Rifle Scopes 1-8x24 ok 1-8x28 scope choices

PAT7250

PAT
Full Member
Minuteman
Apr 9, 2013
5
0
Pennsylvani
Haven’t posted in a while. Can you guys recommend a good quality 1-8x24 or 28 tactical scope under $1,300. 95% of my shooting is off a bench from 50-350 yards with a 5.56 with 77 grain bullet. My rifle has 18” barrel.

Thank you, Pat.

Edit: I must add that I have used Eotec on my other rifles with great success out over 300 yards. But I would like to see the target a little better, especially for target work without putting a large scope with higher magnification.
 
Last edited:
Personally I wouldn’t get a 1-8 if 95% of your shooting is from a bench. You’re most likely always going to have the magnification cranked up (because why not when your own a bench) and ALL of the 1-8’s get a tight eyebox when you crank them up. You’ve got a 3mm exit pupil with a 24mm objective on 8x and 3.5mm with a 28mm. Yeah that’s not as tight as most higher magnification long range type scopes, but it’s still tighter than it needs to be.

A good 3-18 or 4-16 x42/44/50 would be my choice personally. They’re going to have a 5.25mm-6.25mm on 8x and you have more magnification too.

If you still feel the need for 1x capabilities then you can slap a 45 degree RMR on it and call it a day.
 
I got this NX8 from EuroOptic. The more I use it the more I like it, and I like it 120 rounds better after today. For hitting steel out to 600 (as far as I've gone with it) it is fantastic. 69gr SMKs through a 16" Ballistic Advantage barrel gets it done. And cranking up the illumination gets you a fireball of a dot that is clearly visible on sunny days.

In the background is some chicken and rice for some vindaloo goodness this evening.

NX8 and Vidaloo.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: deersniper
Well, if you will mostly shoot off the bench, a larger scope will do more for you. However, modern LPVOs are quite capable and many work really well at mid-distance.

Out to 350 yards, I do not think a reticle makes a ton of difference. Further out, a reticle designed for 7.62x51 will be a closer match to your 77gr loads than typical 55gr/62gr based BDC reticles, but out to 350, the differences are very minor.

In terms of bang for the buck, I have seen Burris XTR II 1-8x24 and Bushnell 1-8.5x24 under $900 which is a rather nice deal.

ILya
 
I got this NX8 from EuroOptic. The more I use it the more I like it, and I like it 120 rounds better after today. For hitting steel out to 600 (as far as I've gone with it) it is fantastic. 69gr SMKs through a 16" Ballistic Advantage barrel gets it done. And cranking up the illumination gets you a fireball of a dot that is clearly visible on sunny days.

In the background is some chicken and rice for some vindaloo goodness this evening.

View attachment 7171467
I feel the same way about mine, we even have the exact same mount hahaha. Mine is in a bcm 14.5 lw mid though. And I shoot 68 hornady bthp. I’ve stretched mine to 800 but I’m not very good so not reliably that far. After holding it I was sold then they gave me a free mount that I sold to recoup some of the cost of the scope. I honestly don’t know why anyone would pick the atacr o er the nx8 in 1-8 on a autoloader. That thing is a brick
 
How do you feel about the reported tight eye-box on the NX8 ? I have never looked true one but more then a couple shooters have complained about it.The NX8 looks like a sweet little scope that i would love to put on a 10/22 rifle but i just can not deal with an unforgiven eye-box.
 
Last edited:
How do you feel about the reported tight eye-box on the NX8 ? I have never looked true one but more then a couple shooters have complained about it.The NX8 looks like a sweet little scope that i would love to put on a 10/22 rifle but i just can not deal with an unforgiven eye-box.
I’ve never noticed to be honest. But then again I haven’t owned many lpvo scopes it might be bad in comparison but it’s perfect for me
 
How do you feel about the reported tight eye-box on the NX8 ? I have never looked true one but more then a couple shooters have complained about it.The NX8 looks like a sweet little scope that i would love to put on a 10/22 rifle but i just can not deal with an unforgiven eye-box.

I think the tight eye box issue is a bit overblown. Compared to the Kahles below the NX8 quite clearly has a tighter eye box. But they are two different scopes that I use for different purposes and I'll explain that below.

LPVOs.jpg


The OP asked about a 1-8 from the bench. As a number of folks pointed out, from a bench there are better choices. I agree.

The Kahles is SFP, has fantastic glass, a huge eye box, a simple BDC reticle with illumination that lights up well in bright sunlight. It is lightweight, the throw lever is silky smooth, and is of the sort of quality we all expect from Khales. I cannot find any fault in this scope and I love it.

I use the Kahles for 3G, which for me is limited to 300 yards, though usually 200. The large eye box with illumination is red-dot like (fast) on hoser stages. The reticle makes things fairly easy for holds to 300. The somewhat fine crosshairs make 1 MOA targets at 100yds a piece of cake.

I cannot think of one thing more I could ask for in a 3G scope. This would also work well for hunting.

The NX8 is FFP, has good glass, a tighter eye box than the Kahles, a mil reticle with a dot center. Illumination, at it's brightest setting, is volcanic. At this point it is clear we are talking about 2 different animals.
FC-MIL-8x%20%28R227%29_web.png


This is not a precision rifle scope at any distance. It is a compromise. At 1x it can function as a red dot just fine, though not as well as the Kahles. At 100 yards the Kahles has the advantage of those fine crosshairs, if you are shooting at small targets. Shooting at steel makes no difference to me. As distance grows the NX8 gains the advantage, especially beyond 300 and at 500+ it is night and day difference. First, with the NX8 you have the advantage of holdovers and wind holds, then you can dial if necessary.

For dialing the NX8 and dealing with that center dot I have adopted a technique from my service rifle days that works very well. Flip around the classic "flat tire" hold by using the center dot as the x-ring and A/B steel as the front post. If you are not familiar with this a link is below. Or I can just hold (at any magnification).

Sight Picture Primer

For me the NX8 is superior for run-n-gun type matches where you may have alternating shots between 50 and 600 yard targets.

If I need to hose down not-too-far-away targets that may appear at any point on the compass the Khales is definitely faster.

This is why we need so many scope and rifles.
 
Thank you for your input.I have owned the Kahles 1x6 and agree with everything you said about it.I wish more scopes had the silky smooth mag ring that Kahles has.
 
About a year ago I was wanting to pick up a 1-8 for a hunting optic for my shorty 65grendel. My budget was to stay around $1k. I had narrowed it down to the Burris XTR2 1-8 and the Trijicon 1-8. I was leaning towards the Trijicon due to having a 28mm objective lens for better light transmission. The biggest downside I could find on it was the reticle was overly thick which wasn't a huge concern for me and my use.
 
Hey @PAT7250, I made a list of all LPVOs 1.1-8X or better just for you! See link for reticle images and links for each optic.

Once you find a scope you want to buy, call a Hide vendor, mention the Hide, and they can give their best prices over the phone.

Price​
BrandScopeFocal
$500​
AtibalXP8 1-8x24SFP
750​
AtibalX 1-10x30 FFPFFP or SFP
1000​
BurrisXTR II 1-8x24FFP or SFP
2000​
BushnellSMRS 1-8.5x24FFP
250​
BushnellAR Optics 1-8x24SFP
1500​
Crimson Trace5-Series 1-8x28FFP
2500​
ELCANSpecter TR 1-3-9x30Prism Scope
500​
FalconS8i 1-8x24SFP
2000​
GPOGPOTAC 1-8x24FFP
2000​
GPOPASSION 8X 1-8x24SFP
750​
Hi-LuxCMR8F 1-8x26FFP
1500​
IOR-ValdadaTactical SFP 1-6x30SFP
2500​
IOR-ValdadaTactical LTS2 1-10x26FFP
2500​
IOR-ValdadaTactical 1-10x26 dual reticleDual-focal
3001​
LeupoldMark 8 1.1-8x24FFP
2000​
March1-10x24SFP
2500​
March1-8x24 ShortFFP
2500​
March1-8x24FFP
3001​
MinoxZP8 1-8x24Dual-focal
3000​
NightForceATACR 1-8x24 F1FFP
2000​
NightForceNX8 1-8x24 F1FFP
1500​
Primary ArmsPLx8 1-8x24FFP
500​
Primary ArmsSLx8 1-8x24FFP or SFP
1500​
RitonRT-S MOD7 1-8x28 IR-TFFP
1500​
RitonRT-S MOD7 1-8x28 IR-HSFP
3000​
Schmidt Bender1-8x24 PM II ShortDot CCSFP
3001​
Schmidt Bender1-8x24 PM II ShortDot Dual CCDual-focal
3001​
Schmidt Bender1.1-8x24 PM II High PowerFFP or SFP
3000​
Schmidt Bender1-8x24 ExosSFP
500​
SightMarkCitadel 1-10x24SFP
500​
SightMarkEzekiel 1-10x24SFP
3000​
SteinerM8Xi 1-8x24SFP
500​
SwampFoxTomahawk 1-8x24SFP
3000​
SwarovskiZ8i 1-8x24SFP
1500​
TrijiconAccuPower 1-8x28FFP
2000​
TrijiconVCOG 1-8x28FFP
1000​
US OpticsTS-8X 1-8x24FFP
500​
VortexStrike Eagle 1-8x24SFP
3000​
ZeissVictory V8 1-8x30SFP
 
Hey @PAT7250, I made a list of all LPVOs 1.1-8X or better just for you! See link for reticle images and links for each optic.

Once you find a scope you want to buy, call a Hide vendor, mention the Hide, and they can give their best prices over the phone.

Price​
BrandScopeFocal
$500​
AtibalXP8 1-8x24SFP
750​
AtibalX 1-10x30 FFPFFP or SFP
1000​
BurrisXTR II 1-8x24FFP or SFP
2000​
BushnellSMRS 1-8.5x24FFP
250​
BushnellAR Optics 1-8x24SFP
1500​
Crimson Trace5-Series 1-8x28FFP
2500​
ELCANSpecter TR 1-3-9x30Prism Scope
500​
FalconS8i 1-8x24SFP
2000​
GPOGPOTAC 1-8x24FFP
2000​
GPOPASSION 8X 1-8x24SFP
750​
Hi-LuxCMR8F 1-8x26FFP
1500​
IOR-ValdadaTactical SFP 1-6x30SFP
2500​
IOR-ValdadaTactical LTS2 1-10x26FFP
2500​
IOR-ValdadaTactical 1-10x26 dual reticleDual-focal
3001​
LeupoldMark 8 1.1-8x24FFP
2000​
March1-10x24SFP
2500​
March1-8x24 ShortFFP
2500​
March1-8x24FFP
3001​
MinoxZP8 1-8x24Dual-focal
3000​
NightForceATACR 1-8x24 F1FFP
2000​
NightForceNX8 1-8x24 F1FFP
1500​
Primary ArmsPLx8 1-8x24FFP
500​
Primary ArmsSLx8 1-8x24FFP or SFP
1500​
RitonRT-S MOD7 1-8x28 IR-TFFP
1500​
RitonRT-S MOD7 1-8x28 IR-HSFP
3000​
Schmidt Bender1-8x24 PM II ShortDot CCSFP
3001​
Schmidt Bender1-8x24 PM II ShortDot Dual CCDual-focal
3001​
Schmidt Bender1.1-8x24 PM II High PowerFFP or SFP
3000​
Schmidt Bender1-8x24 ExosSFP
500​
SightMarkCitadel 1-10x24SFP
500​
SightMarkEzekiel 1-10x24SFP
3000​
SteinerM8Xi 1-8x24SFP
500​
SwampFoxTomahawk 1-8x24SFP
3000​
SwarovskiZ8i 1-8x24SFP
1500​
TrijiconAccuPower 1-8x28FFP
2000​
TrijiconVCOG 1-8x28FFP
1000​
US OpticsTS-8X 1-8x24FFP
500​
VortexStrike Eagle 1-8x24SFP
3000​
ZeissVictory V8 1-8x30SFP

You sir are a patriot and a decent human! ??????
 
  • Like
Reactions: SageRatSafaris
@sharpdoug What is your take on the reticle thickness? That is about the only real common complaint I see when reading reviews. I have a Bushnell LRTSi that has a fairly thick reticle due to it being illuminated, but it is still very useable for my applications. (Hunting, shooting steel)
 
If your going trijicon in my humble opinion I would get the Vcog 1-8...But for the same money you could get the NXS which is FFP....
 
I scored the Trijicon for $999 last year on a black Friday sale. Great glass, very close to true 1x if not true 1x, works like a red dot when I want. It's a little heavy, reticle isn't what I'd call the best paper puncher, but for one scope to do everything I expect the rifle to do, I'm very happy with it for the price.

I watched a video of a guy who dropped a rifle with it mounted, maybe 10-12 feet onto the ground, and it held zero and continued functioning throughout the test. Kind of sold me on its build quality right there.

It'd be a lot of scope on a 5.56 though, probably better choices out there for your application. My two cents.
 
Last edited:
@Voyager1 I'm curious about your comment. Why the vcog over the Accupower? Is it simply just more robust?
@Voyager1 I'm curious about your comment. Why the vcog over the Accupower? Is it simply just more robust?
The Vcog is simply a better quality optic all around. Whether 1- or 1-8x28 it is made to withstand the riggors of all out war. The accupoint line is their civilian version optics. They are decent but not in the same class. Exposed turrets, second focal plane, reticles that lact the ability to focus on precision.....I think the Kahles, the NF and the VCOG ffp 1-8 are your best bets in this area....if you want the best glass, the best tracking and the most rugged optics (the Kahles may not be quite as ruggged but the glass is the best in the world)....
 
Vortex Razor 1-6 MRAD or the E version, no brainer IMO. The amazing glass makes up for the 6x vs 8x.
No doubt excellent I’m just not a fan of the SFP in 1-6 which for most doesn’t really matter but hey optics at the top end are all mostly preference anyway. I like the Vortex Razor gen e and the gen 2’s I just wouldn’t trust my life with them. Too many personally bad experiences. Jmho
 
No doubt excellent I’m just not a fan of the SFP in 1-6 which for most doesn’t really matter but hey optics at the top end are all mostly preference anyway. I like the Vortex Razor gen e and the gen 2’s I just wouldn’t trust my life with them. Too many personally bad experiences. Jmho

Curious to hear about your bad experiences. Mine have been great, knock on wood
 
The Vcog is simply a better quality optic all around. Whether 1- or 1-8x28 it is made to withstand the riggors of all out war. The accupoint line is their civilian version optics. They are decent but not in the same class. Exposed turrets, second focal plane, reticles that lact the ability to focus on precision.....I think the Kahles, the NF and the VCOG ffp 1-8 are your best bets in this area....if you want the best glass, the best tracking and the most rugged optics (the Kahles may not be quite as ruggged but the glass is the best in the world)....
The 1-8 accupower is a front focal plane and also a great scope. If you need a more precise aiming point dial up an extra half a mil and use the top of the crosshair or dial one mil and use the fine crosshair.
 
Can anybody comment on the brightness of the 1-8x Trijicon Accupower versus the Bushnell 1-8.5x SMRS? The Bushy is farily bright at full power but definitely washes out against lighter colored objects (like the siding of my house... LOL). Against a darker background the Bushy definitely works. Thought I think the Vortex PST (I) 2-10x may be brighter.

Thanks.
 
Can anybody comment on the brightness of the 1-8x Trijicon Accupower versus the Bushnell 1-8.5x SMRS? The Bushy is farily bright at full power but definitely washes out against lighter colored objects (like the siding of my house... LOL). Against a darker background the Bushy definitely works. Thought I think the Vortex PST (I) 2-10x may be brighter.

Thanks.
The red illuminated 1-8 Accupower is 100% daylight bright, will not wash out with any background. I have never owned or used the others you asked about therefore I cannot comment on how the illumination compares. I've heard the green illuminated Accupower is not daylight bright, I don't know why anybody would want green anyway...
 
Green vs Red. I always wondered why myself. The human eye apparently is much more sensitive to green which would suggest a green reticle/dot would be more visible. But everything I’ve read about Accupower says green is very week. So add to the confusion the new green MRO.

Ultimately I probably should compare the green/red MRO in person. However good to know the Accupower does not wash out.
 
@Voyager1 That's what I was thinking the difference was. I no doubt agree the vcog would be a much more robust optic that would stand up to some serious abuse. All of the things you mentioned you disliked about the Accupower is why I was interested ?. Its primary use would be for hunting on my 12.7 Grendel upper. Just to be clear though, the Accupower 1-8x28 is a FFP optic with exposed locking turrents. Were you perhaps thinking about the Accupoint line?
 
@Voyager1 That's what I was thinking the difference was. I no doubt agree the vcog would be a much more robust optic that would stand up to some serious abuse. All of the things you mentioned you disliked about the Accupower is why I was interested ?. Its primary use would be for hunting on my 12.7 Grendel upper. Just to be clear though, the Accupower 1-8x28 is a FFP optic with exposed locking turrents. Were you perhaps thinking about the Accupoint line?
I was comparing it to the accupoint....CORRECT ???
 
I owned a 1-8 Trijicon accupower with the green reticle, the red is defiantly brighter. It is a good scope and I would buy another if I had the need. Sold it to fund a 4.5x30 accupower - funny thing is in that scope the green reticle is brighter than the red - its has dual illumination so back to back comparisons is just a twist of the dial.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 808hoghunter