Rifle Scopes Help me narrow the scope choices

[Stoney_J]

I'm sure this is not the first time this has been posted to the SH community, but it is my first post here, so any assistance or guidance any of you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

First, I truly am the FNG on the block as far as PRS goes. I have been to a couple of PRS matches and watched the process and competition and find it completely intriguing and challenging. I have recently retired from almost 28 years in LE, 10 years of that as a Firearms Instructor and decided that I need to try to push my skills and incorporate PRS into my skill set. I am not unfamiliar to using scoped weapons, but after hunting a great portion of my life in north-central Texas, rarely does the opportunity present itself to take a white-tail in the Texas brush at greater than 200 – 300 yards. So, enough about me.

Scope technology has changed drastically and there are so many options, I can’t decide which way to go. Therefore I am hoping the SH Community can help me narrow my field of choices. I am not locked into any particular brand but would like to try to keep the price of the glass somewhat reasonable.

I have a bolt-action Ruger American Predator Magpul Hunter, 1:10 twist, 22” barrel, chambered in .308.
I plan to use the rifle for hunting, targets, and if I can teach myself to be proficient enough to use the scope dope to help me, I would like to venture into PRS. (Read to mean lots of practice)
Typically used in daylight and early morning, low-light conditions.
I want to try to push to the 1000 yard envelope. It is a personal goal.
I’m thinking FFP in Mils and Zero Stops that allow a mil or so below zero with the right type of reticle. Some of the available reticles seem to get awful busy as magnification goes up. So throw in your opinions on reticles for this scope.
I’d like to try to keep the price somewhat reasonable, say under $3000. But willing to go a bit more for functionality if needed. I look forward to your recommendations.

Thanks,
Stoney_J

 

[Spblademaker]

What reticle do you dig?

 

[PinesAndProjectiles]

If I were in your shoes, I would look at the different reticles available and find one you like and go from there.

There are PLENTY of scopes out there for less than $3k that can do everything you want and then some.

However, it isn't necessary to spend $3k on a scope to hit 1,000 yards. It could easily be done with a fixed 10x for $300.

 

[tlsmith22]

Im a huge Nightforce ATACR fan but I personally feel the best bang for the buck in the upper tier scope market is the Vortex Razor Gen 2. The only negative I have to say about it is its heavy. Can be had for around $1500 used.

 

[hunter8793]

I would look real hard at the Vortex Razor Gen 2. Especially lightly used for $1600 ish.
And then compare other options.

 

[Kadams1563]

The best buy you can get right now is a Gen II razor as mentioned above. Get in in the EBR-7 reticle and in Mills. This will be a scope that will carry you as far as you want to go and will for sure last until you get serious and get a rifle more suited to PRS.

That will be the next thing is getting you out of a Ruger and not a .308.

Where in North Texas are you located? I am in Wichita Falls and know a lot of people up here that could help you out.

Go to a PRS match and check peoples guns, optics, and gear out. One thing about this crowd is we are almost all willing to let people shoot our expensive guns and use our gear. This sport is very forgiving and people will let you use anything to get by. I have seen people start shooting matches with literally NOTHING and just paid for ammo.

Also you can send me a PM if you are up close to here or travel through or if you just have questions that you do not want to put out in the open lol.

 

[roaring80sgun]

I'm sure this is not the first time this has been posted to the SH community, but it is my first post here, so any assistance or guidance any of you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

First, I truly am the FNG on the block as far as PRS goes. I have been to a couple of PRS matches and watched the process and competition and find it completely intriguing and challenging. I have recently retired from almost 28 years in LE, 10 years of that as a Firearms Instructor and decided that I need to try to push my skills and incorporate PRS into my skill set. I am not unfamiliar to using scoped weapons, but after hunting a great portion of my life in north-central Texas, rarely does the opportunity present itself to take a white-tail in the Texas brush at greater than 200 – 300 yards. So, enough about me.

Scope technology has changed drastically and there are so many options, I can’t decide which way to go. Therefore I am hoping the SH Community can help me narrow my field of choices. I am not locked into any particular brand but would like to try to keep the price of the glass somewhat reasonable.

I have a bolt-action Ruger American Predator Magpul Hunter, 1:10 twist, 22” barrel, chambered in .308.
I plan to use the rifle for hunting, targets, and if I can teach myself to be proficient enough to use the scope dope to help me, I would like to venture into PRS. (Read to mean lots of practice)
Typically used in daylight and early morning, low-light conditions.
I want to try to push to the 1000 yard envelope. It is a personal goal.
I’m thinking FFP in Mils and Zero Stops that allow a mil or so below zero with the right type of reticle. Some of the available reticles seem to get awful busy as magnification goes up. So throw in your opinions on reticles for this scope.
I’d like to try to keep the price somewhat reasonable, say under $3000. But willing to go a bit more for functionality if needed. I look forward to your recommendations.

Thanks,
Stoney_J

 

[BroncoMustang]

The best buy you can get right now is a Gen II razor as mentioned above. Get in in the EBR-7 reticle and in Mills. This will be a scope that will carry you as far as you want to go and will for sure last until you get serious and get a rifle more suited to PRS.

That will be the next thing is getting you out of a Ruger and not a .308.

Where in North Texas are you located? I am in Wichita Falls and know a lot of people up here that could help you out.

Go to a PRS match and check peoples guns, optics, and gear out. One thing about this crowd is we are almost all willing to let people shoot our expensive guns and use our gear. This sport is very forgiving and people will let you use anything to get by. I have seen people start shooting matches with literally NOTHING and just paid for ammo.

Also you can send me a PM if you are up close to here or travel through or if you just have questions that you do not want to put out in the open lol.

I have a Vortex Razor Gen II in the 4.5-27 and am very pleased with it. It has clear glass and is solid and tough.
I have also read good things about the MeOpta Optika 6 scopes. F.Y.I.

 

[Stoney_J]

What reticle do you dig?

I've been kinda looking into the Vortex EBR7C or EBR2

 

[Stoney_J]

Im a huge Nightforce ATACR fan but I personally feel the best bang for the buck in the upper tier scope market is the Vortex Razor Gen 2. The only negative I have to say about it is its heavy. Can be had for around $1500 used.

I've been looking at NF and Vortex both. But NF sure is proud of their scopes.

 

[Stoney_J]

The best buy you can get right now is a Gen II razor as mentioned above. Get in in the EBR-7 reticle and in Mills. This will be a scope that will carry you as far as you want to go and will for sure last until you get serious and get a rifle more suited to PRS.

That will be the next thing is getting you out of a Ruger and not a .308.

Where in North Texas are you located? I am in Wichita Falls and know a lot of people up here that could help you out.

Go to a PRS match and check peoples guns, optics, and gear out. One thing about this crowd is we are almost all willing to let people shoot our expensive guns and use our gear. This sport is very forgiving and people will let you use anything to get by. I have seen people start shooting matches with literally NOTHING and just paid for ammo.

Also you can send me a PM if you are up close to here or travel through or if you just have questions that you do not want to put out in the open lol.

I have been considering the Razor Gen II and the EBR7 reticle. Any suggestions on magnification? 5x20, 4.5x27, or something completely different?

I don't live in Ft. Worth anymore but still have a hunting lease in Jack County, just west of Jacksboro. Try to get out there as often as I can during the hunting season.

 

[Luvman]

I've been kinda looking into the Vortex EBR7C or EBR2

If your rifle will pull double duty hunting then look at the vortex pst 2 3-15 and razor 3-18. Neither will limit you at 1K. I shot a couple matches with a 3-18 razor. I wasn’t limited by it.

if you’re not so worried about hunting then check out the 5-25 pst 2 and the 4.5-27 razor.

I’ve taken shots out to 1500 with a 3-18 razor and a .308. I didn't miss because due to lack of magnification.

 

[theLBC]

Leupold Mark 5HD has exceptional low light performance, and you might still be able to get a LE discount from a forum vendor.

 

[Spblademaker]

I've been kinda looking into the Vortex EBR7C or EBR2

There you go. You have to look at the thing while you’re shooting. Better to make it something you like.

 

[roaring80sgun]

Stoney_J, I've owned and tried the following scope brands and various models over the years: Schmidt and Bender, Nightforce, Kahles, Vortex, Bushnell, and Leupold. I've used most of those scopes at distances between 600 -2300 yards. It seems like every year one manufacturer tries to one-up the other in reticle design, elevation adjustment, etc. I recommend a first focal plane scope and a Vortex Razor 2 if you want to save some $ and a Nightforce ATACR if you're willing to spend additional $. For ELR (Extreme Long Range - 1500 yards and further), people seem to go with the Nightforce ATACR 7-35 because it has more elevation dial than many others out there. A lot of those extreme distance shooters like the simpler (non tree style) reticles so they can see their hits without the Horus type reticles interfering. A good compromise is going with a scaled down "tree" reticle. Check out the Nightforce Mil XT reticle and also the Kahles SKMR 2 and SKMR 3 reticles. I like Kahles scopes also, but have moved more towards the Nightforce ATACR scopes because they have more elevation dial than the Kahles. There are other scopes out there that are excellent also, but those come at an even higher price point than everything I've mentioned in this post (Tangent Theta). I hope this helps and let me know if you have any specific questions. Good luck!

 

[long range sponge]

Here's my first instinct. @gr8fuldoug has some 3-12x44 Bushnell LRTS on sale for $650. ($750 illuminated) Put that on your Ruger. Short, light, great glass. Not sure how you feel about the reticle but many people like the G3.

That leaves > $2200. Plenty for a Ruger Precision in 6.5 or 6 creed plus a Gen 2 PST 5-25 with EBR reticle of choice from just about any hide vendor. Good deals on used rifles in the PX like the one below as well.

https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/wts-tikka-t3x-tac-a1-6-5-creedmoor-price-drop.6968724/

Depending on what deals you find you might even be able to squeeze enough for a Harris bipod and/or scope rings/mounts.

Again, just a suggestion.

 

[C4N4DIAN]

Best value for long range would be sightron IMO. If you want to invest more then I’d go Vortex razor.