Newbie needing advice

[Bison1r]

I was hoping I could get some advice on a good starter optic. I am wanting to get into longer range shooting, mostly for skill development. I currently run a Vortex 1-6 LPVO on my 5.56 gas gun and grew up short range hunting (250 yard and in).

The rifle in question is an Aero Precision M5 in .308, 18", 1:10 barrel. Previously, my longest shot was 350 Meters. I'm wanting to develop my skills in the 500-850 meter range. I have looked at the Primary Arms SLx OPMOD 4-14x44 FFP so far. My budget right now tops out at $500.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Glassaholic]

For that price range I really like the Athlon Helos G2 2-12x42 especially on a gas gun. PA generally makes great optics that perform above their price point, I would stay away from older SLx designs though, take a look at the Primary Arms SLx 3-18x50 FFP Gen II Rifle Scope, I am not a huge fan of BDC reticles; however, if you are brand new to long range and don't have a LRF and ballistic app then it might be a good option, but always remember with BDC - it was designed for a specific cartridge, barrel length/muzzle velocity and atmospheric conditions - change any of these and your BDC calibration could be off and cause a miss - always best to take good notes (DOPE - data on previous engagement). Once you do get into LR shooting more, you will likely want an LRF and some type of ballistic app that can take into account your cartridge/load, your barrel and your current atmospheric conditions to give much better idea of elevation and wind adjustments needed.

 

[Bison1r]

Reticle isn't a big issue. I'm a fast learner and eventually want to get into a Mil Dot system. It's more of a cost issue. Can't justify to the wife dumping 2k into an optic. If I could, I would pick up the Leupold Mark V 3.5-18.

 

[mi650]

Might be able to find a used Meopta Optika6 3-18 for $500.

 

[KYAggie]

Reticle does make a difference. For what you are describing, the Athlon Ares ETR 3-18 would cover a lot of bases not only now, but in the future. Do a little research on them, you have to spend 3 to 4 times this much to get noticeably better glass and they have a reliable reputation. Eurooptic has a great deal on them right now. The $80 you’ll spend over the Helos G2 mentioned above will be well worth it.

Athlon Ares ETR 3-18x50mm APRS6 FFP IR MIL Riflescope 212106

FREE SHIPPING on Athlon Ares ETR 3-18x50mm APRS6 FFP IR MIL Riflescope 212106

www.eurooptic.com

 

[Bison1r]

Reticle does make a difference. For what you are describing, the Athlon Ares ETR 3-18 would cover a lot of bases not only now, but in the future. Do a little research on them, you have to spend 3 to 4 times this much to get noticeably better glass and they have a reliable reputation. Eurooptic has a great deal on them right now. The $80 you’ll spend over the Helos G2 mentioned above will be well worth it.

Athlon Ares ETR 3-18x50mm APRS6 FFP IR MIL Riflescope 212106

FREE SHIPPING on Athlon Ares ETR 3-18x50mm APRS6 FFP IR MIL Riflescope 212106

www.eurooptic.com

I really appreciate that. What I meant by reticle not mattering is I'm not fixed on one particular reticle style. Aside from eventually wanting to progress to a Mil Dot reticle. Everything I've read so far has been a glowing review for the Area ETR. It is definitely a contender right now.

For further clarification, if it helps, I plan on shooting 178 gr Hornady ELD match primarily. M118 175 gr match when I can find them. Don't have a reloading setup yet so that's the starting point I've settled on.

 

[Gunny89]

Check out the Burris xtr 2 great scope for the money

 

[LRRPF52]

I’ve been shooting SR-25s, AR-10s, LR-308s, LR-260s, LR-6.5s for the better part of the last 30 years.

Not many scopes under $500 are going to take a beating from the large frame .308 Win.

The initial recoil resonating through the rifle and scope is the “easy” part, and that is not easy to hold together for most scopes.

Then comes the bolt impacting the breech and the carrier smashing into the barrel extension.

There’s a 3-impulse set of resonant shocks that do everything in their power to knock something loose.

Midway USA has Vortex Viper PST 5-25x50 on sale right now for $659, which is a steal. Might want to up your budget just a tad and get that. It’s a bit big for an 18” .308 though, but a great scope for entry into LR. I would prefer one of the 4-12x or 3-15x/3-18x shorter scopes for an AR-10, but most of them will be in the $800-$1200 range.

I just found the Vortex Viper PST Gen II 3-15x44mm Rifle Scope, 30mm Tube ,First Focal Plane (FFP) at Optics Planet for $585 with EBR-2C MRAD reticle. I think that’s your Huckleberry right there.​

It’s not worth trying to cheat the price reaper on this with a .308 gasser. He will show up and knock your reticle canted just when you get into a groove of shooting at the most inopportune time, and that money does you no good in the moment.

I spoke with Vortex at SHOT when they debuted the Viper PST Gen IIs, and they were using CNC epoxying processes to lock in all the mechanical components to prevent things from shaking loose like on the Razors, so I consider Viper PST Gen IIs one of the minimum standards for a large frame gasser.

I personally prefer the Razors and NightForce, but those are way outside of $500. That said, I have a ton of trigger time behind gas guns with Gen I Viper PSTs, the 2.5-10x44 and 2.5-10x32 versions, with zero problems. I moved the 2.5-10x44 from my LR-260 to my 16” Grendel back in the 2000s, left it on the 16” Grendel for many years.

I’ve had the 2.5-10x32 on my 17.6” Grendel for 10 years straight, hasn’t moved from the day I installed it, and I’ve shot that Grendel regularly since 2014. It goes out almost every time I shoot LR. Zero issues, tracks still perfectly, center-punches steel at distance like clockwork.

 

[Cr1775]

Check out the Burris xtr 2 great scope for the money

They discontinued that line.

 

[goalie]

Reticle does make a difference. For what you are describing, the Athlon Ares ETR 3-18 would cover a lot of bases not only now, but in the future. Do a little research on them, you have to spend 3 to 4 times this much to get noticeably better glass and they have a reliable reputation. Eurooptic has a great deal on them right now. The $80 you’ll spend over the Helos G2 mentioned above will be well worth it.

Athlon Ares ETR 3-18x50mm APRS6 FFP IR MIL Riflescope 212106

FREE SHIPPING on Athlon Ares ETR 3-18x50mm APRS6 FFP IR MIL Riflescope 212106

www.eurooptic.com

This is true. I like the Helos 2-12x scopes, but the Ares is better in every way other than weight.