Rifle Scopes Optic Opinions Requested

[MatthewStreet]

Ok, I know there are probably going to be as many different answers as there are options out there, but I thought I'd ask anyway.

I hope the following details help narrow it down a bit:

Price is considered but I'm more of a buy once cry once kind of purchaser so I don't mind buying the best if that's what's recommended.

Intended Platform: Currently Seekins SP-10 in .308 and 6.5CM, soon bolt action 300 WM or .375 CT
Also building four more DI rifles (6.5 CM, .338 Fed, .260 Rem, last one undecided). Bolt action chassis in place for the 300 WM and 375 CT.
I would like to be able to move it from one platform to another.
Intended uses include ELR and PRS style shooting, and hunting.
Obviously I enjoy shooting when it's clear skys no wind and 65*F, but I would also like to be able to shoot in low light and poor conditions as well.
Current platform will be used for medium ranges ideally 500-1000yds, while the others (6.5 CM - .375CT) will be used further.

Specifically looking for the following:

FFP
Mil/Mil
Click value .1 Mil or finer
+34mm tube
+50mm objective (might be flexible here if needed)
+100 MOA or 25 Mils of adjustment
Paralax +25yds
Zero stop available
Non-capped target turrets would be nice, locking it a plus.
Illumination would be nice, but not required.
ED/HA/Chromatically correct lenses

I'd prefer a reticle in Mil but also considering TreMoR3 (yeah, I know). I like the reticle to do the work for me so a "Mil tree" would be appropriate too.

Current models in consideration (feel free to change my mind):

NF BEAST or ATACR 5-25
Leupold Mk5 or Mk 8
Valdada G2 or Recon
S&B PMII
Vortex Razor Gen II or AMG
Maybe Bushnell XRS, DMR Pro II, or EoTech Vudu 5-25

Leaning towards Valdada G2, but still undecided.

 

[Glassaholic]

Are you looking for one scope to do everything, meaning to sit on all these rifles at any given time or are you looking for multiple scopes?

You will not find many fans of Valdada optics here. When you say you are leaning towards a G2, can you share why, what do you think that scope has that other scopes may not?

 

[freedom71]

Minox ZP5 5-25x56 with MR4 reticle

 

[Pilotscrappy]

Minox zp5 or a gen 2 razor

 

[cleric]

no offense you are all over the place... For the price of a beast you could get 2 mark 5s and put on on each gun...

I would personally have a hunting set up and a target set up. depending on what distances your shoot you could may get a different mag than a comp gun

 

[MatthewStreet]

Are you looking for one scope to do everything, meaning to sit on all these rifles at any given time or are you looking for multiple scopes?

You will not find many fans of Valdada optics here. When you say you are leaning towards a G2, can you share why, what do you think that scope has that other scopes may not?

I probably should have clarified that part.

How about I put it this way, if I was looking for the least number of scopes, but wasn’t concerned with the cost of each as long as they perform exceptionally well and can cover the range of duties from hunting with the SP-10 to ELR shooting with the 375 CT.

I hope that helps. I know there are better scopes that focus on a very particular niche (ie: PRS matches), but I’m more interested in something that can cover a wider range of options.

As far as the Valdada G2 goes, I was very impressed with the field of view especially in the higher magnification. The ability to maintain broader situational awareness down range was intriguing at least. I’m not sure how many others have that kind of FOV. Another reason was glass quality and color. I’m not a fan of either very warm or cool pallets. Since the G2 uses lenses from Shott and Light it ballenced out for a more natural-looking image. Lastly, and there are probably others I’m forgetting, is the range of adjustment in the scope. The G2 would allow me to install a 45 MOA rail and still not bottom out the adjustment available.

I’m totally open to suggestions. I like to keep it simple. For instance, if I can get to know 1-3 scopes very well on a range of 5-6 rifles, that seems ideal to me. I have dope books for all my rifles/scopes setups.

 

[Dthomas3523]

I’m not a huge NF user or fan, but since ELR and 25 parallax is on your list, I’d looked into a 7-35 atacr with T3 or Mil-XT reticle.

 

[MatthewStreet]

no offense you are all over the place... For the price of a beast you could get 2 mark 5s and put on on each gun...

I would personally have a hunting set up and a target set up. depending on what distances your shoot you could may get a different mag than a comp gun

Let’s assume that price isn’t much of a factor (it always is, but for the sake of argument, let’s forget about that part for now).

I’m looking for a few of the very best scopes available which would be able to satisfy the broad range of tasks.

 

[Dthomas3523]

Let’s assume that price isn’t much of a factor (it always is, but for the sake of argument, let’s forget about that part for now).

I’m looking for a few of the very best scopes available which would be able to satisfy the broad range of tasks.

There’s also Tangent Theta in the gen3xr and h59.

 

[CriticallyStressed]

NF BEAST or ATACR would be my vote but you kinda lost me at wanting to swap it around between 4 different rifles. Unless you plan for QD mount/rings why would you want to go through the hassle of leveling and setting your eye relief over and over?

 

[Dthomas3523]

NF BEAST or ATACR would be my vote but you kinda lost me at wanting to swap it around between 4 different rifles. Unless you plan for QD mount/rings why would you want to go through the hassle of leveling and setting your eye relief over and over?

If his LOP and Cheek are adjustable on all his rifles, no reason for any of that.

Also, no reason for QD (QD is actually better on the same rifle, not different rifles. It’s been bastardized)

Just put it in a spuhr or arc rings. Torque it down and dial in known zero. Takes 5 min.

 

[CriticallyStressed]

If his LOP and Cheek are adjustable on all his rifles, no reason for any of that.

Also, no reason for QD (QD is actually better on the same rifle, not different rifles. It’s been bastardized)

Just put it in a spuhr or arc rings. Torque it down and dial in known zero. Takes 5 min.

Just so I understand what you're getting at... you're saying keep the rings torqued to the scope (leveled) and then just re-torque the crossbolts?

 

[Dthomas3523]

Just so I understand what you're getting at... you're saying keep the rings torqued to the scope (leveled) and then just re-torque the crossbolts?

Yessir.

 

[Dthomas3523]

QD mounts (most of them anyway) need to be adjusted to each rail and that takes as much or more time than just torquing cross bolts.

QD is more for an emergency situation where you need to get your optic off fast or for storage/traveling purposes.

 

[Glassaholic]

I probably should have clarified that part.

How about I put it this way, if I was looking for the least number of scopes, but wasn’t concerned with the cost of each as long as they perform exceptionally well and can cover the range of duties from hunting with the SP-10 to ELR shooting with the 375 CT.

I hope that helps. I know there are better scopes that focus on a very particular niche (ie: PRS matches), but I’m more interested in something that can cover a wider range of options.

As far as the Valdada G2 goes, I was very impressed with the field of view especially in the higher magnification. The ability to maintain broader situational awareness down range was intriguing at least. I’m not sure how many others have that kind of FOV. Another reason was glass quality and color. I’m not a fan of either very warm or cool pallets. Since the G2 uses lenses from Shott and Light it ballenced out for a more natural-looking image. Lastly, and there are probably others I’m forgetting, is the range of adjustment in the scope. The G2 would allow me to install a 45 MOA rail and still not bottom out the adjustment available.

I’m totally open to suggestions. I like to keep it simple. For instance, if I can get to know 1-3 scopes very well on a range of 5-6 rifles, that seems ideal to me. I have dope books for all my rifles/scopes setups.

As others have mentioned it can be tricky swapping scopes between rifles.

Beware of Valdada’s specs, he’s listed wrong info before and don’t get too caught up in the marketing hype of Schott glass blends and all that. The very simple fact is it is very difficult to resell his scopes and recover a decent amount of your investment. They use proprietary 40mm rings that don’t work with anything else so unless you are absolutely certain this is the scope you will go to your grave with I’d have difficulty recommending it.

Check out Tubb’s 375 before you go with a Cheytac.

Look at the new Burris XTR III 5.5-30x56, I think you’ll find it fits a lot of your criteria. There are so many good scopes that would work, I’ll try to post more tomorrow

 

[lte82]

Of what you listed, I would rank them:

1. S&B PMII
2. Minox ZP5
3. NF Atacr
4. Razor 2
5. XRS 2
6. Mark 8
7. Mark 5

Unless cost is a factor, S&B or Minox hands down.

 

[Eostech]

Sounds like a prefect opportunity to purchase a Hensoldt 3.5-26x56.
It will not do any more than any of the listed scopes but at almost 46oz and $7000usd its a scope you will never forget you own,
whether it is looking at your bank account or carrying it around.

 

[patriot07]

Minox makes a nice scope, but beware of the fact that if you have warranty issues, it's a very long turnaround (2-4 months).

Of the rest, S&B, NF, or Vortex will fit your needs well.

 

[fdkay]

Sightron has updated the SVSSED 4.5-24 with a zero stop, elevation is locking. Lots of travel, very good glass, very good reticle and focus down to 13 yards.

 

[Glassaholic]

OP, since the majority of your rigs are large frame AR's I think you should consider a scope for those separate from the scope for the bolt actions. I am not sure what your budget is but the Schmidt & Bender 3-27x56 is pretty amazing and comes with a 34 mil option for your ELR setups. The Vortex Gen II 4.5-27x56 is a tried and true scope that won't break the bank and the new ZCO ZC527 5-27x56 promises to be pretty amazing and offers 35 mil elevation (but the ZCO suffers from an odd tube diameter at 36mm which is also shared by some Zeiss and Hensoldt scopes). Here's a spec list so you can see some of these side by side:

For your gas guns I'd suggest something shorter, along the lines of the Schmidt & Bender Ultra Shorts, you also list the Leupold Mark 5HD 3.6-18x44, the Eotech Vudu 5-25x50 super short, the Bushnell ET DMR II Pro 3.5-21x50. Consider the ZCO ZC420 4-20x50, the Kahles K318i, the Sig Sauer Tango6 4-24x50 and the Burris XTR III 3.3-18x50 which appears to have the greatest FOV of the bunch. Here's a spec list:

 

[MatthewStreet]

OP, since the majority of your rigs are large frame AR's I think you should consider a scope for those separate from the scope for the bolt actions. I am not sure what your budget is but the Schmidt & Bender 3-27x56 is pretty amazing and comes with a 34 mil option for your ELR setups. The Vortex Gen II 4.5-27x56 is a tried and true scope that won't break the bank and the new ZCO ZC527 5-27x56 promises to be pretty amazing and offers 35 mil elevation (but the ZCO suffers from an odd tube diameter at 36mm which is also shared by some Zeiss and Hensoldt scopes). Here's a spec list so you can see some of these side by side:
View attachment 7005280

For your gas guns I'd suggest something shorter, along the lines of the Schmidt & Bender Ultra Shorts, you also list the Leupold Mark 5HD 3.6-18x44, the Eotech Vudu 5-25x50 super short, the Bushnell ET DMR II Pro 3.5-21x50. Consider the ZCO ZC420 4-20x50, the Kahles K318i, the Sig Sauer Tango6 4-24x50 and the Burris XTR III 3.3-18x50 which appears to have the greatest FOV of the bunch. Here's a spec list:
View attachment 7005283

@wjm308 This is fantastic! Thank you for the info, it really helps. I agree, two different styles of scopes are probably needed depending on action. Would you be able to attach this/these sheets to this post or send them to me so I can update/add/sort, etc?

I definitely need to go back to the drawing board and do some more research.

Again, I really appreciate all the help and insight here!

 

[MatthewStreet]

If his LOP and Cheek are adjustable on all his rifles, no reason for any of that.

Also, no reason for QD (QD is actually better on the same rifle, not different rifles. It’s been bastardized)

Just put it in a spuhr or arc rings. Torque it down and dial in known zero. Takes 5 min.

I'm all but certain I'll be using Sphur mounts almost exhaustively, unless something else prevents me from using them. I've been blown away by their performance on other platforms! The only downside is that I really wish there was some way to incorporate something like a QD plate under them that could hold a very tight tolerance so that when swapping the optic from one rail to another and back would keep as close to possible to zero POI shift. I'm curious of the Bobro Engineering QD mount, and wonder if it's really as good of a mount as Sphur with the added benefit of being a QD mount. Any personal experience?

 

[Dthomas3523]

I'm all but certain I'll be using Sphur mounts almost exhaustively, unless something else prevents me from using them. I've been blown away by their performance on other platforms! The only downside is that I really wish there was some way to incorporate something like a QD plate under them that could hold a very tight tolerance so that when swapping the optic from one rail to another and back would keep as close to possible to zero POI shift. I'm curious of the Bobro Engineering QD mount, and wonder if it's really as good of a mount as Sphur with the added benefit of being a QD mount. Any personal experience?

Not with spuhr QD, but with spuhr in general, it’s always returned to zero for me when swapping platforms.

That’s one of the reasons Spuhr put numbers in the cross bolts. So you’re doing everything the same each time.

 

[Eostech]

Also a Steiner M7XI 4-28x56 could be a nice option. Good FOV at 4 power and should be interesting at 28.
The specs are in the first table Wjm308 has posted, though it differs a bit from the specs you want
(50m parallax not 25m, a more traditional 26Mil elevation and 6Mil windaged is less than a lot of other scopes if thats ever worried anyone?)
MSR2 and TreMoR3

A S&B 3-20 ulmost Short covers a lot of options.
Not quite short or light but it is fairly streamlined for a 34mm tubed scope.
35Mil Double turn turret that can lock is available.
20x mag at maximum shouldn't be a drama but really it's personal preference how much magnification you like,
though there is a right answer and if you buy a S&B 5-25 and only use up to 8-10 power you'll probably get some sort of points or something.
Jokes.

MSR @ 3 power is usable
NO experience with a TreMoR3.