Rifle Scopes Best glass for $1k?

[Hogg0494]

Hello hide.looking for some glass choices for a Tikka tac a1 I am getting this will be punching paper and steel out to 1k yds.strictly a bench gun so low light/hunting does not apply
Things i need
24x power minimum
First focal plane
Good glass
Want to keep this at $1k
New or used is fine

 

[Yoteski]

I think the best glass in that price range is definitely the Sightron SIII line of scopes. The new models have a zero stop that's simple and effective. They are not a feature rich scope, but have excellent tracking, and the glass is stunningly good. Since it's a bench gun I'd vote Sightron all the way.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

PM sent

 

[bgavin]

Look at the Athlon ETR.

 

[padom]

Athlon Ares ETR

 

[Thumper580]

I think the best glass in that price range is definitely the Sightron SIII line of scopes. The new models have a zero stop that's simple and effective. They are not a feature rich scope, but have excellent tracking, and the glass is stunningly good. Since it's a bench gun I'd vote Sightron all the way.

Yes.... what he said.

 

[Eoddave27]

I’ll say it too. Look at the Athlon Ares ETR. Very good glass for the money and checks all the blocks you need checked. Doug at Cameraland will be able to take care of you.

 

[Phil G]

I have a Vortex PST Gen 2 5-25x50 FFP w/ EBR-2C that is in that price range that performs very well. Good glass for the price range and tracks consistently.
Phil G

 

[Sutherlandsd]

For the going rate of the PST Gen2 I would have to suggest that route.

 

[flyer]

For a little more, the Tract Toric 30mm is worth considering. It's a 4-20x50 but lots of features and nice glass for the money, Schott glass, made at LOW in Japan.

If GAP has any left, the Bushnell 4.5-18x44 LRHSi is a good value. I think it is also a LOW made Japanese scope.

If I was still looking, that Athlon would be something I need to look at.

 

[Triple D]

Sightron SIII...

The glass punches well above the price point and it’s a Japanese made scope. Most of the others in that price point will be Philippine or Chinese.

 

[hk dave]

Used Razor Gen I. Not 24x but will outshine cheaper 24x.

 

[Mxridr]

Used swfa 5x20. Very solid with great glass. Won’t be disappointed

 

[Ledzep]

3-15 PST Gen2 is what I run on my 6.5 match rifle. I have, and have had several $3000+ scopes and for the type of shooting it gets used for it's certainly "good enough".

 

[Discogodfather]

If you can live with lower power that Steiner P4Xi is very nice.

 

[blaize]

I’ll second the Steiner p4xi, Cameraland has them for 799 right now, and it’s a steal for this optic. Not quite 24x but you won’t regret it

 

[Datsrboi]

I run a SWFA that I got used for around that price. Maybe its not up to par to some of the new stuff since I do not see many people talking about it anymore but back then it was an awesome scope.

 

[Primus]

Find a 4-18 LRHS and be happy. There is really nothing else in that price range that is proven and has good glass, ffp, .mil.You may be able to get a used XRS around that price but the glass is lacking. Everything else are cheaper imports with suspect tracking and build quality. Sightron is nice but they are a bit feature lacking like the gentleman above posted.

US made Steiners are like chinesse parachutes. About as likely to work as not.

I have owned us made and German made Steiners and it's like comparing a Ford escort to a ferarri.

 

[Kickin45]

Used Cronus

 

[NB4Z]

I have a bushnell HDMR with the horus reticle - picked it up for about $950 as a display. Has 3.5x21 zoom. Should be enough for 1,000 yards. Tracking has worked great for me

 

[Glassaholic]

OP, as you can see there are a few nice options in the $1k class these days. I meant to do a write-up of "$1k Scopes" but never got around to it; however, I essentially do this in my review of the Tract Toric which you can read here -

Tract Toric 4-20×50 FFP Mil Review » OpticsThoughts

Other than the Sig Tango4 4-16 I can recommend all the other optics I compare the Tract Toric to in this review and they all fall within that $1k range.

 

[patriot07]

I haven't looked through a Sightron, but the SWFA HD 5-20 is the best glass on anything I've seen in the $1k range, and I've owned or have a decent amount of time using almost everything else that's commonly discussed.

 

[Mxridr]

Strongly agree

 

[Novak77]

I'd look at a used one of the following-

Steiner T5xi
SWFA HD 5-20
Vortex Razor gen I

Or a new Athlon or Steiner P4xi. I know the Steiner only tops out at 16x, but from everything I've read its one hell of a scope for the price. I have several Steiner's and they're all great scopes.

 

[anginaprinzmetal]

Assuming your Tikka will b used in NRL 22
Style matches or Extreme Long Range the Athlon ETR for a 22lr in my opinion. Pretty good glass for the money, good reticle for PRS/NRL style shooting and 32 MILs of scope travel.

 

[NB4Z]

I just stumbled on the Bushnell Engage scopes at Midway. I know Bushnell Elite Scopes have a good rep so I know they can make good stuff. I rolled the dice and hit my card yesterday for the 6-18x44 after someone here gave his a thumbs up. Plus the 30mm models have a rebate right no for a set of $300 Engage binos too...

So, not being a scope snob, I rolled the dice.

So primary Arms makes good stuff too and their ACSS/FFP models are still reasonable and supposedly have better glass than the SFP models...

And check Natchez for good deals on Weavers and Leupolds right now....they always have great sales prices.

 

[pitdog85]

Another vote For sightron siii. Not sure if it's the best but pretty damn good for price.

 

[jdubrr]

that Athlon looks pretty sweet

 

[Strykervet]

If you came down on the magnification some there's quite a few quality used scopes in the PX. That's where I usually get mine. I bought four USO's, an ER25, LR17, SR-8 and a spotter, two Leupolds, an MR/T and an LR/T. All in excellent shape, most for 1/3rd to 1/2 the cost of a new one (and even if there was damage, I'd just send it back to the mfg. and they'll make it good again). I got probably 3 ACOG's from Ebay, no better place to score one of those.

But for new, been hearing a lot of good about that Athlon for a budget scope, and SWFA has been around making quality budget scopes for well over 20 years now. Then of course you can probably find some model of Vortex that suits you and if you can find it used, maybe even get more scope than you bargained for.

Good luck!

 

[SepticDeath]

ETR

 

[Boostinmarc4]

Another vote for the ETR

 

[Vodoun daVinci]

In budget scopes the Athlon offerings will likely beat all comers. $1K glass in the Athlon scopes is like $2K - $3K glass in Nightforce, Vortex, and others.

Try before you buy if you can - it's highly personal.

VooDoo

 

[patriot07]

In budget scopes the Athlon offerings will likely beat all comers. $1K glass in the Athlon scopes is like $2K - $3K glass in Nightforce, Vortex, and others.

Try before you buy if you can - it's highly personal.

VooDoo

I have shot with a Cronus as well as with Minox, NF, Vortex, etc. While the Cronus is very good for the price, I do not believe it is in any way equivalent to the alpha-glass at the $2k-$3k price point.

Cronus isn't even at the same level as the Stryker, which is kind of the mid-point between Cronus/SWFA HD and the alpha glass.

 

[derk]

Does used matter? You can get into a glass out of your price range, used, if you're patient enough.

 

[Larry Jones]

Viper PST Gen2. Real tough to beat for 1k.

 

[Rebels010]

Does used matter? You can get into a glass out of your price range, used, if you're patient enough.

Agreed. Can step up into the $1200-1500 range of scopes on the used market for $1000.

 

[Hogg0494]

Used is fine

 

[Mongoose1348]

Following, as I just bought a tac a1 as well. Want to go with the night force but damn are they spendy. Looking for something used.

 

[palmettoman]

Ares ETR

 

[Primus]

Viper PST Gen2. Real tough to beat for 1k.

At $1K i can think of about 14 scopes that smoke it AND aren't made in a 3rd world shithole.

 

[beetroot]

At $1K i can think of about 14 scopes that smoke it AND aren't made in a 3rd world shithole.

List please.

 

[flyer]

In a little while, you might be able to find a used Tract Toric 30mm for around $1,000 because some people will want to upgrade to the new tree reticle.

 

[Primus]

Bushnell DMR ( 4 variants)
Bushnell LRHS/LRTS (4 or so variants)
Sightron (a few variants)
Used Steiner M 3-12 or 4-16
SWFA 5-20
Razor Gen 1
Nighforce SHV (about 4 variants)
Older NF 3-15
Handful of others I can't remember off the top of my head.

All can be found around the $1000+- and are superior to the crap from China and the Philippines.

 

[Basher]

Bushnell DMR ( 4 variants)
Bushnell LRHS/LRTS (4 or so variants)
Sightron (a few variants)
Used Steiner M 3-12 or 4-16
SWFA 5-20
Razor Gen 1
Nighforce SHV (about 4 variants)
Older NF 3-15
Handful of others I can't remember off the top of my head.

All can be found around the $1000+- and are superior to the crap from China and the Philippines.

Boy, I’d REALLY be interested in where you’re finding used Steiner Military 4-16s or NF 3-15x F1s for a grand! I’ve seen an F1 go for about $1300 at the lowest, but I’ve never seen a Steiner Military 4-16x go for $1000. I saw a 3-12x go for that once, but just once!

 

[Primus]

I bought a 4-16 for $1K and sold it for $1.2K a year later. They are out there you just need to pounce on the deals.

 

[Kickin45]

I think everyone is missing the op’s requirements and getting into a pissing match on opinions.
Op specifically states 24x minimum!
Not a single scope in that list of 16 or so is anywhere near 24. The Bushys are 21 I believe.

So other than the Sightron or a used Cronus, I don’t think anyone has answered his question.

 

[pitdog85]

There are comparisons here of scopes at new $ vs another scope at used price this is rubbish. I don't think its fair to compare a new scope that might cost $1000 vs someone comparing a $1500-2000 new priced scope that they bought for $1000 used.

Can someone say without bias that there is a scope at $1000 mark that can beat a sightron sIII glass?? The sightron Siii costs $900 and from everything Ive read mostly from the bench rest and f class world the sightron glass is unbeatable for price. Many long range bench rest and f class matches have been won with the sightron siii line and these guys wont use sub par optics.

 

[Kickin45]

Have to agree with Pitdog.
Maybe wait till new Optika 6 comes out

 

[beetroot]

Bushnell DMR ( 4 variants)
Bushnell LRHS/LRTS (4 or so variants)
Sightron (a few variants)
Used Steiner M 3-12 or 4-16
SWFA 5-20
Razor Gen 1
Nighforce SHV (about 4 variants)
Older NF 3-15
Handful of others I can't remember off the top of my head.

All can be found around the $1000+- and are superior to the crap from China and the Philippines.

$1000 +/- is not the same as $1000-$1400.

It's also disingenuous to suggest optics that can only be found used with the deal of the century.
Someone will pipe up and say they got a Gen 2 Razor for $1200, because it happens once in a blue moon doesn't mean you can pretend that's how much they all go for.

Recommending used optics is a goof thing, but using that to write off certain optics Asian crap is a load of bollocks.
Also bear in mind that you can't often find exactly what you want on the used market and some folk aren't able to wait 6 months for the next killer deal checking buy/sell pages every 5 minutes.

 

[flyer]

1,000 yard shooting does not need 24x, I've used 16x with no problem.

I would feel absolutely fine with an 18-20x max at 1,000 yards so ignoring those scopes is silly when you are trying to optimize quality/dollar.