Rifle Scopes Falcon menace 5.5x25x50

[pinklbd]

First off I am new to the long range shooting. Always had guns, but mainly hunting rifles and pistols. I have purchased a 700 AAC in 308 and have my 20 moa base, and now I am looking for a scope. I am on a pretty tight budget, but I also know what I want. This scope has all the features that I want(first focal, target turrets, mil/mil with a nice reticle, variable power at least to 20, and illuminated). Am I going to regret getting this scope? I don't want to spend over a grand especially for my first scope, but I don't want to spend 600 on junk either. Any advice on this scope or any others that are in my price range and have the features i want, would be appreciated.

Thanks Ben

 

[hondakilla98]

I have the non illuminated version of this scope. If you have to have all those features and can't spend more than $500, It's the way to go. Mine works fine, it passed the box test no problem. On higher mag, it gets a little foggy around the edges. After looking through a Vortex Viper PST, I should've spent another $350. But I didn't have the money at the time. And I've made hits out to 900 yards with the Falcon. Eventually I'll upgrade.

 

[avidflyer]

I have had and have a couple.....You can catch them used in the optics section for $275-$350....How can u beat that for the price....Great for my 17 HMR and 22 at 100 yards.

 

[pinklbd]

Anyone else had any experience with this scope? My budget is below $1000. I was also looking at the weaver.

 

[lawdog]

Contact Chris over at SportOptics. He has the Vortex Viper PST 6-24 x 50 in FFP, MRAd with free rings for under $1000.

 

[Armored Transport]

For your budget don't neglect to check out the Sightron S-III's

 

[pinklbd]

Thanks guys! I will check out both.

 

[Danley]

Any particular reason that you want a first focal plane scope? What type of shooting are you going to be doing? A FFP scope has it's place, but is not ideal for everyone and there type of shooting. As mentioned above, The Sightron SIII's are excelent scopes for the money. I have 3 of them and love them for there purpose.

 

[muddawg]

I have the nonilluminated version of that scope as well. It has served pretty well. I have shot it out to 1,000 yards in competition and it can hold up to higher priced optics like a Leupold Mark 4. The glass is not near as good though. At distant it tends to get hazy, especially when the mirage is thick. However, its a solid scope for the $. I agree though with hondakilla, if you can afford a little more get the Viper PST. I have the 5-15 version and its is a really good scope for the $.

 

[pinklbd]

I will be doing a lot of different things with this scope/gun. I would like the ffp for ranging shots while hunting. It will primarily serve as a target and hunting gun. I would buy a sfp scope, but I will prob have this scope for a while. Prob going to lean toward the viper, since it has the reticle I like.

 

[Jethro3898]

The Vortex PST and Falcon Menace are probably the two biggest "bang for your buck" scopes out there.
Just depends on how many bucks you have to spend.

Never be afraid to buy used from here on the Hide. There are some great deals lurking in those "for sale" forums.

 

[pinklbd]

I ended up spending a little more and got the viper. Should get it before the weekend. Guys at camera land took care of me. Also had to get my wife a new Nikon, so she would not be jealous.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

Very wise decision. That Falcon would have shit the bed eventually. Another scope I would have recommended you look at would be the SWFA 3-15FFP. It's not quite in the magnification you're looking at but unless you're shooting varmints, or benchrest you don't need 20X, even those can get by with less. IMO 14-16x on the top end is perfect. More is never a bad thing so long as the scope is FFP and you can dial down for mirage and shorter distance, but you need really good glass to not fatigue your eye which comes at a cost.