New Arken Offering

[Mike Casselton]

Nice!
This is the kind of info I hope we all start sharing once the weather breaks. I spent all winter looking at it out my window.
Lol

Weather breaks?

It's finally cool enough here that we can shoot past 1100 hours.
Hot, humid as hell and ain't no long range stuff happening from ground level even at this time of year.

Florida...

Hope we get our towers built soon so we can get above the worst mirage.

 

[Mike Casselton]

Just go out and shoot.
I loved winter shooting in South Dakota.

 

[Gohring65]

Just go out and shoot.
I loved winter shooting in South Dakota.

Ha! Yeah, I’m definitely used to the cold.
It’s been zero up to about 15 degrees here. I’ve been a timber cutter for 25 years. My problem is, I work till dark, and weekends is for thawing out for Monday.
My shoulders and knees are starting to show the years of carrying a saw. I need the weekend to let my joints take a break.
When the weather breaks, I mean when it finally thaws and I get some rain days/range days. Lol
Plus, my home range is closed due to deep snow.

 

[vhntr1]

Warm day in ohio I also work outside all year long,I know what you mean about the joints been at it 39 years.I did get out today and shoot some hillbilly prs at 400 yds over the seat of my atv at some steel loads of fun ,spent the rest of the day getting more firewood waiting for the big one they are talking about.

 

[Gohring65]

Warm day in ohio I also work outside all year long,I know what you mean about the joints been at it 39 years.I did get out today and shoot some hillbilly prs at 400 yds over the seat of my atv at some steel loads of fun ,spent the rest of the day getting more firewood waiting for the big one they are talking about.

Yeah it’s coming, I’m in central/south eastern, we’re probably going to get a lot of ice. North west of I71 is about to get hammered with more snow on top of the several inches already on the ground. I’m about done walking in that shit. Lol it’s hard on the knees.

 

[BigBabyMoses06]

Anyone compare a Bushnell Match Pro to the EP5?

 

[FuhQ]

It's been a month today, and I'm still waiting on mine to ship...

 

[918v]

They’ll send you an EP6

 

[Lightning8]

FYI. The Arken Ep5 has a nitrogen fill plug or similar on bottom that may interfere with a one piece mount (or at least it did for me). I ended up using traditional 34mm rings. Look forward to first range trip soon.

Shot a PRS rimfire match Sunday and shooter on my squad had a new EP5 mounted. Pretty impressive. Had a chance to look at PRS targets at 1000 yards while on the line (rimfire match shot on a traditional PRS range but obviously much shorter ranges) and seemed pretty clear to me. I am not a scope expert - would love to see a report from one of the optics experts.

 

[Lightning8]

I had a Bushnell Match Pro and it is "ok", I actually traded my Bushnell Match Pro for a Vortex Venom as my buddy really prefers to Match Pro reticle. I just mounted my EP5 and first impression is much more positive than the Match Pro. Match Pro might be better for rimfire as it focuses to 10 yards? while EP5 is 25 yards.

 

[MRADical]

It's been a month today, and I'm still waiting on mine to ship...

I purchased an optic which was listed as "In Stock." After three and a half weeks with no update, I contacted Arken and cancelled my order. They were helpful and refunded me immediately (no complaints there, good CS). I just dislike when companies aren't upfront about what's actually stock and what's actually a backorder...

 

[fullsemiauto556]

Received shipping notice on my EP5 today. Order date was 12/29.

 

[FuhQ]

I purchased an optic which was listed as "In Stock." After three and a half weeks with no update, I contacted Arken and cancelled my order. They were helpful and refunded me immediately (no complaints there, good CS). I just dislike when companies aren't upfront about what's actually stock and what's actually a backorder...

They were upfront about the EP5 being a 2-4 week lead time. But today is 4 weeks... So I knew it was going to be a wait, just not a fan when deadlines run over, or take the entire time. I understand supply chain issues, Biden issues, etc... causing delays, but still, they should send out an email letting people know they're running behind schedule.

 

[FuhQ]

See, if I was a shill, I wouldn't have this problem, right? If I was a shill, they would have made sure that I had one in-hand BEFORE they dropped, ready to release my photos and videos and opinions saying how awesome it is, etc... But I didn't. I also wouldn't have had to purchase one with my own money, and then wait over a month for the damn thing to ship, creating frustration for me. These people calling me a shill are a joke themselves.

 

[BigBabyMoses06]

I had a Bushnell Match Pro and it is "ok", I actually traded my Bushnell Match Pro for a Vortex Venom as my buddy really prefers to Match Pro reticle. I just mounted my EP5 and first impression is much more positive than the Match Pro. Match Pro might be better for rimfire as it focuses to 10 yards? while EP5 is 25 yards.

Thanks! I have a Match Pro right now and like it a lot, was just looking for something a little bigger with more elevation after just selling an older elite tac. Now if only Arken could produce enough so I could give it a shot.

 

[FuhQ]

Thanks! I have a Match Pro right now and like it a lot, was just looking for something a little bigger with more elevation after just selling an older elite tac. Now if only Arken could produce enough so I could give it a shot.

Sadly, you gotta get in line with the rest of us. LOL

Like I said, I'm a month-out today...And someone just posted that their 12/29 order just shipped today. I was 12/31 order. So mine should be soon...Hopefully.

I did hear rumor that the MOA versions are shipping pretty fast after order. I'm a MRAD guy, so... I guess MRAD is more popular than MOA.

 

[ICU22250]

See, if I was a shill, I wouldn't have this problem, right? If I was a shill, they would have made sure that I had one in-hand BEFORE they dropped, ready to release my photos and videos and opinions saying how awesome it is, etc... But I didn't. I also wouldn't have had to purchase one with my own money, and then wait over a month for the damn thing to ship, creating frustration for me. These people calling me a shill are a joke themselves.

Dude, calm down, you'll get your optic soon enough, your probably in the next batch or so. You keep this up your gonna have an aneurysm..

 

[Gohring65]

Dude, calm down, you'll get your optic soon enough, your probably in the next batch or so. You keep this up your gonna have an aneurysm..

I agree, mud, you’ll get it. I’m guessing tomorrow or the next day.
I dont have the patience for the wait, that and the first run batch held me back from ordering this time.
QC usually suffers when companies are being rushed, they won’t admit that, but it’s true.

 

[FuhQ]

Dude, calm down, you'll get your optic soon enough, your probably in the next batch or so. You keep this up your gonna have an aneurysm..

I am calm, it was more about the fact that people keep calling me a shill, but if I was a shill, then why would I be experiencing the same issues as everyone else?

 

[Poorboyr]

What is everyone’s problem about waiting for this scope? You’ll get it when you get it. I guess you never bought a suppressor before…. You know, pay and forget about it.

 

[srt-4_uk]

I am calm, it was more about the fact that people keep calling me a shill, but if I was a shill, then why would I be experiencing the same issues as everyone else?

So you just shill for free? That's even worse.

 

[FuhQ]

So you just shill for free? That's even worse.

Eat a dick.

 

[FuhQ]

What is everyone’s problem about waiting for this scope? You’ll get it when you get it. I guess you never bought a suppressor before…. You know, pay and forget about it.

Yeah, I own 5 suppressors... I'm well aware how the waiting game works.

 

[Poorboyr]

Good for you. Then just calm down. It’s not like you are waiting on a winning lottery ticket.

 

[FuhQ]

Good for you. Then just calm down. It’s not like you are waiting on a winning lottery ticket.

I have been calm this whole time. I'm literally one of the calmest people you'd ever meet. Just having a fucked up day...And this shit isn't helping.

 

[Mike Casselton]

I have been calm this whole time. I'm literally one of the calmest people you'd ever meet. Just having a fucked up day...And this shit isn't helping.

There's no better way to calm a guy down than saying "Calm the fuck down."

Since that didn't work, I suggest going here for a couple of minutes.

What is with all the Profanity???

Please don’t get me wrong I do not have virgin ears, and I can cuss like a sailor. But, what I have a hard time with is hearing people in our sport talk about the lack of young people getting into the sport. When I listen to podcasts and the constant f… this and f….that, I am embarrassed to...

www.snipershide.com

If that doesn't work, I can call on @Dirty D to post up some of his beauties to give you some distraction time.

I'll help a brutha out.
Lemme know.

 

[Gohring65]

There's no better way to calm a guy down than saying "Calm the fuck down."

Since that didn't work, I suggest going here for a couple of minutes.

What is with all the Profanity???

Please don’t get me wrong I do not have virgin ears, and I can cuss like a sailor. But, what I have a hard time with is hearing people in our sport talk about the lack of young people getting into the sport. When I listen to podcasts and the constant f… this and f….that, I am embarrassed to...

www.snipershide.com

If that doesn't work, I can call on @Dirty D to post up some of his beauties to give you some distraction time.

I'll help a brutha out.
Lemme know.

Good reply Mike, I think helping a brutha cope is the best path here.
I don’t have as much patience as mudd does, so I feel his pain. Lol

 

[EscapeVelocity]

.

 

[Gohring65]

My distraction for the spring time.
I decided to raise another one of these for the pack.
I forgot about the 3am bathroom calls, and all day every half hour, the puppy teeth, the chewing of the furniture. Lol

Heres her future baby daddy, he just turned 2.

 

[ICU22250]

My distraction for the spring time.
I decided to raise another one of these for the pack.
I forgot about the 3am bathroom calls, and all day every half hour, the puppy teeth, the chewing of the furniture. LolView attachment 7798294View attachment 7798305Heres her future baby daddy, he just turned 2.

Beautiful man, sure would like one of them male pups when they show up In the future, he's a good looking dog.

 

[Gohring65]

Beautiful man, sure would like one of them male pups when they show up In the future, he's a good looking dog.

Thanks, he’s awesome.
She’s showing a lot of potential also.
He was 100 pounds two weeks ago for his annual vet visit.

 

[vhntr1]

FYI. The Arken Ep5 has a nitrogen fill plug or similar on bottom that may interfere with a one piece mount (or at least it did for me). I ended up using traditional 34mm rings. Look forward to first range trip soon.

Shot a PRS rimfire match Sunday and shooter on my squad had a new EP5 mounted. Pretty impressive. Had a chance to look at PRS targets at 1000 yards while on the line (rimfire match shot on a traditional PRS range but obviously much shorter ranges) and seemed pretty clear to me. I am not a scope expert - would love to see a report from one of the optics experts.

I had the same problem it would not work with my one piece MPA mount had to go with a set of rings.

 

[FuhQ]

My distraction for the spring time.
I decided to raise another one of these for the pack.
I forgot about the 3am bathroom calls, and all day every half hour, the puppy teeth, the chewing of the furniture. LolView attachment 7798294View attachment 7798305Heres her future baby daddy, he just turned 2.

Nice! I need another pup... Been a long time since my last one. Like was said, I wouldn't mind getting one of the male pups off the litter. What will you be asking for them? I guess PM me if it's against the rules on the open forum.

 

[Gohring65]

Nice! I need another pup... Been a long time since my last one. Like was said, I wouldn't mind getting one of the male pups off the litter. What will you be asking for them? I guess PM me if it's against the rules on the open forum.

It’ll be a few years, I’m going to wait til her second heat at least, maybe even her third.
But I’m sure I’ll post about it when it happens.

 

[EscapeVelocity]

My EP5 shipped today! I purchased on 12/30.

 

[FuhQ]

It’ll be a few years, I’m going to wait til her second heat at least, maybe even her third.
But I’m sure I’ll post about it when it happens.

That's cool. Life got in the way, so it's been over 10 years since my last one passed. I'm not always running and gunning like I used to, so I'm finally ready for another one, and I've finally got the time to spend with, and properly train one again.

 

[greentick]

Had mine at a 100yd range to zero. Side focus same as many, ~75yd on the dial brought it into focus. Otherwise uneventful. I'm still trying to catch myself up to my rifle's potential, don't see the Arken holding me back lol. Can't complain for the price.

 

[fullsemiauto556]

Not even sure what the hell I'm putting my EP5 on yet. Then I'll need to decide if I'm selling an SH4 off or keeping it to give me a reason for another rifle purchase. Life is hard.

 

[Gohring65]

Not even sure what the hell I'm putting my EP5 on yet. Then I'll need to decide if I'm selling an SH4 off or keeping it to give me a reason for another rifle purchase. Life is hard.

Im in the same boat, I don’t have anything to put one on, but I want to test one out.

 

[fullsemiauto556]

Im in the same boat, I don’t have anything to put one on, but I want to test one out.

I think mine should go on my Howa 308, since that will "someday" be the rifle I practice shooting out to 750/1000 yards with.

 

[FuhQ]

Not even sure what the hell I'm putting my EP5 on yet. Then I'll need to decide if I'm selling an SH4 off or keeping it to give me a reason for another rifle purchase. Life is hard.

Life is only has hard as you make it... Buying another gun is a matter "swipe"... See, it's that simple.

 

[Gohring65]

I’m seriously considering a 30-06 ai with a Wyatt’s box and 27” 1-9 twist build.
I’d like to run the 208 to 2850-2900 fps. Just for fun. A ep5 would fit nicely on that.

 

[FuhQ]

I’m seriously considering a 30-06 ai with a Wyatt’s box and 27” 1-9 twist build.
I’d like to run the 208 to 2850-2900 fps. Just for fun. A ep5 would fit nicely on that.

I have been considering removing my 26" .30-06 AI 40º barrel, and rebuilding the rifle into something else. Great cartridge, and it shoots 1-hole groups, just don't have a need for it, and I never shoot it anymore. It just collects dust. I've gotten out of magnums and LA's, and into SA cartridges over the last few years. I don't really have any LR areas to shoot anymore, and the extra powder and recoil aren't that much for 100-200 yards. LOL

Thinking about using the LA and building a 7mm-08 AI 40º with a 1:8 twist to push the Berger 195's. I have had awesome success with Berger 215 Hybrids in my .308 Win, and I'm a big 7mm fanboy. My first "real" deer rifle was a Ruger 77 stainless skeleton stock in 7mm-08. Love that cartridge.

 

[Gohring65]

I have been considering removing my 26" .30-06 AI 40º barrel, and rebuilding the rifle into something else. Great cartridge, and it shoots 1-hole groups, just don't have a need for it, and I never shoot it anymore. It just collects dust. I've gotten out of magnums and LA's, and into SA cartridges over the last few years. I don't really have any LR areas to shoot anymore, and the extra powder and recoil aren't that much for 100-200 yards. LOL

Thinking about using the LA and building a 7mm-08 AI 40º with a 1:8 twist to push the Berger 195's. I have had awesome success with Berger 215 Hybrids in my .308 Win, and I'm a big 7mm fanboy. My first "real" deer rifle was a Ruger 77 stainless skeleton stock in 7mm-08. Love that cartridge.

I considered the 7-08 ai, except I was pushing for 2900 fps with a 162 eld, me and my smith couldn’t see it happening. If I can’t get it to 2900fps it really didn’t offer anything over my current cartridges.
I’d still like to have one though.

 

[357Max]

Has anyone run into issues mounting the EP-5 in a 1.5” AR type mount or just the lower mounts?
Better yet anyone have a measurement for how far the tumor sticks out the bottom?

I need to get a mount ordered.

 

[FuhQ]

Has anyone run into issues mounting the EP-5 in a 1.5” AR type mount or just the lower mounts?
Better yet anyone have a measurement for how far the tumor sticks out the bottom?

I need to get a mount ordered.

As long as it's around the same size as the Strike Eagle 5-25x56, then it will work fine with the Arken AR mount.

 

[Vodak]

Sticks out about 3/16".

 

[Mike Casselton]

Has anyone run into issues mounting the EP-5 in a 1.5” AR type mount or just the lower mounts?
Better yet anyone have a measurement for how far the tumor sticks out the bottom?

If you order the Arken mount, ain't nuthin a round/triangular file can't fix.

Dab it with a sharpie and rock on.

 

[FuhQ]

If you order the Arken mount, ain't nuthin a round/triangular file can't fix.

Dab it with a sharpie and rock on.

I didn't realize he was talking about the nitrogen plug, at first. But yeah, It should work fine in the Arken mount. I'm sure they made their mount to work fine with their optics. At least, I would hope so. LOL

 

[Vodak]

It fits with their mount. They've machined a bit of a recess along the cantilevered section which is also tapered inwards to give it space. The mount is fine for the price, but definitely not equal to the more expensive options. Mine is machined such that there's more gap between the rear rings than the front when installed, which is not exactly confidence inspiring. IDK, maybe it has something to do with the way they're machining in the 20 MOA.
Since I'm here I'll add a little bit more on regarding my thoughts about the rest of it.
Pro's: price, you get all the features you need for a comparatively low price. Glass, it's pretty good. It's definitely not on par with $1,000 or better scopes. Despite all the bullshit reviews claiming "just as good as X," its not. It is totally functional, and probably completely usable out past 1000 yards for shooting steel etc. Nice and bright, but there's a noticeable difference between it and my 15 year old IOR or Ares ETR for clarity and ease of use. Accessories, the throw lever, level, and scope caps are all great. The caps I got are better than the pair of Vortex caps I have which they're a clone of. One piece base is meh, good design, machine work could be better. (See above) Turret alignment, I like the three set screw turret retention. I appreciate being able to exactly line up the witness marks. Tracking was also good with the limited box test I did and general adjustments I made.
Cons: Glass/focus is finicky. Its hard to get behind at high power, and hard to get either the ocular, or parallax focused. I feel like it took me forever to get the ocular to a point where I felt it was as good as it would get. Focal distances are off. 100yds is in focus when the dial reads about 75. 500 yards is in focus around 200 on the dial. And there's a lot of travel on that dial, so you're just kind of turning and turning trying to decide whats really the best setting for a given distance. Turrets and zero stop, mine stops 1/2 click past 0. Sometimes it springs back, sometimes it doesn't. Hoping I can turn the stop ring itself slightly to fix that. Also there's that spring back between clicks which may or may not bother people.
All in all its a decent scope, but all the shill claims in the original Arken threads are bullshit. (for you guys who have not read them, do so, you'll understand why people are so prickly about any Arken thread where people sing their praises) For the money you get one of, if not the only scope with this robust of a feature set. Everything works, and most of it works fairly well, but its certainly not an upper tier equivalent. And yes, their marketing goons absolutely did try to make those comparisons when they first launched.