People who are familiar with the AR15 know that its ancestor rifle was the AR10. And it’s now that this battle rifle is achieving the long due commercial success.
Thanks to the widespread use of the .308 chambered version of the AR10 rifle. This is why hunters and shooters are constantly on the lookout for the best scopes for AR10.
The AR10 rifles have now become extremely popular. And this means that they need groundbreaking optics to deliver maximum performance.
So what we’ve done is rounded up a list of the seven best AR10 scopes of all time. Our team of researchers has spent several hours examining and testing these options. This way we know what we’re talking about and you know what to pick. So let’s get started!
Quick Comparison: Top 7 Best Scopes for AR10
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* Below, you’ll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see customer reviews and current prices on Amazon.com
The Best Scopes for AR10
The thing about scopes is that they need to live up to our high expectations. This means they that should have a high-quality construction and offer the best functionality. And these are factors you don’t need to worry about if you select any one of the seven models discussed below.
1.UTG 3-12X44 30mm Compact Scope – The Best Budget-Friendly Scope for AR10
Zeroing down on the target and holding on to the zero are the two important functions of a riflescope. And the UTG 3-12X44 30mm Compact Scope ranks the highest on both factors. So you don’t need to doubt the efficiency of these best scopes for AR10 due to the small price tag.
Now let’s talk about performance. The scope does an excellent job of delivering utmost accuracy and clear visibility on the field. The 30mm compact tube has nitrogen filling, which means it’s suitable for all weather conditions. It holds true even in foggy settings or during nasty recoil.
Another great feature is the objective lens that offers maximum visibility under low light. And to make things even better, the manufacturer has added the EZ-TAP IE (Illumination Enhancing) system. What this does is enhance the visibility further.
So it comes as a surprise when you find out that the scope’s windage and elevation adjustments don’t work correctly. But the special housing and circuit design make up for the flaw. Thanks to these features, you can now prevent any illumination loss even at the time of heavy recoil.
We Like
- The zero locking and resetting features offer consistent accuracy for distant targets.
- The brightness of the reticle is perfect.
- Zeroing and sighting in the scope are easy tasks.
We Don’t Like
- The windage and elevation adjustments are weak.
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Leapers/UTG Operators Manual – Zeroing Your Scope
2. Nikon ProStaff 4-12 x 40 Black Matte Riflescope – The Best Versatile Scope for AR10
Nikon is a brand known to manufacture high-quality products for hunters, target shooters, photographers, etc. So we know what to expect from the Nikon ProStaff 4-12 x 40 Black Matte Riflescope.
The best part about the device is that it has an aluminum and polymer construction. Such a build offers durability and weather resistance. The images the scope produces are crisp and crystal clear.
Also, the BDC reticle plays an important role in enhancing the performance of the scope. It consists of unique transparent circles that enable you to achieve maximum accuracy even at a range of 650 yards.
The multicoated lens provides 98% light transmission. This makes the scope suitable for hunting during dusk or dawn. And let’s not forget the zero reset-equipped turrets. So you don’t need to go through the trouble of taking off the screw to reset the turret manually.
So what’s the problem? Well, it’s the short eye relief. But nevertheless, this particular feature fulfills its duty by providing the much-needed protection against serious recoil.
We Like
- The excellent reticle adjustments offer ultimate precision.
- The scope provides sharp viewing even at maximum power settings.
We Don’t Like
- Short eye relief.
- The crosshairs reticle is too thick.
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Nikon video – Sighting in your Riflescope
3. Bushnell Optics 1-4x 24mm Throw Down PCL FFP Illuminated BTR – The Best High-Quality Scope for AR10 (Our Top Choice)
When it comes to Bushnell, there’s no shadow of doubt about its quality and reliability. And the Bushnell Optics 1-4x 24mm Throw Down PCL FFP Illuminated BTR is no different.
The scope has a sturdy aluminum alloy design that is lightweight yet durable. Plus, it also comes with a tight seal to prevent external elements from entering.
The phenomenal multicoated lens enhances light transmission, thus producing high-quality images. This means that you can use the scope even in low light settings.
For accuracy, you can depend on the first focal plane of the scope. You will also be glad to know that the BDC reticle stays constant irrespective of the magnification.
The most impressive aspect of the scope is its target turrets. They go a long way to delivering incredible precision. And it’s these turrets only that constitute a major drawback.
You can’t lock the turrets. But the brand has made up for the downside by providing them with the positive click value. This helps in preventing accidental changes.
We Like
- The BTR-1 reticle offers maximum brightness even on a sunny day.
- The scope comes with a throw down lever to enable quick power changes.
- The unit is incredibly light in weight.
We Don’t Like
- The target turrets aren’t lockable.
- The scope lacks precise adjustments.
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4. Vortex Optics Diamondback 4-12×40 Dead-Hold BDC Reticle – The Best Fast Focus Scope for AR10
There are many reasons why these scopes for AR10 give you the opportunity to focus quickly when on the field. We’ll get to those features eventually. But first, let’s talk about the construction of the Vortex Optics Diamondback 4-12×40 Dead-Hold BDC Reticle. It has an aircraft-quality aluminum body that prevents magnum recoil.
The sharp clarity is what you might fall in love with as soon as you mount the scope on your rifle. The images are sharp and crystal clear. The coating has anti-reflective properties, which means maximum light transmission. This is good news for dusk and dawn hunters.
Now let’s discuss the most important feature; fast reticle focusing. Locking down on the target is something that you can achieve in no time. And no amount of distance can change that. On top of that, resetting the turret is effective and easy.
So nothing can go wrong with the scope except for one thing. The crosshairs reticle tends to get fuzzy when using high settings. But apart from that, the scope is pretty clear and bright.
We Like
- The sturdy O-ring seals keep the scope weather proof.
- Reticle focusing is fast and easy.
We Don’t Like
- The crosshairs reticle is not clear enough on high power.
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How To Use the Vortex Dead-Hold BDC Reticle?
5. Leupold 113769 VX-R Patrol FireDot Illuminated Riflescope – The Best AR10 Scope for Military Purposes
Leupold is a brand that manufactures the most groundbreaking and reliable optics for law enforcement and military purposes.
And the Leupold 113769 VX-R Patrol FireDot Illuminated Riflescope is no exception. It houses the perfection combination of magnified optic and red dot. This red dot comes in the form of the unique FireDot reticle.
Even though the optic only has a 4x magnification range, the scope is solely created for an AR10 rifle. The body is light in weight and consists of large adjustment turrets. The eyepiece of these best scopes for AR10 offers fast focus. And we all know how valuable that is on the field, right?
What’s not to like about the Leupold 113769 VX-R Patrol FireDot Illuminated Riflescope is its low light transmission capacity. This makes the scope not suitable for hunting during dusk or dawn.
We Like
- The red dot reticle is illuminated.
- Windage and elevation adjustments of the scope are easy.
We Don’t Like
- Light transmission is limited.
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Leupold: Where is Your Scope Made?
6. Trijicon VCOG 1-6×24 Riflescope Ballistic Reticle – The Best Scopes for AR10 in Terms of Features and Power Options
The Trijicon VCOG 1-6×24 Riflescope provides you with plenty feature adjustments and power options. You will be glad to know that this product is from one of the most innovative combat rifle sight collections.
Now let’s discuss the exceptional features of the scope. Trijicon VCOG 1-6×24 Riflescope’s first focal plane is an incredibly useful component. What it does is allow the scope’s special ballistic reticle to function properly at whatever magnification.
To make the experience even better, the company has built the product with a high-quality lithium battery. The best part about the AA battery is that it offers a running time off as long as 700 hours.
You will also be quite impressed with the waterproof body of the scope. And when it comes to elevation and windage adjustments, they add more comfort and convenient to the whole experience.
The part that seems slightly odd is the 4-inch eye relief. Now we all know how short that is and how long it’s supposed to be, right?
We Like
- The strong build of the scope is suitable to withstand tough conditions.
- The turrets lock in once zeroed.
- The reticles are bright, crisp, and easy to spot.
We Don’t Like
- Short eye relief.
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The Trijicon 1-6×24 VCOG™
7. Nikon M-308 4-16x42mm Riflescope – The Best AR10 Scope for Fast Handling and Quick Shooting
Nikon doesn’t fail to surprise us with its phenomenal collection of riflescopes. And that’s how we know that the Nikon M-308 4-16x42mm Riflescope is one of the best. You will appreciate the multicoated lens and large size of the scope.
And do you know why? It’s because these two valuable features do an excellent job at gathering light to make shooting under low light settings easier.
The large heft of the scope is perfect to use with the .308 rifle. Plus, the whole thing is weather resistant and shockproof.
The scope consists of generous length eye relief and large eyepiece. Even when it comes to magnification, the capacity is large.
This magnification when paired with the BDC reticle makes the scope an ideal choice for AR10 pattern rifles. But there does seem to be a problem with the scope. Unlike most models on the market, this scope doesn’t come with a mount. You have to go through the trouble of buying it separately.
We Like
- The scope offers side focus suitable for long distance shooting.
- It holds zero even after many outings.
- Smooth adjustments with bright and clear images.
We Don’t Like
- Lack of scope mount.
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Nikon M-Series AR Riflescopes
AR10 Scopes BUYER’S GUIDE
The best AR10 scopes are ones that we normally use for the middle ground versions of centerfire rifles. When using a rifle for distances less than 700 yards, all you need is a medium magnification, quick handling, and lightweight scope.
The thing about .308 Winchester is that it’s suitable for a 700-yard range. Longer distances require the use of another type of a cartridge. So as long as the range is within 700 yards, you can opt for the scopes for AR10.
Now it’s time to discuss all the important factors you need to take into consideration during the buying process.
Weight and Size of AR10 Scopes
The AR rifle pattern balances itself pretty well. These types of rifles are lighter in weight even in the muzzle region, unlike the precision rifles for hunting.
But this doesn’t make them any less heavy than nine pounds, unloaded. They are comparatively lighter in weight, which means they’re still on the slightly heavier side. So you can’t select a huge, heavy-duty scope.
You don’t want to add more weight or mess with the balance of your rifle, right? So for AR10 rifles, it’s important to buy a scope that doesn’t weigh more than 20oz. On the other hand, precision rifles can work well with a scope as heavy as even 30oz.
Magnification of AR10 Scopes
When buying the best scopes for AR10 or any other rifle, what’s the first thing we look at? It’s the magnification capacity, right? Even though higher magnification does sound like an attractive quality, it is not so. Excessive magnification tends to pose a problem when you need to use the rifle quickly.
The thing about high magnification in scopes is that it diminishes the viewing field at any range. These types of scopes also have more parallax settings than their moderately magnified counterparts.
On the brighter side, high magnification makes many important tasks easier. These include judging distance, identifying targets, and calling the wind. To be able to perform such actions properly, you need the right kind of magnification.
So to decide the amount of magnification, you should know for what purposes you will be using the rifle. Always buy something that you need and will make use of. Getting a larger, more complicated scope will only end up ruining the whole experience.
Mounts of AR10 Scopes
With something as light in weight as an AR10, the scope needs to mount as far ahead as possible. The goal is to keep the scope away from the face by placing the mount over the rifle’s upper receiver. It’s equally important to keep eye relief in mind during the procedure.
But why is this so important? It’s because you need to ensure that the scope’s bell is not coming in the way of your viewing field. Such a position goes a long way in enhancing situational awareness.
Reticles of AR10 Scopes
Credit: bestar15scope.org
Choosing reticles can get confusing, right? There are news ones coming out on a daily basis. The most recent creations come with more than six hash marks. These are responsible for tasks such as estimating range and delivering an 800-yard shot at low power.
From the options now available, the traditional crosshair is the most common reticle among target shooters and hunters.
On the other hand, there are reticles that come with strict guidelines. Any deviation from the specifications of the reticle tends to mess with the accuracy of your shot. So it’s important that you don’t select these types of reticles unless you’re an expert at what you do.
The Final Recommendation
The seven best scopes for AR10 discussed in the article offer all kinds of features with high functionality. But the most reliable one so far is the Bushnell Optics 1-4x 24mm Throw Down PCL FFP Illuminated BTR. It has a high-quality aluminum alloy design with an anodized finish. And not only that, the scope comes with a seal to add more protection to the device.
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The most appealing quality is the Throw Down lever. What this does is enable you to make fast power changes. The multicoated optic and quick focus eyepiece are also excellent features. The former offers incredible brightness, and the latter delivers maximum accuracy.
The BTR reticle is illuminated to make the scope suitable for use in low light settings. This particular feature is also responsible for providing accuracy even from a 500-yard range. Plus, the casing of the scope is rust proof and scratch proof. So you don’t need to worry about damage or durability either. Isn’t that impressive?
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