The Burris XTRII is a great option at this price point.
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I’m going with a Athlon Helos for a 6mm ARC truck and 1000 yd gun due to locking turrets and 30mm tube. In that price range would-also look at The Stike Eagle over a PST G2, XTRII and definitely an Arken.
maybe. i didnt see a reticle listed when i checked their website. only know from the scopes i've looked through
Clarification: dang comma, I would look at the SE, XTR3 and the Arken
I got u......the arken is ordered...:it should be a while so if an Athlon Aries Etr shows up for a good deal gonna just cancel the arken order and go with that! Cheapest I’ve seen them at the moment is $1100 new for the x30 and around $850 for the x27 btr
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In that price range a Meopta Optika6 4.5-27 MIL/MIL sh*ts all over the Strike Eagle, I've had both. Just hard as hell to find the Meopta.
Best optic under 800 is the LRTS 4.5-18 for 750. The other best thing you will pick up regularly under 800 is going to be an XTRII. You will see some ERS and XRS Bushnells sometimes around 800 now also. I am not sure why you think ou need 25x on the top end, but a quality 18x is going to be better than a crappy 25x all day every day.
It’s weird I’m reading this while eating a corn dog but any ways I like the higher mag for longer range and spotting impacts. I don’t always use it but I like having it there just in case. As for the xtr2 &3 Burris makes a great scope as does bushnell in their higher end scopes.
Ares BTR Affordable Hunting Rifle Scopes | Athlon Optics
The Athlon Optics Ares BTR rifle scope family is a range of affordable hunting rifle scopes with top-tier scope features and premium preformance.
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Ares ETR First Focal Plane Rifle Scopes | Athlon Optics
The Ares ETR First Focal Plane rifle scopes is loaded with features that will allow you to take your long range shooting to another level.
athlonoptics.com ThanksAres BTR Affordable Hunting Rifle Scopes | Athlon Optics
The Athlon Optics Ares BTR rifle scope family is a range of affordable hunting rifle scopes with top-tier scope features and premium preformance.
Ares ETR First Focal Plane Rifle Scopes | Athlon Optics
The Ares ETR First Focal Plane rifle scopes is loaded with features that will allow you to take your long range shooting to another level.
If you would had focused on the content, instead of the corndog, you might not have missed the point.
Ares BTR.
I'm in the same place, I run a xtr-2 3-15 but would like a little higher mag for 1100yd and small plates at 350-500.
I really want a Razor G2, but a Cronus seems like the best option for the money even though I'd have to save more still.
I really want a Razor G2, but a Cronus seems like the best option for the money even though I'd have to save more still.
If I am breaking 1500, I am taking a good look at the Tango 6, and XTRIII. Tango 6 huge FOV, level plex, push pull locking turrets. XTRIII also big FOV, diopter adjustment lock ring. The 3.3-18 is only a few ounces heavier than the 4.5-18 LRTS.
If you would had focused on the content, instead of the corndog, you might not have missed the point.
Ares BTR.
I get it 30x cheap ass glass not as good as 18x stupid awesome glass regardless if your eating a corndog or not but I wouldnt say Athlon ares or arken is cheap ass glass.
Try a Burris RT-25
What sucks is buying without using them. Everyone around here only has NF, S&B, lower Vortex, maybe a razor, or garbage.
I'd consider a bigger xtr2 but I'd want to see one first, also want to see a Cronus.
I'd consider a bigger xtr2 but I'd want to see one first, also want to see a Cronus.
That’s not necessarily true. I have NF, used vortex, have XTRII and have the Cronus
Cronus glass is on par with my NF ATACR. XTRII has been reliable but the higher mag scopes suffer in glass on the upper ends.
From what I’ve used that is closer to the OP $800 mark. I’d take a,
- Burris XTRII if you want reliability but are not concerned about the glass as much.
- Athlon ETR if you want similar to the Cronus BTR but with slightly less glass and made in China vs made in japan
- Get the Vortex if you want decent glass, decent features but aren’t so concerned with the reliability
You may want to checkout TRACT OPTICS. They are a little above the $800 mark but worth a look. The 30mm is $1,294 and the 34mm is $1,694. If you're LEO or Mil they give a discount. I personally own the 34mm and love it.
The strike eagle is great on paper but I’d look around. I’m a former vortex junkie but what good is a car if it’s always broke down in the shop? (I’ve sent back a strike eagle, two diamond backs and a viper the last 3 months) but the bushnell is a great value. Arken is awesome but i ordered the SH-4 in November and STILL DON’T HAVE IT. So I bought a Riton conquer X5 5-25 and haven’t looked back. Around $665 with Leo or mil discount. Have done 5 matches with it and hasn’t failed me. IMO almost on Par in value with Athlon ares. I love the reticle, the glass is by far the clearest in its price range no doubt, turrets are great and everything functions smooth. Great optic.
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I agree with both of these choices but doubt you will find either for under $800. Try the Athlon Midas Tac 5-25x56. It is as good as the other upper end Athlon offerings, has capped windage, and I think MSRP is under $800. I have an Ares ETR and the Midas Tac both are great scopes.
I gotta give it to you guys you exceeded my expectations, ordered Athlon ares on Monday and they had it here on Wednesday! Great customer service I look forward to buying most of my optics through you guys in the future! Keep up the great service and thanks again! Great prices too by the way
Please don't take offense, but you are making a CLASSIC rookie mistake. You are shopping for a fixed budget, which isn't a problem, but looking for new with high magnification, but don't really have an intended purpose spec'd or a caliber, etc. I have purchased both SWFA HD 5-20 and Bushy DMR 3.5-21 glass used in the equipment exchange here used for $800 years ago and champion them to the world in that price range.
No offense taken,
All this was listed earlier in the thread, 6.5 Creedmoor, local tournaments (not trying to win prs championships yet lol) target shooting 100-1200 mostly around 600.... it’s all good! I’m just glad there is a resource like the hide to glean intel from...and to everyone that posted on this thread...thanks! I appreciate it!
I have 4 of then and two viper pst’s. They have all been great on a range of calibers. No issues
Jonny come lately/
First thing to understand; you will never get great glass for $800. Many people may never even notice the difference between ok, good snd great until you zoom in under the wrong conditions, to low of light, to much mirage.
The more magnification you chase the more obvious the flaws. Good scope have way more going for them than magnification, it’s often feel. A ZCO might have the same specs as another top tear scope; but the image might appear more edge to edge; thus seem wide screen or somewhat larger FOV than it is.
Go on the PX and pic something up used . Shoot the shit out of whatever you get, learn the wind and the reticle. Then when you have a better idea how to even qualify your question, sell it for near the same and get more dialed. Everyone love to tell others how great their budget scope is; the truth is it’s only good if you don’t know better or it simply fits your personal preference. Sadly, it may be crap to someone else.
First thing to understand; you will never get great glass for $800. Many people may never even notice the difference between ok, good snd great until you zoom in under the wrong conditions, to low of light, to much mirage.
The more magnification you chase the more obvious the flaws. Good scope have way more going for them than magnification, it’s often feel. A ZCO might have the same specs as another top tear scope; but the image might appear more edge to edge; thus seem wide screen or somewhat larger FOV than it is.
Go on the PX and pic something up used . Shoot the shit out of whatever you get, learn the wind and the reticle. Then when you have a better idea how to even qualify your question, sell it for near the same and get more dialed. Everyone love to tell others how great their budget scope is; the truth is it’s only good if you don’t know better or it simply fits your personal preference. Sadly, it may be crap to someone else.
I think years ago you couldn’t get real good glass for $800 but I think the market is changing (hopefully) people expect more for less and with time also comes knowledge and the technology gets enhanced... bring a scope from the 90s to a comp and even though it was a $1500 or more back in the day...the $400 scopes have caught up and sometimes surpasses it...I do agree on the more magnification you have the more flaws you can see and also great scopes have a lot more than just good glass, but my advice to anybody looking for a good scope wether it be $1000 or a $100 is to buy a scope that you can afford...I believe that there are tons of shooters that have better kit but get out shot at tournaments by others with a lesser load out. And that’s what makes this sport/hobby great! It’s not just the gear!
I bought an Athlon for my wife's bolt gun 5.56 and paid about 550-600. I compared it to my Vortex Razor gen 2 and my Leupold Mark 5 HD. Really a lot of scope for the money. More of a WHITE light but tracks,holds zero.
I agree, but be prepared to wait. I ordered in January. I think my ship date is June. Not complaining, you just need to know going into it. Can't beat the price with the reviews I have seen online. I think it was West Desert shooter or the Utah Long Range Shooters group that had a great test of return to Zero on YouTube.
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Explore our extensive range of Arken optics, scopes, mounts, rings, and accessories, all designed to perform with rugged precision.www.arkenopticsusa.com
Only 24x
Sightron... You may not get all of the features that you want in that price range, but you can get most of tem. Also Check out the Bushnell Elite 6-24. They make one with a FFP hold over reticle that you can sometimes find as lo as about $900.
Do not pay 900 for the 3 generation old 6-24 bushnell. It barely cost that 10 years ago before the market was flooded with better options.
This is your best bet the Athlon Argos ETR is all the scope you will need until get over $2000 scopes
You're asking an awful lot for 800 bucks.
I see that reliability and robustness aren't on your list.
There are a few Chinese made scopes that meet your requirements.
How much of a hurry are you in?
Sightron will be releasing a feature packed 6-24 SIII with 10 mil turrets, zero stop etc... later this year.
They have an amazing LE/Mil discount, if that applies.
sightron.com
Don't forget about the Burris RT series. They lack illumination, not a deal breaker as this doesn't appear to be a hunting build, travel IS limited, so that may be a non-starter for you.
Sightmark makes a scope geared towards PRS. They are pretty nice, I believe, but am not certain they are made in the Philippines.
Low end is 6.5, but, for your intended purposes, should be just fine, street price is less:
sightmark.com
I see that reliability and robustness aren't on your list.
There are a few Chinese made scopes that meet your requirements.
How much of a hurry are you in?
Sightron will be releasing a feature packed 6-24 SIII with 10 mil turrets, zero stop etc... later this year.
They have an amazing LE/Mil discount, if that applies.
SIII Precision Long RangeFFP 6-24x50 Zero Stop
Built for precision long range target shooting up to and exceeding 1000 yards. Sightron's SIII PLR 10-50x60 first focal plane reticle Long Range rifle scope with Zero-stop delivers superior optics and accuracy when it counts.
sightron.com Don't forget about the Burris RT series. They lack illumination, not a deal breaker as this doesn't appear to be a hunting build, travel IS limited, so that may be a non-starter for you.
Sightmark makes a scope geared towards PRS. They are pretty nice, I believe, but am not certain they are made in the Philippines.
Low end is 6.5, but, for your intended purposes, should be just fine, street price is less:
Latitude 6.25-25x56 with PRS Reticle
Take your long-range shooting to the next level with the Sightmark Latitude 6.25-25x56 PRS Riflescope, designed for precision and competition shooting.
sightmark.com 
I 2nd the Meopta. I've been very happy with them.
Sport Optics has a 5-30 FFP in stock for $900, but with a 16% discount. That's going to be damn hard to beat for $750.
Jesus. The guy has bought 2 scopes already. Maybe we can let this one die. Lol
I just mounted a new Strike Eagle on my Bergara HRM this weekend but haven't had a chance to try it out yet. What do you think of it?
I really like it. I have it on a Rem 783 on top of a 40 MOA rail, 300 WM. Gives me something like 93 moa on the dial and about 30 more using the reticle. Both my brother and I used it to get hits on the 2010 yard target at Spearpoint the beginning of the month. Nice clear optics. I think you’re going to like it.
Mike
Mike
For new people that are reading and learning but haven't bought yet...
slightly over budget, but I think they fit the original post description pretty well. If it doesn't track, send it back. Vortex will repair or send you a new scope.
I vote for this one:
www.eurooptic.com
slightly over budget, but I think they fit the original post description pretty well. If it doesn't track, send it back. Vortex will repair or send you a new scope.
I vote for this one:
Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25x50 EBR-7C MRAD FFP Riflescope PST-5259 Showroom Demo
Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25x50 for sale at Eurooptic.com. Showroom demos are open box with seal broken. Get free shipping on this Waterproof, Fogproof, and Shockproof Vortex Viper Riflescope. Call 570-368-3920 for the best price on Vortex Scope.
