I've spent the past few weeks reading and flip flopping before settling on a Leupold ER/T FFP 6.5-20 TMR because it was the closest next step up from the Viper PST 4-16 FFP I had originally wanted (but which was impossible to find after I got fed up with my 4 month backorder).
This is going on my first long range rifle, a 308 AR build. I intend to work up to and maybe past 1000 yards on the range, though I estimate I won't be going past 600 for awhile. Maybe competitions, I don't know yet. I'd like the option of ranging, and living in Oregon, having an illuminated reticle could be handy on overcast days.
What drew me to the Vortex was the illuminated, subtensioned reticle (EBR-1), FFP, mil/mil adjustments, 50mm objective, zero stop, zoom range and price. I'm trying to duplicate as many of those features as I can but it's virtually impossible.
I'd settled on the Leupold because it had all those features except the zero stop and illumination, but promised a better view. Then I find out about the Bushnell HDMR 3.5-21 FFP G2. Again, no zero stop or illumination. Cheaper, but at what cost? Then I came across the IOR Valdada 4-16 FFP X1. I like the larger adjustment range too, and the secondary impact indicator. The illuminated center dot seems almost superficial though.
I'm having trouble coming to a conclusion. I'd rather not throw more choices into the mix unless necessary, because I've already considered the Razor HD, NF NXS, SWFA SS and others both higher and lower than the Leupold. I'd rather not spend another $600 on top of the $600 I've already added over the Viper PST I originally planned for, but I wouldn't mind spending less. Except the nagging feeling that I'd have under-bought.
Please help me decide, this damned hobby's going to kill me before I even start it.
Basically, talk me out of the Leupold, if there's any reason to do so!
tl;dr
Leupold ER/T FFP 6.5-20 TMR?
Bushnell HDMR FFP 3.5-21 G2?
IOR Valdada FFP 4-16 X1?
SWFA SS FFP 5-20?
This is going on my first long range rifle, a 308 AR build. I intend to work up to and maybe past 1000 yards on the range, though I estimate I won't be going past 600 for awhile. Maybe competitions, I don't know yet. I'd like the option of ranging, and living in Oregon, having an illuminated reticle could be handy on overcast days.
What drew me to the Vortex was the illuminated, subtensioned reticle (EBR-1), FFP, mil/mil adjustments, 50mm objective, zero stop, zoom range and price. I'm trying to duplicate as many of those features as I can but it's virtually impossible.
I'd settled on the Leupold because it had all those features except the zero stop and illumination, but promised a better view. Then I find out about the Bushnell HDMR 3.5-21 FFP G2. Again, no zero stop or illumination. Cheaper, but at what cost? Then I came across the IOR Valdada 4-16 FFP X1. I like the larger adjustment range too, and the secondary impact indicator. The illuminated center dot seems almost superficial though.
I'm having trouble coming to a conclusion. I'd rather not throw more choices into the mix unless necessary, because I've already considered the Razor HD, NF NXS, SWFA SS and others both higher and lower than the Leupold. I'd rather not spend another $600 on top of the $600 I've already added over the Viper PST I originally planned for, but I wouldn't mind spending less. Except the nagging feeling that I'd have under-bought.
Please help me decide, this damned hobby's going to kill me before I even start it.
tl;dr
Leupold ER/T FFP 6.5-20 TMR?
Bushnell HDMR FFP 3.5-21 G2?
IOR Valdada FFP 4-16 X1?
SWFA SS FFP 5-20?
