{TOP 9} Best Scope For Ar 10 Reviews (2023 Updated)

The AR-10 is one of the most adaptable and powerful long-range rifles on the market. Some snipers in the military have had the best of this rifle. Civilian hunters choose it for its dependability and relatively minimal recoil while hunting big animals at long ranges. This rifle is a genuinely adaptable platform that can house a wide range of ammunition.

You can easily strike targets at a distance of 200 yards without making use of a scope. However, a scope is required to fully enjoy the accuracy of this weapon. With the finest AR-10 scope, you can expect to strike targets at distances of 1000 yards or more without missing any shot.

As a shooter, you want optics that will enhance your skills and the accuracy of your shots with the AR10 rifle while also allowing you to take advantage of its special features. As a result, the best AR 10 scopes are among the most technologically sophisticated and high-quality optics available.

The majority of the optics will have magnification settings that are excellent for both medium and long range shooting because that is where the AR10 rifle excels. You also want a tough scope that will endure the abuse that your rifle will most likely receive. And, like other scopes, these include rapid and precise reticles with features like point-of-impact, exceptional illumination, and enhanced situational awareness. 

The Ar 10 platform needs the best scopes you can lay your hands on. In this article, we will look at a brief history of the Ar 10 rifle, things to look out for before buying a scope for the rifle, and some scope reviews for you to make a selection.

Let’s start with the history!

Top Scope For Ar10 On The Market :

Brief History Of The Ar 10

Eugene Stoner of ArmaLite invented the AR-10 in 1955, and it has since become a recognizable weapon in the American firearm industry. In its early years, the AR-10 suffered from flaws and marketing issues. After being rejected by the military and experiencing financial difficulties, ArmaLite opted to close its doors and sell the AR-15 and AR-10 to Colt Firearms in the year 1959. The original creator, Eugene Stoner, also went on to work for Colt Firearms, where he continued to improve the AR-10. Ever since, the AR-10 has gained popularity and evolved into the model, we know it to be today.

Do You Need A Scope For Ar 10

Without an optic on your AR-10 rifle, I’d say you’re underserved and underprepared for any long range shooting. It’s a strong, proficient weapon that can hit targets from more than 300 yards away. You’re not going to get the most of your Ar 10 if you don’t have an optic on it. Before you begin selecting your optic, you should examine your shooting needs. When it comes to picking an optic, the performance measurement must be goal-based. Here are some shooting applications for your Ar 10 scope.

Hunting

It is not compulsory that you use a massive or powerful optic when you want to go hunting. Even if you use a rifle that is more powerful than the AR-10, you may not be able to make very long-range shots since your target animals would mostly be at the mid-range distance. It is unethical to take a shot beyond a few hundred yards, and making a swift kill shot at these distances is difficult. The majority of shots during a hunt will likely be within the 100 yards range. It’s still useful to have a high magnification so that you can aim at the lung and heart zones for a fast kill shot.

A Low Powered Variable Optic with a magnification range of 1-6X or greater, or a magnification range of 2.5-10X, will provide you with a flexible magnification for all usual hunting ranges. You should also prioritize optic clarity and low-light performance when choosing a hunting scope. Sighting a brown skin deer in the fall when the foliage is brown might be difficult if your optical device is of a lower quality. I’ve had the best success shooting when the sun rises and sets, so I’m always looking for a good low-light performance optics.

If you are bush hunting, a red dot sight may fall into position. The range is usually closer for this type of shooting, so you’ll want a lightweight and powerful rifle. The red dot sight or reflex sight will provide you with quick, on-target accuracy.

Long Range Precision Shooting

If you want to enter the Precision shooting league, an AR-10 rifle is the best platform you can take along. These are frequently fast-paced, difficult competitions that require precision at long-range distances. To participate in this activity, you must have a decent optics, an excellent gun, and great shooting skills.

In this domain, variable optics reign supreme. Higher-powered variable optics with wide magnification ranges, in particular. Scopes that are within the range of 4-16X or 3-15X are a good place to start. They provide lots of close-range as well as long-range capabilities. As you might expect, exceptional clarity is essential, and you could look out for a first focal plane reticle design, illumination, and windage and elevation calls.

Duty Usage

When an AR-10 is used in service, it is frequently categorized as a sniper rifle. First focal plane scopes are essential and depending on the mission, you’ll probably need a scope on the high side so that you can take advantage of the powerful AR-10 rifle.

Once again, I recommend high-quality optics. You want a rugged duty optic that is also bright and crisp, with a highly usable reticle. Crosshairs can be useful, but with so many multi-purpose reticles available, they are becoming obsolete.

Performance and caliber

The AR-10 is available in a variety of calibers, especially when it comes to the wildcats used by most precision shooters. However, I’d want to concentrate on two most common AR-10 chambers: 6.5 Creedmoor and 7.62 NATO/308 Winchester. The 308 Win is the most popular chamber for the AR-10, although Creedmoor is coming close. When it comes to optics, you must evaluate the performance and the caliber it can provide.

The 308 Win is an older round that performs admirably up to 800 yards or more, which is a good range for a huge 30 caliber cartridge.

The newer 6.5 Creedmoor can go even further and maintain supersonic performance beyond 1,200 yards! Obviously, 6.5 Creedmoor needs a high-powered optic.

Best Scope For Ar 10 Reviews

1. Vortex Optics Crossfire II Rifle scope

A strong scope is required if you want to take advantage of the long range shooting of the AR 10 rifle. This Crossfire II scope is an excellent AR-10 optic because it is designed for the type of shooting that the AR-10 rifle excels at. With a 30mm tube and a massive 50mm objective lens diameter, this scope is ideal for snipers, hunting, and bench rest shooting, all of which are frequent uses for the AR-10 platform. The Crossfire II scope has a 6x to 24x magnification, meaning that you may zoom in and see your target as much as 24 times closer to the eyes. The patented multi-coated optics, in conjunction with the larger objective lens and main tube, ensure a clear, crisp, and spectacular sight image. And, as a Vortex Optics product, it comes with a fantastic lifetime guarantee.

The only significant drawback of this scope is its physical size. It might be a disadvantage for someone looking for a light and sleek weapon. However, it is not designed for such markets. It’s also very cheap. Some shooters spend the worth of this scope on buying just a rail system, so why not spend it on getting a scope?

Since the scope has a big tube, the scope mount will need a special tall 30mm scope rings. The scope does not have an illuminated reticle, and this reduces its visibility in low light settings.

2. Vortex Optics Diamondback 4-12X40

The Vortex Diamondback scope is another example of a well-functioning hunting scope for AR-10 rifles. I called it a “hunting” scope since it has capped turrets adjustment that are notch-activated with a coin-style spin, making it unsuitable for increasing windage or elevation on a longer-range target.

The BDC reticle with MOA graduations is used in this FFP sight for the ar-10. This enables simple sub-tension changes to be made directly through the scope’s crosshair mechanism. The dead hold reticle provides for accurate and fast sighting on targets that are located beyond the 200 yards distance.

The lens surfaces are coated, and the single-piece constructed tube is also gas purged. In the event of inclement weather, the scope is properly sealed and waterproof. This Vortex optics is built for an ar-10 rifle, and it incorporates metal-on-metal precise turret adjustments. It also has a zero reset when changing the turret settings.

I constantly turn the turrets on my scope, never letting the turret mechanism rest, and I can tell you for sure that this scope can withstand some radical sight adjustment and zero changes.

This Vortex Diamondback scope has a 40mm bell housing that draws light nicely when combined with an ar-10 scopes-coated lens. 

3. Primary Arms SLX 4-14X44mm

The next scope that can be used easily with an ar 10 is the primary arms. This scope has a mil dot reticle design. That implies that holdover is usable up to medium range. This first focal plane scope comes with an open turret adjustment for quick range or wind impact calculations, as well as bullet drop compensation.

The scope’s side parallax adjustment and focus let the shooter maintain his or her eyes forward while adjusting for these delicate optical tuning features. The scope has 1/10 MOA adjustment for precise tunings, such as at medium range or long range.

The adjustment limit for the acss reticle is 17.5 mil. This is not a large amount and is not recommended for long-distance applications. If the shooter wants to extend the scope’s effective elevation limitations, a 20 or 40 MOA rail is recommended.

4. Athlon Optics, 6-24X50 Argos BTR Scope 

Athlon has entered the long-range riflescope market for those who demand an Ar 10 by providing a scope that offers the characteristics of higher-end brands but at a significantly lower price.

Long-range scopes must have a high variable magnification power. They must also have the capacity to filter light on the path of a long-range target and have enough windage and elevation adjustment so that the shooter can correctly deliver the bullet to the exact point on a far target.

This Athlon BTR scope has a reticle on the first focal plane. This implies that the shooter can zero the enlarged target while also magnifying the subtension system. Long-range shooters enjoy it because they don’t lose the crosshairs as they try to spot a target at distances ranging from 1200 and above.

This scope’s lens is multi-coated. The coating allows for light and brightness control. Lower-end glass is prone to target fading. The effective range of this scope is not certain; however, with the scope’s price, I believe it was designed for accurately shooting at distances of less than 1000 yards.

The etched reticle on the scope is very easy to sight. Horus Vision Systems created it years ago, and it was ridiculed. Horus created it and was crushing the competition with their etched system. The procedure for fixing the reticle is quick, uncomplicated, and cost-effective. An engraved reticle will never fall out of the lens because of recoil or damage.

The 30mm tube body of this scope is made of aircraft-grade aluminum, and it is argon-purged to prevent water and fog. This ar scope incorporates an illuminated reticle for usage in low-light conditions and an easy-to-turn magnification adjustment at the back of the tube. The side adjustment knob seen on the scope is used for parallax adjustment. These modifications are nearly always made in accordance with the exact range the lens is made for. A Lithium metal battery is used in the battery system.

The only thing I don’t know about this scope for ar 10 is how many clicks the elevation turret keeps. 

5. Trijicon VCOG 1-6X24

In many aspects, the Trijicon VCOG riflescope is a tube variant of the legendary ACOG version. This optic is intended for the 308 round, which is the “go-to” cartridge for US armed forces across the world.

The scope has a segmented red circle reticle and a centered crosshair that is perfectly calibrated with the 308 bullet. The target size grows because the reticle is in a first focal plane. This low-cost sight also has a bigger field of vision and reticle size. This is a traditional military design, and if you require a night vision with high magnification, you may use the Trijicon ACOG.

This device would most likely be used in conflict by medium-range snipers. Some U.S. Rangers said the system with a night vision helps in the sniper role with extremely favorable results.

Even when kept on continuously, the power source on the scope may last 700 hours. This creates enough energy for 4 to 6 brightness levels to be used continuously. The scope system is powered by lithium AA batteries.

The VCOG scope is shockproof, waterproof, and submersible to depths of up to 66 feet. The electronics are designed and built to Mil-Spec standards. This is the scope of a warfighter era. The scope has 90 MOA of elevation and windage adjustment, and it is built for 1/2 MOA clicks. 

6. Vortex Optics Viper PST 5-25X50 

The Vortex Viper PST scope is an excellent shooting and hunting scope. I installed this sight on my .308 rifle and would want to discuss my experience.

Any kind of shooting that is done beyond a 400 yards range requires a medium or long-range scope that has a magnification capability of about 10x. I tried this weapon at around 1000 yards distance, and it performed admirably. During the day, the magnification stays clear, and it is parallax-free to around 1000 yards.

This Vortex scope has an MOA reticle, which is ideal for a tactical shooter since it gives more precise hold points. The reticle is specifically developed for long-range shooters.

I used these optics in low-light circumstances, and they performed admirably. I can see my target visibly since the scope has an illuminated reticle with brilliant colors. The reticle may be adjusted with 10 different illumination settings. The laser-etched turrets amazed me. You can easily and quickly modify the reticle for bullet drop. With each round, these turrets generate sharp, tactical clicks. The scope is easy to zero.

The scope’s glass clarity is outstanding. It provides a very clear image. Because of its power, the scope uses 50mm objective lens and Extra-low dispersion glass to ensure better light transmission. This Vortex scope has a good eye relief of about 3.4inches and a highly forgiving eye box.

Because of its argon fill and O-ring seals, the Vortex Viper PST is fog-proof and waterproof. This is really beneficial since it will protect the optic in all weather. It has an Armortek coating for further durability and toughness, which guarantees the lens is protected and does not get scratched.

One disadvantage of this sight is that the reticle performs strangely at low magnification. The crosshair is slightly narrow at low magnification, but this disappears as magnification is increased. The reticle changes with magnification because it is an FFP scope. This scope can also be fitted on AR 15 rifle, which is a plus.  It is extremely accurate, well-balanced, lightweight, and dependable. The Vortex Viper PST is a great scope for the ar 10 rifle.

7. Nightforce ATACR F1 4-16×42 

If you’re a dedicated shooter looking for unbiased advice on the best ar 10 scope, the formidable Nightforce Atacr optics is a good option. The Nightforce Atacr is ideal for hunters/shooters who need sophisticated features and a compact optic. You may purchase this scope without worry. If money is not a factor, this is by far one of the best AR 10 scopes on our list. It may exceed your budget, but it will make your eyes happy. You’ve probably heard of Nightforce. They are extremely serious about their products, and you can’t be disappointed by their optics.

This scope’s quick clicks, crystal clear image, and finely designed reticle make it a beast in its class. The Nightforce Atacr is designed to be a tank. It contains all of the glassing technology and sophisticated features that you’ll need for large game hunting or long-range shooting.

The ED glass is well-known for its crystal clear images. The Zero Hold feature also allows the shooter to easily acquire a target. The scope gives the shooter the ability to alter the elevation and windage. Furthermore, the Power Throw Lever (PTL) function allows the shooter to adjust magnification immediately by feel.

8. Leupold Mark 3.6-18x44mm scope

The Leupold Mark scope is intended to assist you in hitting long-range targets accurately. 

So, I had the opportunity to put the Leupold AR 10 scope to the test, and I was quite satisfied. This Leupold scope is not your typical 308 scope since it weighs 0.90 lbs, which is nearly double that of other scopes on the market. You will clearly feel the extra weight when you mount it on your rifle.

This scope is not only overweight, but it is also very long about 14.5 inches. The scope’s magnification more than compensates for its lack of compactness. This Leupold Mark can spot targets from 600 yards out with a low magnification of 3.6X and a max magnification of 18X.

The Leupold Mark 5HD scope is excellent value for money. Don’t let the scope’s weight discourage you; it has everything you need to perform accurate and precise long-range shots. This is one of the greatest Leupold scopes for the AR 10.

9. Vortex 1-6X24 Strike Eagle 

If the Vortex PST model stated above is too expensive for you, you might want to look at this Vortex Strike Eagle. The Strike Eagle is a flexible combat scope that is suited for CQC, short-distance shooting and can still go beyond 100 yards.

If the 1-6 power range isn’t quite enough for you, Vortex also sells the Strike Eagle 1-8X24. The Strike Eagle has an illuminated reticle that is constructed with 5.56/223 caliber.

This reticle, however, may be customized to operate perfectly on an AR-10 rifle in the majority AR-10 calibers. 

The Vortex Strike Eagle series is a mid-range variable scope that is well worth considering if you are looking for a good AR scope. Despite being labeled as a “mid-range,” its glass is excellent.

Something else to remark on is the reticle’s BDC functionality: Because the Strike Eagle is a Second focal plane type optic, the incorporated BDC feature is limited to a maximum power of 6X. Because of the capped turrets, it cannot be changed on the go without first removing the caps. The scope cannot hit the long range that the ar 10 will need, but if you’re shooting mid-range, this scope will sit well on your Ar 10.

Things to Look Out for in a High-Quality AR-10 Scope

You should concentrate on the most important aspects, which are quality and pricing. There’s no rule that says you should spend a particular amount to get a good scope. You may spend as much money as you like, but the scope be worth it on your AR 10 platform? Are you short on budget but don’t want to give up on scope options? Choosing the finest AR 10 scope is about creating a balance between performance and act, wants and needs, and a reasonable price. So, consider the scope quality to decide how much you’ll pay for the scope.

When we talk about “quality,” we mean that you should think about how much magnification or power you’ll need for the scope. Weight or size might make it difficult for a shooter to travel for lengthy periods or shoot with the scope mounted on the rifle. 

AR10 Scope Feature Considerations

Budget 

This is the “make or break” issue that you must consider. Your budget may very well affect the overall quality of scope you can get and the optical performance you’ll find. Choosing the best one will nearly always put your wallet to a big test, but it is critical to select the correct tool for the task. When deciding on a budget, consider your application requirements, hunting/shooting style, and your expectation from the AR 10 scope.

Magnification

An AR-10 can undoubtedly reach out wider than an AR 15 rifle; thus, magnification requirements will be mostly determined by the shooting application and cartridge you want to use. For individuals primarily interested in mid-range or close-quarter shooting with quick target acquisition, a low-powered range of 1-6x or 1-4x is common.

Going up in power lets shooters cover more ground for long-range hunting and shooting. 3-9x is a typical hunting range, but the 4-16x range can also be used if your hunting demands vary from varmints at long distances to big games.

Target Size/Weight

When compared to traditional hunting rifles with wood stocks, AR-10s may be considered lightweight. You don’t want to load this platform with a hefty scope that will make it difficult to carry it for a long distance in the field or while surveilling your property.

If you are not going to use the rifle for bench rest shooting, consider scopes with weights of 24 ounces or less to complement your AR platform and shooting style. Many scopes weigh approximately 16 ounces; however, some small scope weighs less than 10!

Reticle

Illumination is not a necessity for most hunters, but it is a must-have if you want to hunt in low-light settings. Illumination also increases the need to rely on batteries as a power source, which you should bear in mind because it might fail you or force you to carry more batteries. 

You should also think about the reticle style. The use of crosshairs, red dots, and BDC reticles is justified. Consider how you intend to use your scope. Are you going to focus on long-range targets? Will you be holding over for the majority of the shots? Is close-range or quick acquisition more useful?

Scope Construction Quality

Despite the fact that AR 10 has mechanisms to decrease recoil, depending on your ammo, you may get some kick. However, recoil management is subjective, and regardless of what your shoulders can bear, your scope must also be durable. The ideal scope for an AR 10 platform must be able to handle many repeated rounds, maintain zero, and still be durable enough to remain useful when the weather changes. Some brands can guarantee you get a scope that can withstand the abuse you want to subject it to, or at least there should be some warranty.

Warranty coverage

Regardless of how much review or research you do, some scopes may turn out to be a disappointment. A quality warranty and a reasonable return window may help to safeguard your purchase and your wallet. Almost all scopes have a limited lifetime warranty; however, some warranties are owner transferable, unlimited, and assured with no questions. When coverage is granted, replacements and repairs should be provided at no cost.