Which Scope for a Lightweight .50BMG?

[LeadZeke]

I have an ~25lbs (with suppressor and optic+mount, but not mag) .50bmg DTA HTI. I kept it lightweight (for a .50) because it gets packed in and shot a lot more off the bench then on one. Been using an SWFA 12x42 to learn the rifle (my first .50). Now I'm looking to seriously upgrade the glass.

Almost all my shooting is 1200y and in, and most is 600y and in just due to what safe sightlines are available on the local land/ranges. Priority for the new optic is on durability (rifle gets carried in a truck, an atv, and in a pack a lot), and eye box + eye relief (to avoid any chance of the scope smacking my head, which I've almost done with the current SWFA). No real budget (TT or ZCO are on the table if justified), just want good performance per $, lots of things competing for limited $ these days. I won't be able to look through anything beyond the NF, Vortex, and Leupold offerings based on what is around me. Based on that I'm very seriously considering a NF 5x25 ATACR, but I wanted to be sure there aren't any signficantly better options I'm overlooking.

What optic would you suggest can best handle the recoil generated by a lightweight suppressed .50bmg while meeting the other priorities described above?

 

[oldrifleman]

The NF is a great scope as is the ZCO 527. I have tried (owned/shot) both, the NF has been around a while and has a long proven history. The ZCO is newer with less history but wide acceptance in the competitive world. I chose the ZCO world (527/840) as I can easily see a big difference in the brightness/image definition (this may just be my eyes).

 

[wooferocau]

NF ATACR is dependable of the HTI 50BMG ....not so much the ZCO!!

I have used both on the HTI 50BMG..

 

[CSTactical]

I have an ~25lbs (with suppressor and optic+mount, but not mag) .50bmg DTA HTI. I kept it lightweight (for a .50) because it gets packed in and shot a lot more off the bench then on one. Been using an SWFA 12x42 to learn the rifle (my first .50). Now I'm looking to seriously upgrade the glass.

Almost all my shooting is 1200y and in, and most is 600y and in just due to what safe sightlines are available on the local land/ranges. Priority for the new optic is on durability (rifle gets carried in a truck, an atv, and in a pack a lot), and eye box + eye relief (to avoid any chance of the scope smacking my head, which I've almost done with the current SWFA). No real budget (TT or ZCO are on the table if justified), just want good performance per $, lots of things competing for limited $ these days. I won't be able to look through anything beyond the NF, Vortex, and Leupold offerings based on what is around me. Based on that I'm very seriously considering a NF 5x25 ATACR, but I wanted to be sure there aren't any signficantly better options I'm overlooking.

What optic would you suggest can best handle the recoil generated by a lightweight suppressed .50bmg while meeting the other priorities described above?

Please feel free to reach out to me at 916-628-3490 and I can answer all your questions - Richard

 

[Sterlingb06]

I have an ~25lbs (with suppressor and optic+mount, but not mag) .50bmg DTA HTI. I kept it lightweight (for a .50) because it gets packed in and shot a lot more off the bench then on one. Been using an SWFA 12x42 to learn the rifle (my first .50). Now I'm looking to seriously upgrade the glass.

Almost all my shooting is 1200y and in, and most is 600y and in just due to what safe sightlines are available on the local land/ranges. Priority for the new optic is on durability (rifle gets carried in a truck, an atv, and in a pack a lot), and eye box + eye relief (to avoid any chance of the scope smacking my head, which I've almost done with the current SWFA). No real budget (TT or ZCO are on the table if justified), just want good performance per $, lots of things competing for limited $ these days. I won't be able to look through anything beyond the NF, Vortex, and Leupold offerings based on what is around me. Based on that I'm very seriously considering a NF 5x25 ATACR, but I wanted to be sure there aren't any signficantly better options I'm overlooking.

What optic would you suggest can best handle the recoil generated by a lightweight suppressed .50bmg while meeting the other priorities described above?

For a lightweight suppressed .50bmg, I'd recommend the Nightforce 5x25 ATACR, Vortex Razor HD Gen II 4.5-27x56, or Leupold Mark 6 3-18x44. All are high-quality, durable, and can handle the recoil. If budget isn't a concern, also consider Tangent Theta or ZCO.

 

[PJ65C]

NF ATACR is dependable of the HTI 50BMG ....not so much the ZCO!!

I have used both on the HTI 50BMG..

Wooferocau,

Would you mind sharing what happened with the ZCO??? I have a 50bmg bolt gun build thats in process and i had ZCO on the short list for optics. Feel free to DM if you dont want to post it puiblicly.

Thanks!

 

[LeadZeke]

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I too would like to know what happened to the ZCO.

NF seems like the most universally recommended optic for something like this. I have gotten some feedback locally that I might want to consider a Steiner M5xi or M7xi, but I have no familiarity with that brand.

 

[carbonbased]

Everyone seems to say the NF 7-35 is better optically than the 5-25. I own neither, but that’s been a very consistent theme in reviews for years.

 

[oldrifleman]

The ATCAR 7-35 is optically better, I have several ( being replaced by ZCO which are superior in so many ways)

 

[slm9s]

Our two AR50's have a Sightron SIII 6-24 ffp mil/mil - best value out there. Great optics, reliable, track well, and under $1k.

 

[firegod68]

Schmit and bender ,Nightforce ,or any other expensive high quality optic.

 

[roostercogburn98]

I had a NF and a legacy US Optics ST10 on my Barrett 99. Both held up well

 

[Dogtown]

"Lightweight .50BMG"

 

[rothgyr]

I had a NF and a legacy US Optics ST10 on my Barrett 99. Both held up well

The USO FDN series is durable, lightweight and hasn't offered me any issues with tracking whatsoever. Their eye relief is on the shorter end, at 3.2", .2" less than the SWFA 12x42.

Original post says eye relief is a big factor. Based on that, I'd be looking at a MK5. Their eye relief is super long. Their sight picture is kind of tiny as a result, but at least OP isn't going to get a face full of scope body on the light .50.

Scopes that I'd consider:

ATACR 5-25

• Weight: 38oz
• Eye relief: 3.5"

ATACR 4-16

• Weight: 30oz
• Eye relief: 3.5"

USO FDN 5-25

• Weight: 33oz
• Eye relief: 3.2"

USO FDN 3-17

• Weight: 30oz
• Eye relief: 3.2"

ZCO 420

• Weight: 37
• Eye relief: 3.5"

Leupold MK5 3-18

• Weight: 26
• Eye relief: 3.8"

 

[wooferocau]

"Lightweight .50BMG"

View attachment 8466039

Lightweight / Short .... Yes sir Right here!! DT 50BMG 20" ...

 

[KYAggie]

Yikes, looks cool, but also looks like a TBI waiting the happen.

 

[wooferocau]

Yikes, looks cool, but also looks like a TBI waiting the happen.

Its actually good to shoot ...VERY VERY accurate . Muzzle blast is up there but recoil isn't much different than my Full size HTI..

 

[wooferocau]

On a serious note...only "3" makes of ALL the scopes i have owned/used have never failed on the 50BMG... Nightforce , S&B and Tangent... All the rest...........well..

 

[rothgyr]

On a serious note...only "3" makes of ALL the scopes i have owned/used have never failed on the 50BMG... Nightforce , S&B and Tangent... All the rest...........well..

Do you mind providing a list of those that failed?

 

[wooferocau]

Do you mind providing a list of those that failed?

Na....It will turn into a shitfight as per usual ... but there are many....quite a few surprised me !!

 

[Dogtown]

Lightweight / Short .... Yes sir Right here!! DT 50BMG 20" ...

Don't get me wrong - that's bad ass. But is it really a step up from an SRS with a .510 Whisper barrel?

 

[KYAggie]

Its actually good to shoot ...VERY VERY accurate . Muzzle blast is up there but recoil isn't much different than my Full size HTI..

It’s the muzzle blast that can give you a TBI, or at least too much exposure to it.

 

[Slides]

Lightweight / Short .... Yes sir Right here!! DT 50BMG 20" ...

What sort of muzzle velocities are you seeing with such a short barrel?

 

[wooferocau]

What sort of muzzle velocities are you seeing with such a short barrel?

Around 2450fps with factory Hornady 750 Amax

 

[Tyler Kemp]

Lightweight / Short .... Yes sir Right here!! DT 50BMG 20" ...

Did you have the factory barrel chopped? I'd like to make my HTI nice and stubby for a TBAC can incoming....

 

[wooferocau]

No..... Its a custom Carbon wrapped Barrel..

 

[LeadZeke]

Very cool barrel, mine looks similar but it is in SS. Who made that wooferocau?

As for the optic, any reason to go TT or S&B over NF? Its $1-3k more and I'm not sure if that cost is justified or not for the kind of shooting I describe in the OP.