The APR-2D MIL, I really like it. I wish they made a christmas treeless version. https://element-optics.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/RETICLE-SHEET-APR-2D-MRAD-THEOS.pdf
Best Sub $750 optic for target and varmint - 2025
- Thread starter Freedom Thirty-Five
- Start date
I think you'd be a fool to overlook Meopta. The optika 6 in 5-30×56mm is a spectacular scope. I've used mine to shoot prs matches, tracks perfectly, and the glass is spectacular. Nothing in that price range is going to be as good as the meopta (it's my opinion, and it's correct). I think they are about $1,100 new, but I've seen them used for $750-$800.
Ill def give it a hard look. Which reticle do you like? I assume you like the eye box and FOV?
Heres one for $999 (like new demo)
Quality per $ my vote is the latter Gen ETR or MT, that is if you haven't ruled out a used Cronus G2.
I have the Ares BTR G3 2.5-15x50 and I'm pretty well convinced it's as well built as my Cronus G2's and superior to these scopes in this price range category or even more expensive - the Bushnell's, Vortex's, Vector, and Meopta I own now or have owned in the past.
I kept trying various scope brands out and so far I wasn't as happy with these and it was always that there were notable downsides. Basically I found Athlon had the best balance of positive attributes and by far had the best turret feel, most distinct, the least lash, and lines on the turret lining up well with the line on the housing.
If you wanted to save more money I've found the Helos G2 6-24x56 a really good scope as far as bang for the buck but it doesn't have the IQ that the higher end Athlons have. It's been good enough that I kept it on my expensive 22rf.
I have the Ares BTR G3 2.5-15x50 and I'm pretty well convinced it's as well built as my Cronus G2's and superior to these scopes in this price range category or even more expensive - the Bushnell's, Vortex's, Vector, and Meopta I own now or have owned in the past.
I kept trying various scope brands out and so far I wasn't as happy with these and it was always that there were notable downsides. Basically I found Athlon had the best balance of positive attributes and by far had the best turret feel, most distinct, the least lash, and lines on the turret lining up well with the line on the housing.
If you wanted to save more money I've found the Helos G2 6-24x56 a really good scope as far as bang for the buck but it doesn't have the IQ that the higher end Athlons have. It's been good enough that I kept it on my expensive 22rf.
Yeah, the eyebox and fov are surprisingly good for what they cost. I'm not sure on the reticle, they offer a hundred of them. Mine is similar to a leupold varmint reticle, but with a fine illuminated center dot. The dot is very crisp and bright. The turrets are good, but I don't like them as much as you'll find on $2k+ tactical scopes, but they work just fine. There really isn't much else about it that I don't like.
Thanks for the input Steve. One thing I just learned recently was the TAC Gen2 5-30 has the UHD glass (same as ares ETR). The original marketing material showed it having HD glass like the rest of the Tac Gen2 line. This puts it at the top of my list along with a few others
Natchez
www.natchezss.com
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For me, there are 4 parts to consider when choosing a scope and what you wind up with will be a compromise. Only you can determine where you're willing to give sacrifice to get more in some other area.
I value build quality, image quality, turrets and reticle. There's been lots of talk about glass quality, but very little of what it's like to field all of the scopes mentioned.
Since you're shooting at small things, far away, you'll likely be dialing a lot. It should be a consideration.
Although it seems that there isn't a whole lot of love for Arken around here, I have one on top of my Lilja barreled CZ 457 in .22lr. I shoot that out to 300 a lot, dialing all the way. The glass is decent and the turrets on mine have been spot on.
I value build quality, image quality, turrets and reticle. There's been lots of talk about glass quality, but very little of what it's like to field all of the scopes mentioned.
Since you're shooting at small things, far away, you'll likely be dialing a lot. It should be a consideration.
Although it seems that there isn't a whole lot of love for Arken around here, I have one on top of my Lilja barreled CZ 457 in .22lr. I shoot that out to 300 a lot, dialing all the way. The glass is decent and the turrets on mine have been spot on.
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