Let's talk budget optics..

tarheel7734

Quiet Professional
Full Member
Minuteman
  • May 25, 2014
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    406
    Johnson City Tn
    It's been a long ass time since I have touched a budget optics last one was in the 90s with a ss10×42m i currently run Nightforce leupold, trijicon and the likes.

    I plan on picking up the savage 10 fcp in hs precision stock in 308 when I get back home next week. The rifle will be because nostalgia . My daughter says she wants a ling range rig, but I dint feel like spending 1k-3k on an optic for her for this rifle while I teach her

    So please educate me on budget optics currently on the market. I see Arken, dnt, lower end vortex and more out there. All so much going on in the market.

    I'd like a 5-25 ffp or similar with illuminated reticle if possible. Prefer a full christmas tree illuminated reticle if possible
     
    Last edited:
    It's been a long ass time since I have touched a budget optics last one was in the 90s with a ss10×42m i currently run Nightforce leupold, trijicon and the likes.

    I plan on picking up the savage 10 fcp in hs precision stock in 308 when I get back home next week. The rifle will be because nostalgia . My daughter says she wants a ling range rig, but I dint feel like spending 1k-3k on an optic for her for this rifle while I teach her

    So please educate me on budget optics currently on the market. I see Arken, dnt, lower end vortex and more out there. All so much going on in the market.

    I'd like a 5-25 ffp or similar with illuminated reticle if possible. Prefer a full christmas tree illuminated reticle if possible

    There’s a few good vortex in px around 500-700. I’d pick that up over that unknown stuff
     
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    If you’re going for nostalgia why not just get another SWFA 10x? They worked back then and they still work today. Now you can get them with mil zero stop turrets and even a tree reticle.
    I thought about that as well as the 3-15. I was really hoping they would release the new 5-25 with new reticle, but ko luck as of yet.

    Reason is I kinda want a variable woth illumination on here in case my daughter does get the rifle. it's something I need to think about more. The 10x42m is around 400 if I am remembering.

    I have been happy with my Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25x56. Good glass for the money and tracks well.

    Yup the Strike Eagle 5-25 is an excellent answer.
    If I can find a mint or new one for around 500, that's a real option. Looked through one today and was fairly impressed problem being mil pricing on it is 690 and if love to keep it around 500 for this project for now.
     
    If I can find a mint or new one for around 500, that's a real option. Looked through one today and was fairly impressed problem being mil pricing on it is 690 and if love to keep it around 500 for this project for now.
    They pop up for close to $500 in the PX. There are a couple in there now for a little more. May be worth having a conversation with the sellers. Good luck.
     
    One thing I’ll say about the more economy line of optics is that several of the bigger, well-established, lifetime-warrantied brands have great options for you for entry-level pricing.

    Leupold and Vortex come to mind.

    I’ve had very consistent and boringly-reliable results with older Vortex Vipers and PSTs, shot exclusively on Grendels and .260 Rem gassers dating back to the late 2000s on a regular shoot schedule. These are much harder on scopes than most bolt guns due to the 3 major G-force spikes that resonate in different directions from the chamber, breech impact, and barrel extension impact.

    We are constantly cranking the elevation turrets from zero to drop, then back to zero, then up to the DOPE call-outs throughout the day, and I do this every month. Rain, shine, extreme heat, extreme cold, don’t care.

    I’ve been very impressed with the durability of the Vortex Vipers and PSTs.

    I also have run Razors, Gen II Razors, and Gen III Razor. I use the 1-10 Gen III on one of my many 6.5 Grendels.
     
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