Finding the ideal scope for your Ruger AR556 may be challenging, but it's also a lot of fun. The Ruger AR556 was first launched in 2009 as the Sturm, Ruger & Co. SR556.
Since 1949, Sturm, Ruger & Co. has been manufacturing some of America's favorite handguns in Southport, Connecticut.
Ruger manufactures some of the world's best and most enjoyable handguns and is one of America's top producers.
The AR556 was their entry-level AR-15 competitor, and it succeeds. Since its introduction in 2014, the 556 has grown in popularity.
Choosing the correct optic is dependent on a number of factors, including the kind of shooting you want to do, the distance at which you intend to fire, and your weight. Continue reading to learn about the factors we recommend you weigh while purchasing the right scope for your Ruger AR556.
Buying Guide for Ruger AR556 Scopes
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Although the Ruger 556 is no slouch in terms of power and fun, that does not imply that any scope would suffice. Bear in mind that this is an AR-style weapon and is not intended for long-range firing. Ideally, you like the smallest and lightest scope that meets the specifications.
The 556 is a powerful, rapid acquisition carbine, and you don't want to weigh it down and throw it off balance with a wide, heavy scope. This firearm is designed to be easy to use, not cumbersome to bear.
Let us not ignore that you will be firing a.223 cartridge, which means that something more than 6x magnification is a waste of money due to the considerable loss of control above 300 yards.
Magnification vs. Red-Dot
Depending on your shooting style, you might choose a red-dot scope to a magnified scope. Red-Dots are much more suited to rapid-fire shooting or hunting, and the ones on this list have adequate light propagation and a broad field of view.
If you decide to purchase a scope with magnification, keep in mind that something greater than 6x is likely to be a waste of money.
Longevity
You'll want to ensure that your latest scope is constructed from a durable, weather-resistant material. If you hunt outside in the rain daily, ensure that your scope does not rust.
If you fire in humid weather, you can nitrogen purge your scope to avoid fog buildup.
The Ruger AR556 is a full-featured assault weapon that can be used and potentially exploited to the point of failure. After all, that is why it was made.
If it is constructed from a premium metal casing, it would be less likely to sustain failure if dropped or destroyed during travel.
The Four Best Ruger AR 556 Scopes
The following is a selection of scopes that we think suit the Ruger Ar 556 the best:
Scope Image | Scope | Price |
|---|---|---|
 | Bushnell AR Optics Reticle for Drop Zones | |
 | Barska Riflescope | |
 | Nikon P-Tactical | |
 | Strikefire II Red Dot Sight by Vortex Optics |
1. Bushnell AR Optics Reticle for Drop Zones
Unless you live in a cave, you have almost certainly heard the word 'Bushell' bandied around. For over 65 years, they have aided hunters, outdoor enthusiasts, and outdoor sports enthusiasts.
Not only do they manufacture high-quality scopes, but they also provide a diverse range of items to meet your every need. From rangefinders to spotting scopes, night vision to trail cameras, we've got you covered. Everything you require to improve the enjoyment of outdoor sports, Bushnell would have it.
Now we're looking through some of the latest AR556 scopes, with a focus on close-range firing. With that in mind, we adore the tactical appearance associated with assault weapons, and the Bushnell AR Optical Riflescope more than measures up to the hype.
It is finished in Matte Black and is constructed entirely of one element. The turrets have a cool tactical appearance and are positioned in an easily accessible location.
This scope is extremely sturdy and can easily withstand the recoil produced by a Semi-Auto. It has been nitrogen purged to ensure that no moisture or debris spoils your fun. Additionally, this ensures that you will utilize this scope across a wider variety of experimental environments if it's during a hunt or a race.
Bushnell's equipped this scope with 1-4x magnification, preventing it from being used for long-distance hunting or shooting. However, it is ideal for Varmint or range days.
The lenses transmit an abundance of light and are polished for optimal objective acquisition and visibility. The reticle is clean and simple, consisting of regular crosshairs and a drop zone.
This essentially implies that the scope's targeting points are located on the lower post of the reticle. When sighted properly, the points cause you to shoot up to 500 yards—permitting you to fire more and more precisely.
Bushnell advises sighting the lens at 100 yards for optimal performance; this will have the most precise sights and the most stable set up at any magnification.
Bushnell has built an excellent, high-quality, durable, and ready sight for the serious gunman.
What we enjoy:
2. Barska Riflescope
As previously said, the Ruger AR 556 is primarily intended for target shooting and killing tiny varmints. With this in mind, a compact and simple-to-use scope like the Barska Varmint Riflescope seems to be the ideal solution.
It has a magnification range of 6.5 to 20x and a 50 mm objective lens. To be sure, this is a somewhat larger lens than you may be accustomed to pairing with your Ruger AR 556; nevertheless, this means that it can collect adequate light to operate at its maximum magnification.
Additionally, the scope features multicoated optics to provide clear and high-quality viewing visibility. Additionally, it features a goal dot reticle, which facilitates target selection, especially for smaller and faster-moving animals.
Durability is often taken into account, considering the scope's lightweight of 22.3 ounces. It is constructed entirely of weatherproof materials, enabling you to use it in inclement weather. That's an added advantage when you consider the variety is among the most accessible on the market!
Additional features, such as finger customizable 1/8 MOA windage and elevation turrets, contribute to this total benefit. This provides highly accurate holdover corrections for all factors, allowing you to reach distant or narrow milestones even though the atmosphere or elements conspire against you.
Even the eye relief is taken into account since it is adjusted to 3.6 inches at the 20x magnification setting. This protects the eye from a rebound while mounting this scope to your Ruger AR 556.
Finally, keep in mind that, instead of a different turret, you can compensate for parallax with the adjustable target at the scope's tube's edge. Overall, considering its low price, this scope has everything you might like in a well-rounded and flexible rifle scope.
What we enjoy:
3. Nikon P-Tactical
Additionally, this Nikon scope will have an excellent value – at least if you're looking for a stable magnification scope. This product may not allow for magnification adjustment, but it might not be a deal-breaker if you just shoot your Ruger AR 556 at close ranges of less than 250 yards (i.e., backyard plinking and for hunting certain critters on your property).
If that sounds appealing to you, continue reading because there is much to enjoy here. To begin, there is the built-in BDC or bullet drop compensating reticle. This enables you to adjust for bullet drop up to a range of 600 yards (though it is calibrated for 200 yards in general). It's an excellent reticle, especially well-suited for long-range shooting at smaller targets.
However, this array has additional advantages, such as raised and easily accessible windage and height correction turrets. They are flexible with your fingers and spring-loaded, which means they click audibly each time you use them. Even better, you can reset them to nil after sighting in on your mark, ensuring that you never have to pull your gaze away from it.
Additionally, the scope features a fast-focus eyepiece, a rubberized eye shield that protects the orbital bone from a rebound, and decent eye relief overall. The lenses are completely multicoated to ensure maximum light propagation and visibility in low light conditions.
It's also an extremely robust scope since it's constructed entirely of aircraft-grade aluminum. As is the case for most scopes on the market, this model is rugged, fog proof, and shockproof.
Although it is not as inexpensive as some of the other Ruger scopes, it is still economical for the majority of shooters. It can function as a reliable, high-quality rifle scope for shooters who need the right info on what they need and do not intend to modify their Ruger 556 in the future for ancillary purposes.
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4. Strikefire II Red Dot Sight by Vortex Optics
Not another red-dot scope; this is the king of red-dot scopes. Vortex Optics has made it once more and created a visually stunning scope that performs optimally and meets the needs of avid shooters and hunters the world over.
The Vortex Optics StrikeFire 2 was designed with AR-15-style rifles in mind and will suit the vast majority. It is one of the most expensive red-dot scopes accessible and with cause. It looks fantastic, is dependable, and functions properly.
This is not a massive, obtrusive sight, but it is one of the larger red-dot scopes available. It measures 5.6" in length and weights 7.2Oz, which is about right for a scope of this size.
It is made of high-quality metal and has a matte black finish that looks fantastic. It is tough, sturdy, and strong and was built to withstand recoil from AR-15s, shotguns, and other firearms.
As a red-dot scope, it just has a 1x magnification. However, this riflescope is designed for rapid acquisition and pure enjoyment. It features completely multicoated lenses for maximum light transfer, as well as various anti-glare coatings on all air to glass lenses.
Vortex Optics lists this as having unrestricted eye relief, given the scope's rapid acquisition capability. The red-dot four reticles is contained bright red and features ten lighting modes, the two lowest of which are consistent with night vision.
While we have not checked it, Vortex claims that the battery would last 400 hours on the maximum setting and up to 7000 hours on the lowest setting. If desired, the reticle may be modified from red to green.
The Vortex StrikeFire 2 has an extremely large field of vision, meaning that you can target regardless of the weather or time of day.
Though installing the StrikeFire 2 is not complicated, we recommend consulting the included instructions to expedite the process. It includes everything necessary to install it on your AR556, including the cantilever arm. It is compatible with Picatinny and Weaver-type rails.
What we enjoy:
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