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New Optic. Help me spend my money.

S

smcfarland

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Feb 26, 2011
264
317
48
Georgetown, TX
#1
Team.
Looking for some insight. Currently running a USO B17 with H102 reticle. Know I’ll catch some hate but love the optic and reticle. Works perfectly for my primary mission of killing animals out to 600m.
Usually kill 75+ pigs a year, a few deer, and an elk. Ranges from 50m to 600m.
However. Glass quality is lacking. Tried to shoot a pig (BIG FUCKER) at 750m at last light and had a lot of trouble picking it up in the scope. This is my primary weapon, a 6.5cm AR that puts meat on the table. I also enjoy shooting steel out to 800m on a regular basis with it as I build my wind reading skills.
Traded in some shit I wasn’t using and have a preferred budget of around $2500.
Want to keep the USO to gift to one of my sons, so can’t trade in.
Missed out on a used Kahles 525i that would have been perfect at my LGS.
As I’ve gotten older would like a little more magnification, so thinking at least 5-25 range.
Weight is a consideration. Could have gotten a great deal on a gen3 6-36 vortex razor, but it’s a heavy pig, and think the 6x low end will be too high. Also reticle is too thin on edges.
Needs a tree reticle. Prefer center dot.
Considerations:
Kahles dlr 525i at top of list but over budget. Yes can wait and save more, but looking for options I might be missing. If glass quality is that much better I’ll save and wait.
Zeiss LRP S3 4-25 currently at top of list.
Leupy Mk5hd 5-25. Love the weight. Son has 3-18 but don’t think glass is any better than current USO.
Also currently running 34mm rings and would prefer not to change if don’t need to.
Can get veteran pricing. Sons can get active duty pricing but trying to go through LGS to use store credit.
NF 4-32?
Anything else I’m missing?
Appreciate the help, thanks in advance.
 
#4
I’d pass on the NX 8 if you’re willing to play in ATACR territory for $. The 7-35 can be had around $2800 and is great.

Otherwise I’ll be that guy and say if you kick in another $500 you’re shopping used ZCO which is top tier and beats the atacr in low light

I have both the atacr 7-35 and ZCO 527 so that’s my comparison. Haven’t looked through a khales, zeiss or Leupold
 
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#5
hafejd30 said:
I’d pass on the NX 8 if you’re willing to play in ATACR territory for $. The 7-35 can be had around $2800 and is great.

Otherwise I’ll be that guy and say if you kick in another $500 you’re shopping used ZCO which is top tier and beats the atacr in low light
Click to expand...
This.

It may be a financial bite in the ass initially, but you'd be very, very happy with a ZCO. I'd suggest getting a bigger piggy bank and be patient.
 
#6
That's a lot of animals you get! If I shot that much meat I'd make sure my equipment was exactly what I wanted.

ZCO has that thicker reticle you might want, but ~1K over budget even used. Of your consideration set and within the price cap, I'd go Zeiss S3, but perhaps also consider the March 4.5-28 for that big FOV if you can find a used one.

edit: agree on the glass quality of the MK5 - adequate but nothing special - and the 4-32 NX8 is worse by a fair bit - for hunting, might still choose the NX8 of the two, even though I hated mine, simply for the FOV. XTR3 similar glass to the MK5, but much better FOV.
 
#7
I have and used the Zeiss 4-25 this match and hunting season and it’s absolutely awesome. In low light it really shines and if you’re an illuminated reticle guy, having red and green on hand is a nice touch.

I have zero complaints with it at all, although I cannot compare it to a zco, I will confidently say it beats the shit out of the NX8.

you can pick up a used one for 1800 ish, which is an absolute steal IMO.
 
#8
smcfarland said:
Team.
Looking for some insight. Currently running a USO B17 with H102 reticle. Know I’ll catch some hate but love the optic and reticle. Works perfectly for my primary mission of killing animals out to 600m.
Usually kill 75+ pigs a year, a few deer, and an elk. Ranges from 50m to 600m.
However. Glass quality is lacking. Tried to shoot a pig (BIG FUCKER) at 750m at last light and had a lot of trouble picking it up in the scope. This is my primary weapon, a 6.5cm AR that puts meat on the table. I also enjoy shooting steel out to 800m on a regular basis with it as I build my wind reading skills.
Traded in some shit I wasn’t using and have a preferred budget of around $2500.
Want to keep the USO to gift to one of my sons, so can’t trade in.
Missed out on a used Kahles 525i that would have been perfect at my LGS.
As I’ve gotten older would like a little more magnification, so thinking at least 5-25 range.
Weight is a consideration. Could have gotten a great deal on a gen3 6-36 vortex razor, but it’s a heavy pig, and think the 6x low end will be too high. Also reticle is too thin on edges.
Needs a tree reticle. Prefer center dot.
Considerations:
Kahles dlr 525i at top of list but over budget. Yes can wait and save more, but looking for options I might be missing. If glass quality is that much better I’ll save and wait.
Zeiss LRP S3 4-25 currently at top of list.
Leupy Mk5hd 5-25. Love the weight. Son has 3-18 but don’t think glass is any better than current USO.
Also currently running 34mm rings and would prefer not to change if don’t need to.
Can get veteran pricing. Sons can get active duty pricing but trying to go through LGS to use store credit.
NF 4-32?
Anything else I’m missing?
Appreciate the help, thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
You’ve got some great options listed… The Kahles K525i is scale excellent one, but have you taken a look at the new K328i? Specs look amazing! Hopefully I’ll order one next year. I run a couple of current gen a k624i’s, and a K318i on my main hunting rifle.

The Zeiss LRP S3 is also an excellent option.

The NF ATACR F1 5-25x or 7-35x MIL-XT, is another good option.
 
#9
FuhQ said:
You’ve got some great options listed… The Kahles K525i is scale excellent one, but have you taken a look at the new K328i? Specs look amazing! Hopefully I’ll order one next year. I run a couple of current gen a k624i’s, and a K318i on my main hunting rifle.

The Zeiss LRP S3 is also an excellent option.

The NF ATACR F1 5-25x or 7-35x MIL-XT, is another good option.
Click to expand...
If spending atacr money go 7-35
 
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#10
If you can find a reticle option you like, I would include a used SB PMII 525 in your search. You can usually fine them in the PX for around and sometimes under your $2500 budget. As others have already suggested, NF is another good in-budget option.
 
#13
IDK why there's not much love for Leica here, but the 5-30 PRS sounds like what you're looking for. And with vet pricing, it can be had new for well under your budget.
 
#14
smcfarland said:
Team.
Looking for some insight. Currently running a USO B17 with H102 reticle. Know I’ll catch some hate but love the optic and reticle. Works perfectly for my primary mission of killing animals out to 600m.
Usually kill 75+ pigs a year, a few deer, and an elk. Ranges from 50m to 600m.
However. Glass quality is lacking. Tried to shoot a pig (BIG FUCKER) at 750m at last light and had a lot of trouble picking it up in the scope. This is my primary weapon, a 6.5cm AR that puts meat on the table. I also enjoy shooting steel out to 800m on a regular basis with it as I build my wind reading skills.
Traded in some shit I wasn’t using and have a preferred budget of around $2500.
Want to keep the USO to gift to one of my sons, so can’t trade in.
Missed out on a used Kahles 525i that would have been perfect at my LGS.
As I’ve gotten older would like a little more magnification, so thinking at least 5-25 range.
Weight is a consideration. Could have gotten a great deal on a gen3 6-36 vortex razor, but it’s a heavy pig, and think the 6x low end will be too high. Also reticle is too thin on edges.
Needs a tree reticle. Prefer center dot.
Considerations:
Kahles dlr 525i at top of list but over budget. Yes can wait and save more, but looking for options I might be missing. If glass quality is that much better I’ll save and wait.
Zeiss LRP S3 4-25 currently at top of list.
Leupy Mk5hd 5-25. Love the weight. Son has 3-18 but don’t think glass is any better than current USO.
Also currently running 34mm rings and would prefer not to change if don’t need to.
Can get veteran pricing. Sons can get active duty pricing but trying to go through LGS to use store credit.
NF 4-32?
Anything else I’m missing?
Appreciate the help, thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
I have a number of discounted optics I'm willing to part with that meet your requirements. PM me for more info.
 
#16
smcfarland said:
Team.
Looking for some insight. Currently running a USO B17 with H102 reticle. Know I’ll catch some hate but love the optic and reticle. Works perfectly for my primary mission of killing animals out to 600m.
Usually kill 75+ pigs a year, a few deer, and an elk. Ranges from 50m to 600m.
However. Glass quality is lacking. Tried to shoot a pig (BIG FUCKER) at 750m at last light and had a lot of trouble picking it up in the scope. This is my primary weapon, a 6.5cm AR that puts meat on the table. I also enjoy shooting steel out to 800m on a regular basis with it as I build my wind reading skills.
Traded in some shit I wasn’t using and have a preferred budget of around $2500.
Want to keep the USO to gift to one of my sons, so can’t trade in.
Missed out on a used Kahles 525i that would have been perfect at my LGS.
As I’ve gotten older would like a little more magnification, so thinking at least 5-25 range.
Weight is a consideration. Could have gotten a great deal on a gen3 6-36 vortex razor, but it’s a heavy pig, and think the 6x low end will be too high. Also reticle is too thin on edges.
Needs a tree reticle. Prefer center dot.
Considerations:
Kahles dlr 525i at top of list but over budget. Yes can wait and save more, but looking for options I might be missing. If glass quality is that much better I’ll save and wait.
Zeiss LRP S3 4-25 currently at top of list.
Leupy Mk5hd 5-25. Love the weight. Son has 3-18 but don’t think glass is any better than current USO.
Also currently running 34mm rings and would prefer not to change if don’t need to.
Can get veteran pricing. Sons can get active duty pricing but trying to go through LGS to use store credit.
NF 4-32?
Anything else I’m missing?
Appreciate the help, thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Primary Arms PLX
 
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