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Best Budget (under $2k) non Chinese made 34mm FFP 5-25x range scopes?

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booger hunter

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Minuteman
Dec 10, 2010
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what are some of the best budget (maybe $2k and under) non Chinese made 34mm FFP scopes in the 5-25x mag range? ive been out of the loop for many years and looking to scope up a few LR builds that have been in the safe for a while. I have been a huge fan of Japanese made Bushnell Elite tactical scopes years ago. not sure if they are still leaders in this area anymore?

*uses are for plinking/target practice 500-1500yds and non competitive fun
*Deer Hunting 100-800 yds (occasionally more)
*LR pig & Varmint hunting 100-1500 yds

Calibers 6.5CM, 308, 300WM

ive gotten used to FFP now and having the ability to quickly range estimate at any zoom range. no plans to do any competitions or anything.
 
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Take a look at the Element Nexus Series, Athlon Cronus BTR Series, Steiner T6Xi Series there's also some great options from Sightron. It's our pleasure, as a long standing supporting vendor here, to discuss the different available options and special opportunities with you. Please give a call, 516-217-1000, when you have the time. Thanks
 
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booger hunter said:
what are some of the best budget (maybe $2k and under) non Chinese made 34mm FFP scopes? ive been out of the loop for many years and looking to scope up a few LR builds that have been in the safe for a while. I have been a huge fan of japanese made Bushnell Elite tactical scopes years ago. not sure if they are still leaders in this area anymore?
Click to expand...
$2k and under puts many scopes in this bucket. Here's some the pop to mind (in no particular order):
  • Nightforce NX8
  • Leupold Mark 5HD
  • Leupold Mark 4HD
  • Vortex Razor LHT FFP
  • Vortex PST II
  • Burris XTR IIIi
  • Steiner T6Xi
  • Element Nexus
  • Delta Stryker
  • Tract Toric
  • Zeiss S3
The Japanese made Bushnell Elite Tactical scopes are OEM'd from LOW, many other companies now use LOW as well including Vortex, Element, Delta, Tract just to name a few.

What would help is if we knew more specifics about what you intend to use the scope for because there are dozens that could be a good fit and many more that probably are not a good fit.
 
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Glassaholic said:
$2k and under puts many scopes in this bucket. Here's some the pop to mind (in no particular order):
  • Nightforce NX8
  • Leupold Mark 5HD
  • Leupold Mark 4HD
  • Vortex Razor LHT FFP
  • Vortex PST II
  • Burris XTR IIIi
  • Steiner T6Xi
  • Element Nexus
  • Delta Stryker
  • Tract Toric
  • Zeiss S3
The Japanese made Bushnell Elite Tactical scopes are OEM'd from LOW, many other companies now use LOW as well including Vortex, Element, Delta, Tract just to name a few.

What would help is if we knew more specifics about what you intend to use the scope for because there are dozens that could be a good fit and many more that probably are not a good fit.
Click to expand...
How would you rank the ones on your list that you've had a chance to review by pure optical performance?
 
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booger hunter said:
what are some of the best budget (maybe $2k and under) non Chinese made 34mm FFP scopes? ive been out of the loop for many years and looking to scope up a few LR builds that have been in the safe for a while. I have been a huge fan of japanese made Bushnell Elite tactical scopes years ago. not sure if they are still leaders in this area anymore?
Click to expand...
In no particular order:

Zeiss LRP S3 -when on sale
Athlon Cronus BTR Gen2
Tract Toric
Leupold Mark 4
Leupold Mark 5
 
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Adding a few:
  • Maven RS.4
  • Burris XTR Pro (eurooptic for $2k)
  • US Optics B-17 (eurooptic prices are ~$2k) or DeathBeforeDismount is apparently offering a free US Optics 50% cert - brings the FDN 17X down to $1400 or 25X down to $1900
  • Zeiss S3 if you can stretch a couple hundred bucks
 
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As mentioned, what is going to be the use of the scope?
 
Glassaholic said:
$2k and under puts many scopes in this bucket. Here's some the pop to mind (in no particular order):
  • Nightforce NX8
  • Leupold Mark 5HD
  • Leupold Mark 4HD
  • Vortex Razor LHT FFP
  • Vortex PST II
  • Burris XTR IIIi
  • Steiner T6Xi
  • Element Nexus
  • Delta Stryker
  • Tract Toric
  • Zeiss S3
The Japanese made Bushnell Elite Tactical scopes are OEM'd from LOW, many other companies now use LOW as well including Vortex, Element, Delta, Tract just to name a few.

What would help is if we knew more specifics about what you intend to use the scope for because there are dozens that could be a good fit and many more that probably are not a good fit.
Click to expand...

Rob01 said:
As mentioned, what is going to be the use of the scope?
Click to expand...

*uses are for plinking/target practice 500-1500yds and non competitive fun
*Deer Hunting 100-800 yds (occasionally more)
*LR pig & Varmint hunting 100-1500 yds

Calibers 6.5CM, 308, 300WM

ive gotten used to FFP now and having the ability to quickly range estimate at any zoom range. no plans to do any competitions or anything.
 
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booger hunter said:
*uses are for plinking/target practice 500-1500yds and non competitive fun
*Deer Hunting 100-800 yds (occasionally more)
*LR pig & Varmint hunting 100-1500 yds

Calibers 6.5CM, 308, 300WM

ive gotten used to FFP now and having the ability to quickly range estimate at any zoom range. no plans to do any competitions or anything.
Click to expand...

So you going to buy 3 scopes? Want all the same?

You mil/vet/LE/FR at all?
 
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booger hunter said:
what are some of the best budget (maybe $2k and under) non Chinese made 34mm FFP scopes in the 5-25x mag range? ive been out of the loop for many years and looking to scope up a few LR builds that have been in the safe for a while. I have been a huge fan of Japanese made Bushnell Elite tactical scopes years ago. not sure if they are still leaders in this area anymore?

*uses are for plinking/target practice 500-1500yds and non competitive fun
*Deer Hunting 100-800 yds (occasionally more)
*LR pig & Varmint hunting 100-1500 yds

Calibers 6.5CM, 308, 300WM

ive gotten used to FFP now and having the ability to quickly range estimate at any zoom range. no plans to do any competitions or anything.
Click to expand...
Amazon has the Zeiss LRP S3 4-25x50 ZF-MRi (MRAD) scopes on sale for $2,069... Close to your budget. Worth the extra cost.

Zeiss LRP S3 4-25x50 ZF-MRi MRAD

If you call @Euro.Connor at EuroOptic, he might can even beat that price and be under your $2K mark...
 
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booger hunter said:
what are some of the best budget (maybe $2k and under) non Chinese made 34mm FFP scopes in the 5-25x mag range? ive been out of the loop for many years and looking to scope up a few LR builds that have been in the safe for a while. I have been a huge fan of Japanese made Bushnell Elite tactical scopes years ago. not sure if they are still leaders in this area anymore?

*uses are for plinking/target practice 500-1500yds and non competitive fun
*Deer Hunting 100-800 yds (occasionally more)
*LR pig & Varmint hunting 100-1500 yds

Calibers 6.5CM, 308, 300WM

ive gotten used to FFP now and having the ability to quickly range estimate at any zoom range. no plans to do any competitions or anything.
Click to expand...
The S3 4-25 is a great option...if not that, I would say the NX8, but that is the 3mm tube.

Message me and I will be glad to send you pricing!

Connor
 
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Unless you’re in a hurry or money doesn’t really matter, I’d encourage you to look in the PX. Many of the scope warranties are lifetime, transferrable and no questions asked.
Several of these recommended scopes can be found in “like-new” condition in the PX.
Use the search button if you want to find a thread on which scope brand has the best, no-hassle warranty. 🍻
 
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Fret said:
How would you rank the ones on your list that you've had a chance to review by pure optical performance?
Click to expand...
That’s a difficult assessment as there are other variables that make a difference. How important is a forgiving scope to you? Will having a forgiving eyebox, parallax and DOF play a bigger factor for you over things like magnification range?

I’ll also throw in the Nightforce ATACR 4-16x42, this is a fantastic scope and squeaks into your price range from vendors like @gr8fuldoug and @CSTactical
 
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I'm also shopping for a similar scope. Will be mounted on a Tikka T3x 6.5cm. The last time I bought a riflescope, it was Leupold and everyone else. I am out of the loop.

I'm somewhat in a hurry, trying to beat the head here in Nevada.

Is there a general consensus re Athlon, Vortex and Night Force in terms of reliability and service?

My purpose for the rifle is target/marksmanship, goal of 1000+ yards prone. Maybe some plains hunting.

Is Amazon a bad idea? Any issue with Like New from some of the websites out there?

Thanks!!

EDIT: Also worth mentioning it'll be hiked out most of the time for shooting so durability it important.
 
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No one has mentioned the Eotech Vudu 5-25. It has good Japanese glass, 34mm tube, FFP Mil illuminated reticle and is reasonably priced. I got mine for $1,700 but have seen them here in the PX for less. It has some advantages over some other optics, mainly the center dot, which is larger than, say, the center dot on the Vortex Razor GIII 6-36. Easier for my eyes to see.
 
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jpjulian said:
No one has mentioned the Eotech Vudu 5-25. It has good Japanese glass, 34mm tube, FFP Mil illuminated reticle and is reasonably priced. I got mine for $1,700 but have seen them here in the PX for less. It has some advantages over some other optics, mainly the center dot, which is larger than, say, the center dot on the Vortex Razor GIII 6-36. Easier for my eyes to see.
Click to expand...
You mentioned Japanese glass, but is the scope made in Japan, or China?
 
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The ATACR 4-16x42 is going to be one of the best all around at the top of your range. The Burris XTR IIIi 3.3-18x50 is very impressive for the price. The Steiner T6Xi 3-18x56 is a low light hog that is very forgiving. The Nightforce NX8 2.5-20x50 is very nice optically but pretty finicky and turrets are meh. I do not have experience with the Zeiss LRP’s but the S3 series are made by LOW so I would expect typical LOW quality. The Leupold Mark 5 (and assume Mark 4) are decent scopes. All Athlon’s except for Cronus are made in China which I think youd like to stay away from. The Steiner T6Xi are assembled in USA if that makes a difference.

Stay away from too good to be true sales. Stick to Hide vendors and call for best pricing and you might be surprised at how good of a deal you can get.
 
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i think im swaying towards the NF 4-16x42 Mil-XT or Mil-C used here on SH or through a vender. looks like they can be had $2100-$2200 gonna try to get my hands on one first. ive always liked Zeiss glass so ill try to look through that S3 as well
 
booger hunter said:
i think im swaying towards the NF 4-16x42 Mil-XT or Mil-C used here on SH or through a vender. looks like they can be had $2100-$2200 gonna try to get my hands on one first. ive always liked Zeiss glass so ill try to look through that S3 as well
Click to expand...
The S3 line is made by LOW in Japan, same as NF ATACR but that doesn't mean it'll look the same, everyone specs their glass and usually has proprietary multicoating. 4-25 is a chonk but supposed to be pretty nice.
 
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booger hunter said:
i think im swaying towards the NF 4-16x42 Mil-XT or Mil-C used here on SH or through a vender. looks like they can be had $2100-$2200 gonna try to get my hands on one first. ive always liked Zeiss glass so ill try to look through that S3 as well
Click to expand...
If you don’t at least go look through the Zeiss S3, you’re doing yourself a disservice. JMO…
 
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jumrobe said:
There was a 25% off sale on Zeiss at the end of last year. Sale is over, but you can probably get better than listed price if you look around at some vendors on this site.
Click to expand...
I saw Devour has them for around 2K,but 3-6 weeks for shipment
 
Glassaholic said:
The S3 line is made by LOW in Japan, same as NF ATACR but that doesn't mean it'll look the same, everyone specs their glass and usually has proprietary multicoating. 4-25 is a chonk but supposed to be pretty nice.
Click to expand...
I thought the atacr line was US only
 
TimResin said:
I thought the atacr line was US only
Click to expand...
Here’s where things get tricky. The US allows a certain number of parts to be manufactured elsewhere and as long as it is assembled in the USA it can have the “Made in USA” stamp, but that doesnt mean everything was sourced in the USA. NF essentially put LOW (Light Optics Works) on the map as a premier OEM for riflescopes. I have not seen anything concrete that indicates even with ATACR that NF isn't still using Japanese glass and internals. There is nothing wrong with Japanese glass, or glass from anywhere really, its more about the formula and multicoating. Even with ATACR I still think LOW but maybe it’s more realistic to just say Japanese sourced glass.
 
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