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A telescopic sight, or scope as it is generally referred to, is a device that is commonly used with rifles or guns.
It works on the same principles as a telescope, so it magnifies things at a distance, making them easier to view and observe. It also makes it easier for hunters or shooters to aim and hit targets accurately.
In this article, we will be discussing some of our top picks of rifle scopes, and why they are the best ones on the market.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for AR-556 Scopes
- OUR TOP PICK: Bushnell Optics Drop Zone BDC Reticle Riflescope
- RUNNER-UP: ATN X-Sight II HD 3-14
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: UTG 3-9X32 1" BugBuster Scope
Comparison of the Best AR-556 Scopes
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Can Any Scope Be Used on an AR-556?
No, you cannot just use any scope on an AR-556. The perfect scope should not have too wide of magnification or large optical sights. A 9x magnification is more than enough. It should have fast target acquisition, as well as long eye relief. Durable construction and reliability are very important because no one wants to get low-quality products, no matter the price.
Also, scopes that have a sealed O-ring and are purged by nitrogen or argon are preferred, as they are resistant to the elements and remain damage-free for a long time.
How Do I Choose a Scope For My AR-556?
There are some things to look out for when you are buying the perfect hunting scope, which are:
Budget
The first and most important thing is your price range and how much you are willing to spend on a scope. Remember, not everything highly expensive offers great quality, so keep that in mind. Scopes of all kinds of features and prices are available, so do your research on what’s on the market that will meet your needs.
Uses
Know how you will use your scope. Know the distances you will be shooting or hunting in, the weight you will be able to easily carry, how complex of a scope it will be, whether it has variable or fixed magnification, etc. These are the kind of questions you need to ask yourself while researching for the perfect one.
Magnification Range
You want to be able to see your targets and surroundings clearly to maintain your field of vision. For that, it is suggested that you get a scope with the maximum magnification range. Though it is also suggested that instead of a high magnification range, look for a scope with the range suitable for your use.
For instance, 2x-4x magnification is perfect for shooting targets within 170 yards, 4x-10x magnification is perfect for shooting targets up to 300 yards, and 10x-25x magnification is for extreme distances.
Lens Diameter and Eye Relief
The lens diameter matters because a larger objective lens will pass more light, making the view and image clearer for you. Just keep in mind that a bigger lens will lead to a heavier scope.
Eye relief is the distance from the eye-piece at which you can clearly see the full image. The standard eye relief is four inches, but some scopes offer less, which you have to be careful of if you are using a strong rifle.
Review of the Best AR-556 Scopes
Now that we have discussed some of the things that should be looked out for when buying a scope, let’s get into the details about our own picks and what makes them good enough to be on this list.
Best Overall:
Bushnell Optics Drop Zone BDC Reticle Riflescope
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
People who have recently bought and used this product are in love with it. They praise its performance, with the turrets and lenses being called exceptional. The build has also been praised and has been considered easy to mount and carry and very durable by people. It has been recommended quite a few times, showing it really is worth the hype.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The durability of this one is pretty great, but then, it is a Bushnell product. They are known for making some of the best rifle scopes on the market, which is pretty accurate. This scope is resistant to dust, moisture, scratches, rust, and much more. This is because of its high-grade aluminum construction, making it scratch resistant.
Moreover, it has been nitrogen-purged and has a completely sealed O-ring, which does not allow any moisture, water, or dust to enter it, ensuring its long life.
Bottom Line
It is a great scope for all kinds of hunters, and is highly durable because of its manufacture and material, with a great viewing and magnification range. It will definitely check all boxes on your list of best scopes.
Runner-up:
ATN X-Sight II HD 3-14
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
The technical features of this one have really won the people over. It is easy to set up and easy to use, but for some, it took a while to completely test each feature and find the right setting according to their preference. The picture and video quality is exceptional, and so is the range-finder.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The day and night mode makes this one stand out. It allows you to view your surroundings in all kinds of light, in bright conditions or in the dark, and also to accurately see your target. This is great as then you are not limited to hunting as long as the sun is up; you can continue into the night.
It allows you to take HD level shots of your targets, even in the dark, which is pretty amazing, and also record HD quality videos no matter the time.
Bottom Line
With all of its state-of-the-art features and great magnification and viewing ability, this is one of the best ones on the market. It is more technical than most scopes, but that just makes you want it more.
Best for the Money:
UTG 3-9X32 1" BugBuster Scope
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
People who have bought this scope have said that you get the value for the money you spend. It is dead accurate after you adjust its settings to your liking, is high in quality and easy to carry as it is light.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The unique point of this scope is its impressive view, which is not commonly seen in other scopes on the market. Its Mil-dot range estimating reticle is perfect for great aiming with perfectly shooting your targets.
It is also parallax-free, and the range for it is pretty great too, from three yards to literally infinity. This means that no matter the viewing distance, you will be able to view your surroundings and target clearly and sharply.
Bottom Line
It is a high-quality scope, both in manufacture and features. The fog, rain and shock proofing makes it very durable, and its reticle technology and turret locking make it one of a few unique pieces on the market.
4. Vortex Optics Diamondback
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Users report that it is an awesome scope that has great eye relief. The overall quality of the scope has been highly praised by people with the turrets receiving a lot of it as people say that they are easy to adjust. They also say that the audible clicks, while doing so, makes it easy to remember their settings.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The precision glide erector system is pretty great. It consists of metal turrets, which can be adjusted according to height and wind conditions. The stand out is that after adjusting once, you may not need to readjust when you stop or take a break and use your rifle again, as there is zero resetting need because of its construction.
Moreover, the turrets make audible clicks while they are set. Once it is set, it is as good as locked. Also, the system is great for accurate and precise tracking and can easily repeat its settings.
Bottom Line
Its performance is pretty good, with the turrets and crystal clear viewing from the lenses. The build is pretty great, too, with its durability and multiple kinds of proofing. It is perfect for slug shotgun, muzzleloader, and brush hunting uses.
5. Monstrum 3-9x32 AO
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
According to users, this is very easy to use and intuitive. That is what most people have called this scope. Its features and simple design have been a hit among people, as they have called it consistent with great adjustable AO. Its low parallax and accuracy when targeting have also been praised.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The rangefinder reticle is an interesting and unique addition to this scope because it allows the user to not only estimate or calculate the target range, but also makes it easier to know where you can find the bullet you shot, which is pretty cool.
Also, it comes with already present markings, which make it a lot easier to do such calculations. Usually, reticles are only good for finding the target's distance from your viewpoint, but this one accurately tells the bullet drop range.
Bottom Line
It is the perfect scope for your rifle if you are looking for something light, durable and compact. It comes with great features and has little to no parallax, making it a good addition to your collection.
People Also Ask
Even though we have tried to give as much detail as possible about each scope, there may be some things that can confuse our readers. So below, we have answered a few general questions to help.
How Far Can a Ruger AR 556 Shoot?
It depends on the caliber of the rifle. An AR-556 has a caliber of 5.56 NATO, which after testing, has been determined to be able to shoot accurately from 200 to 250 meters, or 218 to 273 yards. So we can say that the AR-556 can shoot targets up to 300 yards quite accurately.
What is the Difference Between AR 15 and AR 556?
They are quite similar to the AR-556 is a type of AR-15 rifle. It is commonly called the AR-15 of civilians, complete with the semi-automatic operations and the same method for clearing a jammed weapon.
What is the Difference Between Ruger AR 556 and SR 556?
The AR-556 is called a basic AR, but the SR-556 is a bit different. It has a nicer competition trigger, which is smoother than a normal one. It also has a two-stage piston bolt, which is not commonly found in normal ARs, making its taking down ability to go to a whole other level.
Is a Ruger AR 556 an Assault Rifle?
The AR-556 has been called the assault rifle for the common man or a basic AR as it has similar features to the military-grade AR-15s. It is a modern sport rifle as that is what they are calling assault rifles these days in the gun industry.
Conclusion
All the scopes listed in this article, from the Bushnell to the Monstrum, are exceptional. They are definitely the best on the market and have been personally picked by us after heaps of research and customer reviews. Both their features and build are great, and each brings something for all kinds of hunters.