I'm a if fan of low powered variables.

by Slow Hand , Indiana, Wednesday, November 28, 2012, 14:16 (4324 days ago) @ cubrock

Honestly, I'm too cheap to buy really good optics on 'fun guns' but I have a pair of 1.5-5x Bruntons with what they call their turkey reticles. Basically an unlit version of an EOTech. It's very quick up close it can still bring farther targets much closer. My eyes never have been great so I like the magnification for any kind of precision.

For most up close work, a red dot works great. Aimpoints have amazing battery life and a simple reticle. The EoTech reticle can be very useful up close or at distance on e you unferstand it; some consider it 'busy' for ip close work.

I like some magnification for precise work at anything over 50 yards or so. That being said, I've got a micro red dot on an Ultimak rail on my 13" barreled AC556, and have had no trouble hitting a half scale IPSC target on the 100 yard range.

Then, on another AR, an 18" heaven barreled .223, I have a Nikon 4.5-14x scope and its wonderful glass. Fun for punching paper and hopefully for nailing some coyotes this winter!

It really depends on what you want the main use for the rifle to be for optics use. I think a low powered variable is a very versatile optic for a lot of different uses.