The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

I'm looking at getting a 3-9 x 40 scope to throw on my AR15 and have wittled it down to either a Leupold VX 2 duplex or Leupold Mark AR mildot.

The VX2 has 1/4 MOA adjustments whereas the Mark AR has 1/10 mil adjustments so slightly better adjustments on VX2. Mark AR has BDC adjustment but for 55 gr .223 whereas I shoot 77gr .223, however I haven't compared ballistics to see how they compare and whether this would be useful. I wouldn't be that interested in paying extra to get a custom BDC made. Also VX2 Duplex is about £60-£80 cheaper

I've always worked off MOA before so wandering whether to try something new in the mildot scope or stick with MOA and use a duplex.

Regarding the mildot I wouldn't be that interested in calculating how far a target is away from me because I already know that since I shoot on a range.

On the plus point it would be quite useful to use mildots for holdovers and to adjust the windage/elevation based on POI to mildot on the recticle for a quick follow up shot. But I guess to do that you first have to positively identify the POI through the scope. If I revert to a spotting scope I'm essentially working off MOA again. Also if switching range eg. from 200-400 yards if I wanted to adjust my scope before firing a shot I'd have to go back to MOA and convert to MIL anyway.

So......am I missing something and talking bo...cks or does MOA and a duplex seem to be the way to go? Or is it the holdovers and quick follow up shots that make the mildots so useful?

Having looked at Leupold's website I think I'm tempted to say neither. The VX-2 are aimed at the hunting market and generally don't have "target" turrets. You zero at your chosen distance and leave it set.
In respect of the Mark AR there is a lot of difference in bullet drop between 55g and 77g, however you could mask off the turret and remark it.

For a bit more money you could look at Vortex scopes, they do reticles and turrets in MOA, or Milrads.

I can tell you that buying the "cheaper" scope always works out dearer because you will end up buying something better later.