I have seen few threads comparing Burris XTR PRO 5.5-30x56 and Leupold MK5 7-35x56 MIL PR2 but I haven't found anything from ELR shooters (over 1000 yards). I'd also like to use the scope for PRS matches, so if anyone has used both (or one of the two) for PRS, I'd like to hear from you which one you like more and why.
Burris XTR PRO 5.5-30x56 SCR2 vs Leupold MK5 7-35x56 MIL PR2 for ELR & PRS
- Thread starter dzz
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I don’t shoot PRS, but have shot and looked though both scopes out on the range. I have the Burris XTR-III 5.5-30x SCR2 MIL, and have looked and shot through other people’s MK5’s.
I recommend the Burris… IMO, the SCR2 is a better reticle design. Glass is similar in both, so the Burris is priced about right, while Leopold is overpriced for what you get. The Burris is also stronger and more robust, so it is heavier, and just feels more quality, IMO. It also tracks true.
I recommend the Burris… IMO, the SCR2 is a better reticle design. Glass is similar in both, so the Burris is priced about right, while Leopold is overpriced for what you get. The Burris is also stronger and more robust, so it is heavier, and just feels more quality, IMO. It also tracks true.
I know a number of guys in PRS who switched from the MK5 to the XTR PRO and never looked back. PR2 is a great reticle, but the XTR PRO has everyone beat when it comes to features, especially PRS centric features. FOV between the two is going to be night and day. I personally dislike the MK5 on it's FOV alone. It looks like peeking through a soda straw by comparison to most other options out there.
I was leaning towards Burris but I haven't used Leupold MK5 so I was looking for someone who used both. What you wrote makes sense. I was looking at this article https://precisionrifleblog.com/2025...g-range-precision-shooting-what-the-pros-use/ and it looks like PRS shooters use Leupold MK5 a lot, so I wanted to hear other opinions and experiences with these 2 scopes.
"What the pros are paid to use"
A MK5 isn't holding anyone back, but most all of those guys are bought and paid for by Leupold. I mean, if they paid me enough to justify shooting 2 day matches all year, I'd do it too. PRS isn't a cheap sport, and the MK5 isn't a bad scope.
A MK5 isn't holding anyone back, but most all of those guys are bought and paid for by Leupold. I mean, if they paid me enough to justify shooting 2 day matches all year, I'd do it too. PRS isn't a cheap sport, and the MK5 isn't a bad scope.
A lot of sponsored shooters shoot Leopold because they get them really really cheap, or free. Not many folks out in the wild buying them with their own money at MSRP (unless they’re an armchair sniper), because it’s priced about $1,000 more than it’s worth. IMO, the new Vortex Viper HD 5-25x50 FFP is nearly on par with the MK5 optically, and is on par mechanically, and you can buy one for around $899-$999, with a better lifetime warranty.
would anyone know is there advantage in getting Steiner T6Xi 5-30x56mm SCR2 instead of Burris XTR PRO 5.5-30x56? They seem to be very similar except for zero stop , warranty and Steiner is American made. Is the glass on Steiner better than on the Burris?
You are right, warranty seems to be more-less the same and both are made in the US. Is the glass the same quality on both?
I’ve shot several PRS style matches with the XTR Pro with SCR2 reticle. Great scope for match shooting. All the features are geared towards it and it’s a great all around optic.
I also own the Steiner and it is very similar. I would say I prefer the Steiner for field style shooting as the turrets are lower profile and it is a bit sleeker in that sense. For PRS I would prefer the Pro. Both the Pro and Steiner are built in Colorado so there are both American made.
I owned the Mark 5 when it first came out and just liked the Burris more so I sold off the Mark 5. Reticle options weren’t great at the time and being the 35mm tube with the 12.5 mils per rotation I just felt like it was a bit of a red headed stepchild compared to the other optics in the stable and moved on. It wasn’t a bad scope, I just found myself using others due to preference.
I also own the Steiner and it is very similar. I would say I prefer the Steiner for field style shooting as the turrets are lower profile and it is a bit sleeker in that sense. For PRS I would prefer the Pro. Both the Pro and Steiner are built in Colorado so there are both American made.
I owned the Mark 5 when it first came out and just liked the Burris more so I sold off the Mark 5. Reticle options weren’t great at the time and being the 35mm tube with the 12.5 mils per rotation I just felt like it was a bit of a red headed stepchild compared to the other optics in the stable and moved on. It wasn’t a bad scope, I just found myself using others due to preference.
How would you compare glass quality of XTR Pro and Steiner ?
Do you think that 2nd rotation indicator on Steiner is useful in matches or just nice to have feature?
I find the glass quality to be very similar. Honestly it seems like the same design (same coatings, same 6x erector, same manufacturing facility) with minor touches of difference, mostly in the turret design. I don't know if for a fact but it makes sense that they would have some components in common.
I don't find the 2nd rev indicator to be a deciding factor in the sense of PRS style shooting as you won't be dialing that much typically for PRS style matches with an appropriate cartridge.
The reticle, tool less zeroing, and turret design of the XTR Pro are perfect for PRS style shooting.
The Steiner is less PRS centric in its design in my opinion. It would work for PRS but the smaller locking turret design would probably be less advantageous in comparison to the Pro. For field style shooting with more rucking it would be great as it is slimmer and the locking turrets could prove useful. Also I'm running the MSR2 in the Steiner and it is more of a field type reticle vs fast, gamer style with holdovers.
Thank you all for your insights, I've ordered this one https://www.eurooptic.com/Burris-Xtreme-Tactical-Pro-55-30x56-34mm-SCR-2-Mil-Riflescope-202212.aspx I called Burris, they've discontinued this model with red color dial (it is identical to other XTR Pros) so it looks like Eurooptic is discounting them quite a bit.
Eurooptic is draining my wallet with the XTR-PRO SCR-2 (red) prices. I have one on my T3X 6.5cr and just bought another for a CZ457 varmint/Oryx with Burris 40moa rings. I’m getting another one when my bank balance catches up in a week or so. IMO best bang for buck sub $2000.
A little input having owned both, but kept one...YMMV. The XTR Pro checked all the boxes except one. Parallax knob way to stiff. Not a big deal most would say. But I shoot 22 prs so frequent parallax adjustment is a requisite. Compound that with being a LH shooter, too stiff to roll quickly with the thumb of my shooting hand. Having to reach over top with RH was too time consuming and distracting, cost me many a stage. Two trips to Burris and it was never resolved. Picked up a Mk5 5x25 PR2 reticle. Pro's...11oz lighter slightly better balance, love the PR2 reticle...everything I need with an uncluttered view, silky smooth parallax. Glass on par with the Burris.
Cons...way less features in a comparable price range, parallax much easier to dial but much less forgiving than the XTR, along with the fov.
After much back and forth kept the Leupold, mainly because I grew to like the clean view with the PR2 and the ability to parallax easily, otherwise the Burris offered alot more IMO...some minor issues were a deal breaker for me. In the sub 2K class both are capable optics, if you can spend some time behind both and decide which checks more boxes for your particular needs,
Cons...way less features in a comparable price range, parallax much easier to dial but much less forgiving than the XTR, along with the fov.
After much back and forth kept the Leupold, mainly because I grew to like the clean view with the PR2 and the ability to parallax easily, otherwise the Burris offered alot more IMO...some minor issues were a deal breaker for me. In the sub 2K class both are capable optics, if you can spend some time behind both and decide which checks more boxes for your particular needs,
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