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The right scope can increase the range of your AR-10 and give you more precision, no matter the caliber. It’s also a valuable tool in situations where a reticle can help with limited visibility. Read on to learn more about AR-10 scopes and for our recommendations.
At A Glance: Our Top Picks For best scope for ar 10
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The AR-10 is a versatile rifle, but its range is a possible limitation until you upgrade it with a scope. Without a scope, you can expect to get accurate results up to 200 yards or even 400 yards for experienced shooters.
You can easily extend the accuracy of your AR-10 in the 200 to 600 yards range with affordable optics. A mid-range scope will also give you better visibility and improve your accuracy with a reticle for target practice.
A scope with magnification can significantly increase the range of your AR-10. This rifle is a powerful firearm, and you’ll get even more out of it with the right optics accessory. It’s possible to get accurate results up to 1,000 yards with the right long-range scope.
The AR-10 is a popular option for big game hunting because it can accomodate larger size cartridges when compared to the AR-15. A scope is a must-have accessory so you can shoot from a safe distance.
There are a few things to consider when comparing scopes for your AR-10.
Look for a scope that is compatible with the rail mount you have on your AR-10. You can also use scope rings or a one-piece mount as an alternative. However, rail mounts provide you with a little extra elevation, which comes in handy for long-range shooting.
You can find scopes with a 1-4x magnification at a very affordable price. This degree of magnification will improve your performance in the 200 to 400-yard range.
You can find scopes with a higher magnification, which is best for long-range shooting and big game hunting. Look for a scope with a magnification of 40x for deer hunting.
The scope you select should also come with precise controls that you can lock. You should also consider whether you want a first focal plane or second focal plane scope. With a first focal plane scope, the size of the reticle will change as you adjust the magnification.
The lens diameter of a scope is an important consideration. The large it is, the more light it lets in. A scope with a larger diameter will add weight to your build, but it will provide better visibility in low-light conditions.
A good scope should use a durable design. It’s an accessory that you will expose to shocks, vibrations, recoil, humidity, dust, and more.
Look for manufacturers who use coatings to preserve the optics performance, and make sure they use a waterproof and fog-proof treatment.
The following products are the best scopes we recommend for an AR-10 rifle. We selected them because they come from reliable manufacturers who offer quality products. You’ll find different features and specs so you can select the best scope for your needs.
This scope has received excellent reviews. People say it’s ideal for a budget build, and they love the value. The quality of the glass, the range, and the precision of the parallax adjustments make this scope a great buy.
We think this scope is one of the best investments that you could make to upgrade your AR-10. It has a durable aluminum construction, and the one-piece design of the tube protects the moving parts from damage.
It’s a first focal plane scope with an illuminated reticle that provides excellent visibility. The manufacturer etches the reticle onto the glass, a feature that preserves the integrity of the reticle even if it sustains recoil.
This scope features a reliable waterproof and fog-proof design, and the manufacturer uses an argon treatment to eliminate any moisture before sealing the scope.
This first focal plane scope is a versatile and durable option available at an affordable price. It lacks some advanced features like zero stops, but the controls are easy to master, and the performance is outstanding in this price range.
Some buyers say the reticle is too small and report a slight fisheye effect. Otherwise, a majority of buyers love this scope because of the quality of the tube and the clear glass. Reviewers often mention the precision of the adjustments and the brightness of the illuminated feature.
Primary Arms uses a proprietary reticle system that increases your accuracy in the 300 to 800-yard range, besides allowing for fast target acquisition at a short and medium range. This reticle system compensates for bullet drop and other factors to increase your precision.
It’s a second focal plane scope that uses a red LED reticle. You can get up to 3.5” of eye relief, which is sufficient for accommodating the recoil of an AR-10.
We like the durable construction of this scope. The manufacturer uses nitrogen to purge the tube and also applies multiple coatings to deliver quality optics.
The low-profile turrets are noteworthy. They’re very easy to adjust and won’t get in the way.
This scope is an excellent choice if you’re after accuracy and fast target acquisition. The second focal plane design means you won’t have to adjust to a reticle that changes size, and the proprietary reticle system that compensates for bullet drop and windage adds value to the scope.
This affordable scope has received many positive reviews. People recommend it as an entry-level rifle scope. Overall, buyers are happy with the magnification, clarity, and brightness of the scope.
You can upgrade your AR-10 on a budget with this sleek-looking aluminum scope. It delivers an impressive magnification range from 4x to 14x, which is ideal for short and medium-range applications.
The 30mm lens lets in plenty of light and makes the scope versatile. The scope features a mil-dot reticle so you can target small objects with precision. The turrets use 0.1 mil adjustments and come with a zero-rest feature.
You’ll also find side parallax adjustments. They allow you to eliminate parallax when adjusting the reticle.
It’s a first focal plane scope that provides a 27.2 feet field of view at 100 yards, which is impressive for the price range.
The scope is the perfect budget accessory for your AR-10 with its quality optics, magnification range, mil-dot reticle, and zero-reset turrets.
Buyers are typically happy about the performance of this scope and feel that it’s a good buy. They recommend it for shooting up to 600 yards. Reviewers like the quality finish on the tube and the bright illumination.
This reliable and versatile scope from Vortex is an ideal choice of close and mid-range applications.
It’s a second focal plane scope with a 24mm lens, which is narrower than what you can find on some other scopes, but it helps keep the weight of the scope down at around 17 ounces.
You can adjust the magnification from 1x to 8x. The glass is clear, and Vortex uses a special treatment to achieve low dispersion and preserve true colors.
The illuminated reticle shines bright and is instantly noticeable. It’s a convenient feature when shooting in low-light conditions. This scope can withstand a wide range of environments thanks to its waterproof, shockproof, and fog-proof design.
This scope isn’t the cheapest product on our list, but it delivers impressive performance for its price point. We like the sturdy construction, the quality of the topics, and the versatile magnification range.
Buyers love the sturdy design of this scope. Most reviews report that the illumination is bright and that the glass looks clear. People also say that the dials are easy to set. Some reviews mention a few drawbacks, such as the size of the scope.
We recommend this scope for medium and long-range applications. The magnification of 3x to 15x gives you precision for long-range targets.
It’s a nitrogen-filled first focal plane scope with a durable design. The ring mount feature is ideal if you don’t want to use rails to add accessories to your AR-10 and keep the weight of your build down.
You’ll get up to 4.2” of eye relief, which is more than most rifle scopes. It’s ideal for accommodating the longer design of the scope at 13” in length.
The low-profile turrets have a zero stop feature, and they come with textured indentations so you can adjust them without looking. The ¼ MOA adjustments allow you to be as precise as you need to be, and you’ll also find side parallax adjustments.
The scope comes with a sunshade, a simple accessory that adds value.
We like this 3-15x scope because it’s a versatile option for medium and long-range shooting. The scope is bulkier than other accessories, but the glass clarity and low-profile turrets make it a great option.
Optics accessories are an investment that should last for years. Here’s why you need to select a quality scope for your AR-10.
The AR-10 is a rifle with an excellent range, but you can’t use that full range unless you have the right optics accessories to get the visibility you need to acquire a long-range target.
With a quality scope, you’ll get a wide lens diameter that lets in plenty of light and a multi coated glass that preserves colors and enhances luminosity to help you see clearly.
One of the reasons why the AR-10 is a popular firearm is that the recoil is easy to manage. However, any amount of recoil can become an issue for fragile optics accessories since it can affect small moving parts.
It’s crucial to invest in a durable scope with a sturdy tube that can absorb shocks and vibrations.
There are situations where acquiring your target can be challenging. There might not be enough light to see the target clearly, or your reticle might blend in with its surroundings.
A quality scope should have an illuminated reticle or a reticle design that clearly stands out. The reticle should immediately draw your eye to help you aim faster.
Quality optics and a durable construction are the two key things to look for when choosing a scope for your AR-10. Specs like the magnification, size, or lens diameter can vary depending on what you want to use the scope for.
We recommend the Athlon Optics Argos BTR 6-24x50mm Side Focus Riflescope as our top pick because of its durable one-piece tube design and etched reticle.
Still have questions about AR-10s and optics? Keep reading for some common questions and answers.
In theory, you can shoot your AR-10 with accuracy of up to 600 yards. However, results might be inconsistent after 300 yards if you lack experience. You can extend the range of your AR-10 up to 1,000 yards with a good scope.
It depends on the size of your target. You can hit a fairly large target without any magnification at this range, but you’ll get better results with a 3x or 4x scope for a small target.
Joseph Fox writes on a variety of topics ranging from reloading ammunition to gun cleaning. He has been featured on various publications like thetruthaboutguns, Sofrep & many more. Joseph is also the founder of Gunloading, where he reviews different types of reloading & firearm products available on the market.
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