Scopes for Service Rifles — Requirements and Popular Optics

In Service Rifle competition in the United States, scopes are currently limited to a maximum magnification of 4.5 power (4.5X). Both the NRA and CMP rulebooks stipulate that variable and fixed scopes cannot exceed this power, and the objective lens diameter must not exceed 34mm.

Service Rifle Scope Configuration Rules

Maximum Magnification: 4.5x power is the max magnification allowed for Service Rifles.

Variable Power Limit: If using a variable scope, it can have any magnification range as long as it cannot be dialed higher than 4.5X.

Lens Size: 34mm is the maximum allowed objective lens diameter.

Sight Consistency: The same optical sight must be used for all stages of a course of fire. Changing optics between slow-fire and rapid-fire strings is prohibited.

Mount Height: The scope centerline must be no higher than 3.5 inches above the barrel bore centerline.

Popular Service Rifle Optics

Because of the 4.5X power limit and 34mm max objective size, Service Rifle competitors typically run purpose-built AR-optimized service rifle optics or tactical low-power variable optics (LPVOs). The most popular service rifle optics include:

Sightron S-TAC 1-4.5X24mm SR-1/AR-1 Scope