Rifle Scopes Best high magnification scope under $800?

[garandman]

I've always been a Leupold guy, and have never been disappointed with any of the half dozen I've owned.

But as I'm getting into 22rf benchrest, they tell me my 6-18x40 VXIII isn't good enuf. They say I need like 36x....

So... I'm open to suggestions.I'm looking for a high magnification scope (I still think variable power) under $800.

Stay with Leupold, or branch out?

Thanx for looking.

 

[canezach]

In that price range, and assuming 32x offers enough mag, I'd look at the Sightron 8-32x56

 

[Ron Warren]

The new Athlon Ares BTR would be right in that price range. HD glass in FFP with a zero stop and gold medal no questions asked warranty. Customer service is excellent! You are not going to find a better value for your $ than Athlon. If you want to spend a little more $, you can get the Bushnell Elite Tactical DMR II with the zero stop. Bushnell currently has a 25% rebate and you can get this scope, if you can find it, for a great value. The older DMR G2 (without zero stop) with a 34 inch tube would be much better than the 32x Sightron (without zero stop) for around the same price. If you are a benchrest shooter, then you may want to look into the 50X Sightron than a Bushnell or Athlon which are more for PRS competition. But the 50X Sightron will cost around $1K, but with that fine cross hair they are great for benchrest shooters who need high magnification for small groups. Many 22lr benchrest shooters use the 50X Sightron for competition. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_EAo4Pij80

 

[spife7980]

What sort of benchrest?

While I dont benchrest I do schuetzen at 100 yards. Some people have the super high powered stuff but I have won a few matches with just a 14x scope. I would shoot the 18x you already have and see if you really need the additional power (and expense!)

 

[garandman]

What sort of benchrest?

While I dont benchrest I do schuetzen at 100 yards. Some people have the super high powered stuff but I have won a few matches with just a 14x scope. I would shoot the 18x you already have and see if you really need the additional power (and expense!)

That's the plan.

The 18x at 50 yards gets the target BIG.

 

[dylanmj]

Pretty impressed with the Vortex Viper PST 6-24 and with the sales that have been happening lately is under $800, but may have things you don't want or need.

 

[Triple D]

For BR, I wouldn't go with a FFP. I'd stick with a SFP optic to obscure less of the target.

Another vote for Sightron SIII. I've used the 6-24 and 8-32 models, and the glass is amazing for the price. It's not just about magnification, you also need resolution, and the SIII resolves VERY well. I think the minimum parallax range is 40yds, so you'd be fine with it at 50yds and beyond.

I've put them up against the Athlon Ares and the SIII had better glass and a more forgiving eye box. I'd venture to guess that the Athlon Midas has the same glass as the Ares, but in a SFP. That could be a cheaper alternative, but the SIII would be the best BR option in my opinion.

My dad has used my 8-32x56 on his 40x and posted numerous 248+ scores, and usually gets 50% X counts in his local matches. He posts the same scores with his NF competition 15-55. Needless to say, it works for what you're describing.

 

[steve123]

For BR, I wouldn't go with a FFP. I'd stick with a SFP optic to obscure less of the target.

Another vote for Sightron SIII. I've used the 6-24 and 8-32 models, and the glass is amazing for the price. It's not just about magnification, you also need resolution, and the SIII resolves VERY well. I think the minimum parallax range is 40yds, so you'd be fine with it at 50yds and beyond.

I've put them up against the Athlon Ares and the SIII had better glass and a more forgiving eye box. I'd venture to guess that the Athlon Midas has the same glass as the Ares, but in a SFP. That could be a cheaper alternative, but the SIII would be the best BR option in my opinion.

My dad has used my 8-32x56 on his 40x and posted numerous 248+ scores, and usually gets 50% X counts in his local matches. He posts the same scores with his NF competition 15-55. Needless to say, it works for what you're describing.

Please withhold final judgement because the scope you looked through is a "preproduction" Ares, so the glass prescription wasn't as nice as it will be on the production model.

I had a S3 Sightron 10-50/brand new and the glass didn't impress me compared to my Nikko 10-50, it was about the same and was hoping for better. Actually the Nikko pulled off 50x better. I was unimpressed enough that I sent the Sightron back immediately. I also compared it to a Bausch & lomb 8-32 which bested both on 32x.

 

[Triple D]

That is correct, it was a pre production model. Can you confirm that it will have much improved glass? You are the biggest Athlon pusher on the site, so maybe you know first hand. From what I've heard, the glass wasn't what was being upgraded based on demo feedback.

It's amazing that you were unimpressed with the SIII glass for its price point. You may be the first to have said that. If not the first, it's the first time I've seen it posted that I can recall. Most comparisons to it are with NF NXS as far as glass, but no, you went in a completely different direction.

 

[fdkay]

Mueller optics 8-32, the 22 rf guys seem to really like the Muellers, I've had a couple and they are damn fine scopes for the money.If fixed power is an option, Weaver T series.

 

[steve123]

That is correct, it was a pre production model. Can you confirm that it will have much improved glass? You are the biggest Athlon pusher on the site, so maybe you know first hand. From what I've heard, the glass wasn't what was being upgraded based on demo feedback.

It's amazing that you were unimpressed with the SIII glass for its price point. You may be the first to have said that. If not the first, it's the first time I've seen it posted that I can recall. Most comparisons to it are with NF NXS as far as glass, but no, you went in a completely different direction.

Kevin mentioned that the Ares is going to have Japanese critical components, part of that might be the glass itself, that's all I know??? Jap or Chinese, either way, I do know the prescription has to be made for each specific model of scope. It's my understanding the prescription in the preproduction Ares was for Midas. Another thing Kevin mentioned was he wanted to get the Ares right and was why there was a delay in production. I just asked to withhold judgement for now is all.

Granted I'm used to S&B glass but that Sightron as a whole didn't turn my crank at all and I'm sure there are others that would agree with me that Sightron is only mid grade glass. Not only that but it's the features, build quality, and reticle I look for as well as the glass, mid grade too. Reasons why I sold most of my old scopes including those I mentioned. Yes I'm a bit picky.