The SCAR 17 is one of the most versatile weapons available to the modern shooter. Not only does this compact weapon excel in the realm of room-clearing maneuverability, it’s also powerful enough to provide effective terminal ballistics at longer ranges. The SCAR 17 is definitely capable of serving up serious abuse. Unfortunately, it’s also pretty abusive on its optics.
The best SCAR 17 optics are tough, rugged, and as versatile as the weapon they are mounted on. If you aren’t sure what type of optic works best with the SCAR 17, we’ve got you covered. We’ve gathered a few of our top picks to get you started.
If you’re in a hurry and don’t have time for the details, here are our best picks for Scar 17 Optics:
- Trijicon ACOG TA11H-308 3.5×35
- Trijicon 1-6×24 VCOG Riflescope
- EOTech 512 Holographic Weapon Sight
- Elcan SpecterDR Dual Role 1-4x
- NightForce NX8 1-8×24 F1
- Leupold VX-3i 1.5-5×20
- Vortex Optics Strike Eagle 1-8×24
- Nikon M-Tactical 1-4X24
- Bushnell Engage 2.5-10×44
- Aimpoint PRO Patrol Rifle Optic Red Dot
Table of Contents
- What Optics Work Best for a Scar 17?
- Best SCAR 17 Optics on the Market Reviews
- 1 Trijicon ACOG TA11H-308 3.5×35
- 2 Trijicon 1-6×24 VCOG Riflescope
- 3 EOTech 512 Holographic Weapon Sight
- 4 Elcan SpecterDR Dual Role 1-4x
- 5 NightForce NX8 1-8×24 F1
- 6 Leupold VX-3i 1.5-5×20
- 7 Vortex Optics Strike Eagle 1-8×24
- 8 Nikon M-Tactical 1-4X24
- 9 Bushnell Engage 2.5-10×44
- 10 Aimpoint PRO Patrol Rifle Optic Red Dot
- Final Thoughts
What Optics Work Best for a Scar 17?
The FN SCAR 17 is a real powerhouse. It fires a 7.62X51mm cartridge that easily has 800-yard, sub-MOA capabilities when held by a skilled shooter. However, the weapon is relatively lightweight and has a carbine-length barrel that makes it just as well-suited for CQB. With such a diverse capacity, finding the right optic for this modern rifle is no easy task.
The SCAR 17 has a reputation for eating optics, which further complicates matters. You won’t be able to slap a cheap optic on one of these and expect it to last.
The type of optic you need largely depends on how you intend to use your rifle. The features you’ll need for home defense differ greatly from those of a hunter popping hogs across an open field.
Reflex sights, red dots, and holo sights work well for close quarters shooting applications.
Itching to try your hand at some distance shooting? While the SCAR 17 isn’t exactly a .308 sniper rifle, an optic with variable power and generous magnification will certainly help you ping long range steel.
Best SCAR 17 Optics on the Market Reviews
1 Trijicon ACOG TA11H-308 3.5×35
Because the SCAR 17 is so tough on scopes, you need something that is nearly indestructible to pair with it. The Trijicon ACOG definitely fits the bill. The ACOG (Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight) has proven its strength on some of the toughest battlefields around the globe. Trijicon claims the optic is “bombproof”, and we believe them.
Versions of this incredibly sturdy prism scope have charged into battle on American military rifles for more than 30 years. Built with a tough aluminum alloy housing that is nitrogen purged and o-ring sealed, the ACOG has proven its value in some of the toughest environments in the world.
The ACOG was designed around the Bindon Aiming Concept, which allows shooters to keep both eyes open when shooting. This preserves precious peripheral vision, which is a major asset on the battlefield.
The ACOG has incredible image clarity. It also features a battery-free illuminated reticle. Instead of batteries, the ACOG relies on advanced fiber optic technology for daytime illumination. After the sun goes down, the ACOG utilizes tritium radiance to illuminate the reticle.
All of the models in the ACOG line-up are superb optics. However, the TA11H-308 is particularly well-suited for the SCAR 17. It features a red horseshoe BAC ranging reticle that is specifically calibrated for 7.62/.308 loads out to 1200 meters.
The ACOG is an expensive optic with a price tag that will probably send most shooters into sticker shock. Although this is one of the most expensive optics on our list, we think it is worth every single penny.
2 Trijicon 1-6×24 VCOG Riflescope
Trijicon released its VCOG (Variable Combat Optical Gunsight) as a follow up to their insanely popular ACOG. For those who want a 1-6x variable power optic, the VCOG is built like an absolute tank. Just like the ACOG, the VCOG is battle-ready, bombproof, and virtually indestructible.
Perfect for CQB, long-range shooting, and everything in between, this rugged optic features an illuminated BDC reticle. The reticle is located on the first focal plane (FFP), so the reticle retains the same perspective to the target through the scope’s entire magnification range. Illumination is powered by a single AA battery, and the optic has six different brightness settings.
The VCOG is made with high-quality glass and has multi-coated lenses for magnificent light gathering capabilities. If you need an optic that delivers bright, clear image quality, even in low light, the VCOG deserves serious consideration.
3 EOTech 512 Holographic Weapon Sight
It doesn’t get more rugged than an EOTech Holo Sight. The 512 is the company’s most popular model, and it is insanely durable. The EOTech 512 even functions if the glass shatters, and it will hold its zero even if most of the glass is missing. The optic is also water resistant to 10 feet.
The 512 is a fairly basic optic compared to other models in the EOTech line-up. It has few bells and whistles, which just happens to make it the most affordable EOTech holo sight.
The 512 is compact, lightweight, and ultra reliable. It comes with 20 different daylight brightness settings, so you can easily see your aiming point at twilight or in bright afternoon sunshine.
4 Elcan SpecterDR Dual Role 1-4x
The SCAR 17 is used by many America’s elite fighting forces, including Navy SEALS, MARSOC Raiders, and Army Green Berets. If you want to top your rifle with the same optic as the big dogs, you want the Elcan SpecterDR.
This optic is lightweight, but tough as nails. Built from hard-anodized aluminum, the SpecterDR is impact resistant, shockproof, corrosion resistant. Not only can the Specter DR handle any abuse you can dish out, it is also built to function reliably in some of the harshest conditions on the face of the planet.
The SpecterDR offers two different magnification settings, 1x and 4x. Although some shooters may miss the ability to zoom in and out, having two set magnification levels makes the optic simpler to use. The true 1x makes this an ideal CQB optic. Flip the SpecterDR to 4x magnification, and you’re ready to reach out and touch targets out to 600 yards and beyond.
5 NightForce NX8 1-8×24 F1
Measuring a mere 8.75 inches and weighing only 17 ounces, the NightForce NX8 may seem minimalistic, but this scope offers serious high-end performance. The optical quality is out of this world. NightForce uses high-quality glass and fully multi-coated lenses to deliver some of the sharpest, brightest images you’ll ever view through an optic.
Tactical shooters will appreciate the built-in power throw lever, which allows for fast, on-the-spot magnification changes in the field. After dialing in for those tough long shots, the NX8 has a ZeroStop elevation adjustment, so you can quickly and easily return to your established zero.
The NX8 reticle is one of the most versatile on our list. It features a daylight visible center red dot for engaging close-range targets with speed. For targets at distance, the FFP (first focal plane) reticle provides precision holdover marks for nail-driving accuracy.
6 Leupold VX-3i 1.5-5×20
Leupold is known for designing and manufacturing tough, high-quality optics, and their VX-3i is no exception. Featuring a 6061-T6 aluminum housing with a hard-anodized exterior finish, this o-ring sealed riflescope is waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof. Leupold uses a proprietary blend of inert gases to purge their optics, which provides reliable performance from Arctic-cold to desert-heat conditions.
The VX-3i lenses are coated with Leupold’s DiamondCoat 2, which is an ion-assist lens coating. DiamondCoat2 provides incredible protection from dust, dirt, and abrasions and also provides increased light transmission for bright, clear images.
One of the most exciting features of the Leupold VX-3i is the Twilight Max Light Management System. This system of lens coatings eliminates glare, provides jaw-dropping edge-to-edge clarity, and adds up to 20 extra minutes of shooting light at dawn and dusk.
7 Vortex Optics Strike Eagle 1-8×24
If you don’t have the cash for a high end optic, this affordable scope from Vortex Optics offers plenty of performance for the price tag. The Vortex Strike Eagle is compact (only 10 inches long), lightweight (just over 17 ounces), and just as tough as the SCAR 17.
The Strike Eagle is the perfect optic for maneuvering around walls, barriers, and vehicles, making it well-suited for tactical applications. With the simple throw of a lever, shooters can quickly jump from true 1x magnification for close-quarters shooting to 8x for precision long-range targets. This version of the Strike Eagle features an SFP (second focal plane) BDC3 reticle designed to quickly focus your eye on the target for faster shooting. The reticle also allows for accurate holdovers on targets out to 650 yards.
8 Nikon M-Tactical 1-4X24
Nikon manufactures durable riflescopes with impressive image quality. We love Nikon’s M-Tactical for many reasons, but mostly because it partners so well with the SCAR 17. This 1-4x riflescope is made with Nikon’s patented multi-coatings and premium glass for maximum light transmission, stunning color-contrast, and crisp, clear images. The image quality is superb and stays consistent through the optic’s full magnification range.
The M-Tactical has nice consistent eye relief and a handy, quick-focus eyepiece. When engaging distant targets, shooters will appreciate the scope’s spring-loaded Instant Zero-Reset Turrets and the innovative tactical-style reticle.
A durable compliment to the SCAR 17, the Nikon M-Tactical is made from aircraft grade aluminum alloy. The housing is o-ring sealed and nitrogen purged to provide reliable shockproof, fogproof, waterproof performance.
9 Bushnell Engage 2.5-10×44
Although Bushnell is best known for producing quality hunting scopes, their Engage also makes a pretty nice partner for a tactical SCAR 17. Although the Engage comes in several different magnification options, we love the 2.5-10x version for this application. 10x is plenty of magnification for reaching longer range targets with your SCAR 17 without over-magnifying on those close- to mid-range targets.
The optical quality on the Bushnell is clear and crisp, particularly for an optic in this price range. The quality also stays consistent through the entire magnification range. The company accomplishes this with their unique, ultra-wide band, anti-reflective coatings. These multi coatings maximize light transmission to provide clear, bright, high-contrast images, even in low light conditions.
10 Aimpoint PRO Patrol Rifle Optic Red Dot
There’s no doubt that Aimpoint is the king of red dot optics, and their PRO (Patrol Rifle Optic) model is king of them all. This rock-solid optic is a fine option for your SCAR 17. It is made with a hard anodized aluminum body and is built for rough use on the battlefield. The optic is also waterproof up to an astounding 150 feet and can withstand some of the harshest temperatures on the planet without skipping a beat.
The PRO has a crisp, highly visible 2-MOA aiming point that allows for precision distance shooting without sacrificing acquisition speed on close-range targets. Shooters can choose from 6 different daytime brightness settings. The optic also features four extra settings that are night vision compatible.
Although iron sights may be fine for close-quarters shooting, the FN SCAR 17 just seems naked without an optic. Whether you prefer a red dot, holo sight, or a magnified scope, a quality optic can really enhance your shooting skills. While any of the models on our list of the best SCAR 17 optics will serve you well, be sure to spend some time at the range to familiarize yourself with your new rifle/optic set-up. Ultimately, proficiency with your rig is your most effective weapon, no matter what style of shooting you prefer.