Rifle Scopes Bushnell Mped 3-18 vs SE 3-18

[Jojo417]

I’m looking a a new optic for my “dmr” I’ve decided on these two.

I don’t need anything higher end for this setup.

Does anyone have real world experience with the mped 3-18 yet? The specs look good. I’m not a huge fan of either reticle. But I can make either work.

Right now the SE’s can be had for around $600. I haven’t seen any sales on the mpeds.

The two other options I’ve considered are the xtr3 and the dmr3.

I don’t think I’ll like the xtr3, I’ve had the Steiner t6xi 3-18 on this rifle and I was not a fan of the reticle. It was extremely thin and hard to see below 12x. I’m afraid the xtr3 will be the same way.

The dmr3 is probably my main choice, but I’m not sure if I want to spend that much. I also want something illuminated. I do really like the g4p reticle. I feel the mped might be 90% of the dmr3 for less money. Which is the way I’m leaning.

So back to my biggest question. Real world experience with the mped 3-18.

Thanks for your input!

 

[feelinlucky]

Athlon ETR 3-18 on midway for $584 would be my pic. To my eye (not saying much), I liked it better than my buddies Mped both sitting on AR10's out to 600 yards. I haven't spent any time behind it at longer ranges. I can't speak to the SE but from the online reviews it would rank 3rd in this group.

 

[st1650]

My ETR 3-18 is solid. Just a bit heavy.

 

[Jojo417]

Athlon ETR 3-18 on midway for $584 would be my pic. To my eye (not saying much), I liked it better than my buddies Mped both sitting on AR10's out to 600 yards. I haven't spent any time behind it at longer ranges. I can't speak to the SE but from the online reviews it would rank 3rd in this group.

I have a 4.5-30 and I really like it. It sucks the 3-18’s aren’t about an inch shorter. I won’t run it strictly because of that. Long scopes looks goofy on 16” ar’s.

I wish they would come out with a compact version. Or like a 3-15 Cronus

 

[Jojo417]

My ETR 3-18 is solid. Just a bit heavy.

Weight doesn’t bother me, length does. And unfortunately the etr 3-18 is longer than what I want.

 

[feelinlucky]

I have a 4.5-30 and I really like it. It sucks the 3-18’s aren’t about an inch shorter. I won’t run it strictly because of that. Long scopes looks goofy on 16” ar’s.

I wish they would come out with a compact version. Or like a 3-15 Cronus

I totally get that. I don't think I would run it on a small frame with a 16" either.

 

[4O6shootist]

There is the Burris h6xi 3-18 that's only 13.3" long. They're on sale via Europtic currently at a deep discount, still near a grand tho.

 

[Jojo417]

There is the Burris h6xi 3-18 that's only 13.3" long. They're on sale via Europtic currently at a deep discount, still near a grand tho.

I think you mean the Steiner?

I had a Steiner tx6i 3-18 on this rifle before. The optic was great. Glass was clear but had some weird CA my eyes didn’t like. I started to get used to it. But the thing I could never get used to was the reticle. It was so thin it wasn’t usable below 14x

 

[4O6shootist]

I think you mean the Steiner?

I had a Steiner tx6i 3-18 on this rifle before. The optic was great. Glass was clear but had some weird CA my eyes didn’t like. I started to get used to it. But the thing I could never get used to was the reticle. It was so thin it wasn’t usable below 14x

Yeah I meant Steiner my bad, Steiner/Burris same shop/oem. I also have a t6xi 3-18 in msr2 and quite like the scope for the money I paid. I def liked the Steiner glass over the blue tinted xtr3 lines. Idk everyone is a lil subjective to glass. Honestly if Nightforce would take the NX8 and turn it into a NX6 or NX5 and have A 3-18 or 4-20 with good eyebox and better depth of field, they'd have the winning formula. The nx8 is bombproof, good turrets, they track, light, short, are you listening Night Force?

 

[Waco Kid]

If the Steiner you had used the SCR2 reticle then I can say you won’t like the XTR3 either. My 3-18 had the SCR2 and I felt the same, thin as hell below 12ish mag. Probably great for bullseye shooting but for steel or your dmr use I’d pass. Although I was told the illuminated ones have a slightly thicker reticle, mine was the original non illum model.

Honestly if Nightforce would take the NX8 and turn it into a NX6 or NX5 and have A 3-18 or 4-20 with good eyebox and better depth of field, they'd have the winning formula. The nx8 is bombproof, good turrets, they track, light, short, are you listening Night Force?

This would be great! I’d be down for a 2-12 or 3-18 with maybe a .5 mil tree, like a less busy mil-xt.

 

[Jojo417]

If the Steiner you had used the SCR2 reticle then I can say you won’t like the XTR3 either. My 3-18 had the SCR2 and I felt the same, thin as hell below 12ish mag. Probably great for bullseye shooting but for steel or your dmr use I’d pass. Although I was told the illuminated ones have a slightly thicker reticle, mine was the original non illum model.


This would be great! I’d be down for a 2-12 or 3-18 with maybe a .5 mil tree, like a less busy mil-xt.

Yes, I had the SCR2. I felt the same way and its the reason I sold the optic. I believe the xtr3 will probably be the same. The t6xi's are illuminated so I really don't believe there will be any differences between them.