Rifle Scopes Athlon Ares ETR 4.5-30x56 vs Vortex Viper Gen 2 5-25x50

[HerveyHervey]

Looking to buy my first scope long range, and was wondering what people thought about these scopes. I will be shooting a 6 CM, mainly at steel but might try to do some local PRS matches as well. If there are any other scopes that are better than these that fall in the $1000-$1500 price range feel free to mention those as well.

 

[anginaprinzmetal]

I have both. To me the the Viper gen 2 has slightly better glass, to my eyes, the ETR glass sort of falls apart in the upper end of magnification. On the other hand, the ETR has a lot more travel, something like 34 vs 25 MILs. A year ago we had an ELR match w targets all the way out to 550 yds IIRC and the ETRs w 70 MOA cant mounts allowed to make it almost to 500 yds with mechanical adjustments, passed that we had to use the reticle for an extra few more mils. Mechanically my small sample of one each tracked ok, bear in mind they are in my 22lr rifles. Good luck