Rifle Scopes $1500 Short Mid Power Scope

EastCOYotes

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Feb 10, 2019
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What’s my best option for a 3-18, 4-16, or similar in the $1500 range? I’m fine with waiting for a good deal in the PX here if needed.

My uses would be dual purpose, hunting and steel. Weight isn’t a huge factor but not sure I want something as heavy as a gen 2 razor. Ideally something with lower profile turrets you be a little more sleek when hunting.

Scopes I’m thinking of are the Leupold Mk5 or Mk6, Bushnell DMR ii pro, Burris XTR III, NF ATACR 4-16x42 (if I could find a screaming deal).
 
A used Leupold Mk5 3.6-18 would fit it nicely and should be pretty close to budget. I have an ATACR 4-16 personally which I love but they run a little more used and aren’t as light. Check the PX for one I think you’d be happy with either.
 
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+1 for the Mk5 or Mk6. Either meets your requirements to a “T”. They are great scopes. You aren’t giving up much to the ATACR and the trade off is incremental weight savings with the Leupold (7 or 8 oz if I recall correctly).
 
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I like the xtr 3 for reticle. The glass is the same as the mk5. The mk 5 reticles were not to my liking. But I did prefer the mk5 turrets. Mk machining has a good price on them.
 
I'll throw a new or pre owned Sig Tango 6 3-18 in there ... I picked up a demo one from Dvor a couple of weeks ago with the Mil reticle for $860- I've seen then for around 900-950 in the classifieds which seems like a real bargain. Made by LOW, designed in Oregon ( Leupold guys moonlighting ?) I found the glass to be very good. Weighs about 37 oz, so still not a lightweight, but less than the Razor, couple of inches shorter at 12"
Eyebox is comfortable and I don't have to shift my head as I zoom.
Zoom ring is one of the smoothest I've felt, turrets- I've read of problems with the elevation dial moving around when pushing it down to lock- I've not experienced this, mine have good tactile click and lock/unlock well .

Not a fan of the graphite color or the bright white logos everywhere -
IMG_7424 2.JPG


next to the much hated IOR 3.5-18 for size....
IMG_7426.JPG
 
I'll throw a new or pre owned Sig Tango 6 3-18 in there ... I picked up a demo one from Dvor a couple of weeks ago with the Mil reticle for $860- I've seen then for around 900-950 in the classifieds which seems like a real bargain. Made by LOW, designed in Oregon ( Leupold guys moonlighting ?) I found the glass to be very good. Weighs about 37 oz, so still not a lightweight, but less than the Razor, couple of inches shorter at 12"
Eyebox is comfortable and I don't have to shift my head as I zoom.
Zoom ring is one of the smoothest I've felt, turrets- I've read of problems with the elevation dial moving around when pushing it down to lock- I've not experienced this, mine have good tactile click and lock/unlock well .

Not a fan of the graphite color or the bright white logos everywhere -
View attachment 7319024

next to the much hated IOR 3.5-18 for size....
View attachment 7319026

I actually have a Tango 4 on my 22 which I like so I’ll have to consider a Tango 6 in the mix as well. Nice looking scope.
 
Steiner T5Xi 3-15x50 can be found in the PX for well under your budget. Very compact and the SCR is a great reticle. I’d like to get one myself eventually.

I have a LRTSi 3-12x44, and it’s a great optic but might be too low mag for what you’re looking for? The glass is crazy clear for the price point though. Not sure if CameraLandNY still has the 4.5-18x44’s still on closeout? Supposed to be just as good.
 
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Steiner T5Xi 3-15x50 can be found in the PX for well under your budget. Very compact and the SCR is a great reticle. I’d like to get one myself eventually.

I have a LRTSi 3-12x44, and it’s a great optic but might be too low mag for what you’re looking for? The glass is crazy clear for the price point though. Not sure if CameraLandNY still has the 4.5-18x44’s still on closeout? Supposed to be just as good.

I’ll need to throw the LRTSi’s into consideration as well. I’ll check cameraland and see if they’re running sales on any of the ones I’m interested in
 
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Smoking deal here

 
Great comparison...back in 2014. Many changes in the world of scopes since then....

I Don't doubt that much has changed....

Is the Vortex Razor 5-20 still considered good?

Because I've seen recommendations all over the place for "Buy a used Gen 1 Razor for 1-1.5k"

Just curious if the Bushnell Beat it then, why would you not consider it a contender at under 1k?
 
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At the moment there are deals available for $1450 to get a new DMR ii pro or a new mk5 3.3-18 w/ TMR. Neither of those scopes have illumination which is fine by me. I feel I’m maybe leaning toward the Bushnell but not sure why, I don’t see many on the PX so people must be hanging onto them?

Edit: I don’t like the TMR reticle one the Leupold scope and it’s a $200 step up to get into the CCH or H59.

XTR III can be had at same price point as well I just feel the DMR and Mk-5 seem slightly more sleek for a rifle that’ll spend quite a bit of its time hunting. The Bushnell is heavy but I don’t walk far.
 
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