Rifle Scopes Vortex AMG alternatives?

Sendit6.5

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Full Member
Minuteman
Apr 29, 2009
467
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Sabinal, TX
www.brushyhill.com
I want a Vortex AMG but my dealer (who gives me smoking deals) talked to his rep and the wait time right now is 11-12 months. Production is very slow and very backed up. Especially for the milrad version. So, I put my order in the pipeline but I need to find an alternative scope in the mean time.

I'm looking for a long range scope that will be going on the mid weight (approx 8.5#) 6.5 Creedmoor I'm building for hunting, target shooting and possibly some competitive shooting. I haven't done a competitive shooting in 30 years but the PRS style stuff has me intrigued. I was attracted to the AMG because of its relative light weight for the type of scope it is; and because I can get it for $2400 delivered. I absolutely do not want to go over $3k for a scope. What scopes should I be looking at that'll keep me under that budget cap and won't ad 5lbs to my rifle?

FWIW- I know Leupold is not a name thrown out much here on SH but I have access to some incredible pricing on their products and I COULD get the new illuminated Mark 8 3.5-25x56 M5B2 with either the H-59, Tremor 3 or Tremor 2 for JUST above my budget cap. But it's 37oz - not exactly light.

Any suggestions?
 
Id recommend a look at the new Sig Tango 6 scopes as well as the Minox. Both are getting great reviews. Also, pretty sure you can get new S&B scopes for under $3k. I havnt any first hand experience with the new USO scope so once it comes in I will let you know if it stacks up. Also, the March 5-40 scope is really amazing, maybe best glass in class and not heavy at all.

Regards,
DT
 
What Crew said... I found a brand new one here on the forums in late February from Bulldog Firearms and they were great to deal with. I was looking at the Minox 5-25 before the AMG popped up on here but wanted the Vortex due to their warranty. Makes me feel better/safer about spending that amount of money on a scope knowing I'm covered in the event my clumsy ass damages it.

The AMG scopes come up for sale around here all the time, close to the price you mentioned. Thought about looking at the PST Gen1 or Gen2?

 
Yea, I got my AMG in the px for $2400 so I would just keep on the lookout here. Post a WTB ad and maybe you'll find one.


Covert is as Covert does.

Plenty of good feedback on the scout site.
 
Where do people buy March scopes from? It seems like most of the vendors I like don't carry them.

As far as I know, none of the vendors here carry them. Only bullets and 1 other site, the name escapes me at the moment.


Covert is as Covert does.

Plenty of good feedback on the scout site.
 
Every S&B I'm interested in is well over $3k. So, unless I run across a sweetheart deal on a used one, I don't think that's going to happen.

I'll definitely keep an eye out for a used AMG in the classifieds; and I'm going to take a look into a Viper PST Gen II.

Why is there no love for Leupold optics any more? Especially on their premium scopes? I've got a few VX6 hunting scopes that are really nice with incredible optical clarity. My gripe with them is the reticles - nothing really good for LR precision shooting, imo. But the new Mark 8's are illuminated and feature some really popular tactical LR reticles. So, I'm wondering if any of y'all would find favor with them now?

They're crazy (imo) expensive (msrp $6,100) but, if you could get one for $$3,200 would you consider them?


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Every S&B I'm interested in is well over $3k. So, unless I run across a sweetheart deal on a used one, I don't think that's going to happen.

I'll definitely keep an eye out for a used AMG in the classifieds; and I'm going to take a look into a Viper PST Gen II.

Why is there no love for Leupold optics any more? Especially on their premium scopes? I've got a few VX6 hunting scopes that are really nice with incredible optical clarity. My gripe with them is the reticles - nothing really good for LR precision shooting, imo. But the new Mark 8's are illuminated and feature some really popular tactical LR reticles. So, I'm wondering if any of y'all would find favor with them now?

They're crazy (imo) expensive (msrp $6,100) but, if you could get one for $$3,200 would you consider them?


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Re-sale value sucks on the mk8. For $3,200 I think most people feel there are much better options. I.e. Minox, S&B ultra short, khales, etc. I had an MK6 C2 turrets Tremor 2 and really didn't like it. Didn't think the glass was very good. Eyebox was tight, etc. also, a lot of people don't like the b2 turrets and as far as I know, the illuminated mk8 only comes with b2 turrets.


Covert is as Covert does.

Plenty of good feedback on the scout site.
 
I'm in the same situation. I really want an AMG. I got it offered to me for $2250 from a dealer, My dumb ass should have ordered it at the time but I didn't have a rifle for it. Do now. But with the huge demand I doubt I could get it sooner then the mentioned 12 month lead time or even get that price honored. Anyway as I started to search scopes the Minox kept coming up. Reviews are all positive and glass clarity is said to be outstanding. I watched videos and even through the scope pictures look amazing. The only issue is the way the warranty reads. It says they cover breakage, water damage or accident. Then it says it does not cover deliberate damage. Who makes that call? If I drop it out of my tree stand or down the side a mountain. Falls of an ATV or gets knocked out of a gun rack at the range. Who makes the call if its accident or deliberate? Also its only good for original owner. With vortex I know that its getting fixed regardless of what happens. Nice to have that reassurance that I'm covered for life and I think that helps with reselling them. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a used Vortex with there warrenty.
 
For what it's worth, the other guys are right that you'll see one pop up here occasionally. Also, if you keep searching on the web, you'll find one pop up there, too. MRAD is harder to find than MOA, obviously (for instance, Cabela's has the MOA AMG in stock right now). Took about 6 weeks of watching the web, and found one in MRAD at Primary Arms in Houston.
 
I was on the fence between the AMG and K624i and ended up with the gen 3 K624i for $2,400 LNIB and I'm glad I did. There are a few for sale right now for the same price in the optic section. CS Tactical had a nib model up right now for $2,400
 
I was looking and looking but just bit the bullet on the gen 2 razor.

I don't think you'll be disappointed with the Razor 2 at all. I have both the AMG and razor 2 and I actually like the form factor (minus the weight) and color of the razor better. The 2 things that keep me from selling the AMG is weight and reticle. The gen 2 is a great scope.


Covert is as Covert does.

Plenty of good feedback on the scout site.
 
Bummer news on the Mark 8. The new ones, with the reticles I mentioned, are $6,100 msrp! Whoa. Best price I could find for them is about $4,600. I can get one around $3200 and I was hoping to try it out until the AMG I ordered comes in - figuring I could get my money back out of the Mark 8, if I didn't like it - or even come out a little ahead. But, if it won't hold value, I'm scared to go that route.

I'll look at the K624i and keep an eye out in the classifieds. Rifle won't be ready until July at the earliest. So, I do have some time. Wish the Razor HD's weren't so heavy. I spent a good deal of time and money and inconvenience to make this rifle pretty light and I just can't bring myself to strap a chunk of iron to it.

Really appreciate the advice, fellas!


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I didnt have much luck w/ my BTR. The dealer I spoke with said 4 BTRs went back for parallax issues. I mention it only because in my case sometime you get what you pay for.

They were caught and sending back. they weren't supposed to leave the shop even. they are sending out the fixed ones.
 
I got my second AMG last week from sportoptics.com, MOA although. I bought the first one from Midway 3 months ago. If you look with patience they appear once in a while.

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