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Rifle Scopes Best budget all around optic

Onarampage247

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Jun 9, 2017
155
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ABQ
Okay so I know this has probably been kick around before. But I am gonna throw it out foe a fresh start. Looking for a scope 750.00 to 1000.00 range for hunting and steel shooting. Only 2 options wanted a zero stop without shims and ftp. Lets hear the opinions. More the better. Make and model would help.
 
I would look into a Vortex PST gen2 either the 3-15 or the 5-25... Check here with our vendors, should be attainable within your price range..
 
The PST Gen II are a big step up from previous generation, especially the 4-16. It was the worst in the old line up according to my eyes. I've had a 2.5-10 PST, 4-16 PST, 6-24 PST, 2.5-10 XLR, 3-12 LRHS, 4.5-30 XRS, 3-15 PST G2, 5-25 PST G2, Steiner MX, Vortex Razor G2 and a few others over the years and honestly the 5-25 is towards the top of the pile.

I've seen them for sale in the PX at the top end of your budget. If you don't need a ton of magnification the old 2.5-10 was a great little scope.

The LRHS are nice but they are geared towards hunting and have capped windage AFAIK. If you alway hold it may not be a big deal.

 
For that budget I'd say Burris XTR 2. You can get the 3-15, 4-20 or 5-25. I've been loving my 4-20, and I got it for like $875 brand new after rebate (they have a $100 rebate thing going. I think it's still going till the end of the month or august, but I'm not sure).
Most people I've seen prefer the XTR 2s over the Gen 1 PST scopes, but the Gen 2 PST scopes are supposedly better than the XTR 2s, as they should be, they will cost about $200 more.

XTR2s have a good zero stop, they are tough, and are FFP, and come in both illuminated, and non-illuminated models, the non-illuminated ones cost about $100 less.

There are also 2 reticle options, SCR, and G2B. The G2B costs less than the SCR.
 
I like the burris xtr2 . The glass is good. I had sometime with the pst gen 2 , at a vendor show here at a local gun store and monkeyed around with it. i looked through the vortex and the only big difference in glass quality was on high magnification. Not sure if it is more of a focus issue rather than a actual glass defect. But I like the turrets on the xtr2 , to me they feel firmer and have better feedback when adjusting. Not slamming the vortex , i am a fan of then to just wanted to get a census on the scopes out there as there are about 200 different ones and u fortunately my job isn't to test them.
 
I like the burris xtr2 . The glass is good. I had sometime with the pst gen 2 , at a vendor show here at a local gun store and monkeyed around with it. i looked through the vortex and the only big difference in glass quality was on high magnification. Not sure if it is more of a focus issue rather than a actual glass defect. But I like the turrets on the xtr2 , to me they feel firmer and have better feedback when adjusting. Not slamming the vortex , i am a fan of then to just wanted to get a census on the scopes out there as there are about 200 different ones and u fortunately my job isn't to test them.

It's usually always on high magnification when you notice a scopes shortcomings in the glass department, which explains why the gen2 PST was better at high mag... Both scopes will get the job done for you, but the better glass, warranty and reticle of the Vortex should be a no brainer.. Vortex's warranty is the best in the industry..
 
I thought all the major brands are jumpi mg g on the unlimited warranty now.at these I know burris, bushnell and nikon all boast about it. Like I said I like the viper , but when I bought my burris xtr2 2 and yes I own one to. The pst gen 2 was 6 months put at best. So it was no brainer cause I couldn't get one of the 2. I will say the reticle lines on the burris are a little bit thicker than I like at high magnification. But it is not to bad.
 
I thought all the major brands are jumpi mg g on the unlimited warranty now.at these I know burris, bushnell and nikon all boast about it. Like I said I like the viper , but when I bought my burris xtr2 2 and yes I own one to. The pst gen 2 was 6 months put at best. So it was no brainer cause I couldn't get one of the 2. I will say the reticle lines on the burris are a little bit thicker than I like at high magnification. But it is not to bad.

They all may boast about their warranty but Vortex actually backs it up.. I've used Burris's warranty in the last year and a half and I wasn't impressed.. Never used bushnells... Ask anyone about the service you get from Vortex, they take care of their customers..
 
I had a chance to shoot with a Gen II PST last weekend. Way better glass than the XTR2...

You are going to make me want one. I am trying to hide in my happy place and not feed my optics addiction. My name is Supercorndogs, and its been 26 days since my last optic purchase. LOL. I have been eyeballing that new 2-10 PSTII, because sometimes that 50ft FOV is very nice.
 
They all may boast about their warranty but Vortex actually backs it up.. I've used Burris's warranty in the last year and a half and I wasn't impressed.. Never used bushnells... Ask anyone about the service you get from Vortex, they take care of their customers..

I have used Bushnell and Burris in the last 6 months and was very impressed by both. I don't know what more you want, than fixed or replaced for free.
 
I have used Bushnell and Burris in the last 6 months and was very impressed by both. I don't know what more you want, than fixed or replaced for free.


actually I would have been satisfied with either of those two options, instead, they elected to just send me back the same shitty pos scope without doing shit to it... But, that's behind me now, it's gone and I've moved on to better options...
 
The obvious fact is the more you pays, the better you gets. I will say the best value I have personally used and/or seen is the $350 Athlon Argos BTR. I routinely shoot this in various ambient conditions on a 223 bolt action from 300 to 1000 yards, both dialing the turrets and using the reticle for holdover. With good optical quality, it has always been spot on. Are the optics and turrets as nice as my more costly scopes, no. Can I shoot the others better, depends on the application. For hunting and steel I would not feel disadvantaged with this scope at all.
 
Burris XTRII. The 1-8 is impressive (have on on my DD5V1 .308) and for a general use optic, I might go there, or the 2-10 (on my .223 DMR). Great set of features and a great price point. The warranty is a forever warranty, and they do a great job if needed.
 
I've got high hopes for new Athlon Ares 2.5-15x50 for the OP's price rang as best bang for the buck! It should be here early next week so I'll post first impressions.

A used Bushnell LRHS would be a good choice.

The main thing I've liked about the SWFA 3-15 has been it's large amount of elevation travel, after that the 6m focus. Reticle is basic, doesn't focus to infinity well but otherwise a good scope.

Plug for Athlon's Talos and Argos BTR's as best ever value.

Never was excited about the fixed power SWFA's

 
699 euro on the link from tozz isn't that about aroumf 800 usd. I would get the burris or vortex for 200 more.

friend just got rid off the Burris xtr2 after seeing the delta i have ziess conquest bought a delta dont know if any body stocks them in the states ? you need to see this baby before you spend on any of the above