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

[MissoulaZ28]

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.

 

[hafejd30]

Athlon Cronus BTR from Camera land. Running a sale on them currently I believe. Or find one in the PX

I have the Athlon and Burris XTRII 3-15. The Athlon is more on par with my NF ATACR than the Burris.

 

[Jscb1b]

+1! Call the Doug at cameraland. Tell him you are a hide member. He will hook you up.

 

[AllAheadFull]

Take a look at Tract. This scope is $44 over your budget - plus is no tax and free shipping

TORIC UHD 30mm 4-20X50 FFP MRAD PRS Long Range Rifle Scope

The TORIC 30mm FFP 4-20X50 MRAD Long Range Rifle Scope is specifically designed for the shooter looking to maximize the performance of his cartridge.

tractoptics.com

 

[Totoro]

Bushy DMR Pro, DMR2 and XRS are gonna be tough to beat when purchased new.

On the well cared for market, gonna be even harder.

Might what to also consider a NF NXS on the well cared for market.

 

[stello1001]

You need a second gen Tango6 4-24 or an Athlon Cronus BTR...

 

[Triggs75]

Athlon Cronus BTR from Camera land. Running a sale on them currently I believe. Or find one in the PX

I have the Athlon and Burris XTRII 3-15. The Athlon is more on par with my NF ATACR than the Burris.

This. You can’t go wrong with the Cronus BTR

chad

 

[loveha]

I would spring for the Tract.

 

[VDVSNIPER]

I have a wide verity of scopes and for the best bang for your buck I would vote for the sig tango 6 genII. Btw you shoot at deep creek?

 

[army_eod]

Athlon Cronus from Camera Land

 

[MissoulaZ28]

I have a wide verity of scopes and for the best bang for your buck I would vote for the sig tango 6 genII. Btw you shoot at deep creek?

I'll get a deep creek membership soon. I'm just starting to get into the liner range stuff. I've been at deer creek forever.

 

[MissoulaZ28]

The cronus looks good. I'll look into it more.

Thanks guys

 

[A-Rob]

Another Cronus vote here.

 

[hafejd30]

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

 

[gr8fuldoug]

This. You can’t go wrong with the Cronus BTR

chad

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

Cronus BTR 4.5-29x56's for only $1,169.99 through Sunday

 

[NateSavannah]

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.

 

[TRPrecision]

Cronus BTR 4.5-29x56's for only $1,169.99 through Sunday

At that price I would snatch the Cronus in a heartbeat, fantastic glass for the money. For me 2nd choice would be DMR2 or DMR pro. Was not impressed at all with the Burris XTRII, the glass was very hard to get comfortable behind.

 

[slm9s]

The best way to get max scope for your budget is to buy used.

 

[VDVSNIPER]

I'll get a deep creek membership soon. I'm just starting to get into the liner range stuff. I've been at deer creek forever.

deep creek has 600 yard lanes all week and then first day of the week they have the 1000 open for a few hours.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

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.

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.

 

[Lightning8]

I am happy with my Burris XTR II 5-25x50 MRAD and if you can live with the ugly sand camo you can find a really great price new.

 

[JMcQ]

I’ll vote for the XRS ii I absolutely love mine

 

[Secant]

Sorry guys, I just saw the OP’s user name.....I’ll just leave this here:

 

[Brandon H.]

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

 

[Flywheel]

I just saw a Leupold Mk.5 on the forums going for 1700. I'd save pennies and really put some good cash into glass. At that price point (1750-ish) you can find a deal for a good used Leupy or NF. Just my .02 brother.

 

[Triggs75]

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

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

chad

 

[Gustav7]

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

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

 

[TheGerman]

Step 1: Invest your 1250$ in Vanguard funds.
Step 2: Wait a year.
Step 3: ????????
Step 4: Now buy a Nightforce something or other

 

[HousePlant]

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.

 

[vinniedelpino]

Step 1: Invest your 1250$ in Vanguard funds.
Step 2: Wait a year.
Step 3: ????????
Step 4: Now buy a Nightforce something or other

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.

 

[TheGerman]

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.

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.

 

[Choid]

We tend not to let the weather bother us in Montana.

How often to you get to Montana from Missoula? I know it isn't a long trip.

 

[Secant]

How often to you get to Montana from Missoula? I know it isn't a long trip.

Montana is a State; Missoula is a City. Missoula is in Montana.

 

[Wyzrd]

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...

 

[wb00757]

Maybe not the same tier as some options that have already been mentioned, but the Brownells MPO is a damn fine optic within your budget.

 

[CodeMonkey]

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

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.

 

[army_eod]

For shit sake just buy the Cronus and be done with it.

 

[Adam B]

Athlon Cronus from Camera Land

 

[Choid]

Montana is a State; Missoula is a City. Missoula is in Montana.

The rest of us in Montana see it differently.

 

[MissoulaZ28]

How often to you get to Montana from Missoula? I know it isn't a long trip.

As often as I can, but not as much as I'd like.

 

[MissoulaZ28]

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.

 

[CrabsandFootball]

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.

 

[army_eod]

The Cameraland price is same as VIP prices. You best get that credit card out.

 

[308pirate]

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.

Get this and more ammo with the $1250

Product Description

Product Description | Camera Land NY

cameralandny.com

 

[jay6ird]

Check around if you can find a leupold MK4 6.5x20x50 with tmr reticle. I found it to be an awesome scope for the money.

 

[Jscb1b]

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.

Is it .308AI?

 

[Predatorhunter07]

I would save another like 350 and get the razor gen 2 ebr 7 reticle

 

[StanfordBunny]

I would get a Athlon Cronus BTR for this price level

 

[Jscb1b]

There is one in the PX right now.

 

[kai24]

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.

Isn't Tract built in Japan (Low) with Schott glass?