3-18 scope recommendations

[Dan65]

I am looking for a scope recommendation that meets the following requirements;
*roughly 3-18 mag
*Christmas tree reticle
*illuminated reticle
*under $4k
*reticle useful at low and high end
*good glass
*ffp
*mil/mrad reticle and turrets
*under 40 oz

This scope will go on a 6.5 bolt gun, hunting out to 400 and steel out to 1000. I’ve had a hard time finding a scope I like, please recommend others or tell me I’m wrong in my assumptions with the following;
*S&B 3-20 with gr2id reticle and DT II+ MTC LT / ST II ZC LT Turrets: love everything about this scope, but I can’t afford it
*Kahles 318i: Really like this scope… except for the reticles. The skmr3 tapers to much up towards the center dot, doesn’t look like a very useful tree. The tremor 3 reticle just seems way too busy for me.
*Steiner t6xi 3-18 with scr2 reticle: this is currently at the top of my list, but I have 2 reservations. I’ve heard complaints about the reticle being too narrow at lower magnifications. I have also heard there were problems with the t5xi line, mainly tracking.
*NF ATACR 4-16/20 with MIL-XT reticle: I really like the reticle but the push button illumination control is so stupid I can’t believe NF would even consider putting it out
*Leupold MK 5 3.6-18: I really like both the pr2 and h59 reticle but neither are illuminated in this scope
*Vortex Razor HD LHT 4.5-22: same push button illumination control as the NF scopes
*Vortex Razor gen II 4.5-27: it’s pert near 50 oz

 

[Kfive73]

I have a lust over the ZCO 420

 

[FuhQ]

I am looking for a scope recommendation that meets the following requirements;
*roughly 3-18 mag
*Christmas tree reticle
*illuminated reticle
*under $4k
*reticle useful at low and high end
*good glass
*ffp
*mil/mrad reticle and turrets
*under 40 oz

This scope will go on a 6.5 bolt gun, hunting out to 400 and steel out to 1000. I’ve had a hard time finding a scope I like, please recommend others or tell me I’m wrong in my assumptions with the following;
*S&B 3-20 with gr2id reticle and DT II+ MTC LT / ST II ZC LT Turrets: love everything about this scope, but I can’t afford it
*Kahles 318i: Really like this scope… except for the reticles. The skmr3 tapers to much up towards the center dot, doesn’t look like a very useful tree. The tremor 3 reticle just seems way too busy for me.
*Steiner t6xi 3-18 with scr2 reticle: this is currently at the top of my list, but I have 2 reservations. I’ve heard complaints about the reticle being too narrow at lower magnifications. I have also heard there were problems with the t5xi line, mainly tracking.
*NF ATACR 4-16/20 with MIL-XT reticle: I really like the reticle but the push button illumination control is so stupid I can’t believe NF would even consider putting it out
*Leupold MK 5 3.6-18: I really like both the pr2 and h59 reticle but neither are illuminated in this scope
*Vortex Razor HD LHT 4.5-22: same push button illumination control as the NF scopes
*Vortex Razor gen II 4.5-27: it’s pert near 50 oz

Easy... I run one of these on my main hunting rifle... Amazing scope.

Kahles K318i 3.5-18x50 CCW SKMR3 w-right Riflescope 10633

FREE SHIPPING on Kahles K318i 3.5-18x50 CCW SKMR3 w-right Riflescope 10633

www.eurooptic.com

 

[Rob01]

Take a look at the Zeiss LRP S3 4-25x50. Checks all your boxes and a little extra power on top is not a bad thing.

 

[longshot2000]

Wow, you have done your homework. My top 4 picks:

ZCO 4-20
Leupold Mark 5 4-18
NF ATACR 4-16
Zeiss LRP S3 4-25

My first pick for you was Leupold, but you have specific reticles that are non-illuminiated, so second pick is clearly ZCO.

 

[Naaman]

OP, the only other scope I'm aware of that checks all your boxes is a Trijicon Tenmile 3-18.

 

[TheOE800]

ZCO 4-20 meets all your criteria and should be optically better than more or less all the scopes on your list.

 

[Dobermann]

Older Bushnell LRTSi 4.5-18 should be cose too ...

 

[Secant]

Of what you’ve listed, I have/had ZCO, Kahles, ATACR, Mk5, & Gen 2 Razor. I’d definitely go with the ZCO420 from your list of wants.

 

[Scopeye]

You'd probably be pretty disappointed in the Razor LHT 4.5-22x due to it's rather below average to mediocre less than stellar glass and overall cheapish construction compared to the other much better quality scopes you listed. It should be priced $700 or less IMHO based on what you actually get.

 

[Lightning8]

What about Burris XTRIII 3-18ish SCR2 illuminated?

 

[Birddog6424]

What about Burris XTRIII 3-18ish SCR2 illuminated?

It would certainly scratch the MK5 off the list. I've had it side by side with the Leupy before, it's a much better sight picture and FOV. Glass is a wash, but the Burris comes in illuminated and it's significantly less money.

 

[Chris1972]

ZCO 420 gets my vote. I have the 527 and don’t mind that I spent the money at all.

 

[PearShooter]

Swaro z5 3-18x44

 

[Simonsza1]

The mark5 with the pr1 mill reticle in the 3.6-18. This comes illuminated and I can’t see what In this reticle your missing for hunting. Gives you a great grid for wind and elevation but you can also just dial for elevation. Plus it’s light. This would be a great choice. You can also check with cs tactical a dealer on snipershide who may have it in stock.

 

[Hickswr]

Brownells MPO checks all your boxes and is on sale for $700

 

[Flyingbullseye]

Don't forget about the NF 2.5-20. The first ones had some issues but appear to have been fixed

 

[4O6shootist]

Zco 420 all day long in the sub 4k price range. Glass is phenomenal! Lots of reticle options, new mpct-2x is awesome, I've also been happy with the 3x and 1 reticles. I will be picking up my steiner 3-18 when I get home in a few days from Liberty Optics.

 

[nightman89]

Take a peek at the Meopta Optika6 3-18 scope with the mrad reticle. Checks all your boxes, and can be had for around 750. I've got 2, and just used one back in January on a 6.5 grendel to smoke a couple deer at 200 yards right at last light against a wooded background. No issue seeing the deer.

 

[FuhQ]

What about Burris XTRIII 3-18ish SCR2 illuminated?

Excellent scope option. I have an XTR-IIIi 5.5-30x56 SCR 2 MIL and it's a great scope! The glass is excellent. And the capped windage would be great for a hunting scope.

 

[Scopeye]

Best advice is to just buy all of them at the same time from a return friendly dealer such as Midway USA or Optics Planet and plan to keep just the one your eyes like the best. It's zero risk since they send you prepaid return shipping labels. Only use Burris Signature XTR rings or at least Burris "Signature" rings with the posalign inserts so there's zero evidence that they've ever been mounted onto your gun these "Signature" Burris rings keep the scope in mint brand new condition. Any issues with return refund just dispute it on your credit card. You will get a lot of different opinions but everyone's eyes are different and not everyone has had the opportunity to compare hundreds if not thousands of different scopes over the past decades. Some people even think the Arken EP5 is just as good as a Vortex Razor G2 or a Nightforce ATACR LOL.

Add the new Philippines made 2023 model Primary Arms GLX 3-18x FFP 34mm with 160MOA total elevation travel with their new improved ED glass to your order and I'd sure like to hear how it stacks up with the 50% more expensive Burris XTR3 version which is also made in the Philippines.

 

[Dan65]

Easy... I run one of these on my main hunting rifle... Amazing scope.

Kahles K318i 3.5-18x50 CCW SKMR3 w-right Riflescope 10633

FREE SHIPPING on Kahles K318i 3.5-18x50 CCW SKMR3 w-right Riflescope 10633

www.eurooptic.com

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Do you do holds with the reticle or do you dial? The SKMR3 doesn’t seem very usable compared to reticles like the h59

 

[Dan65]

Take a look at the Zeiss LRP S3 4-25x50. Checks all your boxes and a little extra power on top is not a bad thing.

Looked it up and am really digging it. Seems like an awesome scope, and for the price it seems unbeatable.

 

[Dan65]

The mark5 with the pr1 mill reticle in the 3.6-18. This comes illuminated and I can’t see what In this reticle your missing for hunting. Gives you a great grid for wind and elevation but you can also just dial for elevation. Plus it’s light. This would be a great choice. You can also check with cs tactical a dealer on snipershide who may have it in stock.

I want a tree style reticle, the pr1 is not that

 

[Dan65]

Don't forget about the NF 2.5-20. The first ones had some issues but appear to have been fixed

If I went with NF I would probably pick the ATACR 4-16, especially since they both have the button illumination control

 

[FuhQ]

Do you do holds with the reticle or do you dial? The SKMR3 doesn’t seem very usable compared to reticles like the h59

It doesn’t get much more tree-style than the SKMR. But yes, sometimes I hold, sometimes I dial. Just depends on how much I need to hit my target. The SKMR3/SKMR4 is very useable.

 

[FuhQ]

If I went with NF I would probably pick the ATACR 4-16, especially since they both have the button illumination control

The Kahles illumination knob is a smooth-rolling dial, with no preset settings, other than the “off” setting detent. You can literally dial it in perfectly however bright or dim you want it.

 

[Dan65]

The Kahles illumination knob is a smooth-rolling dial, with no preset settings, other than the “off” setting detent. You can literally dial it in perfectly however bright or dim you want it.

I have a k16i on a different build and absolutely love it, that’s why I started off looking at the 318i

 

[FuhQ]

I have a k16i on a different build and absolutely love it, that’s why I started off looking at the 318i

The K318i is a solid hunting scope. They offer other reticles. Just go to EuroOptic and check them out. Personally, I prefer CCW & RSW scopes (American style), but they also have some CW & LSW scopes on their site, too. Give them a call and talk to Clay Hawkins, tell him Troy sent you.

 

[Rob01]

Looked it up and am really digging it. Seems like an awesome scope, and for the price it seems unbeatable.

Yeah it’s a lot of scope for the money and a great package. Glass is great and the reticle is great for holds.

 

[b6graham]

Do you do holds with the reticle or do you dial? The SKMR3 doesn’t seem very usable compared to reticles like the h59

anything horus is just way too much information and clutter compared to a modern tree reticle. sure the horus works but to pay more for 'more' reticle isn't worth it in this case

zeiss reticle is awesome. NF Mil-XT, vortex ebr-7d, some zco options. all very good

 

[Dan65]

Yeah it’s a lot of scope for the money and a great package. Glass is great and the reticle is great for holds.

The Zeiss S3 and the Steiner T6Xi are at the top of my list right now, any idea how they compare against eachother? Also, how does the S3 compare to the S5, is it worth the price jump and lesser magnification?

 

[Dan65]

Thanks to everyone who recommended the ZCO 420, I checked it out and it seems like a really solid scope. However, given that it is towards the higher end of my budget and the illumination isn't day-time visible, I am likely going to go another route.

 

[Scopeye]

Brownells MPO checks all your boxes and is on sale for $700

A buddy just returned a Brownells MPO he bought on sale due to unacceptably poor image quality on high magnification. I haven't seen nor handled his scope before he sent it back for a refund but it must have been really bad if he didn't want to chance exchanging it for another MPO. He bought a Meopta Optika 6 and told me it's unbelievable, night and day superior to the Brownells MPO in every possible way.

 

[Scopeye]

With your budget cushion, why not try the Meopta Optika 6 with MRAD1 FFP illuminated reticle? Don't need to wait for a sale just buy regular price or 15% off currently at Optics Planet with their current center-fire scope 15% off discount code. They have free returns within 30 days if you don't like it. I'd recommend buying several different scopes at the same time to compare for yourself side by side since everyone's eyes are different and just return all except one to keep. They send you free returns shipping labels so you aren't out of money for the returns. Mount them in Burris Signature XTR rings or at least Burris Signature rings with the posalign inserts so there's zero evidence they were ever mounted into a gun they all will still look brand new in box even after you mounted them.

The Meopta Optika 6 with MRAD1 reticle has a horseshoe center reticle to quickly acquire your game even on it's lowest magnification setting. The Athlon Helos 2-12x42 also has a similar reticle with horseshoe in the center to quickly acquire your game even on it's lowest magnification setting. They may be on the cheaper side but their reticles are actually useful for hunting even on their minimum magnification settings. They're like Primary Arms reticles with the horseshoes for quick target acquisition but with better quality glass.

 

[Rob01]

The Zeiss S3 and the Steiner T6Xi are at the top of my list right now, any idea how they compare against eachother? Also, how does the S3 compare to the S5, is it worth the price jump and lesser magnification?

Have the Zeiss and a T6Xi 5-30 and both are excellent scopes. Can't really go wrong with either. Would come down to reticle and the knob features for you to decide on.

Don't have any experience with the S5 but maybe ask @b6graham as he has an S5 5-25.

 

[b6graham]

The Zeiss S3 and the Steiner T6Xi are at the top of my list right now, any idea how they compare against eachother? Also, how does the S3 compare to the S5, is it worth the price jump and lesser magnification?

you can find good deals on the S5 that are well below a ZCO price, especially used if you know where/who to ask

I have an S5, but haven't been able to compare it to a ZCO/TT/S3 yet...haven't shot in quite a few months. but from my basic testing at home it is quite the optic. reticle is great. illumination is really really good especially for hunting. i wish it was lighter and had a bit wider FOV but you can't have everything

 

[FuhQ]

@Dan65 I wouldn't overlook the K318i, it really is a great hunting scope with a good FOV and image. You own Kahles, so you know what i'm taking about. But I also have an LRP S3, and like Rob said, it's a lot of scope for the money. I think if I had to choose between the 2, I would go K318i if I wasn't opposed to spending the top of my budget, but if I wanted to spend less, the LRP S3 4.5-25x50 would make for an excellent scope, as well. They're both great.

I'm also not a fan of Horus reticles, as they're "too busy" for me. I'm ok with standard 1/4-MIL stadia. I don't need it to do calculus and trig for me. At some point, I think reticles are getting kind of stupid, and out of hand. But that's just my opinion. Armchair snipers will tell you "you just don't know how to use it right!" Maybe not, but I guarantee they don't either.

 

[B Man]

OP, the only other scope I'm aware of that checks all your boxes is a Trijicon Tenmile 3-18.

I just went through something similar to the OP and the Tenmile was my second pick. It being sub 25oz was nice too, almost ordered it! My credo SFP hunting scopes have been bombproof and there is a long long test on that scope on rockslide with it taking a ton of abuse and never lost zero in 5k rounds. Many other with the same results abusing them on long hunting trips packed in horses snd such. I did finally settle on another Steiner T6xi, my 3rd. I can’t find anything remotely close in price I like better for me for the full package.

 

[Naaman]

I just went through something similar to the OP and the Tenmile was my second pick. It being sub 25oz was nice too, almost ordered it! My credo SFP hunting scopes have been bombproof and there is a long long test on that scope on rockslide with it taking a ton of abuse and never lost zero in 5k rounds. Many other with the same results abusing them on long hunting trips packed in horses snd such. I did finally settle on another Steiner T6xi, my 3rd. I can’t find anything remotely close in price I like better for me for the full package.

I have very little experience with glass, and there isn't a lot out there on Trijicon scopes in terms of reliability. I did pick up the Tenmile a few years back and the low weight of the scope was the kicker for me. Best I can tell, the glass is as good as I imagine glass can be.

 

[jmornoinf]

NF ATACR 4-16/20 with MIL-XT reticle gets my vote. I love it on a KAC LPR 18"

 

[FuhQ]

The Credo isn't worth owning... They're overpriced with crap glass. A buddy of mine had one, the glass was terrible for a $1,300 scope. Just my experience spending some time behind it at the range.

 

[TheOE800]

NF ATACR 4-16/20 with MIL-XT reticle gets my vote. I love it on a KAC LPR 18"

I can’t abide the cost and weight increase with the seemingly small for class FoV on the ATACR 4-20. Is it true it tunnels in the 4-5x range? At comparative retail prices I’d take a ZCO over a Nightforce.

 

[B Man]

I have very little experience with glass, and there isn't a lot out there on Trijicon scopes in terms of reliability. I did pick up the Tenmile a few years back and the low weight of the scope was the kicker for me. Best I can tell, the glass is as good as I imagine glass can be.

Over on Rockslide it’s been getting abused the last while by folks over there. They talk very highly of them compared to scopes costing twice as much.

 

[B Man]

The Credo isn't worth owning... They're overpriced with crap glass. A buddy of mine had one, the glass was terrible for a $1,300 scope. Just my experience spending some time behind it at the range.

I have the credo, the gentleman you quoted has a Tenmile. But your experience is the opposite of mine and I own several scopes costing much more than the credo. But that’s why we have choices. Hate you had a bad experience as mine has been nothing but solid and why I looked back at them for this build that’s going on a crossover rifle.

 

[B Man]

I can’t abide the cost and weight increase with the seemingly small for class FoV on the ATACR 4-20. Is it true it tunnels in the 4-5x range? At comparative retail prices I’d take a ZCO over a Nightforce.

Mk5 is the same and one thing that keeps me from grabbing one.

 

[FuhQ]

I have the credo, the gentleman you quoted has a Tenmile. But your experience is the opposite of mine and I own several scopes costing much more than the credo. But that’s why we have choices. Hate you had a bad experience as mine has been nothing but solid and why I looked back at them for this build that’s going on a crossover rifle.

My bad, you were the one who mentioned the Credo, I was trying to help folks avoid wasting their money on one. And yeah, I own some much higher priced scopes than the Credo...But I also own some that cost much less. And the sad thing was, my $450 Primary Arms SLx 1-10x28 LPVO has better glass than his $1,300 1-10x Credo had. He sold it because the glass was so shitty.

 

[Scopeye]

Has anyone ever had to use Trijicon's warranty on their electronics such as illuminated reticles in their scopes? They state only 5 year warranty from date of manufacture on their electronics not date of actual purchase just like SIG's warranty on electronics in their scopes and rangefinder binoculars they're not lifetime. Question asked since electronics don't last forever. Do they offer to repair out of warranty electronics in their scopes or are they like SIG who have no intention of doing any out of warranty repairs and just tell you to just keep on buying new ones?

 

[Naaman]

Has anyone ever had to use Trijicon's warranty on their electronics such as illuminated reticles in their scopes? They state only 5 year warranty from date of manufacture on their electronics not date of actual purchase just like SIG's warranty on electronics in their scopes and rangefinder binoculars they're not lifetime. Question asked since electronics don't last forever. Do they offer to repair out of warranty electronics in their scopes or are they like SIG who have no intention of doing any out of warranty repairs and just tell you to just keep on buying new ones?

I've used their customer service twice. Not for electronic components, though. Once for a tritium lamp replacement in some iron sights (they did that for free even though they identified damage from improper installation). Once to replace the objective lens in an MRO ($53 for the repair. Can't remember if I paid shipping or not).

I've read on a few forums about CS experiences. Once a guy sent in a very old ACOG for new tritium. They offered to send him a current "up to date" equivalent because they wanted to keep his for posterity (he declined and they sent it back with fresh tritium). Another I read about sent in an old, well used scope for repair. They just sent him a brand new one.

Not sure if that answers your question, but hopefully it relates to what you want to know.

 

[B Man]

My bad, you were the one who mentioned the Credo, I was trying to help folks avoid wasting their money on one. And yeah, I own some much higher priced scopes than the Credo...But I also own some that cost much less. And the sad thing was, my $450 Primary Arms SLx 1-10x28 LPVO has better glass than his $1,300 1-10x Credo had. He sold it because the glass was so shitty.

Trij doesn’t make a 1-10 credo.