Rifle Scopes Best scope for under $1500 50mm or less

[Pointblanktx]

Im sure this topic has been beat to death, as I tried searching a little but none really answered my questions. I am looking for a scope that has an endbell 44mm or smaller. Its going on a R700 and I have tried a NF w/56 but its just too tall and I do not wanna add a cheek riser or anything like that. Is the 50mm noticeably smaller? Are there any other brands that compare to quality? I see the USO ST10, but to be honest I have never used a fixed power. I will mainly be shooting in the 100-500yd range with the occasional trip to 600-1k. Will a ST10 work for that?

Thanks
Derek

 

[RobertB]

Re: Best scope for under $1500 50mm or less

Nf 2.5-10 if out to 500. My choice for field gun. Target only, i would look elsewhere. Good luck

 

[teknikallysekure]

Re: Best scope for under $1500 50mm or less

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Pointblanktx</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Im sure this topic has been beat to death, as I tried searching a little but none really answered my questions. I am looking for a scope that has an endbell 44mm or smaller. Its going on a R700 and I have tried a NF w/56 but its just too tall and I do not wanna add a cheek riser or anything like that. Is the 50mm noticeably smaller? Are there any other brands that compare to quality? I see the USO ST10, but to be honest I have never used a fixed power. I will mainly be shooting in the 100-500yd range with the occasional trip to 600-1k. Will a ST10 work for that?

Thanks
Derek
</div></div>

the 50 is 6mm smaller

 

[Grimaldus]

Re: Best scope for under $1500 50mm or less

I would look at the Vortex line of scopes.

 

[Rob01]

Re: Best scope for under $1500 50mm or less

Look at the Bushnell HDMR 3.5-21x50 with GAP2 reticle, Vortex PST 4-16x or 6-24xFFP, or the SWFA 5-20x.

The USO ST10 with Ergo parallax is pretty big out front. Like a 50mm objective. I would rather have a good variable.

 

[Pointblanktx]

Re: Best scope for under $1500 50mm or less

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: COURAGEWOLF</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

the 50 is 6mm smaller

</div></div>

I know...but its hard to picture the 3mm difference as far as mounted up.

Robert: Yes, its pretty much gonna be a target/steel gun, so what do you mean by look elsewhere?

 

[jasonk]

Re: Best scope for under $1500 50mm or less

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rob01</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Look at the Bushnell HDMR 3.5-21x50 with GAP2 reticle, Vortex PST 4-16x or 6-24xFFP, or the SWFA 5-20x.

The USO ST10 with Ergo parallax is pretty big out front. Like a 50mm objective. I would rather have a good variable.</div></div>

I can't disagree with anything Rob01 said. I prefer the SWFA SS 5-20 out of all of them, but any of those choices would do you right. Also agree 100% that you'll be happier with a variable (and more magnification).

J

 

[Pointblanktx]

Re: Best scope for under $1500 50mm or less

Do the Mark4's fall into the same quality or are they more pay for the name than quality?

 

[Cut]

Re: Best scope for under $1500 50mm or less

The true Mark 4's were good scopes. The 10x and 16x. I had a 16x for years. Never had a issues with it.

 

[Jeeprider]

Re: Best scope for under $1500 50mm or less

My vote Bushnell HDMR 3.5-21x50. I think it would fit your needs.

 

[jeo556]

Re: Best scope for under $1500 50mm or less

The variable power suggestions already mentioned all get good reviews. However, if you are still thinking about a fixed 10x and do not need it to pound tend stakes the SWFA 10x HD is a great scope, especially now that it's available with the new quad-mil reticle.

I had a standard mildot SS10xHD and the glass was very good, the turrents were very good, and if I remember correctly there was over 30mils of elevation in my particular scope. Not saying that it's the USO's equal but it's probably close as long as you don't need to use it for a hammer, hell it might even work for that. Solid scope for a lot less green.

The only reason that I don't still own it is I traded it toward the SS 5-20HD and it is a great scope for the price.

 

[leadbullet]

Re: Best scope for under $1500 50mm or less

another vote for the SS hd 5-20, truly an outstanding scope for the money, the vortex PST would be a close second but still a great scope for the price.

 

[Rick 324]

Re: Best scope for under $1500 50mm or less

My vote gets the Viper PST 4-16 or 6-24. Both are 50 mm and I do not have a cheek piece on my rifle and do not need one to get a proper cheek weld with low rings.

All are great scopes but for the price it is hard to beat...

Good Luck!!!

 

[Pointblanktx]

Re: Best scope for under $1500 50mm or less

Who makes the SS scopes? Are they japanese, or american made?

 

[jeo556]

Re: Best scope for under $1500 50mm or less

SWFA SS's are Japanese made

 

[sandwarrior]

Re: Best scope for under $1500 50mm or less

I would opt for the ST-10. I have the standard size bell but you can get the slim-line for the same price:

http://www.usoptics.com/optics/st-10-slimline.html

Even spending the extra cash for the TPAL:

http://www.usoptics.com/optics/st-10-tpal.html

From what I have seen the original Mk 4's have been of very good quality (10X). But the offshoots are the ones having problems. From what I understand from about a little over a year ago, Leupold has addressed the quality issues and is doing a much better job of it now. I know all of my older Leupold scopes have been very durable, if not even close to getting the best glass out of the deal.

The variable power issue goes back and forth a lot. In some cases a fixed ten is never enough power or always too much. I've found it's enough for what I've shot to, and that is one mile. The target isn't as big, and I can't see small detail on the target, but I can watch hits (on steel). It's good enough to keep you center mass.
On the flip side of that, you aren't going to win any contests with a fixed ten. Shooting tighter groups on a scoring type target requires you see a little better than the average bear. Any of the really top names are going to start at $2k so you might as well forget those.
That said, the scopes within your $1500 budget are:

Burris Tactical (or Black Diamond)
Bushnell Elite Tactical or Elite 6500
IOR Valdada Tactical
Meopta (4-16 Mil-dot, Meostar R1)
Nikon,
Sightron SII or SIII
SFWA SS scopes (upper end comes in just under your budget)
Vortex Viper PST
Zeiss Conquest

I've used all the above scopes and feel they will work for you. It's hard for me now to come along with all the price changes and say what is the best buy. IMO the best buy is the Meopta. My personal preference of Meopta though, is out of your range of wants, the 3-12x56 #4B reticle. All those MFR's mentioned have a variable range of power above ten, a mil or moa type reticle, and are the size you want and under $1500.

-Good luck

 

[Armored Transport]

Re: Best scope for under $1500 50mm or less

Sightron SIII 3.5-10X44 LRIRMOA.....Check it out. I think you will like what you see.

 

[Whit]

Re: Best scope for under $1500 50mm or less

I would personally just save up the extra$300 and just get a NF. I have 2 of them a (50mm and a 56mm) I love them both.

Here is a pic of both. 56mm is on top so you get a idea of a difference. The 56 seems a lot bigger when you actually hold them. Sorry for the bad pic.

 

[Jeepocabra]

Re: Best scope for under $1500 50mm or less

I like my Nightforce NSX, but I love my bushnell hdmr. FFP and the gap reticle is perfect. Add in the locking turrets and it's the best value in scopes.

 

[Pointblanktx]

Re: Best scope for under $1500 50mm or less

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: whit</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would personally just save up the extra$300 and just get a NF. I have 2 of them a (50mm and a 56mm) I love them both.

Here is a pic of both. 56mm is on top so you get a idea of a difference. The 56 seems a lot bigger when you actually hold them. Sorry for the bad pic.

</div></div>

Thats what I was looking for! Thanks for the pic...I wanted to see them both side by side.
Now this leads to a different question...is zerostop a must have or just something nice to have? I see a couple manuf. have their own version of it.

 

[Whit]

Re: Best scope for under $1500 50mm or less

Its really nice to have, I am glad I have it. Both of mine are zero stop.

 

[Moadrifter]

Re: Best scope for under $1500 50mm or less

No expert here but I'm at the end of a bunch of research and member feedback evaluation.

If you can go to 50mm objective, under $1,500 IMO good options are SWFA SS 5-20x50 (get it on sale) and Vortex PST 6-24x50. The SWFA is reported to have noticeably better optics. The Vortex is lighter. They are both great scopes. There are several very recent threads so just go down the first couple scope forum topics and also use search.

At 50mm for just a little more money ($2K but you get rings etc. with that so it's really about $1,850 or so), the Vortex Razor HD 5-20x50 is an incredible value based on all the reviews and expert member feedback:
Field Test: Razor v SS v DMR G2 v NXS
Does Razor 5-20 Stand Up To Top LR Optics?

If it were me for this app, I would check around to see if the rings in the Razor box are good and if so I would go ahead and save an extra few hundred of my lunch money to to buy up to the Razor, but that's just me.

If you are not a glass nut (my disease), the NF options are awesome, with everything you want except the glass has just a little less pop.

IMHO get an FFP scope and not an SFP scope that you think you might use on any power other than the power where the mil dots are true. It's enough to determine range, holdover and windage with mil dots and/or turrets without including which mag you are set on which changes the mil reticle scale.

It's out of your price range, but if you are hooked on a small objective and/or a relatively light 4weight option, the March F 6-24x42 with the FML-1 reticle has some big fans (and some detractors):
Review: March-F 3-24 x 42 FFP
Question on March F 3-24x42mm For 338 Lapua XCR II

If you want something quite a bit lighter with a smaller objective that is in your price range and has held up well in the field for me, I have a Swaro 3.5-18x44 BRH reticle that does a good job for anything under 500 yards. Good glass for just under 16 oz, but - it's SFP and is not good if you want to shoot farther out by dialing turrets. There is an elevation turret version (BT) but I can't recommend it because haven't used it. IMO this scope is not the kind of LR scopes listed above - it's a set it and forget it hunting holdover scope. Even though this is an SFP scope (the one drag for me), under 250 I just shoot the cross hair and after that spin up to max mag of 18 so no need to think about what an 18 mag mil means at some other mag - still not ideal because sometimes you would rather have less than 18 mag over 250 yards.

 

[Pointblanktx]

Re: Best scope for under $1500 50mm or less

Guess an extra $500 more can really open up your options once you get around the $2k range.

 

[Moadrifter]

Re: Best scope for under $1500 50mm or less

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Pointblanktx</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Guess an extra $500 more can really open up your options once you get around the $2k range.

</div></div>

Don't know about the scope rings that come with the Razor, but if you ask around on the forum and they are good to use then the Razor is not really $500 more because you save the ring $.

This is from ILya's review:
High End Tactical Scopes: Part III
"Overall, I think that the Razor HD is still (marginally) the most complete piece out of the three. Besides, it comes with a nice set of accessories including a good set of 35mm rings, flip caps, sun shade and bubble level. ... I suspect the goodies in the Razor HD box come out to be worth about $200-$250, making the scope itself to be about $1750-$1800."

 

[Moadrifter]

Re: Best scope for under $1500 50mm or less

Bubble levels are also a must IMO and they cost some $$ too.

 

[sandwarrior]

Re: Best scope for under $1500 50mm or less

pointblank,

One thing about SFP/FFP you might want to think about. If you have a limited range you want to shoot within, FFP, or first focal plane, is the way to go as the reticle always matches the size it represents.
For the longest time SFP, or second focal plane, has been the industry standard. With it, as you probably know, you have to be on a specific power to have the mil or moa reticle give accurate information.
The difference is FFP will keep the reticle the same relative to the target. You never have to worry what power you're on if ranging with your scope. In a SFP, the reticle remains the same size to your eye, but changes size when power is dialed up or down relative to the target. Not so good when needing speed to change powers. However, it's entirely beneficial when needing to extend range past what an FFP will do. Something to consider.

 

[VKC]

Re: Best scope for under $1500 50mm or less

Bushnell HDMR is a great value if you don't need an illuminated reticle.

 

[Ring]

Re: Best scope for under $1500 50mm or less

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rob01</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Look at the Bushnell HDMR 3.5-21x50 with GAP2 reticle, Vortex PST 4-16x or 6-24xFFP, or the SWFA 5-20x.

The USO ST10 with Ergo parallax is pretty big out front. Like a 50mm objective. I would rather have a good variable.</div></div>

this..

 

[Pointblanktx]

Re: Best scope for under $1500 50mm or less

Well, noone can say this site lacks information! I appreciate all the advice and suggestions and now I need to make a decision. The nightforce and Razor are my top runners with the HDMR in a close 3rd! Gonna check some local shops to see if I can put my hands on the Razor and HDMR.

Thanks for all the help!

 

[lawofsavage]

Re: Best scope for under $1500 50mm or less

I would suggest the Bushnell model ET6245 because you have up to a year to send it back and get your money back if you're saving for a nicer scope and it's got pretty much all the features you need except Illuminated reticle and zero stops. It's mil/mil also, so that's nice and you've got adequate elevation adjustments with adequate glass.

 

[Strazz]

Re: Best scope for under $1500 50mm or less

I went with the ST-10 because I didn't have the cash for an SN-3 and felt that the 10x would be just fine to start with. It's a great scope and it's served me well.

If you're considering eventually getting a higher powered scope, the ST-10 holds value pretty well and you can find them set up exactly the way you like. I have an SN-3 inbound and the only difference, aside from the magnification, is the newer illumination. Same reticule, EREK, etc. so there's no learning curve.