Looking for a perfect scope to go with your AR10 ?
In this scope guide, let's take a look at the 6 best rifle scopes for AR10 for mid-range & long-range shooting. Most importantly, we gonna pick scopes based on the reticles that are effective for precision shooting & hunting.
Let's check them out...
Best Scopes For AR10
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Leupold Mark 5 HD 5-25X56 - Best Overall
Choose the Leupold Mark 5 HD for the latest in precision rifle scopes, an upgrade over previous models that blends successful past features with improvements in weaker areas. It's ideal for both bolt-action and gas & piston operated AR10 rifles, making it a top choice for hunters and long-range tactical shooters.
The scope excels in long-range shooting, allowing for shots beyond 1000 yards with both bolt and gas guns, and is well-suited for hunting and competitive shooting.
The user-friendly features include an improved turret rotation identification system, which helps prevent confusion by clearly marking the first, second, and third rotations, with a distinct button on the last rotation for easy recognition. The intuitive windage indexing line allows shooters to adjust windage without needing to change their shooting position. Fast wind dot calibration is simplified with the Tremor 3 reticle, making it easier to make adjustments for .308 rifles and future rifle platforms.
In low-light conditions, the enhanced twilight technology ensures consistent color and contrast, extending visibility for up to 30 minutes during twilight. The reticle remains accurate across all magnifications, crucial for long-range shooting, with the scope offering extensive adjustment capabilities: up to 100 MOA for elevation and 50 MOA for windage.
Additionally, the scope includes a non-interfering magnification throw lever, designed to avoid any conflict with the bolt action, even on oversized bolts, allowing for quick and effortless magnification adjustments.
Features:
- Magnification: 5-25X
- Objective Lens: 56mm
- Focal Plane: 1st Focal Point
- Exit Pupil: 1.9 - 8mm
- Eye Relief: 3.6 - 3.8 in
- Overall Length; 15.7 inches
- Weight: 33 ounces
- Tube Size: 35mm main tube
- Material: 6061 T6 Aerospace Aluminum
- MOA Adjustment Range: 0.25 MOA / Click
Vortex RAZOR 1-10X GEN 3 - Best For CQB & Long Range
Why pick this low power variable optic - The RAZOR HD Gen 3 1-10X low power variable optics bridges the gap between CQB and long range capability into one super versatile scope. It's a great hybrid CQB and long range scope for the DD5.
Now 10X Magnification - Increased to 10X power to bridge the gap between a mid-range LPVO with a long range precision scope without compromising size, clarity or field of view.
Fast 1X Target Acquisition - 3 inward arrows quickly draws the eye to the illuminated center reticle and get on target fast at 1X.
Moving Target Hold - Get lead on moving target accurately with dotted moving target holds without any guess work
Range Target Fast - Just superimpose the hashmarked ranging subtension lines for on the target to immediately estimate the target distance as well as holdover and windage corrections.
Best Warranty Policy - You break it, Vortex will replace it at no cost with a lifetime, unconditional warranty.
Features:
- Magnification: 1-10X
- Objective Lens: 24mm
- Focal Plane: First Focal
- Tube Size: 34mm
- Reticle Type: EBR 9
- Turret Type: Capped
- Length: 10.1 inches
- Weight: 21.5 oz
- Low capped Turrets
- Fixed Parallax to 150 yards
EOTech Vudu 5-25X50 - Shortest Scope Body For Addon
Choose the VUDU 5-25X50 Scope because this compact first focal plane riflescope is the market's shortest, ideal for a DMR style AR10 rifle.
Add Night Vision or Thermal - Easily mount thermal and night vision addons on the AR10's rail system, thanks to the Vudu's short length.
Ideal for Night Hunting - The AR-10, famous for hog and coyote hunting at night, pairs excellently with night vision or thermal optics.
Generous Eye Relief - The VUDU offers comfortable eye relief, ranging from 3.71 inches at low magnification to 3.63 inches at high.
Enhanced Head Movement - The larger exit pupil reduces the need for precise head positioning. With greater eye relief than standard scopes, it allows more room for recoil.
- Magnification: 5-25X
- Objective Lens: 50mm
- Focal Plane: First
- Length: 11.2"
- Tube Size: 34mm
- Weight: 29.5 oz
- Exit Pupil: 5.5mm (5X) - 2.1mm(25X)
- Eye Relief: 2.96 - 3.63 in
- Battery: CR2032
- Click Adjustment: 0.25 MOA/Click,
- Turret Style: Tactical
NightForce ATACR 4-16X42 F1 Scope - Best For Mid Range
Choose the NightFore ATACR for Quick Target Acquisition - The ATACR offers big-game hunters rapid target spotting and recognition at various distances and under different conditions.
Efficient Turret Adjustment for Competitive Shooters - The ATACR's advanced optics and tactile turrets give competitive shooters an edge. Its 16X magnification is ideal for long-range shooting, minimizing mirage effects.
Enhanced Low Light Visibility - The ATACR ensures bright, clear targets at any magnification, in any environment. Its ED glass provides sharp images and high contrast in low light.
Clear Turret Markings - The elevation turret and focus rings feature enlarged lettering, aiding quick reading in tense situations.
Effortless Illumination Control - Digillum enhances the digital illumination platform with an easy-to-use button. Select the ideal brightness level for your setting.
Rapid Magnification Adjustment - The ATACR features a quick magnification dial with an integrated lever, eliminating the need for extra accessories.
- Magnification Range, 4x to 16x
- Tube Diameter, 34mm
- Objective Lens Diameter, 42mm
- Turret, Tactical
- Adjustment Increment, 0.25 MOA or 0.1 Mil /Click
- Length, 12.6 inches
- Weight, 30 ounces
- Click Value,.250 MOA or.1 MRAD
- Eye Relief, 3.5 inches
Burris XTR2 5-25X50 - Most Affordable
Discover why the Burris XTR 2 is the ideal budget-friendly, first focal plane tactical scope for the AR10, featuring an illuminated MOA-based Special Competition Reticle (SCR).
The XTR II stands out as a premium tactical scope by Burris, designed for precise long-distance accuracy. Its reticle supports quick adjustments, range estimation, and impact measurement.
Experience enhanced situational awareness with the 5X zoom system. It offers a broad view at low power for better awareness and 25X magnification for clear long-range target identification.
The first focal plane feature of the Burris XTR 2 sets it apart. While most FFP scopes are priced over $2,000, this scope's reticle maintains accurate hold-off references at any magnification, making it an affordable choice.
Enjoy superior performance in low light conditions. The improved imaging ensures clear, sharp views in various lighting, boosting confidence.
Quickly return to zero with a simple turret adjustment. Turn the turret back to the start position to avoid counting clicks or losing track.
Achieve shots up to 1000 yards with the XTR 2's 25X magnification. The turret's 100-click rotation (25 MOA per rotation) supports long-range shots in competitions.
- Magnification - 5-25x
- Objective Lens Diameter - 50 mm
- Adjustment Graduation - 1/4 MOA
- Eye Relief - 3.5-4.25 inches
- Tube Size - 34 mm
- Focal Plane - First
- Length - 16.31 inches
- Weight - 32.1 oz
Red Dot & Magnifier Combo Guide - Best For Lightweight Setup
Why choose a red dot and magnifier when a low power variable optic works too? For a lightweight, personal defense AR10 that's also good for mid-range shots, the red dot and magnifier combo is ideal. It saves weight and keeps your rifle sleek.
For quick sight changes, use any market-available red dot and magnifier. Switch from 1X to 3X, 4X, or 6X easily by adding the magnifier behind the red dot. This is great for mid-range targets or identifying them.
To reduce weight, simply remove or move the magnifier aside. This saves both weight and space.
AR10 Scope Buyer Guide
Effective AR-10 Ranges
The most popular AR10s are chambered in 308, so this guide will focus on that. If you have a AR10 chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, please check out this scope guide.
You can also pick a scope based on the distance you can shoot with an AR10
- Close Range: <200 yards
- Medium Range: Between 200 to 400 yards
- Long Range: 400+ yards
CLOSE RANGE (>200 YARDS)
Truth is, the AR-10 isn’t a close-range weapon, but you can if you want to for hunting and personal defense. A low power variable optic will be best suited for this.
- Magnification: 1 – 4X power
MEDIUM RANGE (200 – 400 YARDS)
This is the most common shooting distance for the AR-10 on a flat range or for hunting.
- Magnification: Between 5 – 9X power
LONG RANGE (400+ YARDS)
This is the range a 308 chambered AR-10 excels in. In fact, some people have used AR-10s to beat bolt action rifles in sharpshooting tournaments.
- Magnification: 9X and up
Should You Pick A Caliber Rated BDC Reticle or A Christmas Tree Reticle?
A 308-caliber BDC reticle excels in hunting and enables quick aiming for speedy shots. However, it's not ideal for precise shooting over distances of 600 to 1000 yards or more. For such long-range accuracy, a Christmas Tree style MOA or Mil grid reticle is better.
We highly recommend the Horus H59 or Horus Tremor 3 reticle for optimal performance. Once you learn to use them, shooting becomes much easier.
Why is this important?
A BDC reticle calibrated for a specific rifle works well only for that rifle model. If you attach the scope to a different rifle, maybe with another barrel twist rate or length, or use a different bullet type, the BDC lines won't align with the bullet's trajectory.
So, you cannot simply attach a BDC reticle scope to any rifle and expect accurate results without testing it on that particular rifle first.
Recommended Scope Rings & Mount
Numerous scope mounting systems are available, with 30mm and 34mm scope mounts being the most common. For mounting a scope on an AR10, we strongly advise using a one-piece scope mount. This type ensures precise alignment without the need for scope lapping and maintains a reliable zero retention, even when the scope is frequently mounted and removed.
We recommend scope mounts from:
- Geissele Super Precision Mount
- LaRue Tactical QD Scope Mount
- American Defense
- MDT Scope Mount
- Sphur