Rifle Scopes Burris xtr ii dissapointment... What now?

Josh.scofield

Private
Minuteman
Oct 26, 2019
27
11
Ive been out of long range shooting and bolt guns for a few years after constantly being disappointed with "lower/mid end" optics and equipment and decided to get back into it when i can get better stuff. So now im getting back into it and had settled on buying a mid power mid grade scope such as the mark5hd or an ATACR but i couldnt help myself when i saw the xtrii 3-15x50 illuminated on sale for under $1k shipped on opticsplanet. Ive seen so many great reviews here and there i ordered it and recieved it this morning. I read the manual first and then installed the battery for the illumination and it worked for about 30 seconds and then flickered and quit working. i have called customer service and was on hold an hour and then selected the call back option with no return call. This just reminds me of all the frustrations and problems i had years ago with burris, steiner, bushnell, and vortex stuff. Has anyone else had a problem like this with the illumination?

Also what would you guys recommend to replace this scope once i return it? Im looking for something preferably with a 3x low end and 15-18x on high end around $2500. Also what reticle? (mils) I want to get something that would hold its value in case i want to upgrade it in the future. Im having a hard time deciding as this is my first scope in this price range. Ill use this on an accurized .223 rem700 that i use for predator hunting and recreational shooting 50yds-500yds.
 
Leupold 3.6-18x44. It’s an amazing optic, especially at the price point. You can get the Tremor 3 version (the reticle is the shit) at liberty for $1650. Even with a badass Spuhr mount your only a tick over $2K. Still have $400+ in your budget for other stuff.
 
Ive been out of long range shooting and bolt guns for a few years after constantly being disappointed with "lower/mid end" optics and equipment and decided to get back into it when i can get better stuff. So now im getting back into it and had settled on buying a mid power mid grade scope such as the mark5hd or an ATACR but i couldnt help myself when i saw the xtrii 3-15x50 illuminated on sale for under $1k shipped on opticsplanet. Ive seen so many great reviews here and there i ordered it and recieved it this morning. I read the manual first and then installed the battery for the illumination and it worked for about 30 seconds and then flickered and quit working. i have called customer service and was on hold an hour and then selected the call back option with no return call. This just reminds me of all the frustrations and problems i had years ago with burris, steiner, bushnell, and vortex stuff. Has anyone else had a problem like this with the illumination?

Also what would you guys recommend to replace this scope once i return it? Im looking for something preferably with a 3x low end and 15-18x on high end around $2500. Also what reticle? (mils) I want to get something that would hold its value in case i want to upgrade it in the future. Im having a hard time deciding as this is my first scope in this price range. Ill use this on an accurized .223 rem700 that i use for predator hunting and recreational shooting 50yds-500yds.

$2500 gets you into SB territory, which is the route I’d go.

as afar as reticles, that will depend on the specific type of shooting you like to do. I use all Horus but they aren’t for everyone.

Def go Mil/Mil no matter what scope you buy. Resale happens faster at higher demand vs MOA.
 
For troubleshooting, try a new battery, or a battery you know works in something else. Also, make sure there isn't a safety sticker still on the battery, it happens.

If your having trouble getting in contact with Burris you can set up a case with them online through the support portal and they can respond to you there. https://burris.supportsync.com/

If you really don't want to wait, you can just mail it to them. Just make sure to write down all your information and the problem your having with it. Unfortunately, the customer service is bogged down a bit with it being the busy season.
 
Make sure your using the correct battery. Even if its the battery they shipped with the scope, double check to make sure its a cr2032.

The cr2016 and cr2025 are the same diameter and voltage, but each .7mm thinner, incrementally.

Its common to get a 2016 or 2025 mixed up with a 2032, but the difference in thickness can result in contact issues.
 
I love my Razor.

Check out euro optics, they have new EBR-7C reticled scope in with quite nice price.

Big brother with the older EBR-2C reticle few hundres expencive only.
 
I really like my Trijicon Accupowers. I have 3 different ones and each have peformed quite well. IMO worth taking a look at...
 
Last edited:
I bought 4 XTR2s this summer. Illumination works in all of them. I’d also check the battery. I’ve had it happen with cheap remotes that come with a CR2032 and wouldn’t work. Change the battery and they work.
 
I have quite a few scopes, and I also seem to be playing the game where I am trying to find the scope that does all the things the big boy scopes do, but not at the 2k plus price point. I think I am realizing I just need to save a little longer and try the big boy scopes. I have Athlon, Burris (XTR3), Vortex, Trijicon (on gas gun), Leupold Mark 5, For the money, I still think that Athlon delivers the clearest image to my eye, but the turrets aren't all that great. Leupold works good on my LR hunting gun, Vortex's are what they are (backed by great customer service), and the Trijicon does what it needs to do on my gas gun. Jury is still out on the Burris, I sent it back a month ago and haven't heard a peep from them.

I looked through the ZCO scopes at the SH cup and was blown away. I can see what the hype was about. But then again, you are basically paying twice what the above scope generally go for, maybe more. Another thing I am realizing is important is customer service. All scopes can and will break. How responsive the respective company is when dealing with an issue is paramount. The PX here is a great resource to pick up the higher end scopes and some incredible deals. Maybe check out the Minox scopes, there are a lot of them on the px for great deals...
 
I've got the 3-15 and the 5-25, just checked them and neither one worked. New batteries fixed them right up. Not surprised they were dead, I never use it! But if it isn't as simple as a battery, kind of hard to fault their CS. I just "broke" a Burris 4.5-14 by dropping my calling rifle on the objective. Put a nice curve in the tube. Everyone says send it in, they'll replace it! Hate to do it because of my clumsiness, but there's alot of people have had scopes replaced doing the exact same thing. A hunting buddy of mine did the same thing, got a new scope. Pretty good warranty and company to do that! As far as no call back, that's frustrating but not completely unheard sometimes. I've have responses right away, two weeks later, none what so ever (from several different companies). I've had better luck with emails.