Recommendations for AR-Tac competition optic?

[cavedweller60]

Hey all, Wanting to try NRA AR-T competition. Does anyone have any recommendations for optics? A buddy uses the NF SHV but, I would like to get a scope with the full 15X magnification. I know that 1X won't make much difference but, if it's allowed, I might as well use it. There doesn't seem to be many large objective 15X scopes out there.

 

[Andy Legg]

At the moment….I would exercise caution when buying a scope for NRA AR-Tactical.

This past summer at the NRA Mid-Range Nationals (Camp Atterbury) AR-Tactical competitors were allowed to “Dial-Down and Tape” their scope to 15x or less.

Note: While different for the NRA Rules, the CMP High Power Rules for AR-Tactical allow for up to 16x and also specifically allow for scopes to be dialed down and taped. Another notable difference in the CMP Rules for AR-Tactical is the use of up to a 22” Barrel (CMP Shoots AR-Tactical at Mid-Range and at Long Range…..the NRA only hold the matches at Mid-Range Distances).

Based on this I am hopeful the NRA 2025 High Power Rules will reflect such going forward. If this is the case then your options will open up quite a bit.

Honestly, we (my two son’s and myself) have been using SWFA 10x and 12x Fixed Power or Primary Arms 4-14 Variable Power scope with good results. Of course there are much better scopes out there, but with 3 of us shooting (Ammo, Barrel and Travel Costs) it is difficult to justify the extra spend on higher cost optics. All said, if I had to have a 15x scope for the class I would likely purchase the SWFA 3-15.

What are the AR-Tactical guys shooting at your local club matches?

Also, notable at the NRA Mid-Range Nationals was the Use of Front and Rear Sandbags In the AR-Tactical. We have been shooting the class since 2018 and this was the first time to see this.

Good Luck,
Andy Legg

 

[cavedweller60]

At the moment….I would exercise caution when buying a scope for NRA AR-Tactical.

This past summer at the NRA Mid-Range Nationals (Camp Atterbury) AR-Tactical competitors were allowed to “Dial-Down and Tape” their scope to 15x or less.

Note: While different for the NRA Rules, the CMP High Power Rules for AR-Tactical allow for up to 16x and also specifically allow for scopes to be dialed down and taped. Another notable difference in the CMP Rules for AR-Tactical is the use of up to a 22” Barrel (CMP Shoots AR-Tactical at Mid-Range and at Long Range…..the NRA only hold the matches at Mid-Range Distances).

Based on this I am hopeful the NRA 2025 High Power Rules will reflect such going forward. If this is the case then your options will open up quite a bit.

Honestly, we (my two son’s and myself) have been using SWFA 10x and 12x Fixed Power or Primary Arms 4-14 Variable Power scope with good results. Of course there are much better scopes out there, but with 3 of us shooting (Ammo, Barrel and Travel Costs) it is difficult to justify the extra spend on higher cost optics. All said, if I had to have a 15x scope for the class I would likely purchase the SWFA 3-15.

What are the AR-Tactical guys shooting at your local club matches?

Also, notable at the NRA Mid-Range Nationals was the Use of Front and Rear Sandbags In the AR-Tactical. We have been shooting the class since 2018 and this was the first time to see this.

Good Luck,
Andy Legg

Thanks for the heads up. I used to shoot service rifle and, f-open but, it was before there was an AR-T class. I haven't been to a match yet so I don't really know what everyone is using. My buddy is urging me to give it a try and he is the one using the NF SHVs. As to the NRA coming in line with CMP, I'm not sure that will ever happen. It sounds like the NRA has made things even worse this year for the nationals and, in doing so, went farther away from CMP.

 

[Heman]

All my prone scopes have been Leupold, but since they went stupid with their lines trying to be Nightforce with their pricing and what they're offering I've started using Athlon scopes (I'm a dealer but also a dealer for Leupold). Have their Midas HD Tac 5-25 (they have a 4-16) on a 22LR match rifle and the clicks are true and glass is nice. Ran it on my full course match rifles and had not complaints. On my 260AI Prone rifle I went with their Aeres ETR with the UHD glass and that is really nice. The Aeres BTR has a 2.5-15X scope. Use there Helos BTR on the service rifles and the one on the LR upper has done well at 1k.

 

[cavedweller60]

All my prone scopes have been Leupold, but since they went stupid with their lines trying to be Nightforce with their pricing and what they're offering I've started using Athlon scopes (I'm a dealer but also a dealer for Leupold). Have their Midas HD Tac 5-25 (they have a 4-16) on a 22LR match rifle and the clicks are true and glass is nice. Ran it on my full course match rifles and had not complaints. On my 260AI Prone rifle I went with their Aeres ETR with the UHD glass and that is really nice. The Aeres BTR has a 2.5-15X scope. Use there Helos BTR on the service rifles and the one on the LR upper has done well at 1k.

I had considered the Ares BTR...how's the glass on it?

 

[Andy Legg]

Thanks for the heads up. I used to shoot service rifle and, f-open but, it was before there was an AR-T class. I haven't been to a match yet so I don't really know what everyone is using. My buddy is urging me to give it a try and he is the one using the NF SHVs. As to the NRA coming in line with CMP, I'm not sure that will ever happen. It sounds like the NRA has made things even worse this year for the nationals and, in doing so, went farther away from CMP.

Cavedweller60-

I hear you about the NRA. The message from competitors at the NRA Mid-Range Nationals was clear..….the NRA should return to Camp Perry in a support/sponsoring role to the CMP, but I‘m guessing the CMP may not we so willing to let the NRA return.

I would hate to see you buy a 15x scope just for the NRA Matches only to find out later dialing down is going to continue to be allowed. Heck, if they let folks continue to dial down you may already own a Great Scope that you could use. Based on how fluid the rules have been I would hesitate to spend too much.

At most club matches I believe you would be allowed to dial down or at least shoot Out of Competition (May be worth doing just to try out the class). I agree with your buddy, you should give it a try. After shooting F-Class…..the 4.5# Trigger will have you checking to see if you left the safety on compared to the F-Class Triggers (measured in ounces….not pounds).

Andy Legg

I

 

[cavedweller60]

Cavedweller60-

I hear you about the NRA. The message from competitors at the NRA Mid-Range Nationals was clear..….the NRA should return to Camp Perry in a support/sponsoring role to the CMP, but I‘m guessing the CMP may not we so willing to let the NRA return.

I would hate to see you buy a 15x scope just for the NRA Matches only to find out later dialing down is going to continue to be allowed. Heck, if they let folks continue to dial down you may already own a Great Scope that you could use. Based on how fluid the rules have been I would hesitate to spend too much.

At most club matches I believe you would be allowed to dial down or at least shoot Out of Competition (May be worth doing just to try out the class). I agree with your buddy, you should give it a try. After shooting F-Class…..the 4.5# Trigger will have you checking to see if you left the safety on compared to the F-Class Triggers (measured in ounces….not pounds).

Andy Legg

I

Any idea on when / if a decision is going to be announced?

 

[10XSHOOTER]

If you can dial down. the NightForce 5.5 X 22 with a 50 mm or 56 mm and MOA reticle would be a great choice

 

[Andy Legg]

Any idea on when / if a decision is going to be announced?

No idea…..hopefully there will be something in the NRA 2025 Highpower Rules.

Good Luck & See ya at the Range!

Andy Legg

 

[Andy Legg]

No idea…..hopefully there will be something in the NRA 2025 Highpower Rules.

Good Luck & See ya at the Range!

Andy Legg

Based on another post in this forum by John Sigler (User Name= DE-F-OPEN) it seems the NRA Highpower Committee may have convened on January 11th…..maybe we will hear something soon.

Andy Legg

 

[Herzo]

When the NRA first introduced the AR-TACTICAL class , the rule was 12X maximum. I bought an SWFA fixed 12X and have never seen a reason to change

 

[Heman]

I had considered the Ares BTR...how's the glass on it?

I haven't looked through one but the glass on the BTR is the HD glass that is on the Midas HDTac. I like the glass on the Midas HD tac.

 

[jwbarnes]

I use the Vortex PST Gen II 4-15 x44
Great scope

 

[LVLAaron]

^^ Viper PST II is what I used most of the time. Others I used a Golden Eagle dialed down and taped.

 

[rkj1313]

2nd the Vortex

 

[323]

My daughter uses a swfa 6x to get her Master I use a swfa 10x to get my master. But nowadays only shoot AR tactical just to keep our classification. But sounds like things are changing.

 

[Tireguy]

https://www.eurooptic.com/nightforce-nxs-35-15x50-zero-stop-moar-c429

 

[JLT]

I have a Midas HD Tac and a roll of tape . . .

 

[karrarararararar]

Rules were officially amended this year to allow 16x

 

[cavedweller60]

^^ Viper PST II is what I used most of the time. Others I used a Golden Eagle dialed down and taped.

It would be nice if NRA allowed it. I emailed and asked them about taping and essentially was told "yeah, we know CMP allows that, we don't". It helps that they amended the rules to allow 16X now...there are a lot more choices available.