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Rifle Scopes Glass budget

WtxMSCL8188

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Minuteman
Nov 6, 2019
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Odessa TX
First I would like to say I appreciate any response. Currently looking for a scope for a bolt action rifle in a 6.5 creed or PRC. Budget is $1300-$1700. Will be used for hunting in the fall and shooting steel out to 1000 yards during the rest of the year. MOA is preferred but not a deal breaker. Appreciate the help and guidance.
 
Razor and NX8 are at the very top of my list. Feel like they are both very solid. Haven’t had the pleasure of looking through either one. But enough shooters on here speak highly of them. Got my eye on a couple rifles in the P/X as well.
 
A Razor Gen2 may be too heavy to hunt with...and the AMG ....6x on the low end.....that's rough for hunting. For Vortex, I'd do the Viper PST Gen II in a 3-15x and call it good....save the rest of the money for steaks and ammo.
 
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You listed hunting first , and then 1000 yard shooting.I have to ask what type of hunting you do, ridge runner, mountain climbing, box sitter? The primary use will dictate your purchase.So far some good recommendations, not sure how many of them I would like if I was climbing up mountains witht them maybe some more info would help. What you hunt where you hunt, I am guessing you dont have a rifle yet, no problem with either of the calibers you listed 10 mils or 36 moa should get you to 1000.The next question is weight...Go to the HOME tab and read the "so you want to buy a riflescope " article it has some good info and get a little more info for us to help get you looking in the right direction.
 
Beautiful W Texas. Can see for miles out here! And the smaller mountain/canyon areas in far west Texas. Mostly spot and stalk.

I’m looking to expand my knowledge of the price range. I know what I would buy in the $2500+ price range. I don’t want to overlook a manufacturer before I buy. Knowledge is unlimited around here so I figured I would ask. I have Vortex, NF, meopta, and Leupold scopes. All recommendations have been solid, vortex would be hard to beat at my price point IMO.
 
Word is Vortex might have a new release at Shot....maybe a lower mag AMG???

Not knowing what might be coming, I think the 3.6-18 Mk5 would be a good consideration. I would not want my Gen2 Razor on a hunting rig just due to weight. The current production AMG has good FoV for it’s magnification, but it’s still comparatively small.

It may feel like “slumming it” but the 3-12 Bushnell LRTS is worth looking at and is $650 from cameraland.
 
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Funny I have hunted all over Texas, and I dont like carrying more weight than I have to ... so in no particular order , vortex hd lh 3x15, leupold vx5 , zeiss v4 4x16, 3x15 super sniper just to stirr the pot.Of course if you sit in a blind get a Razor or AMG.
 
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How big of a factor is weight/size and what type of magnification would you want on the low end?

A lot of the scopes being recommended are amazing in their own right but might come with compromises you dont need if weight/size is not a factor or might be disqualified if you need say 3 or 4x on the bottom end for your hunting style/environment.
 
Look in the hunting section theres a thread about best budget 400-1000 $ scopes then check their specs for weight and maximum elevation travel, then look at reticle choices. The "best" is a realitive term.That only you can determine. Good luck.
 
Funny I have hunted all over Texas, and I dont like carrying more weight than I have to ... so in no particular order , vortex hd lh 3x15, leupold vx5 , zeiss v4 4x16, 3x15 super sniper just to stirr the pot.Of course if you sit in a blind get a Razor or AMG.
For guys that want a SFP optic, the Vortex Razor LH is an underrated option. The 3-15 is only ~16 oz, has great FoV, good eye box, good DoF, and I’ve ran mine past 1,000 yards on numerous occasions without drama.

That said, I don’t like running that scope too much in the summer because turrets are less than ideal and SFP is no good for wind holds (IMO).
 
I hunt in WY where longer shots can be very common. With that, I use a Vortex AMG and do not feel hindered at all with the 6x on the bottom end magnification. If I hunted in places with thicker brush/less wide open areas, I’d have no problem using a SFP scope. For those, I’d be looking at the Zeiss V6, Leupold VX5/6 HD, Vortex Razor HD LH, etc. FFP scopes, the MK5 HD 3.3-18, NF NX8, and I’d also be looking for a good deal on a Khales K624i.
 
I am looking at the Steiner P4Xi 4-16x 56. Have seen them on sale for under 1000.00. I am hunting in the south east and ranges up to, ok hold to your boots, 500 yards. I know not like out west were the deer and antelope play. I am looking at the low light capabilities of a scope as the deer I took this past month was at the end of the day.
 
There are many good options in your price range.
Sightmark Pinnacle 3-18.
Bushnell 4.5-18
Tract Toric

Basically most of the Japanese made LOW optics are going to fall within your budget.
 
The AMG is a solid choice for that price range if you want a compromise between hunting and longer range.

I thought 6x might be a problem but it hasn’t. I hunt in an area that mixes open fields and some much closer in wooded areas.

I realized for me that before the AMG I was leaving my scope at around 6 power anyway for most of the wooded situations. It would be nice to be able to go lower but it really hasn’t been a hinderance.