The ar10 is one of the most powerful rifles on the market. It is closely related to the Army’s m16 and has been used by military snipers for a long time. The ar10 has relatively light recoil and is reliable to capture big game. You however need the best ar10 scopes to get the best out of the rifle.
If you prefer shooting close range, you can instead go for the ar15. This is because the ar10 is larger, shoots larger rounds, and is preferred for long-range shooting.
Without an optic, you can easily hit targets at 200 yards with the rifle, but a powerful scope will help you achieve the maximum potential of this firearm, which is up to 1000 yards and more.
The best scopes for ar10 rifles have high standards of accuracy, precision, and power that ensures great performance with maximum utilization of bullets.
These scopes are no doubt some of the most technologically advanced and superior-quality optics on the market. Their magnification levels are ideal for medium to long-range shooting.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best ar10 Scopes
What are the qualities of the best ar10 scopes?
Magnification Power
This is dependent on whether you will be doing close, medium, or long-range shooting. Your scope should be versatile enough to accommodate different uses without compromising on performance.
You will find scopes with either fixed or variable magnification in the market. Again, although a variable scope is preferable, your usage will determine the decision you make.
Durability
This is the key quality in any good scope. The best scopes for ar10 should be made of strong and quality materials that will withstand rugged conditions for a long-lived performance
Elevation and Windage
The best scopes have knobs that are used to adjust elevation and windage. Windage determines how far from the center point a bullet can hit (left or right).
Glass Quality
The glass quality determines how clear your images will be. Your scope should have coated glass for fog resistance. Argon/ nitrogen purging is also a plus, with tight Oring sealing for water resistance.
Field of View
This is the area, measured in feet, that can be seen through the scope at a distance of 100 yards. A higher field of view allows you to view more of an area through the scope.
Light Transmission
This is controlled by the objective lens and the tube diameter. Wider lenses allow more light to pass through them for clearer images.
Best Scopes for ar10 Review
1) UTG 4-16X44 30mm Compact Scope, AO
This UTG line is meant to provide innovative, solution-oriented scopes that are specially designed and tested to cater to the most unique hunting and shooting needs. This UTG 30mm 4-16×44 compact scope is designed with a TS platform, SWAT AO, and zero lockable/resettable target windage/elevation.
It is a tactical range estimating scope with an EZ-TAP illumination that enhances color clarity for up to 36 colors. It is easy to adjust and reliably holds zero for accuracy. It can easily be mounted on different rifles including the ar10.
The scope features a multi Emerald coating on all lenses that ensures maximum light transmission for high image quality. It will provide the innovation, quality, value, and service needed for all long-range shooting needs with your ar10 rifle.
Key features
- It has a Mil-dot etched glass reticle
- It comes with max strength medium profile rings and flip-up lens caps for easy use by people with eyeglasses
- It is made with quality materials with a strong tube design
- It is coil-resistant offering uninterrupted illumination
- It has an angled front sunshade for protection against harsh weather
2) Leupold VX-Freedom 1.5-4X20mm Riflescope
The Leupold VX-Freedom 1.5-4X20 is a versatile riflescope, ideal for .223/.556 or ar 10 .308. It is well-known for its rugged and lightweight design, as well as its undefeatable ability to deliver top-notch low-light performance.
The scope is made of strong 6061-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum construction with a matte finish to ensure durability and a long time of performance. The material also ensures shockproofing so that you do not have to worry about accidental drops of the scope. It is also O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged for the best water and fog proofing.
The scope also incorporates the Twilight Light Management System that saves light for low-light performance.
Key features
- It is designed with a duplex reticle
- Waterproof, fog proof, & shockproof performance
- It has 1/4 MOA finger click adjustments for windage and elevation
- It is designed with scratch-resistant lenses for clear images
- It features a P5 Dial System and a 3:1 Zoom Ratio
- Objective lens diameter: 20 mm
- Variable magnification: 1.5 – 4 x
- Exit Pupil: 5 mm
- Field of View, Linear: 74.2-29.4 ft at 100 yds
- Eye Relief: 4.2 – 3.7 in
- Weight: 9.6 oz
3) Trijicon VC16-C-1600043 Vcog 1-6x24mm Riflescope
The Trijicon VC16-C-1600043 Variable Combat Optical Gunsight is a rugged, variable-powered riflescope designed with an LED-illuminated first focal plane reticle that is meant to accommodate both close-range and long-range shooting. The Focal Plane reticle allows the subtensions and drops to remain true at any magnification.
The MIL-spec-grade optic is robust and reliable for any application, with superior glass quality and high light-gathering capabilities that ensure zero distortion on images. It is constructed with a 7075-T6 aircraft aluminum alloy housing which makes it highly durable and almost indestructible.
It uses a single AA battery, which is easy to find anywhere around the world and provides 6 adjustable brightness settings for the LED reticle. The optic offers up to 1400 hours of battery life at setting 4.
Key features
- The scope is waterproof to 20 meters (66 feet)
- It has an integrated dial fin which allows easy rotation through the magnification range
- It has a constant 4″ eye relief
- It comes with a thumbscrew mount for easy mounting
- It has a variable magnification of 1-6x
- Objective size: 24mm
4) Vortex Optics Strike Eagle Second Focal Plane Riflescopes
The Vortex Strike Eagle riflescope is well-known for its versatility and speed. It is made of a one-piece, aircraft-grade aluminum, 30mm tube that is shockproof and can stand up to the heavy recoil of the powerful ar10 rifle.
The variable magnification range is well suited to a wide range of applications, allowing the shooter to engage in different targets both at close and extended ranges.
The scope’s magnification ring has been updated to accommodate a thread-in throw lever, while the magnification indicators can be seen without coming off the scope.
Key features
- It has an illuminated BDC3 reticle that focuses the shooter’s eye on the target faster
- The scope has a fast focus dial on the eyepiece to allow for quick and easy reticle focusing
- It features anti-reflective coatings on all air-to-glass surfaces that ensure maximum light transmission for greater clarity and low-light performance
- The scope’s holdovers allow for immediate use out to 650 yards for targets of known distance
- It is nitrogen purged and o-ring sealed for water and fog-proof performance
- It has a thread-in throw lever for fast target acquisition
5) EOTECH Vudu 1-6x24mm Precision Rifle Scope
EOTECH Vudu 1-6x24mm Precision Rifle Scope is designed with an SR3 First Focal Plane Reticle that increases in size as the magnification is adjusted. The Speed Ring reticle ensures fast target acquisition at low power and great resolution/accuracy at high power.
The XC High-Density Glass provides excellent light transmission and clarity, especially at longer ranges with minimal fogging.
This scope is designed for serious hunters and 3-gun shooters with a sleek and compact design that is easy to handle. It is one of the best scopes for the AR-10 firearm, ideal for short and medium-range applications.
Key features
- The scope has an illuminated reticle that improves aiming under low-light conditions
- It features XC high-density glass for maximum light transmission and clarity
- It has a first focal plane reticle that increases in size with magnification
- The illuminated reticle improves aiming under low-light conditions
- It is supported by the EOTECH Vudu Advantage Warranty which is a 2-year limited warranty
6) Vortex Optics Viper HS-T Second Focal Plane Riflescopes
The Vortex Viper HS-T 6-24×50 is one of the multiple configurations in the Viper Hunting & Shooting Tactical line. It is ideal for multiple shooting applications, with numerous features with multiple features from the house of Vortex.
It is built on an ultra-strong 30mm one-piece machined aluminum tube to deliver increased windage and elevation travel and optimal adjustment. It features the VMR-1 Reticle which is perfect for accurate holds at extended ranges.
It has an advanced optical system with a 4x zoom range for magnification versatility. The forgiving eye box offers increased eye relief for quick and easy target acquisition. The scope has precise, repeatable, and durable tactical windage and elevation turrets built specifically for dialing.
Key features
- The scope features fully multi-coated, extra-low dispersion lenses for excellent resolution and color fidelity
- It has exposed target-style turrets constructed for precise and repeatable finger-adjustable clicks
- It has a CRS Zero Stop to ensure a reliable return to zero capability after dialing temporary elevation corrections
- It has side focus parallax adjustment for optimal image focus and parallax removal
- It is O-ring sealed and argon purged to ensure waterproof and fog-proof performance
7) Primary Arms SLX 4-14x44mm FFP Rifle Scope
Primary Arms 4-14x44mm riflescope is a trusted optic that is well-known for its reliability and durability. It features the brand’s advanced first focal plane ACSS HUD DMR .308 reticle which is designed specifically for popular .308 Winchester loads. The .308 reticle offers numerous features in a clean and intuitive design.
The scope is built with a heavy-duty aircraft-grade 6063 aluminum body and a 30 mm main tube that is waterproof, shockproof, and fog-resistant. It has MIL turrets that track correctly through their full 17.5 MIL adjustment range, allowing for confident adjustments by the user.
Key features
- The scope is made of a 30mm 6063-aluminum main tube compatible with different rings and mounts
- It has exposed tactical-style turrets with Zero Reset
- It is shockproof, waterproof, and fog-resistant
- The scope has a variable 4-14x magnification and ACSS HUD DMR reticle for .308/some .223 loads
- It has a partial red illumination with 5 brightness settings powered by a common CR2032 battery
- It is covered by a 3-year warranty for defects due to materials or workmanship
8) UTG 3-12X44 30mm Compact Scope
The UTG 3-12X44 IE tactical range estimating scope is a 30-millimeter scope with a mil-dot, full 36-color EZ Tap reticle. The tube is made of high-grade materials that provide strength and durability for a long time of performance.
It is also O-ring sealed and nitrogen-filled for shockproof, fog-proof, and rain-proof performance.
The riflescope features the best-in-class multi-emerald coated lenses with an integrated angled front sunshade and flip-open lens caps for lens protection.
Key features
- The scope features multi Emerald coated lenses that provide maximum light transmission for the best clarity
- It is completely sealed and Nitrogen filled for fog-proof and rainproof performance
- It features an innovative EZ-TAP Illumination Enhancing (IE) System with a Red/green dual-color mode and a 36-color multicolor mode ideal for all-weather/light conditions
- It has a low-profile illumination control with 2 soft and ergonomic control buttons for easy operation
- It is shockproof with a special circuit and housing design for uninterrupted illumination even under heavy recoil
- It features premium zero locking and zero resetting target turrets with the most consistent and precise adjustment
- It is supported by a lifetime warranty
- Magnification: 3 – 12x
- Objective diameter: 44mm
9) Vortex Optics Diamondback Second Focal Plane Riflescopes
The Vortex 4-12×40 riflescope is one of the multiple configurations in the Diamondback lineup. It is ideally designed for big game, predator/varmint, muzzleloader, slug shotgun, and long-range applications.
The scope features great image quality, build quality, and an unbeatable overall feel of the turrets and the fast-focus eyepiece.
With a customized dot design, there is a guarantee of no guesswork on holdover and windage corrections. This makes the scope great for hunting/shooting at varying ranges where estimating holdover is a concern.
The scope’s second focal plane (SFP) reticles are located near the scope’s eyepiece behind the image erecting and magnifying lenses. This reticle type does not visually change in size with a change in magnification.
Key features
- It is made of a solid one-piece tube with a hard anodized finish for shockproofing and durability
- It is O-ring sealed and argon purged for fog-proof and waterproof performance
- It features a Dead-Hold BDC reticle which is good for any hunting or shooting at varying ranges where estimating hold-over would be a concern
- It has fully multi-coated lenses which provide crystal clear, bright images from dawn till dusk
- It has a fast-focus eyepiece that allows for quick and easy reticle focusing
- The scope has metal-on-metal precision turrets offering the ability to zero resets after sight-in
- The included precision glide erector system ensures accurate tracking and repeatability
10) Athlon Optics, Argos BTR, Riflescope, 6-24 x 50
This Argon BTR Athlon Optics is designed to cater to the needs of beginners and pros in the shooting world. It is equipped with features mostly found in high-end scopes, ensuring that you get the best performance of your ar10 rifle.
The scope features a 6061T6 aircraft-grade aluminum tube that has exceptional strength and superior mechanical integrity to shield the optics from damage. Its variable magnification range makes it versatile and very reliable in different shooting disciplines.
It has advanced fully multi-coated optics that provide a crystal clear bright image even in low-light environments. The Argos BTR features the Athlon exclusive XPL coating that protects the lenses from dirt, grease, and harsh weather conditions.
Key features
- It is made of an aircraft-grade aluminum tube that protects the optics from damage-It has a first focal plane reticle that stays valid at all power settings
- It is designed with advanced fully multi-coated lenses that allow maximum light transmission for optimum brightness and true color across the entire light spectrum
- It is argon purged for better waterproofing and thermal stability
- XPL Coating provides extra protection on the exterior lenses from dirt, oil, and scratches
Final Thoughts
The ar10 is a powerful rifle, even more, powerful than the famous ar15. The firearm is commonly improved and used by the military in their long-range missions, including sniper shooting.
As I mentioned earlier in the review, you can easily get to ranges of 200 yards with this rifle. However, with a great scope, you will be able to maximize the ability of the weapon to a range of 1000 yards and beyond.
The scopes discussed in this article are mainly designed with features that allow them to withstand the strain and recoil that come with powerful, long-range rifles. They make for great additions to the shelves of anyone looking for the best scopes for ar10.
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