New to the forum, looks like an awesome place.

Got a Daniel Defense M4 (DDM4) for my birthday from my wonderful girlfriend. I want to get a scope on it, and have already decided I don't really want a red-dot or a holographic. I may go that route later, but right now I want a scope. I've looked at the Leupold Mark AR, and the Nikon M223, and also the Nikon Buckmasters. Also just recently started looking at the Vortex Diamondback. Don't really know much about them, but the price is nice. My main concern with the Mark AR and the M223 is that the BDC on those scopes is designed for 55gr projectiles with certain muzzle velocity. If I do any hunting with my AR, I will be sure to use a heavier grain projectile, and I do not want my scope to be useless when I start shooting a different grain projectile. I know you can order turrets from Leupold's Custom shop that will work for different grain ammo, but that seems like a hassle. I'd just like to hear about what other guys are running on their AR's, and what you like and don't like. Any and all advice is welcome. Thanks!

First off to the forum.
In the beginning I took the advice of one guy and started with a ACOG and the thing with me was I hated the eye relief. Nothing against Trij, they have really good glass. But I couldn't stand the eye relief.
Then I went to EOTech and Aimpoint and I love those, but the are designed for more intimate setting involving CQB. Great if you are in the house and the wife heres some noise and wants you to go check it out how about you go check and I'll watch your back. lol. All joking aside they are great for that. Leupold is not a bad way to go. With Nikon they have a real bright heavy plex reticle. If you want to use the Vortex Diomond back are good, however I would strongly suggest the Viper HS or the Viper PST, I'm not sure what magnification range you are looking at though.
Personally I'm a 1-4 fan because of the balistics of the 556 round. Anytime you break the 300 yard marker that round begin to topple. Like kicking a field goal with a football.
Here's a link for a review of our SWFA SS 1-4x24 HD or the Vortex Viper HS and the Vortex Viper PST.
One of those three with the Bobro Mount Is the ultimate setup and extremely versatile.

Yeah definitely, a friend of mine is a CSPD officer and he just recently got an S&W MP15 with an Eotech 512. Shot it quite a bit a few weeks ago and liked it, for close range stuff, but not really ideal for hunting. If I was going to get a red dot, it would probably be the Aimpoint Comp m4, but the wallet is not ready for that right now.

Sorry I wasn't finished and hit enter and it submitted it early.

I kind of want a little more magnification, and something with a wider objective. I'm probably going to hunt with this gun more than anything. Don't worry, I read that thread debating the use of .223 for deer and hogs. Its a controversial subject, but I am pretty confident, and I will put plenty of practice rounds through this gun before hunting with it. That being said, I think something like the Vortex Diamondback or the Nikon Buckmasters would be more suitable for my needs. As far as magnification goes, I'm looking at more of a 3-9x scope. I am torn as far as objective goes. I like the 50mm objective, due to its ability to gather more light in low light conditions, but it also adds more weight. Granted, its only a few ounces heavier than the 40mm objective. I know it may be silly to some to put a scope like that on an AR, because they are designed to be compact and lightweight weapons, but I do not think I will be carrying mine very much. And, I will probably get an Eotech or an Aimpoint down the road, but I'd like to start off with a scope. I just want to make sure I'm on the right track with quality and functionality on this type of rifle. Of course, I don't need a scope that can see farther than my gun can shoot and still be effective, but I would rather have a little too much scope, than not enough. A friend of mine who hunts pigs with AR's very often said he switched from an Eotech to a scope because he got tired of not being able to see father than his eyes could see. I know Nikon and Leupold makes good glass, but I have heard good and bad things about Nikon's Customer Service and warranty. I have never damaged a scope, but its always nice to have great customer service in the event that it did happen. Any input about Nikon's service?

I've got a Burris PEPR mount and a Vortex Viper 2-7x33 on my Spike's Tactical and it's perfect for hunting with the 5.56/223 round. I put a 4-12x40 Vortex Diamondback on my daughter's Win Model 70 SA Carbine .223 and it's a very good scope, but the Viper works better at dusk and dawn. Got a Viper 3-9x40 on my DPMS LR308. For the $$$$ Vortex is tough to beat in my opinion.

I use a Nikon Prostaff 3-9x40 on a PEPR mount on both rigs. Good glass and a good price.

Thanks for the input guys, glad to see ya'll are running the PEPR mounts. They are right in my price range. I looked at the GG&G which is very nice, but they also want 190 bucks for the GG&G quick detatch, which is money I'd rather spend on a scope. As long as the PEPR will retain zero if I pull it off and put it back on, I'll be happy.

Right now, I'm really comparing the Nikon Buckmaster 3-9x50 and the Vortex Viper 3-9x40 with the BDC. I like the Vortex BDC reticle MUCH better than the Nikon BDC. I just wish Vortex made a Viper in 3-9x50 with the BDC reticle.

Zeiss Conquest 3x9x40 with a Larue LT-104 mount.

If money was endless...

ACOG TSN01 on my Daniel Defense DDM4 V1

Very nice looking DDM4. ACOG is also out of my price range, and not really what I'm looking for right now. Still, a sweet looking gun.

Honestly it depends on what your doing. Like some of the people said acog's are nice but they are over priced and more of a novelty item for most people in my mind. A good set of Iron sites or some flip up sights will take you out to 75 yards at least fairly easily. I've got two builds one with a 24 inch barrel and another with a 16 inch. Both are free floated. My 16 inch has Magpul BUIS flip up sights they are great for the price. The 24 inch has a Nikon 3-9x40 scope on it. They are on the cheaper end for quality scopes. I take it out to about 300 yards. I know I could take a deer at that range. One thing you can do if you want is take some 45 degree angle rails and put the iron sights on those. Its one of those things that most people wouldn't use in a civilian setting but you could then have a scope and index 45 degrees to one side and use iron sights. I really like the Nikon scope though. Hope that gives you a little bit to help you make a better decision. The other thing with the scopes check their eye relief that's one big difference it seems between a good scope and a cheap one. Some are worthless at full zoom.

I dont' see anything novelty about the ACOG. I used mine on Saturday for a carbine team match and placed 3rd. The glass is great, the BDC worked well and it's quick to get on target. For a fast moving match like that, I did not have to zoom, adjust or anything. Just AIM and FIRE.

I think the Vortex 1-4 would also be nice. I'll prob end up w/ one sooner or lster

Well, I can't afford an ACOG. Just isn't gonna happen right now. I just dished out $4600 bucks to Texas A&M for Fall Tuition. So I'm trying to buy within my means. I am looking at a Nikon Buckmaster and a Redfield Revolution. I can't find a Nikon Buckmaster 3-9x50 with the BDC reticle. The Redfield Revolution has a strange reticle called the Accu-Range. I'm not sure if I will like it. My favorite reticle is on the Vortex, and it is the Dead Hold BDC. It has the small dots on the left and right, and a few below the crosshair as well. I like the dots better than the circles found in Nikon's BDC reticle. But, Vortex only has the magnification that I want in the Diamondback series, and they seem pretty cheap. I'll probably just suck it up and go with a Nikon. They make really clear glass. The only benefit IMO, to buying the Redfield, is their ties to Leupold, and the fact that they are Made in the USA. Granted, I'm not going to abuse my optics or use them in ANY combat scenario whatsoever. So, chances are, I will never need to exercise any aspect of the warranty on any of the scopes listed above. But, I'd rather spend the money on something with a great warranty, just incase.

Whats your price range?

I would like to keep it under $300. I know the whole rule "spend more on your optics than on your gun," but I'm not looking to shoot 1000 yards.

Definitely like that Bushnell, but what's up with the Firefly reticle? Its like lime green/yellow. Wonder how that is.

And the only problem with the Leupold Mark AR, is that the BDC is set up for 55 grain .223 ammo, and when I hunt, I will likely use a heavier grain round, like a 77 grain. If I did that, I would have to get a custom turret made by the Leupold Custom shop, and spend more money.

How far are you hunting w/ 77g? All you have to do is figure out the drop chart before you leave. Oh 300 is now 200. DADA

Also wanting the whole pie cost more than just a slice. I mean somone just gave you a $1,300 rifle. That should of freed up a lil cash

I know what you mean. But I just wrote a check to Texas A&M for $4600 bucks. The AR was a total surprise. Didn't plan on getting one. Next month, I'll have some cash.

Sorry for being late on this long weekend, but it is not ridiculous to run a 3-9 on an M4. I have several guys that have done it. And the PEPR is not a bad way to go. It will hold zero within a MOA, but not 1/2 a MOA like the BOBRO.
The Diamond backs are great for the money. If you are wanting to go brand new. And like Diesel showed you with our sample list. If you are in the DFW area, come by and I will pull them off the shelf. I have guys that call all day want information about how the look and what condition is it in. Over the phone it difficult to describe, but if your in the area and wanting to check out some glass I encourage you to come by. We can pull them out for your inspection and you can do side by side comparisons. Weigh your pros and cons with the options that you have chosen. Then there's that self gratification of walking out the door instead of eagerly anticipating the man in the big brown truck to drop off your package.

I would love to come by, but I rarely have to travel that far north. I'm down in College Station. I really don't need a scope to hold within 1/2 MOA. Within an MOA is completely fine for my needs. I will look into the Diamondbacks some more. I just don't want to end up with something with a bad warranty/return policy, but I have heard ya'll have EXCELLENT customer service, so I will surely take that into account when making my purchase. I am also trying to keep in mind that I can always upgrade down the road. I plan on keeping this rifle for as long as I can, so I am sure I will upgrade more as my budget allows. I really do like the Dead Hold BDC on the Vortex scopes. I will probably either go with a Diamondback or a Nikon Prostaff/Buckmaster. I wish a shop in College Station carried the Vortex scopes though. I really don't like the idea of buying a scope I've never held or looked through. I like the looks of the Vortex BDC reticle, but I may not like it as much in person.

Also, I was looking at a Millett Buckgold 4-16x56 mil dot reticle, on your site for $269.99. However, the scope weighs 29.4 oz. That seems extremely heavy to me. Is that much weight going to make my rifle unbearable? I'm comparing this to the Vortex Diamondback 3.5-10x50 which weighs 16.2 oz. I don't want it to be unbearably heavy.