Rifle Scopes New vs Used- making the most of your scope budget.

[mpwolf]

I'm primarily an F/Tr shooter, but am dipping to into the PRS pool. I need glass for a 6.5 creed that I'm putting together. It's nothing fancy- trued up 700, timney, 1-8" Jury tube, A5. My original plan was a new Vortex PST-II, but I keep hearing rumbling that there may be other, bette options out there in the same price bracket. How does a Gen I razor stack up aaginst the PST-II?

 

[athanasios23]

Not sure how they stack up against each other. But to reply to the title of your thread. Lots of members on the hide with rifle/scope ADD. You can get lightly used gear at nicely discounted prices. I have bought and sold a lot on here and so far have not been disappointed. I saved a good amount of money as well.

 

[patriot07]

There isn't a ton of difference in a Razor G1 or a PST G2, but of the 2, I think I'd rather have the Razor G1.

My preference in that price range is the SWFA HD 5-20, but the reticle may not be ideal for PRS.

Other good options in that price range - LRHS, Cronus (non-BTR), Nikon FX-1000, etc. Only mainstream option in this price range that I really don't like at all is the XTR II. Glass on the ones I've seen is just terrible compared to anything in the >$500 market.

 

[VegasHKShooter]

Without getting into the weeds on specific brands and choices, I’ll just say this: Vortex should be divided into 2 companies. Top is the Razor line. Under that is EVERYTHING else they do. I, as well as SEVERAL folks I know, have had to send Vortex products that are UNDER the Razor line back for warranty work. Sure it was handled, but the best warranty is the one you never use!! The Razor line is made in Japan by LOW. The lower tier products are made in The Philippines, and China. Not trying to turn this into a Vortex bash, because they have some fine optics and products made for them. I just personally have had to send enough back to shy away from the sub Razor lines.

In response to the other part of your post, I would absolutely not be worried about buying glass ore owned. Most glass now comes with great warranties, so the risk vs reward is pretty small compared to the $$ you can save. Save the $$ you can by buying pre owned, and often you get a better piece of kit than you could otherwise afford.

 

[simpy16]

I was really worried when I got into long range shooting to buy used scopes. I am generally NIB only guy and buy from reputable dealers, for that reassurance that it will be okay. A couple of years later and A LOT more education on my part as far as knowing what I am looking for and more well educated on buying used optics online and I feel comfortable buying and selling them. I know that I want to be able to move scopes that either don't fit my needs anymore or I just want to chase a new shiny object and I will need to sell them. I want people to trust my that I would shoot straight with them on the condition of the scope and why I am selling it, I figure if I want people to believe me and my story then I need to believe them when they tell me the same thing back on a scope I am interested in.

I have not owned either of the scopes you have mentioned but have been around them at matches, and owned several Gen 1 PST scopes. As was stated I would probably lean towards the Gen 1 Razor on glass clarity, but I think the Gen 2 PST has lightly better turrets since they are modeled from the Gen 2 Razor. Might be also looking at something like the Burris XTR2 series, maybe the Nikon FX1000 scope, and possibly a few Bushnell options. I owned a fair bit of Vortex at one time but have since sold all of it off, nothing against the company, most of it was just wanting to take the next step up in glass quality, Swarovski, Kahles, Leupold Mark 6 line, etc.