Rifle Scopes Funds to buy New Scope

Jrylb73

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Minuteman
Mar 4, 2014
18
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Granby, MO
So at the end of the month I will be receiving my TDY Per Diem check and I will finally have the funds to buy a new quality scope for my 308 Rem 700 AAC-SD. I am new to buying high end scopes and have my choices dwindle down to the NightForce ATACR or the Vortex Razor HD Gen II 4.5-27. I have researched them both and looked all over the internet trying to find a post where they were both tested against one another, but no luck. I know the NF is a SFP and the Vortex if FFP. I know both of these are pretty new to the market so, if anyone has both or has had the chance to use both could you please tell me what your thoughts are on them. Right now the Army has me in the Wichita KS area. I have had the chance to look through the ATACR in Cabelas, but I have not found anyone carrying the Vortex Razor HD Gen II in the area for me to take a look at and put my hands on. Thanks in advance for any words of advice.

I attached the pic of my rifle I will be putting it on.
 

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According the reviews on this site. neither scope has any flies on it. IOW, if the reviewers are to be believed, and I DO believe them, either scope would be a stellar choice. Probably options (reticles, zero stop, illuminated reticle...etc) will steer your choice more than the durability, repeatability and excellent image quality which both scopes possess.
 
I would put it in an envelope and wait till the new Steiner hits the market. That may be quite the 'game changer' if it holds up to the hype.

I'd eliminate the ATACR if you have any desire to ever attend a competition. SFP just handicaps the shit out of you on anything but a square range.

If you want Nightforce in the same price point get an F1. Of your two choices I'd go Vortex for the FFP. I really encourage you to hold off until the initial reports on that Steiner come in though. Which if they stick to the advertised time frame should be in the next week and a half.
 
So at the end of the month I will be receiving my TDY Per Diem check and I will finally have the funds to buy a new quality scope for my 308 Rem 700 AAC-SD. I am new to buying high end scopes and have my choices dwindle down to the NightForce ATACR or the Vortex Razor HD Gen II 4.5-27. I have researched them both and looked all over the internet trying to find a post where they were both tested against one another, but no luck. I know the NF is a SFP and the Vortex if FFP. I know both of these are pretty new to the market so, if anyone has both or has had the chance to use both could you please tell me what your thoughts are on them. Right now the Army has me in the Wichita KS area. I have had the chance to look through the ATACR in Cabelas, but I have not found anyone carrying the Vortex Razor HD Gen II in the area for me to take a look at and put my hands on. Thanks in advance for any words of advice.

I attached the pic of my rifle I will be putting it on.

I haven't looked through any of the two scopes in person but all I can tell you is that the ATACR is one of the only three NF scopes which use the HD glass which is outstanding. I own a NF Competition scope which uses the same glass and all my shooting buddies shooting NXS's concede to the fact the HD glass has more pop/sharpness
 
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I have both right now, shipping the ATACR off soon. I just spent some time looking through both of them. Dimming light looking into a mix of birch and spruce forest with fall colors. I give the glass quality edge to the ATACR. The image seemed to have more depth and was brighter, while the Razor seems to have more color contrast. I didn't notice the weight too much on the Razor until I had them one in each hand. It's a tank!!! I ordered the Razor Gen II to replace the ATACR, mainly because of the features and the FFP. I'm not disappointed at all in my decision, but would have also been happy to keep the ATACR. I think it boils down to purpose and what features you value more, they both are excellent out of the box. Here are some comparison photos. Didn't realize how much more robust the Razor was until getting them side by side.