Rifle Scopes $1250 Budget, what are my best options?

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MissoulaZ28

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Minuteman
Mar 8, 2012
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Montana
#1
I recently got into doing some steel shooting and need to upgrade my scope situation.

Going on a 6.5 creed bolt gun. Shots will mainly be between 400-900 yards. although they do have a target at 1300 I might poke at every once in a while. Leaning towards getting in to PRS stuff also.
Weather can vary from below freezing to triple digits in the summer, and wet or dry. We tend not to let the weather bother us in Montana.

I would like to have Mil adjustments, Zero Stop is a must, minimum of 20x on the high end, illuminated would be nice but not a must.

I've looked at the Bushnell DMRII for $900, the XRSII for $1300, and the DMRII Pro (with a Kestral) for $1440 from GAPrecision. I think the Pro looks great, minus illumination, but the price would be a stretch at the moment, but the kestral would be nice.
Natchezss has the Burris XTR II blems for $719, and hits the options as far as I can tell. But it sounds like the glass won't be as good.
How is the SWFA 5-20 stack up? I know they usually do a black Friday sale that would get it into the price range.

Anything else I should be looking at? Used doesn't bother me as long as the warranty is transferable.

thanks for helping out the FNG.
 
#15
Triggs75 said:
This. You can’t go wrong with the Cronus BTR

chad
Click to expand...
hafejd30 said:
www.snipershide.com

10% Off ALL NEW Athlon Optics - Today Through Sunday

10% Off ALL NEW Athlon Optics - Today Through Sunday We just worked out a sale for you with our Athlon Rep. 10% off all new optics, including all already discounted sale items (Open Box and Display product is not included). We have to turn in all sales receipts on Monday so we cannot extend...
www.snipershide.com www.snipershide.com
Click to expand...
Cronus BTR 4.5-29x56's for only $1,169.99 through Sunday
 
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#16
my advice make a short list of optics you really like that are out of your budget. than watch the used market between here, gunbroker and a few of the other resellers. Its not uncommon to find a absolute deal on great scopes.
I wouldnt buy new if moneys tight unless its something you absolutely have to have. too many good deals on much better scopes than to buy new.
 
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#20
NateSavannah said:
my advice make a short list of optics you really like that are out of your budget. than watch the used market between here, gunbroker and a few of the other resellers. Its not uncommon to find a absolute deal on great scopes.
I wouldnt buy new if moneys tight unless its something you absolutely have to have. too many good deals on much better scopes than to buy new.
Click to expand...

This. I’ve seen Mark 5’s with H59’s and Tremor 3’s sell occasionally for not much more than the budget. Have also seen gen 2 razors go for not much more too. Nothing wrong with used and sometimes you can get stuff for close to 50% off MAP.
 
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#24
I splurged this morning on my first decent rifle scope a Vortex Razor HD II 4.5-27, and now after seeing all these comments about the Athon I am wondering if what I got was a mistake? How does the Cronus compare to a Razor? I wish I knew about the sale because that was my price range and I went about $800 over
 
#26
Brandon H. said:
I splurged this morning on my first decent rifle scope a Vortex Razor HD II 4.5-27, and now after seeing all these comments about the Athon I am wondering if what I got was a mistake? How does the Cronus compare to a Razor? I wish I knew about the sale because that was my price range and I went about $800 over
Click to expand...

i have both and like the Cronus better. I would and have picked up another Cronus instead of the razor

chad
 
#27
Brandon H. said:
I splurged this morning on my first decent rifle scope a Vortex Razor HD II 4.5-27, and now after seeing all these comments about the Athon I am wondering if what I got was a mistake? How does the Cronus compare to a Razor? I wish I knew about the sale because that was my price range and I went about $800 over
Click to expand...

Mistake, no. Its a game of preferences and the Razor is a great scope no matter how you look at it and is built like a tank and has a great track record. I don't think you could go wrong with either, and I wouldn't 2nd guess your decision. I love my Razor, but if another sale like this comes around in a year or so I'll probably get the Cronus....but then again...I've never owned two of the same scope and I prolly never will. I really prefer variety
 
#29
I've gone to 1100 yards with my 308 which has one of these on top: https://www.eurooptic.com/Nikon-BLACK-FX1000-Riflescope-6-24x50SF-Matte-IL-FX-MRAD-FFP-16516.aspx. I can't get my 168 gr factory rounds to hit at 1200... but it's a 308. Anyway, I see the target just fine. I hit the target just fine. It tracks exactly like my data calcs require. It's not massive. It's not made in China (like Tract).

And I have extra money for ammo... and food... and range time.

If you're sitting on a bench, not competing... just get the Nikon.
 
#30
TheGerman said:
Step 1: Invest your 1250$ in Vanguard funds.
Step 2: Wait a year.
Step 3: ????????
Step 4: Now buy a Nightforce something or other
Click to expand...

Step1: Go to Mexico and get a pair of C cups or better.
Step 2: Leverage your assets to raise enough capital to buy a Nightforce or comparable optics.

Less waiting, better return on investment, and three new toys to play with. Two boobies and a new scope.
 
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#31
vinniedelpino said:
Step1: Go to Mexico and get a pair of C cups or better.
Step 2: Leverage your assets to raise enough capital to buy a Nightforce or comparable optics.

Less waiting, better return on investment, and three new toys to play with. Two boobies and a new scope.
Click to expand...

This guy gets it.

Assuming the boobs go on an actual chick. The way I read this post is that he is getting himself C cups. Would not advise.
 
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#34
Already been put out there, but with that budget, I’d try to go for a Razor HD Gen2, or a Cronus BTR. I’ve had both, was happy with both, and would buy both again if I needed another scope or two. Or, just sell a kidney and get a ZCO or TT...👌
 
#36
Brandon H. said:
I splurged this morning on my first decent rifle scope a Vortex Razor HD II 4.5-27, and now after seeing all these comments about the Athon I am wondering if what I got was a mistake? How does the Cronus compare to a Razor? I wish I knew about the sale because that was my price range and I went about $800 over
Click to expand...

I have both of these currently and have done some comparisons. Short answer is that I like each one for different things. Under normal conditions the glass between the two is pretty comparable. I feel like I might get slightly better resolution from the Cronus, but slightly better contrast from the Razor. There's also less barrel distortion at lower power with the Cronus - not that there's much with the Razor, but there is a little. I compared them on a foggy morning a couple of weeks back and I could definitely make out targets in the fog better with the Razor. I like the less cluttered view through the Cronus with the APRS reticle, but I also like the dot in the EBR-7C and find the hold information a little more intuitive to use. Turrets are the same way - I like the feel of the Cronus turrets but prefer the wider click spacing of the Razor, and the Razor turrets lock. Zeroing and setting the stop is more traditional and straightforward with the Cronus, while the Razor is more fiddly but you can achieve a finer zero. If I had to pick only one to keep, I'd have a hard time making a decision and probably think I made the wrong decision no matter which one I picked. They're both excellent optics but different, and one really doesn't stand out above the other in my opinion.
 
#41
Looks like the Cronus gets the vote.

Now to try and get funds together before the end of the weekend.

Want planning on a purchase right away, but it looks like the cameraland deal is pretty damn good at the moment.
 
#42
2 real choices in that price bracket. XRS2 and a used Razor Gen 2 3-18.

Both are heavy as sin. Razor has better glass but XRS has better magnification range. Edge to Razor for reticle.

The other wildcard is the Brownells MPO. Great features but hasnt really been tested yet.
 
#46
sirboom said:
I've gone to 1100 yards with my 308 which has one of these on top: https://www.eurooptic.com/Nikon-BLACK-FX1000-Riflescope-6-24x50SF-Matte-IL-FX-MRAD-FFP-16516.aspx. I can't get my 168 gr factory rounds to hit at 1200... but it's a 308. Anyway, I see the target just fine. I hit the target just fine. It tracks exactly like my data calcs require. It's not massive. It's not made in China (like Tract).

And I have extra money for ammo... and food... and range time.

If you're sitting on a bench, not competing... just get the Nikon.
Click to expand...
Is it .308AI?
 
#50
sirboom said:
I've gone to 1100 yards with my 308 which has one of these on top: https://www.eurooptic.com/Nikon-BLACK-FX1000-Riflescope-6-24x50SF-Matte-IL-FX-MRAD-FFP-16516.aspx. I can't get my 168 gr factory rounds to hit at 1200... but it's a 308. Anyway, I see the target just fine. I hit the target just fine. It tracks exactly like my data calcs require. It's not massive. It's not made in China (like Tract).

And I have extra money for ammo... and food... and range time.

If you're sitting on a bench, not competing... just get the Nikon.
Click to expand...
Isn't Tract built in Japan (Low) with Schott glass?
 
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