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the 8525 does not include sights and i beleive its around .75" shorter in height

Chris, they are the same core rifle. The 8500 has an A2 front sight post/gas block and flip up rear sight standard. The 8525 has a low profile gas block with rail for adding a flip up front sight and you would need to add a rear sight as well as it is "Optics Ready" meaning it comes with no sights at all from Ruger.

8525 does not include sights and the 8500 has an A2 front sight post/gas block and flip up rear sight standard.