Rifle Scopes I could use some feedback on $1000 rifle scope

Rio2019

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Minuteman
Jul 10, 2020
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Taos, NM
Hey shooting friends, I think I have decided on my $1,000 budget "starter rifle". After much research I am leaning, heavily, toward the Begara-14 HMR. My budget also allows for a $1,000 scope. Here are my candidates: Vortex Viper HS-T, NightForce SHV, Bushnell Elite Tactical G2DMR reticle, Shightron 25003 SIII, Burris 201032 SIII, Athlon Ares. However, if any of you have what you consider a better option, please let me know, and thank you in advance for your recommendations.
 
No problem...

Another option you can look at in that price range is the Bushnell DMR II. They hover around the $1000 price tag. Be sure to look at the PX here as you can find good options there.
 
I have the Burris and Sightron you mention above. Brother in law has the Ares. I had the vortex HS and PST models. Have several NF but not the SHV model. Haven’t used the bushnell.

NF- Japan
Sightron - Japan
Burris - Philippines
Ares- China

In that order of recommendation based on what I’ve used

The Burris XTRII really shines in the 3-15 model. The higher power models aren’t very good glass.

The Sightron (owned 4 of the SIII) and all have been solid with great glass. They lack some of the features tho. At least the ones I have do

Ares is most feature rich of those mentioned. Great all around but not enough time using to say it’s going to hold up etc. only had for a short period of time. If this model holds up I’d rank it above the Sightron

Bushnell stuff I’ve owned has always seemed to be worth the price

Vortex- both my HS and PST failed and got sent in for warranty then sold. So I don’t recommend vortex in those models
 
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What magnification are you interested in. That makes a decent difference in price sometimes. Also, illuminated reticle? FFP?
Stick with Japanese glass if possible.
 
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Those are good options. The Sightron probably has the best view, but lacks some features.
What’s your intended use?
Thanks Kane for your response. I will train myself to long range shoot again. It’s been a long time since the military and my Remington M21. Beyond that, competition will come later.
 
The Ares ETR is made in china. The scope is good for the money. My bitch about it is the floating dot reticle in the MILS model. Check in the PX here. For a couple of hundred more you can find a Cronus BTR that is made in Japan.
 
The Ares ETR is made in china. The scope is good for the money. My bitch about it is the floating dot reticle in the MILS model. Check in the PX here. For a couple of hundred more you can find a Cronus BTR that is made in Japan.
In the end, spend $200-300 more, that Jap glass make you happy long time.
 
Thanks Kane for your response. I will train myself to long range shoot again. It’s been a long time since the military and my Remington M21. Beyond that, competition will come later.

If you are former military I would recommend you buy directly from the mfrs. Just about all of them have discounts that will get you at least 10% below the best street prices. Check out ExpertVoice for many. Tract has good MIl/LE discount and since you can only buy from them the discount is a good one. With that discount this scope is the one I would recommend: