Rifle Scopes How much to spend on glass

[Healy]

Scopes I have

3-15 swfa’s
Bushnell lrhs
nightforce nxs 5.5-20
Burris veracity
Burris mtac 4.5-14
Bushnell Elite 6500 2.5-16

I like most of these scopes, the real question is how much $$$ do I have to spend to buy a new scope that will make me say damn that’s a fine piece of glass?

My eyes might be bad but to me I can’t tell much difference between the nxs and the Bushnells

Also the eye box on the swfa seems to be easier for me to get behind than the rest.

Bottom line I’m looking a mil/mil ffp scope with glass that’s a lot better than what I have with a very forgiving eye box.

If anybody has any recommendations please I’m all ears. Thanks for the help.

 

[Healy]

Primary use will be target shooting inside of 1000 yards as well as hunting

 

[The DFC]

For me it was when I went from a Steiner T5xi to a Vortex Razor Gen2 before I thought to myself-that's a nice piece of glass.

 

[Healy]

Been checking the gen2 out for a while really like the ebr7 reticle. Trying to make sure I make the right choice this time

 

[The DFC]

Been checking the gen2 out for a while really like the ebr7 reticle. Trying to make sure I make the right choice this time

It's tough-because even if you can handle scopes in person etc -which is great for evaluating turrets and ergonomics etc. Harder for evaluating glass-especially high mag like 25x and up. At least for me anyway.

 

[CBDR]

I just bought my 1st Vortex yesterday. Went with the AMG Gen2 ebr7. On The Mark Tactical will cut you a smoking deal. I would put it in the same camp as my S&B, TT, KAHLES & SWARO. Love it.

 

[Healy]

Same here, one of the main reasons I asked is because I feel the competitors/ Operators on this forum have lots of experience in the field with some of the best optics made.

 

[Bender]

Henny 72mm. That will make you say DAAAAAMN for sure....

 

[Healy]

I just bought my 1st Vortex yesterday. Went with the AMG Gen2 ebr7. On The Mark Tactical will cut you a smoking deal. I would put it in the same camp as my S&B, TT, KAHLES & SWARO. Love it.

Like I said earlier I’ve been looking at the higher end vortex scopes I just don’t want to spend x amount of money when I can spend 500 or 800 more dollars and get a lot more optic

 

[Rocketvapor]

One problem with setting a dollar figure for a purchase is the brain.

One, you will be so impressed with your $3500 scope it will be bright and sharp even with the caps on.
Wow, that's a nice $3500 scope.

OR two, you will nit pick it $100 at a time. Find this little thing wrong with the clicks, how the marks line up, how hard it is to adjust. Nickle and dime your brain until you don't like it.

Pick a scope based on features you like, then see it you can afford to dump the cash on it.
Some have a return policy anyway. Just don't paint it until you are sure.
Pick something because it's good, not for it's price point, unless price point matters.
(it does for me).

 

[SSzelong]

I’m not sure what type of hunting you are doing, but 48.5 oz razor for the style of hunting I do is out. Not knocking it, but I’m not carrying a scope that heavy around the mountains. The amg would be your better bet if staying in the Vortex line

 

[Healy]

I’m not sure what type of hunting you are doing, but 48.5 oz razor for the style of hunting I do is out. Not knocking it, but I’m not carrying a scope that heavy around the mountains. The amg would be your better bet if staying in the Vortex line

I’m in eastern Nc 60 acre field up in a tree

 

[CBDR]

This may be classified as overkill for shooting coyotes and hogs. Today's trip to the range was productive. Not as sharp as the Swaro but pretty dam crisp.

 

[SSzelong]

I’m in eastern Nc 60 acre field up in a tree

Haha well I guess you won’t need to worry about the extra ounces then. The price the razors are selling for right now is tough to beat. Plenty of reticle options for them as well.

 

[Rangemaster]

Like I said earlier I’ve been looking at the higher end vortex scopes I just don’t want to spend x amount of money when I can spend 500 or 800 more dollars and get a lot more optic

Contact Allen at aaoptics

Welcome to A&A Optics Inc - Certified Vortex Dealer

these are refurbished, and carry the same lifetime warranty. Everyone I bought from them come in like new condition.

 

[patriot07]

Razor Gen 2, but I personally don't like the EBR7 at all. Way too busy around the target. I'd go with the EBR2C or the Delta Stryker 4.5-30. They're about the same level of glass. I like the turrets on the Vortex better, but the reticle on the Delta much, much better.

 

[Healy]

Lots of guys on here like the delta has to be good reason for it

 

[Kadams1563]

I have looked and shot through premier, USO, NF Beast, Atacr, Steiner, S&B and Mark 5.

With that said I see no real reason to pay more then the 1600-1900 the vortex gen II’s are going for.

I went with the Gen II and saved about 50% and don’t regret it at all.

Sure when I look at the other scopes compared side by side you can see a different but my optic has never held me back when shooting out to 1500.

 

[phantomskittles]

My Razor didnt really make me say WOW when I looked through despite it being the clearest scope I owned. That was mostly because I had looked through Schmidts and Premiers before that. But I was amazed that I got a scope that seemed so close to those for 1.5-2k less. That made me say WOW. With the scopes you have currently I dont think you would be disappointed in one though it is a brute for hunting.

 

[Kickin45]

Spend the amount that will keep you happy across the board.

 

[Singleshot]

Scope is one of those things you get what you paid for. Spend as much as you can afford, your wife will allow you to, or you can get away with without her knowing *wink.

 

[AIAW]

How much to spend? Short answer: Buy Once, Cry Once!

 

[W54/XM-388]

I'm going to say $2k and up for used and $3k and up for new is where you start looking at really top notch glass with all the best features and controls, reticles and all that stuff that makes you & others say "That's a fine piece of glass".

 

[acudaowner]

then again what's fine for one may not be all that impressive to another . never be affraid to look at something outside your comfort zone just because others like or dislike an item or brand you may love it or maybe not .

 

[GA_medic]

If you want a mil/mil FFP setup for a great price, look into the Burris XTR 2. The one in the pic I attached is 5x25-50 with a 34mm tube body and mil/mil FFP. Can be had in the low $1000 range.

 

[flyer]

Nightforce is nice for it's durability and years ago it was one of few options that had "tactical" features like zero stops, FFP and Mil-Mil. In my limited experience their glass doesn't wow me.

I also have an LRHSi and while I haven't specifically done the Pepsi challenge yet, I bet it would be as good or better than the Nightforce glass I've seen.

I have a Tract Toric 30mm and it seems to be a bit better than my LRHSi. It's selling point is Schott glass and it is nice but not so much better that it's a wow.

I think some of the really expensive European glass is another step or two up and things like a Razor are probably comparable to my Tract or in between it and the real high end. I have never looked through an Athlon Chronus but I hear people say it's close to a Razor and other people say it isn't quite there.

I haven't spent the big $$$ yet because I'm not quite convinced that it's worth chasing that last bit of sharpness and light gathering. Maybe I'll see a reason to spend the money at some point (maybe when I try 1,500+ yards) but not yet.

 

[wade2big]

@Healy, i have Razor gen iis and an AMG. I had a couple Steiner m5xi. I still really enjoy that SWFA 3-15. They are comparitively light scopes and it was my first tactical scope and I trust it completely.

I recently sold it off to a friend that was in need of an inexpensive scope. Man i wish i didnt sell that thing. Luckily I picked another up recently from a member here and it should be heading my way on Monday. I will probably be looking for a second.

 

[patriot07]

@Healy, i have Razor gen iis and an AMG. I had a couple Steiner m5xi. I still really enjoy that SWFA 3-15. They are comparitively light scopes and it was my first tactical scope and I trust it completely.

I recently sold it off to a friend that was in need of an inexpensive scope. Man i wish i didnt sell that thing. Luckily I picked another up recently from a member here and it should be heading my way on Monday. I will probably be looking for a second.

It’s a completely under-rated scope IMHO. Great in its price range.

 

[wade2big]

It’s a completely under-rated scope IMHO. Great in its price range.

These scopes are great scopes if you switch between rifles. Zeroing couldnt get any easier. The same cannot be said for scopes that zero like razors and amgs

 

[Healy]

I agree purchased one after I bought my nightforce nxs suprized the hell out of me and I might be crazy but I took the nxs off and put the swfa on my main hunting rifle I could make out my hits a lot easier

 

[VegasHKShooter]

If we’re talking about NF, the NXS is renowned for its amazing durability and tracking. Not it’s glass. It is quite literally bulletproof, but the glass has always been “meh .” NOW, the ATACR is on another level. I literally have almost every NF ATACR out, and yes, I’m a huge fan. I traded my S&B PMII for my 5-25 ATACR H59. The glass absolutely doesn’t disappoint.
I still have one S&B, my 3-20 PMII, and the glass is what you’d expect from a top tier European scope.
Now, on to your decision: spend as much as you possibly can. The reason is this: great glass is always great glass. A good scope, in 15 years, will still be a great scope. You can use great glass on multiple rifles, and use it for multiple roles. I use my ATACR 4-16 on both my KAC .308, and my 5.56 LPR. As I do with my ATACR 1-8. They have different roles, but they swap back and forth super well. A few shots to re-zero, good to go.
If I were you, I’m not, but advise on the internet and all.....id save my pennies and go pre-owned Razor 4.5-27. With the prices where they are now, I don’t think that scope can be beat. They were easily $2200 just a couple years ago. Now, they can be had for $1500-$1600. For that price, nothing compares.
Seriously, I’ve considered picking one up since the prices are what they are.
This is just my opinion, but that’s what you’re asking for. I certainly have spent some $$ on glass, but I think the Razor is at a point now where it is the way to go.

 

[flyer]

I would not be surprised if in 5-10 years some China and Philippine scopes were competing very well with present day higher end Japanese scopes.

I think people who spent $3,000 on a Nightforce 5-10 years ago are looking at some recently released scopes in the same price range and wishing they could swap.

That is one of the reasons why I look for value scopes with nice glass instead of alpha class, in a few years value scopes might be as good as today's alpha.

 

[The DFC]

I would not be surprised if in 5-10 years some China and Philippine scopes were competing very well with present day higher end Japanese scopes.

I think people who spent $3,000 on a Nightforce 5-10 years ago are looking at some recently released scopes in the same price range and wishing they could swap.

That is one of the reasons why I look for value scopes with nice glass instead of alpha class, in a few years value scopes might be as good as today's alpha.

Just like most things-as technology improves and if there's money to be made this will be the case. Hell I'm typing this on a $100 chromebook with more power then the giant Gateway tower I bought 20 years ago to get me through college for $2000.

 

[jpcowboy]

razor gen 2 with 7c reticle at sport optics 1759 shipped you will not regret it

 

[Greene]

Razor HD Gen II is a lot of scope for the money. There is better glass out there, maybe features one likes over the Razor. But for the $$. It’s not worth the $700-1500 difference. That buys a lot of ammo and or money towards a rebarrel when that time comes.

I think the eye box on the Razor is very forgiving also.

 

[HayStax]

How much did you spend on the rifle? Spend the same or more on glass. That has always been my rule of thumb.

 

[Dthomas3523]

You should spend exactly $3600.

@CSTactical
@gebhardt02

 

[Rocketvapor]

To the OP;
This is going to cost you
You have;

3-15 swfa’s
Bushnell lrhs
nightforce nxs 5.5-20
Burris veracity
Burris mtac 4.5-14
Bushnell Elite 6500 2.5-16


You want;

a new scope that will make me say damn that’s a fine piece of glass?

None of the ones you have did that.

 

[Healy]

To the OP;
This is going to cost you
You have;

3-15 swfa’s
Bushnell lrhs
nightforce nxs 5.5-20
Burris veracity
Burris mtac 4.5-14
Bushnell Elite 6500 2.5-16


You want;

a new scope that will make me say damn that’s a fine piece of glass?

None of the ones you have did that.

Are you making fun of the scopes that I have or do have a couple that are great scopes for the money in your opinion.

 

[Dthomas3523]

Are you making fun of the scopes that I have or do have a couple that are great scopes for the money in your opinion.

He’s saying you aren’t going to get a “wow” from anything in a similar price point as those.

 

[Healy]

That’s to be expected and I don’t mind spending the cash on whatever I decide gen2 razor maybe a kahles or TT

 

[Dthomas3523]

That’s to be expected and I don’t mind spending the cash on whatever I decide gen2 razor maybe a kahles or TT

Just get a TT or a zcomp. Pick which reticle you like better or if you need 25m parallax.

Don’t even look at the k525i unless you get a good deal on it used. Might as well go zcomp for a little more.

 

[CBDR]

If you try and keep up with all these high rollers on this site you will end up with a monster price tag. Go back to trusting your gut. Revisit the Vortex Razor HD keep it simple. I have chased after the best optic for the past 5 years and have dropped major cash along the way. Yes, I did feel good about myself and rather proud at the range but now as I reflect. I have spent way more than I should have on my optics. I was chasing / feeding the addition of owning the best. Keep it real, no need to go overboard. Why do so many of use feel the need to impress others. So many choices, enjoy the process.

 

[pitdog85]

If you try and keep up with all these high rollers on this site you will end up with a monster price tag. Go back to trusting your gut. Revisit the Vortex Razor HD keep it simple. I have chased after the best optic for the past 5 years and have dropped major cash along the way. Yes, I did feel good about myself and rather proud at the range but now as I reflect. I have spent way more than I should have on my optics. I was chasing / feeding the addition of owning the best. Keep it real, no need to go overboard. Why do so many of use feel the need to impress others. So many choices, enjoy the process.

The most truth written on this site. Recommendations of tangent theta and ZCO these cost more than my car must be lots people with very deep pockets around here!!!! The guy that came 3rd at the ELR event with his 7mm hunting rifle and SWFA scope will still wipe the floor with just about anyone here with that swfa scope!!!

 

[Dthomas3523]

The most truth written on this site. Recommendations of tangent theta and ZCO these cost more than my car must be lots people with very deep pockets around here!!!! The guy that came 3rd at the ELR event with his 7mm hunting rifle and SWFA scope will still wipe the floor with just about anyone here with that swfa scope!!!

Go drive that shitty car and look through that coke bottle.

Life is short. Get a better job. Don’t have 5 kids, etc etc.


Keep trying to take that money with you......

 

[TheGerman]

Scopes I have

3-15 swfa’s
Bushnell lrhs
nightforce nxs 5.5-20
Burris veracity
Burris mtac 4.5-14
Bushnell Elite 6500 2.5-16

Step 1 ; Sell all of those scopes
Step 2 ; Put your newfound money stash in a piggy bank
Step 3 : Raid piggy bank and buy a NF 7-35 ATACR -or- S&B 5-25 -or- shoot for the fucking moon and get a Hensoldt 3.5-26
Step 4 : Sell a kidney and/or child
Step 5 : Buy a Barrett M21 MRAD, Spotter 60, PLRF15c, Trimble NOMAD, RRS tripod and Anvil head and anything with the initials KAC on it

You're welcome.

 

[Boostinmarc4]

Go drive that shitty car and look through that coke bottle.

Life is short. Get a better job. Don’t have 5 kids, etc etc.


Keep trying to take that money with you......

So I love nice things in life and generally observe the buy once cry once philosophy, that said this is a total crap thing to say.

Buy the best nicest thing you can afford and let that be enough for you. The TT and S&B and whatever are are great but provide zero functional advantage to a razor or cronus or sightron or swfa. It's the same as Volkswagon Audi or Smirnoff and Grey Goose.

That all being said spend on an optic and save on the rifle if you must pick between the two

 

[TheGerman]

So I love nice things in life and generally observe the buy once cry once philosophy, that said this is a total crap thing to say.

Buy the best nicest thing you can afford and let that be enough for you. The TT and S&B and whatever are are great but provide zero functional advantage to a razor or cronus or sightron or swfa. It's the same as Volkswagon Audi or Smirnoff and Grey Goose.

That all being said spend on an optic and save on the rifle if you must pick between the two

Wait. Neither of those 2 is good vodka

 

[Boostinmarc4]

Sorry I hate vodka and tequila and whiskey are usually worth every penny you do or dont spend on them therefore making them both bad examples for my arguement...

 

[Dthomas3523]

So I love nice things in life and generally observe the buy once cry once philosophy, that said this is a total crap thing to say.

Buy the best nicest thing you can afford and let that be enough for you. The TT and S&B and whatever are are great but provide zero functional advantage to a razor or cronus or sightron or swfa. It's the same as Volkswagon Audi or Smirnoff and Grey Goose.

That all being said spend on an optic and save on the rifle if you must pick between the two

This statement is wrong.

Cheap shit does not provide the same mechanical reliability as non cheap shit.

For every example you can name which someone did well with a cheap optic, I can name 100 where they didn’t.

It’s not because everyone wants to spend their money.

If I could get $3500 performance for $1k I would.

Take a Ford Focus and hold the pedal down, see how far and how fast you can go before it burns up. Now go take a Ferrari and do the same thing.