Rifle Scopes First high-end scope purchase...help narrow down my list.

[AK4900PA]

I need a scope for my new Remington SPS Tactical 16.5" .308. I got some extra cash coming my way shortly so I decided to splurge on a high end optic, but I'm having difficulty narrowing down the list. The nicest scope I've owned up to this point is a Millett LRS 6-25x56 so I have no doubt any one of these will be a huge upgrade for me.

The following criteria is how I came up with my list...

first focal plane
illuminated reticle
zero stop
minimum power no more than 5x
maximum power atleast 15x
cost less than $2500


The rifle will be my all around, do everything rig. It will be used for deer and hogs out to 500 and paper/steel to 1000 if I can find a range large enough.

I'm confident the glass will be sufficient on any of these scopes and they all have almost identical features and weight so as far as I can tell it's basically going to come down to which scope has the best mechanics and which manufacturers stand behind their product.

Any suggestions are welcome. I've read so many reviews and watched so many videos my head is spinning!

 

[Engine 22]

First!!!!!!

 

[T2CH]

Nightforce or Vortex

 

[cmica]

I'm facing the same dilemma racking my head. main concern is getting hands on

 

[springer01]

Have a Bushnell and two IORs, both are great scopes. I like the IOR knobs, and has illumination so I voted for it otherwise its a toss up.

 

[--BLACKOUT--]

Nightforce F1 3.5-15x... I started out with a 10x SS then went to an IOR and when I got my hands on a NF F1, I was set. Good glass and tough as nails.

 

[Stalpeth]

My vote would go for a Leupold Mk 4 since I have 3 listed for sale.

 

[Quickdraw40]

Steiner 4-16x50

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Tapatalk 4

 

[DirtyDave]

USO 3.2-17x???

 

[AK4900PA]

How do these companies compare in regards to warranty issues and general customer service? The main reason I even put the razor on my list (bottom magnification is on the high end for my use) is because of all the fantastic things I've heard about their customer service and warranty. Are the other four manufacturers comparable?

I have no doubt any of these scopes will be more than sufficient for my amateur use, but I am not in a financial position where $2000+ is a drop in the bucket. This is a major purchase for me and I want to know that I will be taken care of should there be an issue at some point.

How would you guys rate these scopes in regards to their mechanical functionality. Turret feel, tracking, etc..?

 

[AK4900PA]

USO 3.2-17x???

Just a bit over what I'm allowing myself to spend and no zero stop.

 

[beenjammin]

How about a used S&B 4-16x50 or the USO as mentioned above. They do have zero stops. Just a little more complicated to set then others. Also used premier. Id take an ATACR in SFP overall of the FFPs you have listed.

 

[TheGerman]

Steiner or NF

 

[Shanerbanner10]

Steiner, USO, maybe a used S&B. In the exact opposite order I listed them. ha good luck!

 

[beenjammin]

Here ya go. Meets all criteria:

http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...6-msr-ccw-made-germany-$2495-*fresh-pics.html

 

[sib1948]

Love my March F 3-24X, but illuminated version slightly above you price range. You should read some reviews here. 2/3rds the length and weight of others you've mentioned, so great for hunting. I also have a Vortex Razor HD 5-20X with EBR-2B reticle, but 35mm tube limits mounting options (Spuhr on mine) and illumination not very bright during the day. Can't beat their no faulty warranty. All the others you mentioned are fine scopes too. If you can find one used, if you don't like it, you can always sell it and try another. It's hard to find a place where you can check several brands at the same time. You'd be lucky to find two together in the same place.

 

[StrayDog]

One vote for mil/mil NF F1.

 

[SomeOtherGuy]

I need a scope for my new Remington SPS Tactical 16.5" .308.
***
illuminated reticle
***
The rifle will be my all around, do everything rig. It will be used for deer and hogs out to 500 and paper/steel to 1000 if I can find a range large enough.

I voted Nightforce F1. All these scopes are very large, but it's not as large as some of them. The Razor and Steiner are frickin HUGE, though they would otherwise be top choices (maybe over the NF). I just can't picture putting scopes that big on a 16.5" rifle that you're going to use for deer and hog hunting.

Is the Bushnell available with a lighted reticle now? The DMR never was, haven't been following the ERS closely enough.

 

[ChemE1975]

nightforce f1.

 

[DirtyDave]

Just a bit over what I'm allowing myself to spend and no zero stop.

USO EREK knob can be set up as a zero stop. The 1.8-10x might be a good option to save some money. But seems like you have a hard on for higher mag than that.

 

[WyoWindCall]

I actually can give you some side by side comparison insight on this. I was at Mile High Shooting Accessories last week and I looked through the Bushnell ERS, Nightforce NSX, and the Vortex Razor. The Bushnell ERS is at the bottom of my list, a good scope with good glass but when I looked through the Vortex Razor, that scope was in a whole other class of its own. The glass was very bright, crisp and was even very close to one of the schmidts that was in the shop….it wasn’t as good as the Schmidt but it was marginal. The nightforce was also impressive right up there with the Vortex but with the price of the Razor and the awesome warranty, that’s the one that I would vote for. Everyone else’s mileage may vary but that is what I observed in one sitting and looking behind them all.

Plus Mile High has a deal going on, for $2000 you get the scope AND Sphur mounts, pretty good deal if you ask me.