6-24×50 Second Focal Plane Riflescopes |  |
6-24X | 50mm | |
| #3) UTG 3-9X32 1″ BugBuster Scope |  |
3-9X | 32mm | |
| #4) Primary Arms SLX 1-8x24FFP Rifle Scope – Illuminated ACSS |  |
1-8X | 24mm | |
| #5) Vortex Optics Viper PST Gen II Second Focal Plane Riflescopes |  |
3-15X | 44mm |
Features of The Best Tactical Scopes for AR15
As earlier mentioned, tactical rifle scopes are great when the importance of hitting your target with the first shot is higher than pinpoint accuracy. They also offer the option of estimating range or changing the aim point in the reticle to account for bullet drop or wind drift.
These scopes usually come with the following characteristics:
- More often than not they come with the FFP reticle
- Maximum magnification from 12x to 30x
- Minimum magnification from 1x to 6x
- Uncapped tactical turrets
- Click values are bigger – 1cm/100m
- Tactical reticles
Advantages of Tactical Scopes for AR15
- Hitting the target with the first shot- If you invest in a great tactical scope for your AR15 and practice enough, the chances of hitting your shot with your first shot are high.
- Easy to use- Tactical scopes are relatively easy to use even for beginners
- They pair well with AR15s
- Accuracy is improved- You significantly improve your accuracy by getting a tactical scope
- Extended distances- You easily hit targets from extended distances
What Magnification is Needed for Tactical Scopes for AR15?
What magnification do you need? well, this depends on the purpose of the scope.
Close range<150 yards– If you want a tactical scope for hunting at close range say for hunting small game then 1-4 magnification power is ideal. However, for this kind of range, a red dot would be ideal. Red dots are great at this range especially for close quarters battle (CQB) or even self-defense.
See reviews: Best Red Dot for AR Pistol. 7 Best Red Dots For AR Pistols
Best Red Dot Sight for Glock 43x
Medium range- 150-400yards– This is the most common hunting range. It is the ideal range for hunting coyotes or foxes. 5-9x magnification will work for this kind of range.
Long-range- 500 yards and over– Even though the AR15 is not built for this kind of range, pairing it with a great tactical scope might just have you hitting targets beyond 500 yards.
A scope with 9x and above magnification power is ideal for this range.
Tactical Scopes for AR15 Reviews
#1) Vortex Optics Crossfire II Adjustable Objective
Vortex scopes have a reputation for being high quality and delivering results. As one of the best tactical scopes for AR15, the Vortex Optics Crossfire II is a very popular scope. It comes in different sizes but with the same high quality across the board. It is fitted with an adjustable objective that is ideal for eliminating parallax and focusing on images. Long eye relief and a forgiving box ensure you quickly acquire your target all the while protecting your eye from getting the scope eye. A fast-focus eyepiece is also fitted for quick and easy reticle focusing. This scope also comes with finger adjustable capped reset turrets that are easy and quick to adjust and can be reset to zero. Key Features
Why you should consider buying it- This scope comes with the Dead-hold BDC reticle that is ideal for shooting at different ranges especially where holdover estimation is a point of concern. The lenses are also fully multi-coated for clearer and brighter views.
|
#2) Athlon Optics Talos 6-24×50 Second Focal Plane Riflescopes
With a 50 mm objective diameter, this is one of the best tactical scopes for AR15. It comes in two different types of reticles, the BDC 600 IR and the ATMR1 SFP IR MIL. The AMR1 MIL reticle is ideal for shooting competitions and range shooting. It comes with a tailor-made hashmark design that is ideal for eliminating guesswork when windage and holdover adjustments are a concern. The reticle is also illuminated which is great for low light conditions. The BDC reticle, on the other hand, delivers on a high precision level, especially when shooting at long-range targets. Both of these scopes come with a one-piece tube that is heat-treated for additional strength. The one-piece tube is also great at ensuring moisture is kept out which makes the scop for proof. Additionally, the scopes are nitrogen purged to make them water and fog-proof. Fitted with fully multi-coated lenses, the scopes deliver bright images with minimal color distortion. Key Features
Why you should consider buying it- It is a reasonably priced tactical scope with high-end features. |
#3) UTG 3-9X32 1″ BugBuster Scope
If you are on a tight budget, get this scope for your AR15. It is completely nitrogen-filled for fog-proof abilities delivering the maximum reliability it can in different environments. It comes built on a strong platform and is fitted with the smart spherical structure design that provides reliability while making elevation and windage adjustments. The resettable lockable turrets deliver consistent, crisp, and precise elevation and windage adjustments. The re-setting and locking abilities are important for true zeroing. This UTG scope comes with green and red reticle illumination that allows usage even in low lighting conditions. Key Features
Why you should consider buying it– This UTG scope is budget-friendly and comes with a powerful reticle. It is also built on a strong platform. |
#4) Primary Arms SLX 1-8x24FFP Rifle Scope – Illuminated ACSS
As one of the best tactical scopes for AR15, this low-power variable optic comes with everything you need from a tactical scope. A fast-focus eyepiece, capped finger adjustable turrets are some of the features you will love about this scope. This scope comes with the first focal plane construction which allows for the use of a small red-dot style reticle at low magnification for fast close quarter targets without necessarily giving up on the accuracy and features of the acclaimed Advanced Combined Sighting System when magnification is brought up. This reticle is excellent for close to mid-range targets. The reticle also comes with 11 brightness settings so you can easily see your target at any time. What’s more, the scope is fitted with fully multi-coated lenses that deliver pristine views of the target. Key Features
Why you should consider buying it– The ACSS Raptor reticle is an outstanding reticle that performs well in both low magnification and high magnification. The scope is also durable as it has fog proof and waterproof abilities.
|
#5) Vortex Optics Viper PST Gen II Second Focal Plane Riflescopes
The last one on our tactical scopes for AR15 review is the Vortex Viper PST Gen II. The fact that it is the last one does not in any way speak on its quality, as a matter of fact, this scope is a very high-quality scope from one of the leading optic manufactures. It comes with laser-etched turrets, RZR zero stop, and a fiber optic rotation indicator that makes it easy for you to track the position of your turrets easily. The highly intuitive, uncluttered reticle delivers comprehensive hold points which ensures you get optimal viewing. What’s more, it comes with 10 intensity levels. As with most high-quality Vortex scopes, this scope comes with extra-low dispersion glass that is responsible for increasing color fidelity and resolution. XR fully multi-coated lenses are also fitted to increase the transmission of light. The lenses are also coated with armortek coatings for protecting the lenses from dirt, scratches, and oil. To ensure this scope serves you for a long time to come, this scope comes with a strong platform made from aircraft-grade aluminum and it is also argon purged and o-ring sealed for waterproof and fog proof capabilities. Key features
Why you should consider buying it– This scope is from a leading optics brand that is known for its high-quality products. It also comes with premium glass and XR fully multi-coated lenses that deliver high-quality images. The tactical-style turrets are ideal for quick and easy adjustments. They are also very reliable |
Why You Need Tactical Scopes for AR15
The AR15 is a very popular rifle for a number of reasons. For starters, it is ideal for beginners who want an easy-to-shoot, low-recoil, and lightweight rifle. If you happen to get a well-constructed one, you will love the accuracy it comes with.
Why do you need a scope for this rifle? well, a great optic that marries well with your rifle means, enhanced accuracy, faster target acquisition, and minimal effort. It can also effectively extend your shooting range by several hundred yards especially if you want to hit smaller targets at extended distances.
Factors To Consider When Choosing the Best Tactical Scopes for AR15
There are several factors you should consider when looking for a tactical ar15 scope.
Glass quality– Glass quality has an impact on your accuracy. You simply cannot hit the target if you cannot see it clearly (unless you are really lucky). For you to not depend on luck, you should get a scope with good glass quality. You might get a scope with really great magnification but poor glass quality affects your aim. The best tactical scopes for AR15 come with coated lenses that greatly improve the sharpness of the picture. Leading scope manufacturers go a step further and multi-coat their lenses with different coatings for better light transmission hence clearer images.
High-end scopes come with ultra-low dispersion glass that works well even in low light conditions. However, if you do most of your shooting after dark, then a night vision scope would be ideal.
Construction– The best tactical scopes for AR15 are made using high-quality materials for durability. They are also water and fog-proof allowing you to use them in harsh weather conditions. Additionally, they are shockproof. Shockproof scopes are able to withstand heavy recoil which means you can comfortably use your scope almost immediately.
Magnification– As earlier discussed, the magnification you choose should be guided by your specific needs. Get a tactical scope that will suit your needs to avoid wasting money on an optic you will not use. What you will need to remember is some scopes for long-range shooting are expensive and heavier depending on the brand.
Reticle– Excellent tactical scopes for AR15 come with reticles that adjust quickly adjust to wind movent and BDC- Bullet Drop Compensation. What’s more, manufacturers have started offering illuminated reticles for easier shooting in low lighting conditions.
Price- Scope prices vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and so does the quality. Some scopes in the same price range come with better qualities than others. Luckily, the market has scopes for almost every price range with the difference showing in the quality. From scopes under $50 to scope going for over $3000. If you are on a shoe-string budget, you can choose a cheaper tactical scope as you wait to invest in a higher quality scope.
Conclusion
A great tactical scope is an excellent investment. It improves your accuracy, precision, and ability to shoot at long ranges We have reviewed the best tactical scopes for AR15 to help you get the best one that suits your needs.
Happy shooting!