"Best" hunting optics

[NC_Rebel]

I know "best" can mean different things. Suppose I want to mount optics to my A2 with the intention of drilling ground critters and paper targets. What sort of optics should I look for (scope, collimator, red dot, mil dot, etc)? Any specific brand names? I'd like to keep it under $300 though.

[RJ Shooter]

I think when you're talking about Glass, most people will say the German optics are the leaders (Leupold, Zeiss, etc.). But there are some others, that I here nothing but outstanding comments about, like IOR, that are just incredible...

I prefer dot sites for >100M multiple-man-sized types of targets, rather than Varmint and Game.

[Rew]

price range (which I happen to agree with wholeheartly) I would suggest a Simmions 44mag. In this series of scopes are diffrent models that cover a wide range. I have a 3-10 on my Savage in 30-06 that would do well on an AR for hunting.;)

[Gr8Scott]

For ground piggie pounding, more is better IMHO. I like lots of magnification. Smaller magnification optics are good in certain situations, but honestly I like to see the victim up close and personal before I give him/her a supplimentary mineral injection. If you have a large heavy rifle, get large and heavy optics with lots of magnification. ATN would be good. If you are going with something light like a M4gery, get something that fits the rifle and the rifle's intent. Having a large peice of heavy glass on something small and light makes the rifle handle like crap and probably wouldn't help aiming. If you have a flat top, large glass is doable. If you have to mount to a carry handle, smaller and lighter glass is probably the best ticket. I guess it depends on what you intend to mount it to.

Whoops. Just re-read your initial post. A2 it is...

Something on the small and/or light side would be good for this purpose. Most decent 3x9 scopes would fit the bill well. The .223 version of the ATN scope would be a bit heavy for the mount, but it would also work (A friend of mine uses one in this fashion).