Rifle Scopes Best ~$1300 scope? FFP, >15x

[littlepod]

I got a good deal on an Athlon Ares ETR, but I've gotten 2 that have been duds Both had blemishes in their glass that had to be sent back, and now I'm just looking at returning it and trying something else. I love the Athlon Ares BTR that I got for $550 an that was worth it, but for $1000 for an ETR that had 2 quality defects, I'm a little untrusting. I also was not impressed with the glass. I could barely make out holes on target @ 200 yards due to how blurry the focus was. I tried to parallax but it never got clear enough. Maybe it was a dud overall, I don't know.

So now I'm looking to pay a few hundo more and do something better. Can up my budget to around $1300... I still have the 34mm rings, so that leaves me not that many options. Though I could sell my rings and get new ones if necessary.

Req, NRL22 / PRS type matches. FFP. Generally run 15x magnification, but use the 25x+ situationally (paper single hole shooting).

At $1300 I'm thinking about the Cronus BTR. Glass made in LOW Japan, so hopefully going to be a lot nicer than the Ares China glass. Maybe?

Or try again for another Ares ETR?

Razor HD II is a bit too heavy... and I believe the 4.5-27 is going to run me around $1800...

Wait for a Burris XTR III? That'll probably be pricey too...

Thanks in advance.

 

[Mordamer]

You should highly consider finding a used Bushnell Elite Tactical scope in the PX section. I have seen the DMR 2 Pro sell in perfect condition for about what your budget is. Bushnell Elite Tactical stuff is very good.

 

[Colorado S14]

Burris XTR IIs are going for that all over the place now that the III is hitting.

 

[Mordamer]

You'd be an idiot not to buy this.

 

[C_R_Slacker]

You should highly consider finding a used Bushnell Elite Tactical scope in the PX section. I have seen the DMR 2 Pro sell in perfect condition for about what your budget is. Bushnell Elite Tactical stuff is very good.

This...
I recently bought. 4.5-18 LRTS for $900 of the PX. Great scope. Other scopes in the elite tactical line should be in your price range too.

 

[Mordamer]

OP was too slow. After thinking about it for a minute I decided the price was too good on that XRS 2 and I bought it.

 

[littlepod]

Burris XTR IIs are going for that all over the place now that the III is hitting.

I sold my Burris XTR II 3-15x for $650... yeh the 5-25 is going around $750-850. It was a very solid scope, but the glass wasn't that great. Hoping to get something better if I'm at the $1000-1300 range.

 

[littlepod]

You should highly consider finding a used Bushnell Elite Tactical scope in the PX section. I have seen the DMR 2 Pro sell in perfect condition for about what your budget is. Bushnell Elite Tactical stuff is very good.

I'll keep an eye out. At work right now so no more browsing for a few hours

 

[steve123]

I personally wouldn't want 50Y focus for NRL22 when there are often 25Y stages and some others less than 50Y.

Well that sucks the ETR's were duds! A friend put a Cronus BTR on his Anschutz for a while and really likes it on his centerfires as well.

Thankfully I had a S&B already so that got put on my fancy 22.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

GAP is selling DMR2 Pros for $1399 right now and you get a free Kestrel Sportsman with it. That's a bonkers deal on a great scope.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

We have some demo Steiner T5Xi Tactical 5-25x56 - SCR's for only $1,399.99

 

[littlepod]

We have some demo Steiner T5Xi Tactical 5-25x56 - SCR's for only $1,399.99

How would you compare the Steiner with the Cronus BTR?

 

[koshkin]

If you can find a Cronus BTR for $1300, you should go for it.

Honestly, optical quality of Ares ETR and Cronus BTR is pretty close, but Cronus seems more consistent. I have to admit though that my Ares ETR has been holding up nicely and works really well.

If you can live with 16x top end and 50 yard parallax, Steiner P4Xi for $800 that Doug has is still a kick ass deal.

Lastly, if you want more magnification, you should not discard Vortex PST Gen II 5-25x50. It is a very decent scope that will focus close enough for your needs, have nice wide FOV and a good reticle.

ILya