Which scope for my Seekins SP10 6.5CM

cramey74

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Have a Seekins SP10 in 6.5 CM 22” on the way. I’m torn between a Nightforce ATACR 5-25 or the equivalent Leupold Mark 5. Would like to hear some of your thoughts. I’ve also considered a variety of 3-18 optics. Help!! And if you happen to have one in Sniper Gray, post it up.
 
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I find the Mk 5 5-25 glass very underwhelming for the low 2k’s price range. I would get rid of mine on my AR-10 but it’s already painted and banged up a bit, and don’t think I would recover much of the cost, so it stays.
 
I find the Mk 5 5-25 glass very underwhelming for the low 2k’s price range. I would get rid of mine on my AR-10 but it’s already painted and banged up a bit, and don’t think I would recover much of the cost, so it stays.
I just pulled the trigger (pun intended) on a Khales with the SKMR4 reticle. Everyone of them I have looked through have been great. Thought about using the Mark 5 to save some weight.
 
was looking at a 6.5 CM 22” barrel was going to remove a 708 barrel but after getting the 6.5 grendel two weeks ago i question why i would need a 6.5 CM . thing is, i have the dies and bullets all i need is brass
 
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Have a Seekins SP10 in 6.5 CM 22” on the way. I’m torn between a Nightforce ATACR 5-25 or the equivalent Leupold Mark 5. Would like to hear some of your thoughts. I’ve also considered a variety of 3-18 optics. Help!! And if you happen to have one in Sniper Gray, post it up.
how far do you intend to shoot?
 
I went with the NF ATACR 4-16x42 F1 on the 20" 6.5 CM I built, but later switched to the ATACR 4-20x50 F1.

Here are some images of the 4-16x42:

concealed-carry-corner-my-personal-top-5-summer-carry-guns-44814589
IMG_2469.jpg


IMG_2470.jpg
 
I went with the NF ATACR 4-20x50 F1 on the 20" 6.5 CM I built, and I'm very happy with the choice.

concealed-carry-corner-my-personal-top-5-summer-carry-guns-44814589


IMG_2470.jpg
Nice looking setup. I ended up ordering a Khales 6-24 and an Area 419 mount. Was going to use a Mark 5 to save some weight but after thinking about it, I don’t own a lightweight gun. Why start now? lol
 
Have a Seekins SP10 in 6.5 CM 22” on the way. I’m torn between a Nightforce ATACR 5-25 or the equivalent Leupold Mark 5. Would like to hear some of your thoughts. I’ve also considered a variety of 3-18 optics. Help!! And if you happen to have one in Sniper Gray, post it up.
is that enough scope for that kind of yardage ?
 
I haven't bought a Leupold scope on almost 20 years. Back then, I had to return one out of every three for problems.

Five years ago, I was hosting a group of Swedish SF guys here in the states. They had MK 5's on their AI's. I learned that - at least for my eyes - little had changed.

Found some shots of my SP10 with the NF ATACR 4-20x50 F1:


IMG_3383.jpeg
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IMG_3381.jpeg
 
I haven't bought a Leupold scope on almost 20 years. Back then, I had to return one out of every three for problems.

Five years ago, I was hosting a group of Swedish SF guys here in the states. They had MK 5's on their AI's. I learned that - at least for my eyes - little had changed.

Found some shots of my SP10 with the NF ATACR 4-20x50 F1:


View attachment 8455940View attachment 8455941View attachment 8455942That is a killer looking rig. I love Nightforce and have owned several. I went with the Khales simply because I’ve never owned one. I’ve looked through several and always admired them. Haven’t had to buy any new glass for a while. My last couple were both S&B which I also like.
 
Maybe. You are also likely to find that, due to environmental mirage, you are rarely able to use your highest magnification at long range.
I do 95% of my shooting on 10-12x even with Tremor 3 reticles. That's out to 1100 yards.

Magnification ranges are like bike gears, at least in my mind. The sweet spot for image quality, eye relief, etc. is in the middle of most zoom ranges. So the sweet spot for a 3-18 is probably 6-14x. Likewise a 5-25 gives you 7-20x. So more magnification means a broader range and/or moving the range up higher.

The optical quality on most scopes, even that mid higher tier like a Mk5 is just not as good. Sure, a Mk5 3-18 on 18x has a better image/eye box than a Burris XTRII 4-20 on 20x, but unless you are going to a S&B, ZCO, etc. that top 10% of the mag range (maybe more) is basically useless IMO.

Plus you lose so much field of view you effectively can't spot your own shots. On a gas gun that is definitely something you want.

Again, just my 2 cents.
 
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I do 95% of my shooting on 10-12x even with Tremor 3 reticles. That's out to 1100 yards.

Magnification ranges are like bike gears, at least in my mind. The sweet spot for image quality, eye relief, etc. is in the middle of most zoom ranges. So the sweet spot for a 3-18 is probably 6-14x. Likewise a 5-25 gives you 7-20x. So more magnification means a broader range and/or moving the range up higher.

The optical quality on most scopes, even that mid higher tier like a Mk5 is just not as good. Sure, a Mk5 3-18 on 18x has a better image/eye box than a Burris XTRII 4-20 on 20x, but unless you are going to a S&B, ZCO, etc. that top 10% of the mag range (maybe more) is basically useless IMO.

Plus you lose so much field of view you effectively can't spot your own shots. On a gas gun that is definitely something you want.

Again, just my 2 cents

The Khales that I ordered is usable through the entire range of magnification. I have 0 experience with the Mark 5. A lot of people talk up the image quality. I’d definitely like to look through one. I was considering it to maybe save some weight. But like I said above, I don’t own any light rifles so why start now? 😂
 
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The Khales that I ordered is usable through the entire range of magnification. I have 0 experience with the Mark 5. A lot of people talk up the image quality. I’d definitely like to look through one. I was considering it to maybe save some weight. But like I said above, I don’t own any light rifles so why start now? 😂

I know this wasn't on your list but these are a couple I use all the time with my Gassers.


The only MK5-s I will run is the 3.6-18 because it's so compact/lightweight and I haven't been able to break it yet. My favorite AR Budget, do everything and damn near bullet proof Scope is the Bushnell 3.5-21 DMR3 and the new G4P and EQL Reticles work really well for just any and style of shooting.
 
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I love the 4-16 NF ATACR. Think it’s the perfect DMR optic. I didn’t fee the 4-20 was worth it for me giving up the low profile locking elevation and size of the 4-16.

If I go atacr now it’s 4-16 or 7-35
 
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I know this wasn't on your list but these are a couple I use all the time with my Gassers.


The only MK5-s I will run is the 3.6-18 because it's so compact/lightweight and I haven't been able to break it yet. My favorite AR Budget, do everything and damn near bullet proof Scope is the Bushnell 3.5-21 DMR3 and the new G4P and EQL Reticles work really well for just any and style of shooting.
I am fond of the Bushnell scopes. Have had them in the past. Hard to beat for the 💵.
 
It’s gonna be sick!!! Mine same color, Khales 6-24, Area 419 mount, Area 419 ARCA rail, Area 419 Atlas PSR. Have not decided on suppressor yet. Probably end up with a Thunder Beast.
 
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