Rifle Scopes Assistance deciding between three different scopes

XLR308

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Minuteman
  • Mar 22, 2018
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    Grand Junction, Colorado
    This is not a which one should I buy question as I all ready have all three just picking your brains as to which one would be the best choice for the intended purpose.
    1) IOR Valdata 3-18x42 SFP with Ill MP8 reticle.
    2) Bushnell ET 6-24x50 Ill mil/mil FFP
    3) Bushnell ET 3.5-21X50 DMR with G2 reticle

    The rifle will be built on a Kelbly Atlas with Bartlien barrel and used initially just for target shooting but would enjoy eventually getting to attend some local matches when I get settled in the area.
    The caliber will be either 6.5 Creedmoor or the 6.5x47 and the local range is out to a 1000 meters so that is my theoretical max starting out.
     
    Which reticle in the 6-24?
    I'd go with the DMR personally as it has 'good enough' glass, sold reticle and is near bulletproof. I believe the DMR is an overall notch above the 6-24.
    Was intrigued by a handful of IORs but dissuaded by reticle choices and Hide threads so YMMV there.
     
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    I have a Bushnell ET 3.5-21 G2DMR and for the price it's a great scope. Mine has excellent optics, better than the Bushnell ERS 3.5-21 Tremor2 that I also have. The adjustments are solid and repeatable and the reticle is excellent. What I'm not thrilled about is it doesn't have a zero stop and the turrets are 5 mils per turn. I have mine on a CZ 22 trainer and to get from 100 to 200 yards I'm turning that turret 5.5 mils, more than one turn, so I have to make witness marks on the turret so I can keep track of how many turns I'm at. Although my Bushnell ERS has a zero stop and 10 mil per turn turrets, the optics are noticeably worse than the G2DMR. For a first precision rifle they both will do the job very well and for the price these are selling for here on the SH Exchange, they are very good values. If I were you I'd also look at the Vortex PST Gen II 5-25 with an EBR-2C reticle. A number of guys are shooting this scope at our local club matches and they get the job done very well, also at a very reasonable price.

    Do a search here for IOR scopes and you can decide for yourself. FWIW, I've never seen an IOR scope at any PRS style match that I have shot at.
     
    The 6-24 has the standard mildot reticle and you are correct the glass is better on the DMR but both are very rugged scopes. The G2 reticle is really growing on me I just haven't had a chance to really use it for its intended purpose at distance.
    Regarding the IOR it is currently on my 308 and is easily my favorite for target shooting and hunting. The MP-8 dot reticle is great for precision and the glass is far better than the Bushnells. The downside is i bought the MOA SFP version. I have never had any issues with the one I have but have read some of the ugliness others have experienced.
     
    I have a Bushnell ET 3.5-21 G2DMR and for the price it's a great scope. Mine has excellent optics, better than the Bushnell ERS 3.5-21 Tremor2 that I also have. The adjustments are solid and repeatable and the reticle is excellent. What I'm not thrilled about is it doesn't have a zero stop and the turrets are 5 mils per turn. I have mine on a CZ 22 trainer and to get from 100 to 200 yards I'm turning that turret 5.5 mils, more than one turn, so I have to make witness marks on the turret so I can keep track of how many turns I'm at. Although my Bushnell ERS has a zero stop and 10 mil per turn turrets, the optics are noticeably worse than the G2DMR. For a first precision rifle they both will do the job very well and for the price these are selling for here on the SH Exchange, they are very good values. If I were you I'd also look at the Vortex PST Gen II 5-25 with an EBR-2C reticle. A number of guys are shooting this scope at our local club matches and they get the job done very well, also at a very reasonable price.

    Do a search here for IOR scopes and you can decide for yourself. FWIW, I've never seen an IOR scope at any PRS style match that I have shot at.
    Just out of curiosity if you have experienced a similar issue with the G2DMR when shooting at 100yards for groups with the power dialed all the way up I have had a difficult time with the paralax adjustment and usually do better backing down to around 18x. Is this normal? I have had minimal time behind this optic and at first thought it was load development issues until I backed of the power and shot more groups this way.
     
    I haven't had issues with the parallax adjustment on either my G2DMR or ERS other than it's pretty stiff. I think what you are seeing is at maximum magnification the limitations of the optics are starting to show in that the image is a bit darker and getting a bit fuzzy.
     
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    I haven't had issues with the parallax adjustment on either my G2DMR or ERS other than it's pretty stiff. I think what you are seeing is at maximum magnification the limitations of the optics are starting to show in the image is a bit darker and getting a bit fuzzy.

    Your probably right, like I said I have minimal time behind this one and it was on an AR shooting from a bench. I seem to shoot a scoped AR better from prone. Its in a Larue QD mount so I may just put it on another rifle and see how it feels on a bolt gun before I make up my mind to dedicate it to the one I'm having built.
     
    Also check out Steiner T5Xi mine is on the way!! Can’t wait..Doug @ Cameraland hooked me up-Steiner also has a 10% rebate till March 31-hurry
    I have been looking at the Stiener scopes if the glass in their scopes is on par with the binos I have they would be outstanding, unfortunately I havent had a chance to look through the T5Xi
     
    I have been looking at the Stiener scopes if the glass in their scopes is on par with the binos I have they would be outstanding, unfortunately I havent had a chance to look through the T5Xi
    I haven’t ever fondled one either, I talked to two different respected Hide vendors tho, and they actually put this baby ahead of Vortex Gen 2 in terms of build quality and clarity, I hope they are right! I know one thing tho, As far as sex appeal I’d give this thing a solid 9.0.. I’m not knocking a Vortex Gen 2 tho in anyway tho, that scope is awesome! I just wanted to be different.. so don’t go crawlin’on my ass anybody