New Scope or Magnifier??

[wlkalong]

Evening all, I in a bit of a quandary and hope you guys can help me out. I currently run a DSA SA58 16 inch FAL Para with a medium contour barrel and a Para Extreme Duty scope mount. I have an Eotech XPS3-2 which I like very much. I want to get the rifle set up for deer/elk hunting and have already purchased a 5 round magazine which is legal in my state.

I am torn between getting a magnifier for my Eotech or a new scope. The magnifier I am looking at is the Mako 5x Red Dot Magnifier. According to Mako- this is the third generation and they have fixed the problems that plagued the first two generation models.

The scope I am thinking of is a Nikon ProStaff 3-9x40. I realize the scope will require rings as well, so it is the more expensive option of the two.

Both a fairly cheap options, but since I lost my job I am trying to keep my costs down a much as possible. Does anyone have experience running both systems and what would be the better option?

I realize my rifle is set up for 300 yards or less so I figure both the magnifier or the 3-9 scope will work well for this. I also want to keep my rifle as light and uncluttered as possible, but since I have not used the Eotch/Magnifier combo I am not sure how it is.

Is there another scope I should be looking at in the $150 range?

Can anyone suggest high quality rings for the scope that are reasonably priced?

My FAL is my everything gun and I would prefer not to purchase another rifle if possible.

Thanks,

[MistWolf]

How you plan to hunt will determine what optics should be used. If in close cover, the EOTech will be fine by itself.

The dis-advantage to the magnifier is it adds weight & requires more rail estate. Pay no attention to claims by the manufacturer that the problems of past versions have been fixed. Check to see what real users of magnifiers say about the different types.

Although not a choice you put forth, I would look for a good, used Leupold variable in the 2x7 power range. The extra field of view at lower power is of greater advantage in thick cover or if needing to take a shot at close range than the extra 2x of magnification will offer at range. The 2x7 is also a lighter, more compact package than most 3x9s. Leupold makes a good, rugged scope for the money

[wlkalong]

I am in Colorado- so mostly pine forest, though thick brush in the wet areas, but nothing like the South East in terms of coverage. Also some of the more open field grass land or foothills.

[RG Coburn]

Originally posted by wlkalong

Is there another scope I should be looking at in the $150 range?

The new Redfields?
Pretty nice,with a lifetime warranty.

[MistWolf]

Actually, I think I might have an idea of the terrain you're in. I lived near the Grand Canyon for three years. We'd take our Jeep deep into the wilderness exploring and we'd see elk almost everyday. They'd even come graze on the grass in our front almost every morning & afternoon. Also lived in Blanding Utah for a year which is roughly 50 miles from Four Corners and 75 miles from Monument Valley. Did some exploring in the area around the Blues, Elk Rdge, the La Salles and quite a bit of the Canyonlands. During one scouting trip, we found we had slipped from the La Salles into Colorado.

I miss that part of the country. I need to find a job down there

[wlkalong]

After more research, I am looking at a Vortex Diamondback scope- if I go the scope route. It also appears, I may be better off leaving my FAL as is and finding a good used Savage 110 and slowly upgrading it with new trigger, stock and then barrel when I can- though I would really like to use my FAL.

[Deltaten]

wlkalong;

DO need/use corrective lenses to see? I find the use of a scope or dot is then almost required. Tired, old eyes need all the help they can get; but, since you list brush/forest/and a little open area hunted; I wonder why an optic at all?

Yes... take every advantage ya can get! A bit of a fore-end rest and L1A1 irons will keep me in a (big-handed) palm sized group at 110 yds. THat's a kill on a deer-sized critter. Over that range and I'd not be comfortable with my eyesight ta ID, let alone shoot anything. With glass, I might be able to shrink that group size to 2 MOA. THat brings my effective kill-zone to 2-250 yds. That a far piece of real estate!
Do you really want to take game at that range? Then go for the best scope ya can buy. IN my (old and limited) experience, the magnifier increases the size of the dot too. Once ya lay that huge red ball on a deer at 300 yd. ya see what ya might miss!

GL,
Paul

[erhauser]

My vote is to do some practice so you can shoot the Eotech well, and purchase a good pair of binoculars for scouting.

There is no reason why you can not get sufficient accuracy with the red dot for any reasonable (say 300 yds or less) range for a FAL. The inherent accuracy of a FAL does not support longer ranges.

The other advantage of a red dot is that it is relatively easy to learn to shoot with both eyes open. With both eyes open you can hit things in low light you can not even see otherwise.

My elk rifle is a M1903 Springfield with an Eotech 552. Works great here in MT.

[wlkalong]

Delta Ten, yes my eyesight is a little off. I can drive fine, but not 20/20 and I tend to use my glasses at night in areas I don't know. Kind of funny, but when I first go my Eotech I thought it was defective because it was blurry- then I got my glasses out of the car and wow- perfect. Didn't really notice because my practice rifle is a scoped RWS 22. cal air rifle.

This is why I am leaning towards a scope or magnifier. I also figured any increase in accuracy is worth it, since I really don't want to cause anymore suffering to the animal then I have to.

[MAINER]

Choice of optics is mostly whatever you are most accustomed to. So many options these days, it's hard to recommend something for others. Try to get to a store that has the most varity and try them all.
I'm not much for Red Dots except for a plinking or tactical sight. Scopes are the way to go on a hunting/target rifle for me.

Vortex Diamondback should be a good scope. Reviews I've read have been positive and their warrenty looks good with scopes repaired in the US with a 7 day turnaround and no charge I have a new Burris FF II that I'm very happy with at $125.

Check out www.natchezshootersupply.com and be sure to look at their closeout scopes.

For rings, I like Leupolds QD at around $48. For a tactical type check out TPS. I got a set of their HRTs to mount that Burris and they look good besides being very solid.
http://www.tacticalprecision.com/

[wlkalong]

You are right Mainer. I should have phrased my question differently. I have used scopes in the past, so I really should have asked for the pros and cons of using a magnifier from people who have use them. I may have to make another post.

[wlkalong]

Well, I ended up getting a Vortex Viper 2-7x32 with Dead Hold BDC reticle. They were on closeout for about $180.00 including shipping and I think will work the best. According to what I read, Vortex is discontinuing them because 2-7 don't sell that well for them. I will have to pick up some basic rings, because I don't want to drop the money on a quick release mount right now. This seemed like the best deal by far and should give my up to 300 yards.

The Viper 3.5-10x50 were also on closeout, but that appears to be more scope then I will need