Not sure if I should start a new thread or piggyback on this but I'm in a similar boat, need 2 optic recommendations under or around $2k as well:
Platform and Cartridge:
1. Sako 85, 6.5x55 (M action)
2. Sako 85, 300 WM (L action)
30 or 34mm rings only for 300WM
- As expected with the L (and XL) actions on the Sako 85 platform, the brass ejects a bit more upwards rather than out and to the side sometimes. It's not particularly severe on this particular rifle, but just to be sure, it will be using Sako Optilock or Leupold QR bases specific to the 85 rather than a pic rail running above the ejection port. This limits me to 30 or 34mm rings available for these mounting solutions.
Intended Use:
Both for hunting, some plinking and target shooting for fun (not competing) with the 6.5x55 (22" aftermarket barrel), but hunting features will still be prioritized.
Conditions:
Varying, but mostly daylight and sunrise/sunset. Both will be fired more from somewhat fixed positions such as a blind, stand, off of a tri-pod, bipod, etc. However, will still use off hand or in improvised positions with a small bag sometimes.
Distances:
~50-500 for both when hunting (depending on animal, etc)
Up to 1k or however far I can go with the barrel and optic on the 6.5x55 when plinking / target shooting.
Specific wants for both:
<32oz and ideally <25oz, 50mm obj
FFP perferred but can live with SFP depending on the reticle
MIL or MOA ticks/hash based hunting reticle (ideally not just a plex, #4, etc.). Christmas tree style grid or additional features that would help as a cross-over reticle would be nice on the 6.5. Approximately something between 3-15x and 5-25x on both.
Illuminated and no thin target reticles or super thick reticles.
Generous eye relief and exit pupil (in other words, a big eye box).
Willing to go a bit over $2k for the right optic, especially if it holds value well enough.
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Current Shortlist and questions, alphabetical by brand:
Burris XTR3 3.3-18x50 - I have an earlier one with the SCR2 reticle already on another rifle and my only 2 complaints is the mag ring is really tight - IMO tighter than QC on something over $1k should allow - and the reticle is a bit thin and hard to see for me under 6x (even when shooting against paper or clean steels).
Meopta Optika6 3-18x50 (300WM only) - Relatively inexpensive option. Downside is one reticle is plex and the other has the horseshoe center, but for how much $ I would save with either, I can live with this. Also, I've received great service the times I've contacted them before buying anything. Have an older Meopro I'm very happy with on a lightweight rifle as well.
Nightforce SHV 4-14x50 - does what I want on paper for ~$1k, but I know the SHV line is a bit long in the tooth now - how do these compare to other options here?
NF NX8 - get the 4-32 as mentioned above for light performance and just run it in the desired mag range?
NF ATACR 4-16x50 - should I even bother with the NX8 above if I can get a used one for around $2k?
used S&B PM2 3-20 (6.5mm only) - I feel like it's a bit excessive when the rifle will be used mostly for hunting, but if the right deal comes along...
Sightron S3 PLR 6-24x50 - just saw this on the SH home page. Looks good for the price other than the eye relief and exit pupil mentioned in the review. Anyone else have feedback on their experience with this?
Steiner T6Xi 2.5-15x50 SCR reticle - Wish it had a tiny bit more magnification for target shooting but seems great otherwise. Anyone have feedback on their experience with this?
Toric 4-20x50 - Haven't seen or tried one in person. How thick is the reticle and anyone have feedback on their experience with this?
Vortex Razor HD LHT 4.5-22x50 - Like the reticle. Never felt like any Vortex bino, scope, red dot, etc, I currently or previously owned was particularly great in any way, but as long as I got one with OK QC (esp with tracking), I never have any real complaints about anything with their products. I assume this product is not an anomaly in any way?
Zeiss LRP S3 4-25x50 - how is this optic?
Zeiss v6 (various) - how are these assuming I can find a reticle I like?
Ruled out + reason:
Athlon Cronus - 56mm objective only. Happy with an Ares for target shooting but the reticles are a bit finer than I prefer for hunting
Delta Titanium - 4-24x50 - Haven't seen or tried on in person, but it looks like it's #4 based reticle only and for almost the same money, would rather get a reticle I like more
Leica Amplus - reticles not ideal, company seems to come and go in the optic market. Haven't experienced it myself but have heard stories of not good customer support.
March - around the $2k price point, eye relief and exit pupil too small for me (realized afterwards that this is expected per specs / shape of scope)
Meopta Meostar - didn't like the reticles
Swaro Z6 - didn't like the turrets and reticles
Trijicon (various models) - have always received great support from Trijicon, but it seems like most of their scope lineup is EOL - don't want to deal with trying to support an EOL product later on.
Zeiss v4 6-24x50 - on sale SKU linked above - already got one
No illumination, but otherwise great price for what you get and met all other criteria.
I would never recommend anything to anyone that I wouldn’t use myself.
