Rifle Scopes PRS optics under $2K.

[Birddog6424]

MK5 and Gen II razors are the standouts below 2K with very good glass, turrets, and reticle options on vortex's part.

The XTR3 is right there. At $1800 or less brand new in 5.5-30x56 with the SCR2 reticle.

Better glass and FOV than the MK5, better FOV and nearly a pound lighter than the Razor (as well as black in color ).

It's going to make a pretty good PRS optic.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

Leupold MK5s come with a free kestrel 5700 4DOF that would be what i looked at.

This. Even without the Kestrel deal it’d still be my pick for under $2K, but the fact it comes with a free $500 Kestrel too is an even better deal. I have one in the 5-25 Tremor 3 non illuminated flavor being delivered today along with a bunch of other goodies from Euro Optic. Give Jason a call, he’ll give you a great price too.

 

[5RWill]

The XTR3 is right there. At $1800 or less brand new in 5.5-30x56 with the SCR2 reticle.

Better glass and FOV than the MK5, better FOV and nearly a pound lighter than the Razor (as well as black in color ).

It's going to make a pretty good PRS optic.

I haven't seen one so i'm not going to say it has better glass than either of the aforementioned scopes. I'll have to see it for myself or wait for Bill or ILya to do a write up. My MK5 was a step above most Razors i've seen. Honestly my MK5 was nipping at the heels of a $3100 ATACR with only a couple of noticeable difference. Could be sample variance as i've seen some razors not to my liking and some that are phenomenal. FOV everyone has Leupold beat on. I like black but the Razor color doesn't bother me.

 

[viking78]

Gen II Razor, awesome optic.
I have also Kahles K624 gen III, and i think that Vortex glass is brighter than Kahles.
Razor i have, is 3-18x50 EBR-7C reticle.
I have also Bushnell ET DMR2 3.5-21x50 G3i reticle, glass is not as good as it is in Vortex.

 

[JBattles]

havent considered this.

This is an amazing optic. Super clear and very well built.

 

[ScottDWallace]

Good for ya'll... I'm spending $5k+ on a rifle and optic setup, I want them to be at least pleasing to the eye. not some mishmash hodgepodge of camo, metallic and primer. Yes, function above all, but that doesn't mean aesthetics mean zero.

Let's see you go order a Vette or a Porsche and then tell the salesman you don't care what color or if the fenders match the bumper.

Your car example is apples to oranges. If you went to a dealer that sold Porsche's for Baja racing, that would be closer to what we are talking about here. And I'm guessing he wouldn't blink if you wanted every fender a different color. His commission is still going to be the color green.

If you are planning on shooting PRS, your gear won't stay pretty for long. The scope color really won't matter, because you will be wrapping the majority of it in self stick tape.

PRS guns are working guns. They go through many transformations in a just a few seasons. The Vortex meets your criteria, are bombproof, and ironically adds some much needed weight for playing the game. Go to a match and have a look at what guys are succeeding with and how their rifles look. It's function over form and definitely not a beauty pageant.

My suggestion is to pick up the vortex, drop your gun into a burnt bronze MPA chassis, and start making impacts.

 

[CageFighter]

PRS guns are working guns. They go through many transformations in a just a few seasons. The Vortex meets your criteria, are bombproof, and ironically adds some much needed weight for playing the game. Go to a match and have a look at what guys are succeeding with and how their rifles look. It's function over form and definitely not a beauty pageant.

Sounds like my K9 Krieg!

 

[Birddog6424]

I haven't seen one so i'm not going to say it has better glass than either of the aforementioned scopes. I'll have to see it for myself or wait for Bill or ILya to do a write up. My MK5 was a step above most Razors i've seen. Honestly my MK5 was nipping at the heels of a $3100 ATACR with only a couple of noticeable difference. Could be sample variance as i've seen some razors not to my liking and some that are phenomenal. FOV everyone has Leupold beat on. I like black but the Razor color doesn't bother me.

Here is a quote from wjm308 in his write up on the 18x XTR3..

""Other $2k class scopes I have used would be the Leupold Mark 5HD 3.6-18x44 which had better turrets and similar DOF/Parallax; however, my copy did not do that great in overall IQ and the sweet spot of the NF NX8 and Burris XTR III was quite a bit better than the Leupold. I've had the Steiner T5Xi's and their CA was so bad they were immediately returned. The Bushnell LRTS 4.5-18x44 and Tract Toric 4-20x50 are lower priced and suffer from heavier CA; however, they do have impressive IQ for the price. It is my personal opinion that the Burris XTR III 3.3-18x50 is the best overall scope in its class ($1500 - $2000) and offers a great value for its price. I have used the Bushnell ET 2.5-21x50 DMR II and was quite impressed, but optically it would not stand against the XTR III, Bushnell also has their new DMR II Pro which may compare IQ wise but suffers in FOV and is 5 oz heavier and has no illumination offering."""

I believe Ilya is waiting for the illuminated model to do his review.

And more anecdotal in nature, I know two guys now who have sold MK5s for XTR3's, neither of which I ever thought would buy a Burris optic, but both say the like the Burris better.

It sounds like you got a good one in the glass department Will. I've compared my XTR3 to a handful of Razors and a few MK5s, and the Burris has been right there with them. Given glass variance and personal opinion it could go either way. But the XTR3 is right there amongst its competitors as a very solid optic choice in the $1700 to $1800 price point. The only point I'm trying to make is people who keep asking for opinions on sub 2k scopes that keep getting the standard Leupy/GenII response are missing out on a very strong 3rd option.

 

[Glassaholic]

Leupold MK5s come with a free kestrel 5700 4DOF that would be what i looked at.

Bushnell and now Leupold, very interesting these companies are giving away free $500 Kestrels. Is Kestrel giving them super deals to bundle or are the scopes struggling to sell and they are hoping this will increase sales... or both? Rather see them offer a rebate option as I'd guess that quite a few shooters who'd be interested already own Kestrels...

To the OP regarding great PRS scopes under $2k. Not sure I can add much more than what has already been mentioned, but as birddog points out above, I have reviewed a few of the ultra short style scopes and some others in this class, but it would be unfair for me to equate the quality of the short style scope to the longer big brother that you are looking for. I will mention that it would benefit you to pay attention to FOV, this is finally starting to get talked about more with scopes and is a definite plus when in the field.

That being said, my recommendation is to look for a good .2 mil hash reticle and make your decision from there, some that stand out to me are:

New:

• Burris XTR III 5.5-30x56 with SCR/SCR2
• Vortex Razor Gen II 4.5-27x56 with EBR-7c

Used:

• Kahles K624i 6-24x56 with SKMR/SKMR3
• Vortex AMG 6-24x50 with EBR-7b

 

[gasrat]

I’ve owned a Gen 2 Razor and now have a Bushnell XRS II. I’m really liking the Bushnell and I purchased it for well under the amount inquired about.

 

[Glassaholic]

I’ve owned a Gen 2 Razor and now have a Bushnell XRS II. I’m really liking the Bushnell and I purchased it for well under the amount inquired about.

The XRS II would have made my list above if it had a better reticle, wish Bushnell would wake up to the .2 mil hash trend, the G3 with a couple .2 mils just doesn't cut it for me (but again, personal preference as plenty of shooters including the KO2M winner in 2018 use the XTR II quite effectively).

 

[gasrat]

The XRS II would have made my list above if it had a better reticle, wish Bushnell would wake up to the .2 mil hash trend, the G3 with a couple .2 mils just doesn't cut it for me (but again, personal preference as plenty of shooters including the KO2M winner in 2018 use the XTR II quite effectively).

Mine has the H59 in it.

 

[Glassaholic]

Mine has the H59 in it.

I don't consider those reticles, they are mosquito nets But to your point, if you're into Horus then that is a definite advantage.

 

[5RWill]

Here is a quote from wjm308 in his write up on the 18x XTR3..

""Other $2k class scopes I have used would be the Leupold Mark 5HD 3.6-18x44 which had better turrets and similar DOF/Parallax; however, my copy did not do that great in overall IQ and the sweet spot of the NF NX8 and Burris XTR III was quite a bit better than the Leupold. I've had the Steiner T5Xi's and their CA was so bad they were immediately returned. The Bushnell LRTS 4.5-18x44 and Tract Toric 4-20x50 are lower priced and suffer from heavier CA; however, they do have impressive IQ for the price. It is my personal opinion that the Burris XTR III 3.3-18x50 is the best overall scope in its class ($1500 - $2000) and offers a great value for its price. I have used the Bushnell ET 2.5-21x50 DMR II and was quite impressed, but optically it would not stand against the XTR III, Bushnell also has their new DMR II Pro which may compare IQ wise but suffers in FOV and is 5 oz heavier and has no illumination offering."""

I believe Ilya is waiting for the illuminated model to do his review.

And more anecdotal in nature, I know two guys now who have sold MK5s for XTR3's, neither of which I ever thought would buy a Burris optic, but both say the like the Burris better.

It sounds like you got a good one in the glass department Will. I've compared my XTR3 to a handful of Razors and a few MK5s, and the Burris has been right there with them. Given glass variance and personal opinion it could go either way. But the XTR3 is right there amongst its competitors as a very solid optic choice in the $1700 to $1800 price point. The only point I'm trying to make is people who keep asking for opinions on sub 2k scopes that keep getting the standard Leupy/GenII response are missing out on a very strong 3rd option.

No doubt that i could've had an exceptional MK5 i haven't looked through one since. I just couldn't provide any comment as to whether the XTRIII is better or not as i haven't seen it. I'm sure it's a viable option, especially if Bill has given it a thorough look and holding it in high regards. I wish the 5.5-30 weighed less that would be hard to pass up for the upcoming 30 sherman build i'm wanting to do. Honestly i've never been behind an XTR II either. Idk anyone that runs them around here. Going to a gunline match this weekend maybe someone will have the XTR III on hand.

Bushnell and now Leupold, very interesting these companies are giving away free $500 Kestrels. Is Kestrel giving them super deals to bundle or are the scopes struggling to sell and they are hoping this will increase sales... or both? Rather see them offer a rebate option as I'd guess that quite a few shooters who'd be interested already own Kestrels...

I was wondering this myself and which to go with. It does coincidentally create competition within kestrel's market, which is a good thing i believe. From what i understand the full AB suite kestrel 5700 Elite is $700 or so? The sportsman is $400 give or take. Now the hornady 4DOF is $500 maybe it brings the Elite AB down? Can it be used in conjunction with Sig's Kilo products is another question. One consequence it will have is for those shooters that already own kestrels buyers can now find them at a cheaper price. That's exactly how i got my sportsman. Waited for someone to snag the GAP bushnell deal that didn't need the Kestrel.

Where inching towards the day where ballistic solving and truing data is nearly at the tip of our fingers, which is kind of crazy to think about, but i absolutely love it.