Rifle Scopes Need some help with a sub $500 scope

[ahage2]

First of all, this is my first post here after months of stalking around/reading/learning, and I hate for it to be the same question that is always asked, but I'm in need of some advice for lower priced glass to buy...

To get it started, I have a rem 700 sps varmint in .308 and I'm getting into long distance shooting. *I've been shooting my whole life and am pretty ok with a handful of different types of weapons, just figured it was time to get into long distance as a more serious side of shooting. *I know when it comes to glass everyone will say, you get what you pay for and buy once cry once, but I can't afford much over $500 because I just ordered an engagement ring, and you know where that goes money wise...

Anyway, to the point...I have my eye on a Vortex Viper 6.5-20x50 which is mildot/moa turrets, a Millett 6-25x56 LRS-1 with mil/mil illum, and a Falcon Menace 5.5-25x56 mil/mil FFP...

I'm torn because Viper has one of the best warranties hands down, good glass, but is less power and doesn't have matching units(though I do know MOA better). *Millet has the higher power, matching units, illum(which isn't necessarily needed) and an insane amount of travel, but also has a 35mm tube which is more of a PITA for buying rings. *Falcon also has good power, normal 30mm tube, matching units, AND FFP.

I want to be able to push 1000 yards, and I know a .308 isn't the greatest round for doing such a thing, but I want the capability. *Realistically, I'll be doing most of my shooting between 3-600 yards, but I do have a place that has a 1000+ yard range and a 1 mile range...so on the days I want to drive 45 minutes to get there, I'd like to be able to play around with that goal. *I also won't be doing any hunting since I live in central Illinois, besides the occasional coyote hunting with some friends.

To me the most important thing is reliability, meaning good turrets and return to zero...if it doesn't do that, I don't see the point.......besides that, obviously the rest falls into place. *And for me, variable power is also fairly important...


So after an extremely long winded posted, what would you guys recommend, or if neither of those 3, anything else VERY close to that price range you'd recommend?

Thanks in advance and I love the site and the knowledge I've gained so far.

Adam

 

[Dkindels]

Weaver makes a tactical 3-15 FFP that may be an option for you. It has a rebate currently. It would still be around 650 at least, but You may be ale to catch it on sale or get a dealer to work with you on the price. Illuminated FFP with decent glass at a price well below others. Check it out and see what u think.

 

[B3dlam]

Something else to consider is maybe getting a decent quality fixed 10x or something of that nature. I understand wanting varible power and all the other bells and whistles but just starting out something like a bushnell or swfa fixed power would be a great option to get you shooting while you save money to get yourself something like a vortex PST, SWFA 5-20x50 HD or something of that nature. I definitely love having all the magnification you can get but when I was in school our issued rifles utilized a 1.1-4 power Schimidt and Bender scope and we were able to maintain the rifles 2moa~ accuracy out past 900 yards. More power is a bonus but on some of the cheaper scopes they get quite dark at the higher power ranges. Just something to keep in mind that just because you dont have an extremly high power optic doesnt mean your limited in range.

Of the three you mentioned its a hard choice. I would probably go with something out of the vortex line as their warranty is solid although I would definitely look for something that is mil/mil with a solid reticle.

 

[Wolfkin]

Vortex Viper 30mm Tube 5-15x 44mm Side Focus 1/10 MIL Adjustments Mil-Dot a Midway special, best glass under $500 for 600 yards 308 165gr dropping ~5ft

 

[glassbeaver]

The FM or the vortex for sure. I have the FM aforementioned and it has always boxed and returned to zero (and I've treated it like shit). Glass is the obvious weakness with it, but there is not much else out there in that price range.

 

[E. Bryant]

First of all, I highly recommend buying something with matching knobs. I resisted this advice for a long time - long enough where I ended up with $10K+ in glass before making the decision to switch. That process would have been much easier if I'd heeded good advice much earlier.

I second the idea of the Viper Vortex HS 5-15x44 mil/mil; the problem is that this is a "seasonal run" available only through Midway and is unavailable the last time I checked. These do pop up in the "Optics For Sale" section here from time to time.

 

[Crosshair]

For 500-550 the Burris Mtac 4.5-14 would be my choice since the viper 5-15 isn't available right now. It's m/mil and has nice illuminated reticle, and is LIGHT for its power range. Also, the Leupold mark AR mod1 4-12 or 6-18 are mil/mil and come with the added benefit of turrets calibrated for .308 168grn, and are extremely light weight. These both have lifetime warranties. You don't have to drop a grand to get a killer scope these days.

 

[Nebula]

Does anyone know what "season" that Vortex HS is actually run in? Just curious as I've been holding out for it as well. I tossed around the idea of picking up something cheaper in the meantime, but since ammo is just as scare (or moderately marked-up) my rifle just got put to the side til I can actually buy anything for it.

 

[GUNZ n AMMO]

Vortex Viper 30mm Tube 5-15x 44mm Side Focus 1/10 MIL Adjustments Mil-Dot a Midway special, best glass under $500 for 600 yards 308 165gr dropping ~5ft

+1 I currently have this same scope on my custom Rem700 PSS. I owned 3 falcon menace scopes before, although they are GOOD scopes for the money I believe the Vortex is BETTER. Vortex scopes have a good definitive turret clicks, while the FM is mushy. The tick marks lines up well on the Vortex over the FM. The glass on the Viper is slightly clearer compare to the FM 3-18x44. Construction seems to be comparable. Warranty on the FM is good as I dealt with them before. The lifetime warranty of the Viper seems to be very good so I'm leaning towards the Vortex. I currently own a Vortex razor and a Viper 5-15x44.

Goodluck and let us know which scope you are getting and a quick review would be helpful to everyone.

 

[Mil.Dot]

Does anyone know what "season" that Vortex HS is actually run in? Just curious as I've been holding out for it as well. I tossed around the idea of picking up something cheaper in the meantime, but since ammo is just as scare (or moderately marked-up) my rifle just got put to the side til I can actually buy anything for it.

That's Midway's way of saying "We'll get them when we get them." I have seen them pop up twice in the last 9 months, I think. They sold through about 300 of them in Dec-Feb or there-abouts.

 

[dawson08]

Millet LRS-1 Mil/Mil you can get it on amazon "USED" but you cant tell that It has for about $375 If you look I love mine. Turrets alittle "mushy" but hey it aint a Nightforce. Would put it against ALMOST any Sub $1000 dollar scope. <- That is except for a few in the $800-900 area. BUT cant say enough for the price.

 

[ahage2]

Thanks for the input guys...I think I need to do a bit more thinking before I pull the trigger (obvious pun intended )....I seem to be on the right track with what you all have said, especially going with matching turrets/reticle.....

I think I'm gonna start looking in the used section or whatnot. I'd really love that viper, but I think down the road it'd get old without matching units......Might see if I can bump up into a slightly better vortex line if the budget will allow it, though that might just not be possible....we'll see....

Anyway, once I figure out what I'm going to get I'll post up in here and let you all know what I think of it...

Thanks again for the help and words of wisdom!!

Adam