Deer season is almost here, and I have a lot of work to do in order to get prepared! In this post I’m going to cover my first round of upgrades for my .25-45 Sharps “Range Master” AR-15 from SRC. I have two rifles chambered in .25-45 Sharps- one for close-range work (the Range Master- 16″), and one for longer-distance work (Field Master- 20″). This first round of upgrades for the Range Master will get me 90% prepared for close-quarters deer and bear hunting, leaving just a sling to round-out this potent AR-15 hunting package.
Here’s the video outlining these upgrades, including an unboxing of the Strike Eagle:
The upgrades went smoothly- here’s a breakdown of the upgrades:
Click/tap to enlarge
I’m seriously liking the outcome on this rifle! It’s light, it’s nimble, the trigger is awesome, and the Strike Eagle as definitely surpassed my expectations! Makes me want to shoot and reload all day.
Here’s the quick list of gear:
- Sharps Range Master 16″ rifle chambered in .25-45 Sharps
- Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6x24mm scope (AR-BDC) SKU SE-1624-1 (see Vortex Product Page for full specs)
- Vortex CM-202 30mm cantelever scope mount
- ALG ACT AR-15 Trigger (Advanced Combat Trigger) 5.5lb
- Hogue AR-15 rubber grip
Vortex Strike Eagle
The Strike Eagle is *exactly* what I was looking for in a scope for this close-range .25-45 Sharps AR-15. It’s compact, light-weight, super-clear, has a perfect magnification range, flip-up caps, and an illuminated AR BDC reticle. It’s also very rugged and features a 30mm tube. I’m hoping to see a deer behind this reticle soon!
Click/tap to enlarge
I’m more used to red dot sights on my “run and gun” AR-15s, but after trying a scope like the Strike Eagle, I’m sold on having this setup on at least one AR-15! Here’s the full specs on the Strike Eagle:
- Magnification: 1-6 x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 24 mm
- Eye Relief: 3.5 inches
- Field of View: 116.5-19.2 feet/100 yards
- Tube Size: 30 mm
- Turret Style: Capped
- Adjustment Graduation: 1/2 MOA
- Travel per Rotation: 44 MOA
- Max Elevation Adjustment: 140 MOA
- Max Windage Adjustment: 140 MOA
- Parallax Setting: 100 yards
- Length: 10.5 inches
- Weight: 17.6 ounces
I hope these specs are helpful, but you really need to look through the scope to understand how well this scope works. Since I can’t host all of you for a shooting session, I’ll have to do my best showing you the view through this scope “vicariously” via images. Note: the scope looks even better in real life.
50 Yard Strike Eagle Views
100 Yard Strike Eagle Views
350 Yard Strike Eagle Views
In short- this scope works great and gives a very clear edge-to-edge sight picture with great forgiving eye relief.
What’s Next?
Once I get my strap on the Range Master, I’ll be ready to hit the slopes looking for deer and black bear. I consider this my “0-100 yards” rifle for hunting this year. But I’m also planning to fully equip the “Field Master” .25-45 Sharps AR-15 to act as my “100-300 yard” rifle. I’m planning to hunt both in the woods *and* out in the open this year, so these two rifles together should be the ultimate 1-2 punch I’ll need.
Watch out deer! This time I’m ready with quick follow-up shots! Stay tuned for .25-45 Sharps reloading, ballistics, and much more!
Thanks,
Gavin
Hey, let’s see some targets with holes. Really love my Sharps on a Savage bolt gun.
The reticle in this ad for ‘Vortex’ is tooooo dark when contrasted against the background. Also Toooo small. There needs to be thicker ‘hair lines and perhaps Illuminated lines as well. Fluorescent blue/green can catch a eye’s sensitivity….and fast. just IMHO.
On a reason build AR, the Styke Eagle is the scope I mounted with the Burris P.E.R.R. amount. I felt that this combination was too heavy, so I went with two scope rings to lighten things up some. The Styke Eagle is a very good scope for the money.