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Rifle Scopes Big decision (for me) Looking for this or that advice.....

cordellh

Private
Minuteman
Nov 17, 2020
39
7
Minnesota
Have saved and saved and now is the time. Was decided but just recently speaking with Charles at CST has thrown a wrench into my decision. Have roughly 2K to spend. Looking at an optic to use in PRS competition. The 2 finalists are the ubiquitous Razor 4.5-27 and Leupold Mark 5 5-25. Prices being equal, am I better served with a lighter optic made in US or heavier proven optic made in Japan? What say ye?
 
Diff opinions will come out on that question, but I always, for Comps or Hunting, or just plain plinking would rather have a lighter optics package and if I want more weight, I can have it in the barrel, chassis etc, where I can have a better balanced rifle.
As long as that weight saving doesn’t add up to a piece of shit scope though 😁
 
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I’ve had the Gen 2 and AMG. Buddy has a Mark 5. I really like the feel of the turrets on the mark 5 better. Reticles on the vortex I prefer over the Leupold. Weight isn’t an issue for me at all
 
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The reason I haven't pulled the trigger yet on the Mark 5 was the reticle selection, but now they have this new one that makes it more comparable to the 7C I do like. I'm just not sure how much more steady/recoil reducing the extra pound of vortex will be?
 
If weight is really your stop, then the MK5 is your winner. However, keep in mind that you get an illuminated reticle on the Vortex and excellent resale value. You can generally count the MK5 scopes on one hand at any particular match, if that matters to you. Vortex, good or bad, is everywhere in the field and used by everyone. Plus, their customer service is outstanding.

My last experience with Leupold in 2017 was 8 weeks to replace a defective piece of glass (and I live local to them!!).
 
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And if where it’s made makes a difference, the AMG is prob the most US made scope. Everything except for the reticle(German) is made here.
Gen II razors are made at LOW in Japan and brought back and mechs (elevation and wind age turrets) are swapped for Better gear here. Why? Prob so LOW can’t OEM them to everyone that they make scopes for.
Mark 5. No clue where the glass or mechs come from so not gonna go there. Gave them a shot with the Mark 3s, 4s and got to see plenty of probs with the Mark 6s, so
I never considered the 5-25s with deals on scope like the Minox 5-25 to be had.
 
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The MK5 glass is sourced from Japan. The rest of the optic is made here in the US. Burris is doing the same thing with the XTR3.

Vortex is making their own glass for the AMG, which i believe is the only American made glass in any optic. Its amazing to.me that no one makes glass stateside.


Every piece of glass in the world comes from that region... it’s because of the labor laws in the US as to why we can’t make glass at a clarity level that’s worth a shit
 
For a PRS rig the extra pound from the Vortex will be nice, and as mentioned their reticle choices are better. Yes their warranty is spectacular. I've run a Mark 5 for a while because it was the new hotness, haven't had a reason to swap it out for something else. Glass is great, turret clicks are better than the Vortex. If I could have the EBR-7C reticle in the Mark 5 that'd be legit.
 
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