Rifle Scopes Burris XTR3!!!

#651
This was an excellent review, @Birddog6424. Always appreciate your perspective, brother! I love my ATACR, but I am going to scope my 6MM Creedmoor with an XTRIII I think. That reticle (SCR2) and the quality of the glass, turrets, etc. have convinced me to give it a serious look. Much appreciated and great shooting, btw. Keep hammering them.
 
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#653
Birddog6424 said:
Thanks fellas. I tried to leave out the brand loyalty and tell it like it is. Those are all great scopes, and it was a relief to me to see that the XTR3 was right there in the hunt against a couple of the scopes at its price point. The XTR3 and the Razor were really close. The deciding factor was a slightly brighter sight picture in the Burris. The Razor has been a top performing scope for years. So it's great to see the long wait has been worth it, and the potential is there for this to be a really good scope line.

I'm going to keep my eyes out for another MK5 to compare to. See if I can find one a little more clear than my sample of one. Not saying it was bad glass by any stretch. It wasnt. It just had that slight off color look to it that made it less clean looking. Based on the feedback I have seen I doubt they all have that.

The ATACR was decidedly better glass. Nightforce does a great job with that optic. But it was still a good comparison for the XTR3 from the perspective of eyebox usability and parallax, and all the other user features that make for a good scope. Burris has definitely listened to XTRII feedback and overcome those issues in this optic.
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The comparison to the Razor is the one I'm most interested in, and it seems like the XTR3 is on par if not better than and weighs 18oz less.

I'm hanging out to see how the 3.3-18 compares to the RZR 3-18 and MK5 3.6-18, as on paper it looks like it'll be the perfect crossover hunting/tactical scope. I would've bought a RZR years ago if it were not for the weight, so the XTR3 looks like the bees knees.
 
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#654
@Birddog6424 isn't telling any BS stories. I really wanted to like the XTR II's when they came out. I bought one and shot it for about a month, but the eyebox drove me crazy, and I'm not too sensitive about eyeboxes. I also was not the biggest fan of the SCR reticle.

I got to shoot in @Birddog6424's squad, and so I had the benefit of looking through the XTR III and I got to twist the elevation knob a bit too (wasn't getting too wild, this was before the match...although I should've moved the fucker up a full rev, or two ;) Anyhow, I am one of the guy's with the ATACR (have a 7-35x with a Mil-XT). I am a huge proponent of Nightforce for several reasons, but the primaries are the robustness, glass quality and their turrets. I think NF has some of the best turrets in the game.

Anyhow, the XTRIII is basically half the price of that ATACR, so I'm not comparing the XTR to the ATACR. I will say that the XTR III is vastly improved with regards to the eyebox. I feel it's a damn near 100% improvement, but I know that's a bit of an overstatement. Regardless, much improved. The glass seemed damn good. I did not compare like Birddog6424 did, just didn't have the time for that. The turrets were also pretty good. Again, I'm a NF guy, so I always have their turrets on my mind.

As far as the reticle goes, I am a fan of Christmas tree type reticles. I think they did a fine job with the SCR 2 also. I've become a big fan of the target dot in a majority of these reticles.

All in all, I think Burris did really well with this scope. You guys know I am not a fan of Vortex (as evidenced by our fellow competitor's Gen 2 PST shitting the bed. It is super shitty to see something like that and think about how relatively common that is). I think Burris has created some excellent competition for them, especially when it's paired against the Razor. The Vortex warranty bit has seemingly been a double-edged sword. It's been great because it has forced damn near every other optics company to get on board, but let's face it, it's also how they sell their scopes too, I'm sure a big chunk are due to that warranty. At the end of the day, I think many are willing to look beyond issues because their CS is so good.

Back to the XTR III...just buy it already ;)
 
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#655
I will be happy to see these actually hit the market. I was trying to wait on them but couldn’t wait any longer and ended up buying two other optics instead. Hopefully I can get one for my next build if they can produce them fast enough to actually keep them in stock at retailers.
 
#656
Birddog6424 said:
Haha, if you ever feel tempted to sabotage my scope, just remember, I'm the guy who went diving for your pack and ran you more bullets...

But feel free to dick up Brady's scope :LOL:
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I love it man! Thanks again for doing that...I think I got two extra points because of that move. And to think, I was on my way to cleaning that stage...still pissed!!! ;)
 
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#658
Got the ol Rimfire mounted up on JP chassi and XTR3

Pretty excited to fire some rounds at elk camp!!


3548D077-E86B-4208-9BBF-1C31C6E3C760.jpeg



Regards
DT
 
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#661
Birddog6424 said:
It's a great box.

I kept mine.

Looks like folks are finally taking delivery. It's been a long wait. I know it's impossible to please everyone, and some folks wont like it. But I think for the most part that people are going to like the scope.
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It's nice looking, solid, comes with an extra windage dial, and i think it's heavier than my original.
 

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#664
:LOL:Just curious Ja, in the 4th image, were you shooting at the guys in the 3rd image, I hope they were running fast. Seriously though, I keep getting tempted by the Area 419 custom CZ 455 rifle or do I want to build a Vudoo 22. Also, with regard to the NX8 4-32x50 vs. XTR III 5.5-30x56, did you notice that the XTR III was a bit brighter at higher magnification, or did the NX8 hold its own?
 
#665
Birddog6424 said:
I just made a quick video so you guys can see and hear the turrets on this scope. As mentioned several times, its stiff when new. But it breaks in very nicely, and it's by no means ridiculous or unusable right out of the box.

So take a look...

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Thank you for your input on the elv and win knobs.How smooth is the power ring to turn ?
 
#666
Birddog6424 said:
I'm with you there. I need at least one 18x and another 30x. Ideally though I should get two of the 18x.

I would'nt let illumination be a deciding factor for me. I'll probably try to get one for next year with it included. But the simple fact of the matter is I've been avidly hunting everything that runs, jumps, or swims since 1978. I used to take 3 weeks off every year with my dad and haul the horses from Idaho, to Wyoming, and Montana, hunting Elk and mulies. I've chased coyotes and wolves, lions, bears, you name it. If it lives in the northwest and you can buy a tag, I've hunted it.

In all that time my illumination has been turned on for a total of five minutes. I used it once about 3 years ago on a black bear at about 400 yards in heavy timber, first thing in the morning. I dont think I needed it even then. I've found the "low light" dusk and dawn scenario to not really play out in real life the way it does on forums. Low light glass technology is becoming awfully good these days, which helps offset the need for it.

But I understand people wanting it. Its another tool in the bag. And it's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Maybe I'll eat my words someday and have a shot opportunity at first light heading for No Tell'em Ridge and fill my tag before I've finished my first cup of coffee. ;)
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Secant said:
Agreed! I've been hunting for over a couple decades and never once needed/wanted illumination. I've only owned a couple scopes with illumination over the years, and those were only turned on when I first purchased to make sure it worked.....then never needed it. Same as you, maybe I'll eat these words, but I'd rather save a few bucks and forego illumination. Frankly, if illumination is the make or break on a shot, I'm not doing my job well enough anyways.

I'm getting excited for the 3.3-18 to be released for a hunting rifle build I currently have in the works.
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With SFP scopes to,where the reticle is always usable, I have never seen the need for illumination. I will agree with you guys there. On these FFP scopes especially with the trend of thinner and thinner reticles better suited for higher magnification shooting this is not the case. I have been burned on a group of hogs. At 175 yards last year. When I turned the mag up to see the reticle, I couldn’t see through the scope. Turn it down to where I could make out the pigs, and I couldn’t see the reticle. I took a pot shot and missed.

99% of the time illumination is not needed, but I think of it as 4wheel drive on my truck. Not used often at all but I will always have it for those few times that I REALLY need it.
 
#668
I got to play with one on Sunday. I know a guy who is sponsored by Burris and he showed me the XTR3 on his rifle. I was really impressed with the glass. It was bright, clear, and far better than I expected from Burris. I didn't notice any CA. I couldn't see any tunneling going through there mag range. The clicks felt nice. I don't know how I feel about the windage being capped, but honestly, once windage is zeroed, how often do you dial? The windage knob was a bit tight. Might be because it's new, might be because the windage knob is smaller than the elevation knob. What really impressed me was the FOV. At 30x, the FOV was incredibly large.
 
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#669
I also got to use one this weekend. I liked it alot. Glass was very good in low light, Tracking was very good. Turrets are pretty hard to turn but others have mentioned that they loosen up after use. My XTR 2 had turrets that were also hard to turn but I didn't feel that it was un-usable. FOV is noticeably bigger than my AMG but I still prefer the EBR-7 reticle in the AMG. Glass is slightly better in the AMG as well. I did notice some CA or "ghosting" on high power around the white painted target with the XTR 3 that I didn't notice with my AMG.

Overall I think its a very good competition scope. I wouldn't mind putting one on a rifle at all but I hunt more than I shoot matches so the AMG fits my purpose better at this time. I like it.
 
#670
canezach said:
I got to play with one on Sunday. I know a guy who is sponsored by Burris and he showed me the XTR3 on his rifle. I was really impressed with the glass. It was bright, clear, and far better than I expected from Burris. I didn't notice any CA. I couldn't see any tunneling going through there mag range. The clicks felt nice. I don't know how I feel about the windage being capped, but honestly, once windage is zeroed, how often do you dial? The windage knob was a bit tight. Might be because it's new, might be because the windage knob is smaller than the elevation knob. What really impressed me was the FOV. At 30x, the FOV was incredibly large.
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I have not played with the one i recieved last week but it came with an extra windage knob (see pic). You have the option to leave the cap on or use the lager knob.
 

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#671
Drewdemon said:
I have not played with the one i recieved last week but it came with an extra windage knob (see pic). You have the option to leave the cap on or use the lager knob.
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True. I forgot my friend told me it comes with the additional turret. He had his windage capped because he's like me in that he'll dial elevation and hold wind
 
#672
ELK 1.jpg


Did some plinking this past week at elk camp. Love it. My friend and I put 400 rounds down range and he is a NF lover/fanboi/hippi/etc/etc/lol and he was very impressed. He shoots the 35x NF on all his scopes and he mentioned not being able to tell any diff on high power. Tracking was epic as expected.

Other pics on 30x - 20x - 10x - 5x
there is a lot of grass in front of that target so it may look like a few grass is blurry, its due that target is at 60 yds and grass from 0-50 yds may be blurry. Had no problem running a stage of 10 shots in under 2 min with 5 diff positions at full 30x. super fun


Heading to Ireland for the GUardian match this weekend. More deets to come!!

Regards,
DT
 

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#677
@D_TROS it's hard to discern clarity through a photo normally, but that seems pretty awesome and like the scope presents an image to the eye very well. Is the eye box extremely forgiving or what?
 
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#679
Birddog6424 said:
I'm not Dorgan, but he's traveling right now and probably hasnt seen your question.

The eyebox is as good or better than any scope I have compared it to. And that's a fairly long list of high quality scopes.

To compare to the XTRII, which is the scope they took all their feedback from to build this one, the XTR3 on 30x has a bigger eyebox than the XTR2 on 20x. And it looks good with the glass going edge to edge with a very thin black scope tube ring.
Click to expand...

I thought it might be, thanks I appreciate it!
 
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#681
Any updates on when more SCR2 5.5-30's will hit dealers shelves? What about the 3.3-18's in SCR2, are they close? Where is Geoff when you need him, I'm bummed he's no longer a hide resource. I put in my order with Tyler Kemp of MKM (@Tyler Kemp) for a 3.3-18 with SCR2, but am worried it will be a while and my new ZP5 will show up before the XTR III.
 
#682
Ireland has been amazing. Dont have alot of time but some quick points.



-Shooting a 223 in rainy conditions up to 1200 yds was brutal for any scope. and seeing impacts was tough. I am happy how this bad boy performed and found myself at 30 power multiple times...

-I was 6 pts from a top 10 and took top tac home. was an awesome match. if anyone hasnt shot a Guardian match i highly recommend it.

-I honestly have no bad things to say. I was unable to get any CA and FOV was phenominal. One stage had 3 targets to be shot from 3 sep positions. my holdovers were 0.0 (dialed 1.4 mils), +0.8, +3.6 and it was the only stage i cleaned. this new retc is very fast, clean and effective.

-Ireland is wet. who knew. lol

-
71DB6008-472F-4C83-82D1-F82D66739EEB.jpeg



-Tree is a number not an obstacle. lolol

Guardian puts on a great match format. Esp if ur a one day match type.


Regards
DT
 
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#686
I have a strong suspicion that Steiner will do quite well with that 2.9-20x50 scope. I really hope they will offer some non-Horus tree retickle in it, but I'll take MSR2 if not.
Most of my complaints with the 4-28x56 M7Xi center around its CA above 20x and I suspect the smaller 50mm scope will have CA under control.

Ilya
 
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#688
koshkin said:
I have a strong suspicion that Steiner will do quite well with that 2.9-20x50 scope. I really hope they will offer some non-Horus tree retickle in it, but I'll take MSR2 if not.
Most of my complaints with the 4-28x56 M7Xi center around its CA above 20x and I suspect the smaller 50mm scope will have CA under control.

Ilya
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Can you provide much more in the way of details or are we going to have to wait until Shot 2020 for more?
 
#690
khuber84 said:
So the xtr 3 is built on the same 7x erector that the m7xi is from my reading, however they are only using 5x of it. This new 2.9-20 looks to be a version of the same 3.3-18x50 but utilizes all 7x. Hopefully it executed it better than the new nx8. I love the physical functionality of my 4-32x50 however optically I feel it doesn't deliver as I was hoping, anything much above 24x is dark and the eyebox becomes quite sensitive and parallax needs constant attention, DOF is poor. I really hope the xtr3 3.3-18 I ordered yesterday makes up for these and I can sell the NF. I do like the milC reticle a lot for a hunting rifle as that's what all my rifles do mainly. The scope will be atop an 8# 300 norma improved, so it will definitely get a recoil test, hopefully it holds zero with no shift under recoil. A lot of high end scopes fail at this. Khales, NF, Swaro X5, March have been tested by my smith to have no reticle movement under this rifles recoil, several other manufactures high ends have failed his test. Hoping for the best here........
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I do not know if the erector design between XTR3 and M7Xi is the same, but I would not be surprised if they are related.

Based on what I have seen so far, scopes based on this erector and eye-piece do not suffer from the distortion and finicky eye relief issues NX8 seems to have.

ILya
 
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#697
Well that Steiner 2.9-20x50 shakes things up a bit. Oddly enough the SCR reticle was released first with the Steiner T5Xi then was migrated into the Burris XTR II line, I would not be surprised if the SCR2 which was released with the XTR III migrates to the Steiner M7Xi line at some point. I would be very curious to see how the 2.9-20x50 M7Xi compares to the S&B US 3-20, assuming that price will be under $3k street. Hopefully they will control CA better with the 50mm model than they do with the 56mm.

This is only an assumption as I have seen neither scope, but I would venture to say the Burris XTR III has better FOV for it's given magnification along with better eyebox, depth and parallax forgiveness, but similar to the NX8 the 7x magnification will draw a lot of buyers in hoping Steiner somehow cracked the code for a high magnification/short scope design.

Looks like I really need to try to make it to SHOT this year, hopefully it will work out with my schedule.
 
#698
I was just at Liberty Firearms Institute in Greeley,CO yesterday and was able to finally lay hands on one of these. I gotta tell ya, I think I'll be buying the 3-18x before too long.

The other thing that was kind of shocking to me is how big and heavy scopes in general have gotten. The big Razors are heavy as bricks...literally. Even the big Nightforces are real pigs.

The XTR3 3-18x is about as big a scope I would ever want on a rifle. JMHO
 
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#699
Skookum said:
I was just at Liberty Firearms Institute in Greeley,CO yesterday and was able to finally lay hands on one of these. I gotta tell ya, I think I'll be buying the 3-18x before too long.

The other thing that was kind of shocking to me is how big and heavy scopes in general have gotten. The big Razors are heavy as bricks...literally. Even the big Nightforces are real pigs.

The XTR3 3-18x is about as big a scope I would ever want on a rifle. JMHO
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The xtr3 in the 5-30 is only 32oz.. that's actually pretty light considering the vortex b razor gen2 is 48.5 oz. And the razor amg is 28.8oz.
 
#700
dodgefreak8 said:
The xtr3 in the 5-30 is only 32oz.. that's actually pretty light considering the vortex b razor gen2 is 48.5 oz. And the razor amg is 28.8oz.
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I looked at the bigger XTR3 as well. I wouldn't want it, but I realize I am not the market they are playing to. Scopes have just gotten fat.

I am wondering how far this current trend will go before things start to reverse. My first "big" scope was a Leupy Mark 4 LR/T 6.5-20x50. It seems downright svelt compared to current scopes. It has also held up without issue as I burned out 3 barrels on a 13 pound 300 winmag.

Not championing Leupold, I know they have problems. I got a couple of good ones though (early 2000's vintage), that track and have held up and I'll probably never trade or sell them.

I have 3 XTR2 3-15x50's that I really like. They track better than 99% and the supposed inferior glass hasn't hindered me yet. I'll probably keep them as well.

I will eventually get one of those pigs to replace one of those XTR2's on my ELR rig, but it only gets carried from the tailgate to the firing point.
 
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