MR762.....AR Noob/Rookie/Poser Needs Help...Have mercy

Unfortunately at this time, I don't feel that S&B offers a scope to bridge the middle ground that guns like this, the LMT MWS, and the KAC EMC stand on. Many will tell you the 1-8x is the way to go, but S&B has yet to release theirs. And since, I recently found some of my own threads referencing the S&B 1-8x release date over 2 years ago, I wouldn't bother waiting a minute longer. It is rivaling the MR556 in terms of anticipation and disappointment in those regards. Those that have actually demoed this scope all say the same thing: "it's good, but $3k is absurd for an 8x optic, and it excels below 4x, so why not the 1-4x." These were sentiments from Frank Galli who made the video below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxHWCDP2msE

and the thread:
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2662626&page=1

Personally, I would take a good look at Nightforce's 2.5-10x32mm offering. NF's are an excellent balance of quality and affordability. They are basically a no-frills, no-BS line of scopes. The offering I mention above gives a fair amount of magnification, in a relatively compact size at an affordable price. I would start looking here:
Nightforce NXS 2.5-10x32 Rifle Scopes for Sale! - EuroOptic.com

As for the mount, Larue, ADM, GDI, Bobro are all top notch

For a bipod, the Atlas is the standard in the tactical precision world. Unfortunately, they are pricey but are worth it. The one on my AI AW with the spigot adapter is so robust, i'm fairly certain you could beat a man to with it and not break it.
http://www.accu-shot.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=24&products_id=66

My belief is that you, as a new rifle shooter, should learn your weapons system before you worry about blowing a boatload of cash on optics that you don't know will necessarily be "right" for you.

My suggestion is to go with a cheaper (as in cheaper the the S&B type "super optics" currently being pimped in this thread already) and learn your gun with an optic that is capable of reflecing the rifles capabilities and also allows you to properly gauge your personal abilities.

I would suggest you start out with a good fixed 10x optic such as Leupold 10x40 Mark 4 LR/T 30mm Riflescope, and make sure that you can practice until your performance is up to par with the rifle.

After you perfect the fundamentals of marksmanship on the rifle and have developed an idea of the pros and cons of the fixed power optic, which ranges you like to shoot at, which ranges you would like to stretch out to and have an understanding of what is needed to do so, then I would suggest looking at different optics such as the ones already talked about in this thread. It'll be easier to understand the capabilities that have been discussed so far, and even better, you'll understand if those capabilities match what you want to be able to do.

If you do decide to move on to a different optic, you'll have no problem recouping a fair amount of your money in the scope I linked to (assuming that you took care of it), and you'll be much more prepared for what comes next. There's also a chance that you'll love the fixed power optic and keep it. And if you find out that you really aren't as interested in this kind of shooting as you hoped you'd be, you won't be out a boatload of cash on your optic as well as your rifle.

Start small, learn your gun, your optic, and more importantly yourself, then use your knowledge and experience to take the next step. It's better then jumping all the way in on the first try and finding out that everything is FUBAR.

I'm just going to come out and say this before we get overwhelmed with Leupold suggestions. Only now with the introduction Mk 8 scopes are those in the precision shooting community saying that Leupold is regaining some of the ground it has lost for itself over the last 10 years or so. Sliding quality standards and their debated place of manufacture are only the tip of the iceberg. I have only owned 3 Leuplds (1 varmint, MRT 2.5-8x, LRT 3.5-10x). A friend of mine has the varmint scope and he has recently experienced problems holding his zero. The MRT had a canted reticle. The LRT adjustment dials had tracking issues past 10 MOA. So that's 3 scopes, 3 different problems. I called Leupold directly in regards to the reticle on the MRT and was advised that there is a certain acceptable degree of error. My issues were not isolated either. A quick search for Leupold failures will yield similar results. I'm sure this will generate responses like what is being seen on that 1911 where someone posts to defend their brand: "Well MY (brand X) had run perfectly for (Y) round count/time period" Whether you believe me or not, you can not deny that Nightforce or US Optics at nearly the same price points are getting these negative responses.

Leupold has also been a day late and a dollar short on nearly every innovation in the tactical precision scope arena. For example, it wasn't until this last year that they got in on the 34mm tubes. It was 2010 before they began offering mil adjustments. And it was '08 or '09 before they offered first focal plane options. They are behind by decade or more on ALL these innovations. That's pretty sad for an "industry leader". At this stage in the game, if I have the money to spend, why wouldn't I buy a S&B or Hensoldt if I have that kind of coin. If not that...Nightforce.


Grumpy has also pointed out the paradox of precision rifle gear. When you're starting out, you want decent equipment to learn on. This usually means spending a decent amount of money. It does you no justice to have cheap/undependable equipment that causes you to loose confidence in yourself and your gear. As you grow and advance as a shooter, you begin to develop your own tastes and preferences (reticles, adjustments, etc)...your palate if you will. Unfortunately, you don't know yet and none of us can tell you; we can only offer up what experiences have/haven't worked for us. If you're thinking of just buying trying and selling, be prepared to take a loss. With the exception of S&B's, I have taken AT LEAST a 20% hit on resale (some were even unused) with Leupolds, Premiers, Swarovskis, Elcans, and commercial Zeiss.


I will also warn you that the precision semi auto guns (namely AR/SR platform) offers a challenge even to experienced precision shooters. You are dealing with less forgiving ergonomics and now 3 separate recoil impulses rather than the single (recoil) impulse of a bolt gun. Thus, your fundamentals are even more critical.

Real life is not 'Modern Warfare 3' where adding a suppressor to your gun reduces range. I have a 15 year old son and suppressors so I know these things (I play MW3 with my boy and I shoot my guns suppressed).....

I terms of range, no suppressor affects the velocity of the round to either degrade range or increase it. Bullet performance will be the same regarding velocity and there is a good chance that the rifle will actually be more accurate as suppressors have been known in many cases to increase accuracy.

There are different theories as to why this is. Some think it's because the extra weight on the end of the barrel reduces barrel harmonics and some think it's because the suppressor causes the escaping propelant gasses to be equalized around the bullet in the suppressor thusly causing less deviation in flight after exiting the barrel.

Regardless, it won't affect your range, although you will probably have to re-zero as suppressors are known to shift your POA/POI. Once you take the suppressor off though, it will return to original POA/POI. In essence, you'll have two zeros for the rifle, one unsuppressed, and one suppressed.