Mid/Starter scope for Howa 6.5 Creedmore

[E33]

Basically what are the available competitors to the swfa 5-20 HD scope these days?
Looking for something like that.. Maybe even cheaper..

FFP with usable turrets and a decent reticle in that mag range and decent glass..

I did a LOT of research years ago but in searching it seems I’m behind the times now.. Back then their were few options with these required specs but their seem to be many more now..

Bushnell and Weaver, really?


thanks

 

[LR1845]

whats your price range is something ppl need to know to help you decide.

 

[PinesAndProjectiles]

The SWFA 5-20 is around $800 to $1,000

There is a lot of good glass in that price range according to the other 76,320,155 posts asking the same question.

 

[DoctorBen]

Athlon Area ETR. Like the reticle. Passed a tracking test. Rides my Desert Tech SRS. Good hits to a mile with .338LM

 

[z71rat]

There are tons of options in that price range. If you want to save some money, check out Arken Optics. That is all.

DK

 

[E33]

The SWFA 5-20 is around $800 to $1,000

There is a lot of good glass in that price range according to the other 76,320,155 posts asking the same question.

I understand..
I have answered the same questions many times on other forums but for me it comes down to “Do we want to do what we can to save another one of these rare cars”, or in this case “help another become proficient in something that overall improves us as citizens”..

I have 10,000+ forum posts myself.. I get it..

Really I am asking this here for a good friend that is less internet savvy..
I don’t have time to put 100 hours of research into this (again).. Last I was into long range research the market was incredibly different than it is now..
How many scopes could an average guy used to be able to get his hands on that were FFP and mrad? Now how many?

That’s why the swfa scopes were so hot! But now I’m wanting to recommend one and 1 they are unavailable and 2 recent posts including them are like WOW their are a lot of competitors out now and maybe many even beating them for bang for the buck?
Things have changed..

The market now seems to have many more choices in the <$1000 range, changing constantly, and even seems to have shortages here and there?

Decent answers to this question could be changing month to month if not week to week or day to day..

I’ll look into some recommendations posted here, thank you..

It is great to see a lot of responses here no matter their content.. Forums aren’t what they used to be..
You guys are lucky and should be proud so many come seeking your expertise..

 

[roostercogburn98]

Buncha good stuff in that range now days. Look for something with a rock solid no bullshit warranty to go along with it.

 

[stello1001]

You might be able to find a used Sig Tango6 second generation for around that price. If you do, that's a great optic.

 

[Mbaysinger89]

Bushy DMRII from Doug. 899

 

[moaorbust]

I have a Vortex PST2 on that same barreled action. Works like a champ.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

Used Bushnell DMR2 Pro or XRS2 gets my vote.

 

[E33]

Pretty crazy to see bushnell being recommended..

I take it they really stepped up their game lately?

 

[Hickswr]

Athlon Cronus
I bought a new one for $1100 and just snagged a used one from the PX here for $925.
Zero complaints with the Gen 1 Cronus I’ve used in a few PRS matches. Hit 19 out of 20 targets from 800-1200 yards on the last match.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

Pretty crazy to see bushnell being recommended..

I take it they really stepped up their game lately?

First place at King of Two Miles in 2018, Second place in 2019, heaps of PRS match wins and trophies, PRS series winner, PRS Tactical class winner....

Bushnell doesn't suck, dude. I've personally got national PRS top-10 match finished with the XRS and XRS2, plus several club match wins.

 

[Harman117]

Pretty crazy to see bushnell being recommended..

I take it they really stepped up their game lately?

Their "Elite Tactical" line are made by a popular Japanese OEM. Not to be confused with the lower class stuff

 

[Campguy308]

Another vote for Bushnell DMRII Pro

 

[fdkay]

There are lots of good options.
Sightron 6-24 PLR series
Bushnell LRHS/LRTS or DMR series
Primary Arms GLx (Philippine made) or PLx (Japanese)
Athlon Chronus
Trijicon Creedo

 

[drewthebrave]

Another vote for Bushnell DMRII Pro

The DMR II (standard, not Pro) is a great deal at $900 from Doug at CameraLandNY. Sure, the DMR II Pro is better, but it costs quite a bit more ($1600 last I saw) and seems to be sold out everywhere. You're probably better getting the new DMR 3 at $1499 (ships in October):

3.5-21x50 Scope - Elite Tactical DMR3 | Bushnell

The Elite Tactical 3.5-21x50 DMR3 scope features the G4P reticle in conjunction with G.A. Precision, multi-position Throwhammer mag lever & 25-yard parallax.

www.bushnell.com

 

[Paladin300]

Any of the Athlon scopes in the Midas Tac. Ares or Cronus lines. The Cronus is a Japanese made scope built in the Lowe factory which is the OEM for the Atacr. The glass is impeccable. For $1600 or less you would be hard pressed to find a better scope. The clicks on the Gen 1 are not as good as the gen2 but I think the glass is slightly better. You should be able to pick up a Gen 1 for less than 1200 if you can find them. Camera Land did have them on sale at one point. The Ares ETR is also excellent for around $1100. Athlon’s warranty and customer service are great. The Midas Tac 5-25 is another great choice for $850 or less. I own one or several of each as well as a S&B pmii and several Leupold Mark 4s. The glass in the Cronus, features and price make it an easy choice. The glass is every bit as good as the NF Atacr and Vortex Razor HD and better IMO than the Mark 5. Again, just my opinion but I think any of the above mentioned scopes are a better option than the SWFA based on the quality and warranty alone.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

The DMR II (standard, not Pro) is a great deal at $900 from Doug at CameraLandNY. Sure, the DMR II Pro is better, but it costs quite a bit more ($1600 last I saw) and seems to be sold out everywhere. You're probably better getting the new DMR 3 at $1499 (ships in October):

3.5-21x50 Scope - Elite Tactical DMR3 | Bushnell

The Elite Tactical 3.5-21x50 DMR3 scope features the G4P reticle in conjunction with G.A. Precision, multi-position Throwhammer mag lever & 25-yard parallax.

www.bushnell.com

I've seen gently used DMR Pros going for under $1k.

 

[Campguy308]

The DMR II (standard, not Pro) is a great deal at $900 from Doug at CameraLandNY. Sure, the DMR II Pro is better, but it costs quite a bit more ($1600 last I saw) and seems to be sold out everywhere. You're probably better getting the new DMR 3 at $1499 (ships in October):

3.5-21x50 Scope - Elite Tactical DMR3 | Bushnell

The Elite Tactical 3.5-21x50 DMR3 scope features the G4P reticle in conjunction with G.A. Precision, multi-position Throwhammer mag lever & 25-yard parallax.

www.bushnell.com

I have not used the standard DMRII. Have you compared it to the Pro?

I got mine for $1400 with a Kestrel on one of those GA Precision sales.

 

[db2000]

Primary Arms GLx line are made in Philippines not China. Good quality and reticle for the money. A couple for sale in the PX.

Optics - 2x Primary Arms GLx 4-16 x50 FFP/ ACSS-HUD-DMR-308/ ACSS-Apollo-6.5CR/.224V

2x Primary Arms GLx 4-16 x50 FFP/ ACSS-HUD-DMR-308/ ACSS-Apollo-6.5CR/.224V Both in excellent condition. Anything in the pics that looks like a slight scratch or ding is probably dust particles. May be very very slight ring marks. $560 shipped each, price firm. Paypal friends/family or add...

www.snipershide.com

 

[drewthebrave]

I have not used the standard DMRII. Have you compared it to the Pro?

I got mine for $1400 with a Kestrel on one of those GA Precision sales.

I have not compared it myself, but the general consensus is that the Pro's glass is significantly improved over the standard DMR II. They were an excellent value at the price you paid! I missed out on that deal, but picked up my standard DMR II from Midway at a smoking hot clearance price and am pleasantly surprised with the optical clarity for the money.

In my research on the DMR II, most complaints about its glass were when it was selling near $1500. Now that you can find them under $900, the glass is competitive with other scopes in the price range - now it's competing with the likes of the $850 Viper PST 2 instead of the $1700 Razor 2 HD.