I hate to beat a dead horse but I'm not sure where to go on optics selection. First long range adjustable turret scope purchase. I know frank recommends Nightforce SHV. Please advise with around $1,000 budget for glass. What do you guys recommend and why?
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Rifle Scopes Beginner Overload- Optics
- Thread starter Pill-Chucker
- Start date
Buy used. $1000 will get you an Athlon Ares, SWFA 5-20, Sightron SIII, Burris XTR II or a new Vortex Viper Gen 2.
@Pill-Chucker the post by @Combloc is right on. Athalon, SWFA, Vortex PST Gen 2 or Burris XTR 2 are all solid.
Personally, I've owned the PST and Burris and shot the Athalon and SWFA. The Burris has been absolutely trouble free since day 1. It tracks flawlessly and has great turrets along with solid zero stop. The PST Gen 2 does have an infinite zero (you can zero without clicks to get an EXACT zero) but it's only as capable as you are behind the rifle. I personally prefer the XTR2 for it's bullet proof design and tracking plus a 34mm tube rather than 30mm.
The glass is a personal preference but most will say the Athalon, SWFA and PST Gen 2 have slightly better overall glass but it's very minimal difference and you'd only likely notice after putting several hundred rounds down range. The SHV line is seriously good though but the FFP 4-14 is slightly above your budget unless you find one used or a really good deal locally.
It would be my pleasure to discuss this with you, 516-217-1000
Doug
Doug
Doug is a top-notch resource. Would highly
recommend giving him a call and picking his brain.
Otherwise, check the PX for used deals. Lots of good options in that price range.
recommend giving him a call and picking his brain.
Otherwise, check the PX for used deals. Lots of good options in that price range.
Sorry, I forgot to elaborate. All the scopes I listed have good glass and reliable turrets. The vortex/athlon have amazing warranties, you could literally beat all the other scopes to dust with the SWFA and it would still be reliable.
As a beginner, you came into this at the right time. $1k can get you some very nice and reliable optics.
Start by looking at the most mechanically reliable scopes if you plan on dialing. There is NO substitute for reliable tracking. Absolutely Paramount.
At 1k the glass is all similar. Most are built by LOW in Japan with small differences. Good gear.
Vortex, Burris, SWFA. Look on the used market. This site is a wealth of information for your first optics choice. Compare features that you require. Buy it, then go out and shoot it until it you wear it out.
Start by looking at the most mechanically reliable scopes if you plan on dialing. There is NO substitute for reliable tracking. Absolutely Paramount.
At 1k the glass is all similar. Most are built by LOW in Japan with small differences. Good gear.
Vortex, Burris, SWFA. Look on the used market. This site is a wealth of information for your first optics choice. Compare features that you require. Buy it, then go out and shoot it until it you wear it out.
I went thru the same process as you are now but my budget is 1/4 compared to your budget. With a 1k budget, you have a wide range of selection of good lenses. As most comments, Athlon, Burris, SFWA and Vortex have good lenses on that budget and have life time warranty. Base from my research, here's a list of company that I came up with with my selection. I left the companies that are way out of my league/reach.
athlon
burris
leupold
minox
nightforce
steiner
swfa
vortex
athlon
burris
leupold
minox
nightforce
steiner
swfa
vortex
I am in a similar boat with a little more budget. I feel like I'm going to make a bad decision and regret it.
I will say, if you're going with athlon, definitely get the higher end stuff. I have a Argos BTR 6-24 and its, meh glass wise. It tracks ok. There is a significant difference in quality when you get up toward the Midas and the higher end.
I'm going with vortex Gen2 Razor for my next one I think. But I would rock the better athlon scopes with no problem. My Argos is not a hindrance at 1k yards with my 308. But it does fatigue my eye a bit... can't complain though, for sub $300 glass
I will say, if you're going with athlon, definitely get the higher end stuff. I have a Argos BTR 6-24 and its, meh glass wise. It tracks ok. There is a significant difference in quality when you get up toward the Midas and the higher end.
I'm going with vortex Gen2 Razor for my next one I think. But I would rock the better athlon scopes with no problem. My Argos is not a hindrance at 1k yards with my 308. But it does fatigue my eye a bit... can't complain though, for sub $300 glass
Call Doug and have him send you an Athlon Ares ETR. Get in the game and learn. If you want to upgrade the scope later you can, but I bet you won’t.
If you can, save a bit more and get the Midas TAC at least. You will be glad you did.
^^ This ^^
Also give Doug a call, he's good people and will point you in the right direction.
We still have a couple of the open box Athlon Ares BTR 4.5-27x50 - APLR3 FFP IR MIL for only $599.99.
I’m not a fan of the Burris glass. Especially in comparison to the other scopes mentioned. I do really like the NF SHV and believe it or not my local Bass Pro has them for around $1100 last I checked. I usually go to the big box stores to handle the scopes prior to buying online.
Buying used on here can get you WAY more bang for your buck.
I was very happy with my Eotech Vudu 3.5-18. Even used it in a match while I had it mounted.
The Athlon Cronus is another good option. Used it in an NRL22 match and worked great, glass quality seemed pretty good (didnt do any side by side comparison)
SWFA 5-20 is another great option, but I didnt feel like the glass was quite as clear or sharp as the two above.
Vortex Razor Gen2 PST is another sub $1000 option (new price) that really surprised me with the glass quality.
Sub $1000....I cant say that I could actually tell you which one I would buy. Plenty of good options at that price point
I was very happy with my Eotech Vudu 3.5-18. Even used it in a match while I had it mounted.
The Athlon Cronus is another good option. Used it in an NRL22 match and worked great, glass quality seemed pretty good (didnt do any side by side comparison)
SWFA 5-20 is another great option, but I didnt feel like the glass was quite as clear or sharp as the two above.
Vortex Razor Gen2 PST is another sub $1000 option (new price) that really surprised me with the glass quality.
Sub $1000....I cant say that I could actually tell you which one I would buy. Plenty of good options at that price point
Like others have said
Give Doug at Cameraland a call
He'll treat you right
Give Doug at Cameraland a call
He'll treat you right
I am like you looking at my first LRP scope. Currently running an SWFA 10 which I really like, but know at some point I'm going to want to upgrade my view. Overload is a good word.....I am holding tight until I can test some more models. I will say after having looked through a Razor HD today I like it more than anything else I've looked through. Time is on my side don't 'need' something until August-ish. I'm sure my mind will change a lot b/t now and then.
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Frank also owns a couple Burris XTR II's and is a fan of what they offer in terms of reliability, durability, and value.
Last time I saw him speak of it he said he had never had an XTR II go down in any of his classes.
The Burris has been out going on 5 years now. Is it the best glass? Maybe not. But in my experience it's as good or so close to other scopes in its price point that you wont see a performance difference. By now its reputation for durability and bullet proof tracking is pretty well earned.
Last time I saw him speak of it he said he had never had an XTR II go down in any of his classes.
The Burris has been out going on 5 years now. Is it the best glass? Maybe not. But in my experience it's as good or so close to other scopes in its price point that you wont see a performance difference. By now its reputation for durability and bullet proof tracking is pretty well earned.
Guys I'm looking at the Burris XTR 5-25x50 non-illum SCR-MIL on Amazon for $829 shipped.....that is a smoking deal right? I was thinking about waiting on used, but I mean geez that seems like an insane deal. I really like the glass got a chance to look through it last night I think I could grow and be really happy in that setup. Not a huge fan of buying new with these companies offering warranty to anyone and everyone regardless of new, but maybe new is the way to go here?
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The Burris is a proven option. Mechanically rock solid. People get twisted up in the optical performance and try to resolve gnat testicles at 700m. While optical performance is important, tracking is final.
You won't be disappointed in the Burris. It's a solid option at that price point.
You won't be disappointed in the Burris. It's a solid option at that price point.
Thanks. With 34mm tube can you suggest any rings/mount that have proven to be a solid mate up with the XTR? Thanks for your input
The best is probably Spuhr. It's also a $400 mount. You can find them used for $300's. ARC rings are good, as are the Vortex (Seekins) PMR rings. I use one piece mounts, just preference.
Check out Really Right Stuff 34mm one piece mounts.
Check out Really Right Stuff 34mm one piece mounts.
Really any rings over 70 bucks will be a pretty safe bet to work alright. No need to spend hundreds.
That said I really like the ARC M10s that are 180 per set... but my 70 bucks nightforce/steiners do the job just fine, they just arent as nicely finished or pretty to look at.
Thanks man that's right up my alley. Don't really care much for flashy just function.....can be ugly as hell but if does it's job I'm content.
The Steiner h series are my personal favorite for a cheap set. It’s what I use on my ar.
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Edit: shit, you said 34mm, the steiners and nightforce standard are only 30mm
I don't see 34mm do they make them or maybe someone else carry them?The Steiner h series are my personal favorite for a cheap set. It’s what I use on my ar.
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I have the Burris XTR II 5-25 on my RPR 6.5 CM. I used the Burris Signature XTR rings. HD with inserts. Self aligning and you'll never get any ring marks on your scope. Plus they come with offset inserts so you can get 20 moa with the inserts if you don't want to get a 20 moa base. Solid!
As far as the OP's original question, I just (today!) got in the Athlon ARES BTR 4.5-27x50 from Cameraland. For the money I figured I'd try one. Haven't got it mounted yet, actually don't know what I'm going to put it on! Looks like a good solid scope but it's hard to tell without it being mounted. Considering an RPR/.338 and would like to put it on that.
As far as the OP's original question, I just (today!) got in the Athlon ARES BTR 4.5-27x50 from Cameraland. For the money I figured I'd try one. Haven't got it mounted yet, actually don't know what I'm going to put it on! Looks like a good solid scope but it's hard to tell without it being mounted. Considering an RPR/.338 and would like to put it on that.
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