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Rifle Scopes Any reason not to go w/ IOR scope?

J

Jason280

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Dec 18, 2005
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#1
I think I have finally decided on a scope for my 5R, or at least narrowed it down to two models. The models I am considering are the 4-14x50 30mm tube, which has the 1/4" clicks, and the 3-18x42 35mm tube model with the .1 mil clicks. The 3-18 is around $300 more, but is a mil/mil optic.

First question, how usable is the MP-8 reticle at lower power? Second, how do these scope, specifically the 35mm tube 3-18x, compare with other optics in a similar price range (Leupold, US Optics, etc). How is the warranty service on these scopes?

Any reason not to drop the coin on an IOR? I will mainly use the scope on the bench at 100 to 300 yards, but will eventually get into 600+ yard shooting. The setup I have now is a 5R .308 with 20 MOA base, and I admit it won't be easy putting $12-1500 in a scope. However, I've finally decided to go with the old adage "buy once, cry once", and this is a scope I plan on using for a long time.

Thanks!
 
#2
Re: Any reason not to go w/ IOR scope?

I just purchased a IOR 2.5x10x42MM . I was told that this is the best scope they make. The one your asking about ! At least the 1st batch had tons of problems.Scopes breaking under recoil,turrets locking up ! Plenty of mad tactical shooters out there. I think its an odd looking scope.But the glass is 1st class. Surprised a bunch of guys haven't posted on your thread yet. But they will ! I'd hold off for a bit.
 
#3
Re: Any reason not to go w/ IOR scope?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jason280</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I think I have finally decided on a scope for my 5R, or at least narrowed it down to two models. The models I am considering are the 4-14x50 30mm tube, which has the 1/4" clicks, and the 3-18x42 35mm tube model with the .1 mil clicks. The 3-18 is around $300 more, but is a mil/mil optic.

First question, how usable is the MP-8 reticle at lower power? Second, how do these scope, specifically the 35mm tube 3-18x, compare with other optics in a similar price range (Leupold, US Optics, etc). How is the warranty service on these scopes?

Any reason not to drop the coin on an IOR? I will mainly use the scope on the bench at 100 to 300 yards, but will eventually get into 600+ yard shooting. The setup I have now is a 5R .308 with 20 MOA base, and I admit it won't be easy putting $12-1500 in a scope. However, I've finally decided to go with the old adage "buy once, cry once", and this is a scope I plan on using for a long time.

Thanks! </div></div>

I have the 3-18x40mm Snipers Hide Edition Gen 4 (their latest) MIL/MIL FFP. I think it's a great scope, for the money. The question has always been with IOR is, not how good it is when new, but how long will it last?

I don't know, but according to Scott @ Liberty, IOR has put effort into making their scopes more reliable, so time will tell.

Is the MP8 reticle useable @ 3x, you tell me:

IOR3x.jpg


That's a deep woods shot @ 60 yds. As far as it's competition, I see the Vortex Razor 5-20x50mm and the Nightforce F1 3.5-15x50mm FFP MIL/MIL, as the main choices.

USO although having an excellent scope in the SN3 T-Pal, is in an altogether different price range, then the IOR, Vortex and NF F1.

In the $1550. price range with rings, the IOR 3-18 currently has as $500. jump on the Vortex, and an $700. jump on the F1. They are better scopes, but only you can decide if they are $500-700 better than what IOR offers.

I know I'm happy with mine.

Bob
 
#4
Re: Any reason not to go w/ IOR scope?

Well my IOR 2.5 x10x42MM just arrived . I think 10x on this IOR is like 20X on my Elite 6500 . This is truly the best glass I've ever looked through. I'm a predator/varmint hunter and plan to mount this on my AR-15.I feel like I could easily set these cross hairs on a squirrel 4 to 500 yds away. Amazing !
 
#5
Re: Any reason not to go w/ IOR scope?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jason280</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Any reason not to drop the coin on an IOR? </div></div>
Lack of durability and slow service when it comes to warranty repair both come to mind.

Pretty good glass though. If recent efforts have been made to successfully correct the "issues", IOR would be a good get; if the scopes are same old same old, "buy once, cry alot" may be more accurate phrasing.
 
#6
Re: Any reason not to go w/ IOR scope?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Lack of durability and slow service when it comes to warranty repair both come to mind</div></div>

And this is one of my major concerns. I'm accustomed to Sightron and Leupold's customer service, which is basically a "no questions asked" policy where they fix or replace the scope. I admit, I like everything about the IOR. FFP, mil/mil, large elevation turret with plenty of adjustment, etc. However, dropping $1500 on an optic and having to worry about warranty issues is a bit concerning.

Now, I've had two of the M2 4x24 IOR's, and had no problems with them.
 
#7
Re: Any reason not to go w/ IOR scope?

I got the 2.5 x 10 gen four and the SH 3x18. If they last and I have been banging them pretty hard for about three weeks which ain't chit, so far so good, but only more time and lots more hard knocks will tell.
 
#9
Re: Any reason not to go w/ IOR scope?

1.Bottom line every time I looked at my SnB PMII I saw 2k+ dollars. Thats that.

2.My eye didn't like the glass on the NXS on mine( since then I have seen much better looking glass in some NXS), nor the mag adj turning the whole obj, caps always in the way , don't like bikkinis on scopes.

3. Luepy, my eye didn't like the glass and no mill mill. Cost to build one with mlr and cds was the same as IOR but still mill/moa and no ffp.

4. Price included rings, and the VTac rings and are above descent.

5.IOR offered great glass, mill mill, ffp, great reticle, great turrets, single turn to 1k and good fov.

6. Most important my life doesn't depend on my optics and Scott at Liberties gave me his word to make it right if it went wrong. He suggested to wait for the gen four due to the recoil problems encountered by some owners on the earlier versions as the mechanics were beefed up, I listened. Guess some would say I gambled but havn't lost....yet.



In the end I sold my Schmidt and NXS, had enough bone to buy two IORs and a barreled action.

Now the 3x18 gen 4 SH is running on a very light 300 wsm and the 2.5x10 gen 4 on a semi heavy 308.

To be honest I am gonna sell em both when the IOR 3x18x50 ffp,illum comes out. Like I said I have run them, fingered them and banged them. To date they have met all my needs which is primarily hunting and steel, but not nearly enough to say they are the absolute shit.

Bob has run his a lot more and I would put his evaluation way ahead of mine.

 
#10
Re: Any reason not to go w/ IOR scope?

I have a Gen 2 3-18x42mm Snipers Hide.

Real or imagined, I felt I had an issue with one of the knobs. I think it was the windage.

I sent it in to be checked-out. Had it back in about 4 days (same week).

They said nothing wrong and I haven't had any problems since.
 
#12
Re: Any reason not to go w/ IOR scope?

The reticle size seems huge at 18x yes because it is at close range but on a 30"x40" plate at 400 and 500 it offered no problems for me, maybe at a 100-200 it could be to big, turn her down a bit, thats the beaut of ffp.
 
#13
Re: Any reason not to go w/ IOR scope?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Michael Aos</div><div class="ubbcode-body">For better or worse, the reticle on the 3-18x42mm Snipers Hide is HUGE at 18x.

That may be a good thing if you want to use it down @ 3x. </div></div>

No, not really HUGE. In fact in an FFP 3-18 IOR (or any FFP scope for that matter), the reticle covers exactly the same amount of the target at any power. So if the reticle, for example, is 0.15 MILS thick @ 3x, it is also 0.15 MILS thick @ 18x. But with 6x zoom magnification, it appears HUGE, but then so does the target.......
 
#14
Re: Any reason not to go w/ IOR scope?

Well, if I look at the same target, at the same distance with my Premier 5-25x56mm with the Gen 2 XR reticle, I notice the Premier reticle obscures much less of the target.

The reticle on the Gen 2 XR 5-25x Premier reminds me of the S&B P4-fine.

The down-side is that the reticle on the Premier pretty much disappears below 10x.
 
#15
Re: Any reason not to go w/ IOR scope?

it's 0.1 mil
Grandiddlyocity depends where you want to run it. At 3x (mag) it is still 0.1mil and you can resolve the stadia for some need.
At 18x it is 0.1mil with a thick stadia relative to 2FP and allot of other FFP optics at same magnification.

The point of the recticle "being the same" is a double-edged sword. There are multiple features or assets that do not automatically add up +1. Everything is a compromise.
 
#17
Re: Any reason not to go w/ IOR scope?

Look in the field photography forum. There's a thread called thru the scope pics. It may be a few pages back but I know I saw some MP8 reticle pics in there somewhere.
 
#18
Re: Any reason not to go w/ IOR scope?

I was also considering this scope and feared that reticle would look too big for target shooting. But when i've tried it it turned out great (1000m@18x reticle is just perfect) i admit shooting BR style 18x@100m is not THE optimum but this scope was never designed for such shooting - those who fear that reticle is too thick should avoid tactical scopes and purchase SFP hairline target scopes which allow insane magnifications with thin crosshairs at short distances...
 
#19
Re: Any reason not to go w/ IOR scope?

I just sent my Gen 2 3-18x42 SH Edition in for warranty work/replacement. I had it on my .308 for about 175 or so shots until it gave out (internals went to hell... lost the ability to focus). My scope is with Val and they said they would get a chance to look at it today (if not last night... it arrived on tuesday). I haven't gotten the final word yet... but I will let you know. I look forward to getting the scope back... I honestly like everything about it except:

1) Could have slightly better eye relief

2) The "tunnel" of scope tube at 3x sometimes anoys me... but I generally use it in the 4-10x range so that's okay.

Other than that... the knobs are great... the glass is clear... etc...
 
#21
Re: Any reason not to go w/ IOR scope?

I've been watching the thread on the new 2.5-10 IOR, and would be curious to see how this one compares with the others as well.
 
#23
Re: Any reason not to go w/ IOR scope?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jason280</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've been watching the thread on the new 2.5-10 IOR, and would be curious to see how this one compares with the others as well.</div></div>


me too....
 
#25
Re: Any reason not to go w/ IOR scope?

Have a 9-36 Ior on my M82, logged about 550 rounds with an issue, scope I have ran the scope from bottom to top on elevation (200yrd to 1500yds) and always comes back with in about 2".

Scope is amazing in low light
 
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