SOCOM 16- do-it-all optics needed

Finally I have a rifle that truly does all that I need it to, and it's California legal to
boot: Springfield's SOCOM 16. (I sent all my fun guns out of state). It doesn't NEED
optics, but since I want to make it the best possible rifle for everything except long-
range (defined by me as over 500 yards), I need optics. I have been agonizing over
the choice since I got the rifle several months ago. Here are my thoughts, and I'd
appreciate knowledgeable feedback. On the forward mount:

I have a Savage "Scout" with a Leupold 2.75 scout scope, so I have tried this concept.
It works well in the daytime, but gets iffy when the sun gets low. Contrast on the
reticle not acceptable, but I like the magnification.

EOtech is great-fast, durable. Downsides are it needs a battery to work, no
magnification.

Aimpoint M2-fast, durable. Downside is it needs battery to work. 2x model does
have some magnification.

Trijicon Tri-power- great reticle, all options for illumination, durable. I love this
sight, but for this rifle, I wish they had a 2X model like Aimpoint.

I have several ACOG reflexes- love 'em (with KillFlash), but no magnification.

On a standard M1A mount-

Love the ACOG 3.5 with the red chevron reticle- durable, has .308 BDC reticle, but
eye relief is a little short and I think it might be too high when mounted on this rifle.
I haven't found a way to "try before I buy" yet.

Elcan- I have 2 Elcans- one on an AR10 and one on a ZM Weapons AR; great sight,
but bulky, heavy, and like the ACOG, might be too high on this rifle. Not as fast
sighting as more contemporary sights, but optics are really bright, even at night.

An ACOG Compact would be good: I could choose the power (I would prefer the 3X),
and I could mount it lower than the regular ACOG, and with the triagle BAC reticle I
could keep both eyes open, but the eye relief is too short for this application. I like a
little more room for "dynamic situations".

Leupold CQT is nice, but like the ACOG and Elcan, I am afraid it will be too high. I
like that it uses an AA battery and can be used without batteries during the day, and
I like it's variable power (1-3X). For me, the reticle isn't as fast for sighting as the
other options, even when illuminated. Still, great scope for an AR.

I am gravitating toward a Trijicon Accupoint 1.25X4 on a Smith mount (according to
ARMS, their mount only works on about 50% of SOCOM receivers, as they are not
mil-spec). The reticle is fast and still accurate because it is a triangle; it doesn't
need batteries, I can use it at 1.25X for speed and close work, or bump up to 4X for
target ID and more finesse at range (I was amazed at the edge my Elcan gave me at
"only" 3.4X); with this reticle, even at 4X, it can still be used for fast two eye work.
No batteries needed. I can mount it reasonably low. Great eye relief (though not
enough for using the scout mount). I can remove the scout mount for weight and
replace the cover with a standard one- the scout mount gets really hot! I wish the
Accupoint had battery illumination as well like the tri-power, for better dark to light
transitions, etc. I also wish it had a BDC reticle; I can zero at 200 meters and use the
triangle as a KDC (Kentucky Drop Compensator) to 300 or 400 (I would have to
experiment to figure this out), but this rifle still hits fine out to 500 (I'm not talking
about hunting ranges, of course).

All of the above-mentioned forward mounted scopes would be great choices, but I
want an optic that does everything for my do-it-all SOCOM. In the past I would end
up buying everything to see which works best, but now I have a wife I love, actually,
so I have to do some thinking beforehand. Any thoughts?

Well, you have done some research, havent you?

 

First thing. The Aimpoint ML2 does require a battery, but I still have the same one after a year. (I found that I have left it on for weeks at a time too, with no replacement.) Some SWAT team members leave the Aimpoint on all the time. They last a long time. 

 

My friend and I took some training classes at TEES this year in Memphis. Very hot!! 

 

We secured our weapons in my truck and took lunch, came back for more class time, and his Eotech would not work. I guess it got too hot in my truck and fried. My Aimpoint has kept on going. (Eotech did replace his optic, even upgraded it for free.)

No knock on Eotech here. I just don't like them.

 

But, for CQB work, the Aimpoint is my pick. I made good hits at Bill Roger's shooting school this year out to 200 meters on steel targets with my AR.

 

I'm thinking about grabbing a US Optics SN-4 and putting it on my Bushmaster. Not sure which reticle I like.

 

Schmidt and Bender has a CQB scope that is supposed to the heat too.

 

I will  be going to a "unfriendly" enviorment next year, and I too am looking for the Ultimate Combat Optic. 

 

From what I have read, most shots are as far out as 300 meters, typically. Most are much closer. Depends on mission I'm sure.

If that is true, then the Aimpoint would be all I need.

 

The magnifaction of the SN-4, ACOG, S&B, etc. would be nice too though.

I welcome some comments from people in harms way and what they are using and why. 

Welcome to Optics Talk. Good thread.

 

my vote goes to the ACOG, for your purpose (out to 500 yards) the aimpoint, and eotech dont have what it takes, the eotech is 1X, so i would vote that out, and the 2X(?) aimpoint has a 4MOA dot, and its going to cover 20" at 500 yards, so that would eliminate that, and that ACOG will work great as close as 10 yards to as far as 600.

 

cory

EOTech on the forward mount.

 

Leupold 3.5-10x40 M3 Mark 4 LR/T on the standard mount.