Daily Bulletin » AR Optics

Scopes for Service Rifles — Requirements and Popular Optics

Editor — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 05:40:25 +0000

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

Nightforce Competition SR Fixed 4.5x24mm

Leupold VX-4.5HD Service Rifle 1-4.5x24mm CDS-ZL2 HPR-1

Brownells Black Rifle Specials and Site-Wide Discount Codes

Editor — Sat, 27 Nov 2021 16:03:41 +0000

Brownells is continuing its popular Black Rifle Friday promotion through this entire weekend. Now through midnight on Sunday 11/28/21, enjoy big savings on uppers, lowers, barrels, buttstocks, rimfire conversion kits, AR optics, magazines and much more. Along with the attractive sale prices, you can save on nearly all Brownells products with special Black Friday weekend Discount Codes. NOTE: These codes are NOT limited to AR stuff — you can save on most products in stock.* But don’t delay, the codes expire soon.

Code RFA: 11% Off $200 | Code RFB: 12% Off $300 | Code RFC: 13% Off $700

Most Sale Prices Good Through 11/28/2021 at 11:59 pm CST. The special Discount Codes expire on 11/29/2021 at 11:59 pm CST.

*Promo Code Exceptions
Promo Codes are NOT valid on these brands: B&T, Bighorn Arms (Zermatt Arms), Crimson Trace, FN USA, Franklin Armory, Galco Int’l, Glock, Holosun, Kahles, LabRadar, Leica, Leupold, Nightforce, Raven Concealment, Ruger, SIG Sauer, Swarovski, Trijicon, and Zenith Firearms. Also Promo Codes are NOT valid on these product types (and more): barrel blanks, barrels (chambered), barreled receivers, bullets, case tumblers, cleaning rods, progressive presses, reloading kits, rifle stocks, shot, shotshell presses, ultrasonic case cleaners. See ALL Exceptions.

Bushnell Releases Six New Scopes in AR Optics Line

Editor — Mon, 19 Aug 2013 10:58:18 +0000

Bushnell Outdoor Products has launched a new optics family designed especially for AR-platform rifles. The new AR Optics product line from Bushnell includes six new riflescopes that range in configuration from a 1-4x24mm scope for close target acquisition to a 4.5-18x 40mm scope designed for extended range shooting. The AR Optics series scopes all feature fast-focus eyepieces, and large-diameter, target=style turrets. Side parallax control is included, except the for the lower-power 1-4X models.

One nice feature of Bushnell’s AR line of optics are caliber-specific reticle options. With three bullet-drop compensation (BDC) reticles available in the AR Optics line: DropZone-22, DropZone-223 and BTR-1, the scopes are designed for ease of use and quick target acquisition. The Bushnell AR scope offerings boast fully multi-coated optics in durable one-piece tubes. Bushnell claims that its AR-line scopes are waterproof and fogproof.

Product Tip from EdLongrange. We welcome reader submissions.