Getting into PRS, need help on finding a scope.

[Ph1lll529]

Hello all,

I am new to the PRS/long-range bolt action rifle community. The main goal is to start to compete in prs events. I got a good deal on a blemished Aero Precision Solus competition in 6mm Creedmor. I am trying to get budget items that are of good quality, but I want to upgrade in the future if I do well in the comps. I’d like for the main cost to be around $500-600 for the scope. Right now, the brands that seem to be compatible to fit these stipulations include Arken, Athlon, DNT, and maybe Riton. I understand an arken or Athlon is not going to be as clear or close to a nightforce or zeiss. I plan on upgrading in the future, but want something that'll allow me to learn for a year or two before i upgrade. The features most important to me are decent glass, Christmas tree style reticle, and zero stop. I’m not opposed to something used either. I’m a veteran so I can get some pretty good pricing from most companies but will still like to be around $500-600. Also if you have any other recommendations for gear please let me know! Thank you. If this is not the proper place to post this, please let me know

 

[125 Straight]

I have the Arken EP-5 5-25 on my production class rimfire. So far, it’s been a serviceable scope. No real complaints as long as you go into it with realistic expectations, which it seems you have. That said, I like the reticle in the DNT more, so I’d probably go that route. I don’t have any time behind Athlons or Ritons. Keep an eye on the PX. You may be able to get one of these below your budget or get something a tier above for the top end of your budget.
Good luck to you! If this sport gets its claws in you, you’ll be wanting to swap that Arken for a ZCO or Tangent by stage 3 of your second match.

 

[davsco]

First of all, I'd skip restaurants and bars for a couple of months to afford more.

I'd also go to a few matches and see what folks are actually using. Most will let you look through them after the match.

Welcome and good luck.

 

[Sheldon N]

I've got a BNIB Viper HD 5-25x50 kicking around that might meet your needs and be close to your budget. Lifetime warranty on the Vortex stuff makes it easy to shoot a couple years of matches and not worry about breaking anything, then not lose much $ when you eventually go to upgrade.

 

[sachsmart]

For the scope, I would recommend at bare minimum to get a Leupold with PR2 reticle. You can get a used one on the forums. It will be more than your 500-600 budget but at $2-3/round of that Creedmoor, you will spend a lot in missed shots with a poor optic. Do a tall target test to make sure it tracks.

Smedium bag, a good bipod-Harris if you are on a budget. Balance the rifle, there is someone on FB who sells brass weights for cheap

 

[4g64loser]

All good advice so far.

I'd say that you should definitely save up tip your budget is 1000 to 1300. It will be worth the wait. Buy yourself a used razor2 3-18 off the PX here. Maybe a loopy if that's your flavor. You won't need to upgrade/buy twice for quite a while.

 

[Hotcoffee4all]

Hello all,

I am new to the PRS/long-range bolt action rifle community. The main goal is to start to compete in prs events. I got a good deal on a blemished Aero Precision Solus competition in 6mm Creedmor. I am trying to get budget items that are of good quality, but I want to upgrade in the future if I do well in the comps. I’d like for the main cost to be around $500-600 for the scope. Right now, the brands that seem to be compatible to fit these stipulations include Arken, Athlon, DNT, and maybe Riton. I understand an arken or Athlon is not going to be as clear or close to a nightforce or zeiss. I plan on upgrading in the future, but want something that'll allow me to learn for a year or two before i upgrade. The features most important to me are decent glass, Christmas tree style reticle, and zero stop. I’m not opposed to something used either. I’m a veteran so I can get some pretty good pricing from most companies but will still like to be around $500-600. Also if you have any other recommendations for gear please let me know! Thank you. If this is not the proper place to post this, please let me know

I’m brand new too. I joined the PRs on the website last year and spent about 7 months saving, selling my AR’s and related gear, and saved to buy the essential at the best quality I could. The discounts were helpful. Bought a lot of used gear here too. If I could start over, I’d go to matches and watch. RO a few and ask to experience other shooters gear more. Train up days are good for this.

 

[Ph1lll529]

First of all, I'd skip restaurants and bars for a couple of months to afford more.

I'd also go to a few matches and see what folks are actually using. Most will let you look through them after the match.

Welcome and good luck

First of all, I'd skip restaurants and bars for a couple of months to afford more.

I'd also go to a few matches and see what folks are actually using. Most will let you look through them after the match.

Welcome and good luck.

One of the big reasons I wanted a more budget optic is because I have a AR10 in .308 with a primary arms 1-10 that I’m looking to replace whenever I would upgrade the PRS rifle. The closest match is about 2 hours away which is why I haven’t gone to watch a match yet.

 

[Sblzrd65]

As mentioned, can always buy up and trade in down the line. The used market for scopes is at a discount, but nothing wrong with getting a medium/decent one to start, getting used to it, and then down the line when you're more capable than it is, or need more out of it, going for a different one then.

For the more budget minded, NRL/PRS and places like the Precision Rifle Blog will publish lists and surveys of what top competitors are using. Check out the "production" class and see which brands and models go to the top of the lists, then search online and see which reticles look the best to you.

 

[Shoots 700's]

Before going all in you might go to a match or 2 and watch. You might find the sport isn't for you. Do you have an experience shooting from props? How far have you shot?

 

[Ph1lll529]

Before going all in you might go to a match or 2 and watch. You might find the sport isn't for you. Do you have an experience shooting from props? How far have you shot?

I’ve watched a ton of different videos on different PRS matches and it definitely looks like something I’d want to get into. I don’t really have much experience shooting from props. Currently I have shot out to 300 but that was just with an iron sights M4 back in my army days. I would be taking some kind of class before I would go to an event. Thinking of taking one of paramount tacticals training or something similar.

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

Find a cheaper hobby. PRS on shoe string budget is going to be uphill sledding.

 

[Hotcoffee4all]

Find a cheaper hobby. PRS on shoe string budget is going to be uphill sledding.

All hill. No brakes!

 

[Rob01]

I’ve watched a ton of different videos on different PRS matches and it definitely looks like something I’d want to get into. I don’t really have much experience shooting from props. Currently I have shot out to 300 but that was just with an iron sights M4 back in my army days. I would be taking some kind of class before I would go to an event. Thinking of taking one of paramount tacticals training or something similar.

Then give it a shot, literally. Biggest thing about shooting matches is safety. Not how many targets you hit or miss. Jacob at Rifles Only used to say in his safety brief before each match, I will paraphrase, that no one will remember who won this match in a week but they will remember you if you shoot yourself or someone else.

A good reticle, tracks well, around 5-25 or so for power, FFP and decent glass will get you started. A bunch have been mentioned here. Find what you can afford and try and practice safely and then go shoot a match. It’s very easy to get ballistic data now so no need to have 1000+ yards to shoot on if you don’t.

Get it together and go have some fun.

 

[LuvDog]

Check to see if you have PRS 22 events. That’s a slightly cheaper start.

 

[4g64loser]

Check to see if you have PRS 22 events. That’s a slightly cheaper start.

Yeah and a lot of guys will let you run their rigs at a match if you squad up with them since 22 doesn't smoke the gun with two guys shooting the same rig in a squad. Seen plenty of father/son pairs shooting same rig and more than a couple guys bring their buddy to try it out.

Be polite and offer to buy whatever ammo the shooter runs.

 

[Ph1lll529]

Yeah and a lot of guys will let you run their rigs at a match if you squad up with them since 22 doesn't smoke the gun with two guys shooting the same rig in a squad. Seen plenty of father/son pairs shooting same rig and more than a couple guys bring their buddy to try it out.

Be polite and offer to buy whatever ammo the shooter runs.

The main reason I didn’t start with a 22 is because my girlfriend actually surprised me and bought me the Solus for about $1,000 cheaper than retail. The main reason I want a more budget optical is because I plan on buying most of the gear needed for a match because I don’t like asking people to borrow things. While I would like to buy a top of the line optic immediately, i feel like it makes more sense to buy a cheaper optic so I can have more money for ammo/gear.

 

[4g64loser]

The main reason I didn’t start with a 22 is because my girlfriend actually surprised me and bought me the Solus for about $1,000 cheaper than retail. The main reason I want a more budget optical is because I plan on buying most of the gear needed for a match because I don’t like asking people to borrow things. While I would like to buy a top of the line optic immediately, i feel like it makes more sense to buy a cheaper optic so I can have more money for ammo/gear.

Wow. You got a keeper. Congrats on the girl and the gun the girl got you! A guy I know ended up engaged to the woman who bought him a sako trg42 in pretty short order so I get ya.

As long as.you know it means buying twice, your course of action is definitely valid. You will get out onnthe line fastest that way. Having walked through the process of starting with 1000 dollar scopes, and then buying into nicer stuff later, I would probably have started with used nicer stuff but hindsight is always 20/20.

 

[Ph1lll529]

Wow. You got a keeper. Congrats on the girl and the gun the girl got you! A guy I know ended up engaged to the woman who bought him a sako trg42 in pretty short order so I get ya.

As long as.you know it means buying twice, your course of action is definitely valid. You will get out onnthe line fastest that way. Having walked through the process of starting with 1000 dollar scopes, and then buying into nicer stuff later, I would probably have started with used nicer stuff but hindsight is always 20/20.

Whenever I would upgrade whatever scope I end up buying, it’s just going on my AR10 so it’s always gonna have a home. Just kinda want something that’s enough to learn on and figure out what I like/don’t like.

 

[4g64loser]

Whenever I would upgrade whatever scope I end up buying, it’s just going on my AR10 so it’s always gonna have a home. Just kinda want something that’s enough to learn on and figure out what I like/don’t like.

I don't own any but an arsenal ep5 would probably get the nod if you wanna go new. A used burris xtr2 or vortex viper pst gen2 will hit your marks. Having owned xtr2 and viper pst, I still own two xtr2s on trainer/backup rigs but have sold the PSTs. Mainly due to the xtr2s having better glass to my eyes.

 

[Ph1lll529]

I don't own any but an arsenal ep5 would probably get the nod if you wanna go new. A used burris xtr2 or vortex viper pst gen2 will hit your marks. Having owned xtr2 and viper pst, I still own two xtr2s on trainer/backup rigs but have sold the PSTs. Mainly due to the xtr2s having better glass to my eyes.

The main 2 I’m looking at right now are the Arken EP5 and a Athlon Ares ETR which I can get for around $700

 

[4g64loser]

Go arken, then.