Rifle Scopes Scope Choice for Multi-Caliber Precision Rifles

[powerspc]

I posted something on one of the other forums which probably should have been posted here. Since then I’ve gone scope blind. I’m getting to the “someone else just decide for me” stage and wavering between “am I overthinking this” to “I’ve got to get out of the business”. I have stepped up to a Cadex Kraken Mulit-Caliber platform with a “One Rifle, One Scope” mentality. I have the rifle, now I need the glass.

Platform: Cadex Defence Kraken Multi-Caliber
Cartridge: .338LM, .300WM, .308
Use: Bench rest, Target, Steel, Zombie Apocalypse
Conditions: Daylight, Lowlight, unlikely to see nighttime shooting
Distances: 600yds to 1 mile+
Non-negotiables: 34mm tube, FFP, mil
Price Range: <$5,000, prefer to be under $4,000
Other: Resale? Reputation? Warranty? Durability?

Scopes I have put in my shopping cart (and removed, then put in, then removed, then put in…) over the last 48 hours include:
Tangent Theta: TT525P Gen 2 XR (wait for new reticle?)
Schmidt & Bender: 3-27x56 PM II High Power (P4L? H2CMR? H59? LRR-MIL?) reticle
Nightforce: ATACR 7-35x56 F1 MIL-C reticle

The pragmatist in me says “just pick one, you can’t go wrong”. But how do you actually decide? Or will any decision be subject to second guessing? Side note; I have a Law Enforcement background and have used precision rifles professionally although nothing even close to the distances I am shooting now and hope to shoot in the future. H59 is the reticle I am most familiar with but by no means tied to. I hold over versus dial and know that barrel changes require re-zero.
Any help greatly appreciated. Those shooting multi-caliber platforms (AI AXMC, Kraken, etc.) especially welcomed. Thanks!

 

[Long Range 338]

All great scopes. I went with the TT on my AXMC because I love the tooless zero feature. That being said, I only own one due to cost! I would be very interested to read your impressions of the Kraken, the Cadex stuff looks awesome.

 

[powerspc]

All great scopes. I went with the TT on my AXMC because I love the tooless zero feature. That being said, I only own one due to cost! I would be very interested to read your impressions of the Kraken, the Cadex stuff looks awesome.

They've been threatening new reticle(s) for a while; if you were here today would you wait and see?

 

[CSTactical]

They've been threatening new reticle(s) for a while; if you were here today would you wait and see?

Those are all great options and it would be hard to go wrong with any of them. I'd be happy to pick your brain and help you decide at 916-670-1103

Regarding Tangent's new reticle, I don't expect it to actually be released until the end of the year at best. I hope I'm wrong though...

 

[SageRatSafaris]

What are you looking for in a reticle? Tree, open center, tiny dot center, illum, etc.? Something extra fancy like a Tubb reticle?

You might check out my master list of all FFP long range scopes. On a single page, it has images of every reticle of every FFP scope with at least 14X and 60 MOA of elevation.

https://sageratsafaris.com/2018/06/16/master-list-ffp-long-range-rifle-scopes/

You might look at IOR Valdada, Kahles, Leupold, March, Minox, Nightforce, Schmidt & Bender, SIG, Steiner, Tangent Theta, US Optics, Vortex and Zero Compromise. You might also consider an adjustable base like Cold Bore or Ivey, maybe a Charlie TARAC "taco" device, so you won't be "edge of glass" when shooting ELR.

 

[MOUNTIC]

I would say your choices are good ones. I prefer the glass on the TT and then Minox over the S&B and NF.

I would personally not worry too much about the tool less zero on the TT. Wile I do enjoy it on the TT315p I have, it's not that really a deal breaker. Assuming you aren't changing the barrels every week? If you are, then the TT is nice.

 

[schmi015]

Eurooptic is having a sale on the Schmidt and Bender's , i'd go with the 5-25 with gen 2 xr. Although if you wanted a S&B 5-25 dt .1mil but with an H59 i would trade you mine for a gen 2 xr. Hard to beat for $2500

 

[Long Range 338]

They've been threatening new reticle(s) for a while; if you were here today would you wait and see?

No but I like the Gen 2XR so its not a problem for me. I can tell you I've shot out to 2k with the TT Gen2XR and it didn't lack for capability - however I dial elevation and hold wind so it might be a different game for you. I do a fair amount of spotting for other shooters thru the scope so I don't like the scope to be too busy. If you are stuck on a specific reticle and have experience with it you could get one of the other scopes and save $$$. It sounds like you need to pick which feature is a must have and go from there.

 

[Andy T]

One decision method: buy what's on sale that also has a good resale value. Like my friend said, unless you actually use an item, you will never know if it's right for you.
To me re-zero means starting from scratch. However, a more precise statement would be: barrel changes require adjustments to the scope and/or slipping of the turrets, since you can zero you chassis with multiple barrels, and simply record the POI shifts.

 

[Jeffd]

TT

 

[Bkultra]

I found myself in the same predicament when I purchased my AXMC last week. I too was waiting for the release of the new reticles by Tangent Theta, but was told it would most likely be early next year before they were released.

I ended up going with the Tangent Theta in the end, but also picked up a S&B PM II in the recent eurooptic sale. With the current prices of the S&B you have to decide if it's worth the extra coin for the Tangent Theta.

 

[RTH1800]

NF BEAST?

 

[RickyRodney]

There is a write up some where about a direct comparison of the TT, Gen 2 Razor, ATACR, and S&B. Maybe someone can find it and give you the link. The other question is what mag range do you prefer. If you want some high mag like 7-35x then your mind is already made.

 

[powerspc]

Thanks to everyone who replied; went with TT. Thank you Mike at CS Tactical!

 

[CSTactical]

Thanks to everyone who replied; went with TT. Thank you Mike at CS Tactical!

You're very welcome! have a great weekend

 

[Painless300]

TT is by far the best for switch barrel rifles. I’ve had S&B, Kahles, Nightforce, Leupold and Swarovski, the TT just makes it easy, not to mention it out performs in glass, turrets and tracking above all I have owned.
Great choice

 

[powerspc]

TT is by far the best for switch barrel rifles. I’ve had S&B, Kahles, Nightforce, Leupold and Swarovski, the TT just makes it easy, not to mention it out performs in glass, turrets and tracking above all I have owned.
Great choice

 

[Long Range 338]

I think the TT is the perfect setup for the switch barrel setup. Turrets and glass are absolutely amazing. Congrats and please report back on the Kraken.

 

[Kane0519]

That’s the best “help me pick a scope” post I’ve ever read.

 

[m6z]

Nightforce 7-35 seems like a great option.