Rifle Scopes Best Shorty Scope

WeisGuy

Private
Minuteman
Jan 15, 2019
32
11
Bismarck. ND
Looking for opinions and experiences with any of the new style shorty scopes on the market. I currently have a mk5 shorty as well as K318i. I considered the kahles the best glass I've had the chance to use for any extended amount of time. Leading me to looking to upgrade my mk5, I'm comfortable around the kahles price point (3k) and am looking at another. Any other suggestions would be great though.
 
It's not as expensive, but I just got some Steiner T5Xi 3-15x in, and they're short, light, and nice for the price.

Also have Kahles, I dig the 3-18x and 5-25x. Send me a message if you'd like to talk further, I'm a dealer!
 
Looking for opinions and experiences with any of the new style shorty scopes on the market. I currently have a mk5 shorty as well as K318i. I considered the kahles the best glass I've had the chance to use for any extended amount of time. Leading me to looking to upgrade my mk5, I'm comfortable around the kahles price point (3k) and am looking at another. Any other suggestions would be great though.
I really really like my ATACR 4-16 and I wouldn’t consider myself a NF fanboy. My buddy’s S&B super short is pretty rad too. Maybe some ZCO owners will chime in on the 4-20. Are you looking for a specific reticle?
 
I really really like my ATACR 4-16 and I wouldn’t consider myself a NF fanboy. My buddy’s S&B super short is pretty rad too. Maybe some ZCO owners will chime in on the 4-20. Are you looking for a specific reticle?

I have the tremor 3 in my mk5 work the skmr3 in the kahles. Love the skmr 3, so any reticle similar to that would be amazing. I've been looking at the zco 4-20 and they a reticle I like the look of. Just never got my hands on one before.
 
I’m running the MilC in my ATACR with that I can’t say the MilXT would be better than the SKMR3. The ZCO might be the scope to look at reticle wise. I haven’t handled or looked through one personally. Maybe a 3-18 in RAL8000 ?.
 
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I've been using the 4-16x50 ATACR with the MIL-C on my PRS gun. I wish I had the MIL-XT but I bought the scope before that came out. It's been doing everything I need to.

Keep hearing good things about the ZCO shorty, waiting for someone at the range to have one so I can check it out..... but it is several ozs heavier so that kept me from doing it at first.
 
Are there any store front retailers stocking ZCO currently? Small or large shop?

Solid companies mentioned above. The main issue will be actually seeing one in a store. So far the vast majority of ZCOs are pre-sold. Those few that actually make it to inventory aren’t there long.
 
Which models?

ZC420 MPCT2
ZC527 MPCT1

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Euro-optics when the first started were sending scopes to people without payment (stand up guy). A couple of people would screw him, and he actually published there info on a list, and would give anyone who helped get them back an reward.
 
I have a few of what I would consider "Short" scopes.
March F 3-24×52
Premier Heritage Light Tactical 3-15×50
S&B PMII 3-20×50US
S&B PMII 5-20×50US
Tangent Theta TT315M 3-15×50
ZCO 4-20×50

Depending on use, weight, and features, they all have their pros and cons, and proper places.

If you want lightweight and high magnification, nothing compares to the March. But the glass is not in the same league as the rest of that list.

If you want lightweight, and good price, the Premier is your best bet, but most do not carry a warranty any longer. Alpha glass, awesome turrets, but "only" 12 MIL of elevation adjustment (dual turn 6 MIL turret). Hard to find nowadays too.

If you don't mind the price tag, the Tangent Theta TT315M is the new Premier. Glass is amazing, still under 29 oz., turrets are the same 12 MIL (DT 6 MIL) elevation and amazing, my mag ring is a little stiff, but a throw lever makes it fine. Not so short as to hinder mounting options either. 1st or 2nd best glass in the bunch.

S&B PMII 3-20×50 is a great choice. Big mag range, alpha glass, great turrets, low pro turrets, locking elevation w. capped windage, great function. But still fairly heavy @ 32 oz I think.

S&B PMII 5-20×50 is similar to the 3-20×50, but even shorter and lighter. All the features above. But, the mounting solutions are very limited, and I think putting one on a LA would be difficult unless you put high rings on it. Eye relief is a bit shorter too.

ZCO 4-20×50 I just mounted up last night. Heading to the range in 30 minutes, but first impression is outstanding. Heaviest of the bunch, a bit longer than the S&Bs, but glass appears amazing, Tangent Theta level, reticle (MPCT1) is the best I have seen, good mounting lengths, perfect seeming tension on mag ring, awesome tactile turrets, and best markings on the turrets I have.
 
OK, only spent 5 hours at the range today, and only shot 100 & 200 yards.
But the ZCO 4-20×50 is a legitimate contender for best scope ever made.

I can admit that it is clearer and has better color/depth than my S&B PMII 5-20×50 US and 3-20×50 US. I wish I would have taken my Tangent Theta out too, but 4 rifles were enough. I will get out to the desert soon to check them all side by side out to 1500+.

I like the less cluttered reticle, so opted for the MPCT1. MPCT1 vs. H2CMR is no contest. The MPCT1 is finer and has that tiny floating center dot. At 100 & 20x, the H2CMR covers up my .25" center dot targets and fine crosses. The MPCT1 does not. But yet, the H2CMR at 3x or 5x is very fine. It is visible, but not by much at 3x. 5x is better. The heavy outer stadia of the MPCT1 draws your eyes in and even seems to enhance the thinner center reticle and subtensions.

The locking turrets are firm, yet easy to manipulate. And the lack of MTC is easier to dial .1MIL over full MIL, but I kind of like the MTC for knowing when you hit full MILs though.
 
The ZCO is definitely the best shorty out there, but you are certainly going to pay for it.
The EOtech 5-25. Great scope. It is NOT a ZCO, but it is a great scope.