Hey all,
I know this question has been asked a couple times and I've been reading through some recent threads, but hoping for folks with experience on a few of these optics to chime in. In short I have a proven 20" SAMR-ish .223 gun that I love but just haven't shot much in the past few years.
So I pilfered the old school mildot SWFA 3-9 I had on it and ending up selling that along with a .308 bolt gun to a buddy getting into hunting.
Well I'd like to get an optic back on the rifle and I figured there's probably something out there these days for around $1K that'd have some nice updates compared to the old reliable SWFA. And wouldn't you know it there's just as many trade off's now as there was back then.
I'd be curious if anyone had any $.02 on my considerations here or if I'm missing something I'd appreciate it. Use case is primarily a bit of target shooting, coyote hunting, and maybe a gas gun match from time to time.
Things I like (for this gun):
FFP
2-10x-ish magnification
Length around 13" or less
Weight around 25oz or less
Illumination
Zero Stops / Locking Turrets
Not super busy reticles
Adjustable Parallax (nice to have but not required for this gun)
Things I don't like (for this gun):
Unreliable things
Heavy / Long Scopes
Super busy reticles / should be hunter friendly
I have a range for sure but this is what I'm considering:
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Leupold Mark 4HD M5C3 FFP TMR Illuminated
~$1000
My initial replacement thought. Love the size/weight, features, reticle is acceptable for me.
Concerned about tracking and reliability based on Rokslide tests for the money. Conflicting reports on glass quality for the price.
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Steiner H6Xi 2-12x42mm STR-MIL FFP
~$1500
Love the size/weight, features, glass is probably excellent, bit spendy (diminishing returns?)
Reticle is a bit busy for me and feel it might get lost hunting
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Trijicon Credo 2-10x36 FFP w/ Red MRAD
~$1000
Good size/weight if just a touch long, Japanese glass
Reticle a bit busier than I'd like, unsure if better that the Leupy for the same price?
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Athlon Helos BTR GEN2 2-12x42mm AHMR2 FFP IR MIL
~$400
Like the size/weight, features, generally like the reticle, ranging capability is really cool, cheap means more money rolled into scope on a different rifle faster, or less buyer's remorse if someone ever comes out with a banger MPVO.
Don't love a 1 MOA dot, biggest concerns is on quality and reliability, glass is said to be OK, seems like a dice roll.
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Vortex PST Gen 2 2-10x FFP Mil
~$750
Like the size/weight, generally like the reticle, cheaper than other options, Vortex warranty
Discontinued/Somewhat Hard To Find, glass said to be OK
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Bushnell LRTSi 3-12 FFP
~$800?
Like the weight, a touch long, G3 tree is ok, said to have great Japanese glass, should have bought one years ago during the blow out.
Discontinued/ Very Hard To Find, read a few horror stories about Bushnell warranties on these and replacing them with worse options
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Maven RS1.2 - 2.5-15x44 FFP
$~1100
Excellent performance in Rokslide tests, Good glass, good hunting reticle, great magnification range
Definitely a long boy, a touch on the heavy side, temptation to slap on a bolt-gun hunting rifle instead
