Rifle Scopes PRS scope options/opinions

[bodhisafa]

I own a Nightforce ATACR mil r reticle scope and I will be engaging in PRS style competitions.

Recently went to precision rifle blog and noticed a lot of shooters are using hold over reticles and started wondering if I may need to purchase such reticle/scope and re-purpose my nightforce to another rifle, if so what would you recommend based on competition experience?

 

[redneckbmxer24]

Mil-r isn’t the best choice for PRS due to how far out the holds start for wind and lack of fine (.02 mil) hash marks. People have made it work but you’ll definitely be at a disadvantage.

 

[phlegm]

Haven't shot before? Run what you brung until you see the need for something different.

By all means research reticles. but I sure wouldn't buy something new before trying what I own and maybe looking through some others at a match.

That being said, center dots and .2 holds are all the rage for good reason. Mil-C, Mil-XT (still new), SKMR3, EBRs, and T3 are all popular.

 

[tomcfc11]

I would go shoot a few matches before anything else. Look as some other shooters reticles and features and then make a decision. If you just have money burning a hole in your pocket then by all means, add to cart!

 

[thestacche]

If you enjoy your scope just keep running it until the MIL-XT version comes out and then you’ll have a MIL-C reticle with wind holds. Best of both worlds.

 

[Covertnoob5]

As long as your ATACR is FFP I would just run it. I was running the 7-35 mil-r when it first came out. Definitely do able.

 

[JFComfort]

I’m in agreement, run it!

 

[Dthomas3523]

Just run it and see how you like it.

.2 wind holds are nice to have.


As far as a tree, I can take it or leave it. With 6 and 6.5 bucking wind fairly well, you’re not far enough off the center vertical to really need the tree.

I believe the overal points winner was running an h2cmr reticle.

 

[Basher]

Run it. I know holdover reticles with .2mil marks are all the rage lately, but with practice, there's no reason at all that you can't be at least somewhat competitive with a Mil-R. While I'm more of a Mil-C fan, the Mil-R gives enough info to break things down into .1mil holds with practice, IMO.

Go have fun, and upgrade when either you know it's the reticle holding you back (not yourself), or when you can afford to and feel like it.

 

[bodhisafa]

Lots of great advice, I forgot to mention it’s not a first focal plane. I know a lot of guys recommend first.

 

[patriot07]

I think SFP will be a bigger issue than the mil-R.

 

[chasedeer]

You will be at great disadvantage i suggest hunting for a new scope however give your setup a few trial and see its downside maybe you can overcome it.

 

[Dthomas3523]

If you can’t afford another optic at the moment, run the atacr sfp. If you can afford one now, get a FFP.

Whatever you do, don’t let it stop you from going to matches.

 

[BANG...ping]

I purchased a NF FFP / Mil C reticle. The center of the reticle has a fine dot surrounded by open space and .2 Mil marks beginning on the windage and elevation. I found this to be too busy for my eye to quickly find a focal point. The center dot is small, especially at 10-12x where I normally shoot at matches. I found the larger center crosshair on the Mil R draws my eye in much easier. Has anyone else noticed this about the Mil C?

Bang

 

[surprise]

SFP isn't ideal but even so, go to a match or two and shoot it. I firmly bleieve that you should look through some other competitors scopes "in the field" and see how the different reticles look while trying to distinguish between targets and the background. Knowing what I do now I would probably have answered a few question's differently when going down the list of "what do I need in a scope". I think one of the most important things to really look at is the eye box, shooting PRS puts you in all kinds of jacked up positions and you may not always be able to get in the ideal position behind your gun. A lot of people like the tree style reticle and it has its purposes, but there is something to be said for a simple and more open reticle aswell. I know a few excellent shooters that typically finish in the top 5 of the matches they shoot, they have tree reticle's and still dial for shots. Not my choice but thats how they practice and it works for them. if you are going to spend the money, buy exactly what you want. I wish I had when I first bought a prs oriented scope, illuminated, locking turrets, zero stop etc. Good luck and go shoot!

 

[NGCSUGrad09]

Use what you have and figure out what you might want to change, if anything, after a few matches.