Rifle Scopes Gen 1 Razor Thoughts

Semperfi87

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Minuteman
Feb 16, 2017
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Im looking for a good FFP all around scope for my Tikka 6.5 Creedmoor but I can't invest the money it takes for a Gen 2, so I'm thinking hard on the Gen 1 purchasing through Vortex Military purchase program I'm a weekend shooter would this be a good purchase it's hard making a choice without being able to see one in person. Opinions on this model please 5-20x50 MOA reticle
 
I personally don't think there is anything wrong with the GenI, its not the latest thing to hit the market, but that hasn't ever caused me to miss. There are certainly worse choices out there, if its at a price point your comfortable with go for it. That said you could save a little longer and get the GenII.
 
The Gen I Razor is a solid scope. Good features and reticle and a ton of elevation. No downside to getting one especially at the LE/Mil price.
 
I've had one since 2012 on an SR 25 EMR. It will stay there until it gives out. Great scope. Buy with confidence. The warranty isn't bad either.


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I've been running one for 2 years and haven't looked back. It's a great scope, especially for the price. The one common complaint I hear about it is the 35mm tube, but it hasn't proven to be a problem for me.

Vortex also has an unbelievable warranty and great customer service.
 
I have been running one on a 6.5 Creedmoor for ~3 years. I don't think you can beat the clarity for the price. Runs circle around a trijicon 5-20 for sure. Mine is currently at vortex for a parallax adjustment and will move to a 308 when it gets back. Couldn't pass on a S&B.
 
I had one and it was a great scope. no issues and worked awesome on my 308. even got 2nd in a couple of local comps with it. it def wont hold you back
 
I have both gen 1 and 2 razors. I love them both. I would not hesitate to buy another gen 1. I am actually considering this for my SPR build. if you in WA im happy to let you look through them
 
Do you guys think it's a step up from a Burris xtr ii? There are some smoking deals out there on them now, just not sure if it's much of an upgrade since I haven't looked through one.

I have both. The Burris tracks great and the zero Stop is easy to set and use. The Vortex glass, to my eyes, is much better.
 
In this price range you are really looking at the Gen 1, Bushnell XRS, Steiner T5xi, and a tier lower would be the SWFA and the XTR2.

Of course the Gen I glass is going to be better it retails for $1700 BUT they sell used regular for the 12-1400 range. If you can get for close to $1200, it is hands down the best scope. If you cant, and it is rare to get that cheap, there are plenty of other great deals like the Bushnell 4-30 ($1800 scope for around $1400) Steiner 5-25 around $1500 and then if you don't mind taking a small and I mean small step down in glass only and not performance, the XTR2 4-20 and the SWFA 5-20 are excellent scopes for the 800-1000 range.

Mechanically I have owned all the above scopes (and shot them in matches) and have not heard of a single problem with any of them (Steiners since new knobs put on). I went with my favorite rect and as I have a couple rifles and cant afford to put more than my S&B on my match rifle, I went with a rock solid choice and am slowly putting the 4-20 XTR2 on all my other rifles (the SCR rect matches my H2CMR on my S&B) they all will perform mech to any needs you may ever have.

Hope that helps! Like a shotgun, I really recommend looking through each and pick your favorite rect. and get what you can find the cheapest. ha. There a Steiner 5-25 in the for sale for $1550. crazy cheap. The cheap Gen I scopes usually get picked up quick...for a reason.

Regards,
DT
 
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How do they stack up mechanically? My Burris has been great mechanically, I love the feel of the clicks and it's been a tank. The glass on the top end just leaves a little to be desired.

I ran my Burris for a season at club PRS matches. It is a solid scope, great zero stop, repeatable, I still have it and use it as a backup scope. The Razor is also repeatable, great zero stop, better glass (very clear, sharp, less CA), my buddies say the turret clicks sound like a dial on a bank vault. Both are great scopes, both will do the job, I still own both, still like and use both, but in my opinion the Razor is a notch above the XTR II. Only problem I have ever had with the Razor is you have to keep any eye on the zero stop screws, on occasion they will loosen. I just check them as part of my pre-match checklist. To be fair, .mil to .mil pricing the Razor was just under 50% more expensive than the Burris, but again in my opinion the difference is noticeable. I just never felt I would lose a match running the Burris instead of a Razor though, both are solid scopes.
 
I ran my Burris for a season at club PRS matches. It is a solid scope, great zero stop, repeatable, I still have it and use it as a backup scope. The Razor is also repeatable, great zero stop, better glass (very clear, sharp, less CA), my buddies say the turret clicks sound like a dial on a bank vault. Both are great scopes, both will do the job, I still own both, still like and use both, but in my opinion the Razor is a notch above the XTR II. Only problem I have ever had with the Razor is you have to keep any eye on the zero stop screws, on occasion they will loosen. I just check them as part of my pre-match checklist. To be fair, .mil to .mil pricing the Razor was just under 50% more expensive than the Burris, but again in my opinion the difference is noticeable. I just never felt I would lose a match running the Burris instead of a Razor though, both are solid scopes.

+1 on this.
 
I've had my gen1 for a while & love it, the knobs are really smooth & track perfect, love the ebr2b reticle, it sits on a 6.5 creedmoor & shoots bugholes all day long. Check out Mile High Shooting they have both mill & moa with a free Spuhr mount, great deal.