Rifle Scopes Glass recommendations for someone whos been out of the game for awhile

[Hoody2shoes]

Hey everybody! New here and need some help-
I'm oconus most of the year so I can't get behind glass at my LGS often. I don't really want to spend what little time I have at home risking buying and selling glass without any suggestions. Been mostly involved in gas guns 0-300m for the last 9 years or so. Looking to spend about $1500 on glass out to 1000 yards. I'd like something tough too, eventually this may be used for oconus work. Really my only requirements are ffp and mil reticle. Prior experience as DM was with a s&b 3-12

Thanks in advance for reading through my confusing ass question.


***eta***
I typically prefer simpler reticles such as the nf mil-r f1. I'm very good and calculating range estimations/hold overs my my own and like simple tools on the reticle to help. That being said I'm not against a more complex reticle if that's what the common consensus is.

 

[Rocketmandb]

Get a used Vortex Razor Gen II off of the PX here. They are typically in the $1500 range and if anything is wrong with it after you get it, their warranty is fully transferable and covers literally anything for any reason.

 

[Hoody2shoes]

Get a used Vortex Razor Gen II off of the PX here. They are typically in the $1500 range and if anything is wrong with it after you get it, their warranty is fully transferable and covers literally anything for any reason.

Thanks. I was considering one of these. Anything in particular (besides price point) that makes you pick this?

 

[Steel head]

Thanks. I was considering one of these. Anything in particular (besides price point) that makes you pick this?

It’s a known performer.
glass, reticle, dials and warranty.
It’s a lot of glass at the current used price and a great value.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

I think the Bushnell XRS2 with G3 reticle would be right up your alley. I've been running them since they came out and have zero complaints after a pile of PRS matches, including shooting to a mile in heavy mirage.

 

[Rocketmandb]

It’s a known performer.
glass, reticle, dials and warranty.
It’s a lot of glass at the current used price and a great value.

Steel Head and I seem to follow the same playbook on a lot of things... I'll add to what he said that it's solid as a rock and the typical reticles you see in it (EBR 7C or EBR 2C) are great xmas tree style.

As a side note, if you're looking to buy used, look closely at the difference between the 2C and the 7C reticles (the 2C is up for sale more often). They are very similar, but the 2C has the numbers for the vertical right next to the center. They can get in the way if you hold over a very small amount at the right (or wrong) elevation. The 7C has them at the end of the lines. It came out after and is on the newer Gen IIs. Typically you'll see $150 - $200 difference in the used cost between the two. I don't believe you can beat the price/performance on this scope in this class. There's a reason why the scope is #2 on the list of most used in PRS competition: https://precisionrifleblog.com/2018/12/21/best-scope/

I have two of these, though one is MOA and is going on the market at some point. The only reason I don't have 3 is that I got a good deal on a Steiner M7xi in the PX that's going on a new ELR rifle where I really won't need/want a full up xmas tree reticle.

 

[Hoody2shoes]

Good to know! Currently looking around for the vortex...
Hows the nx8 2.5-20 glass? I can get a brand new one for about $1500.

 

[R_Swanson]

I don't believe you can beat the price/performance on this scope in this class. There's a reason why the scope is #2 on the list of most used in PRS competition: https://precisionrifleblog.com/2018/12/21/best-scope/

Does Vortex incentivize their use more than other companies? Honest question.

1000 - 1500 is a good price point, and you're looking at mostly LOW-made scopes... Vortex Razor G2, Bushnell DMRII / XRSII, Sig Tango 6, Athlon Cronus, etc. Some of these can be had for that new, some used. Some both depending on what you want to spend.

New Burris XTRIII can be had for those levels, at least used. Cheaper NF as well, but not the ATACR most prefer.

 

[Rocketmandb]

Good to know! Currently looking around for the vortex...
Hows the nx8 2.5-20 glass? I can get a brand new one for about $1500.

Here is a great review by a guy in my neck of the woods. There is a section on glass quality

Rifle Scopes - Vortex Razor HD 4.5-27x56mm Gen II T&E Report

Vortex Razor HD Gen II 4.5-27x56mm w/EBR-2C Reticle (MRAD) Test and Evaluation By Vu Pham of NorCal Practical Precision Rifle Club Initial duration of T&E: 45 days Total rounds fired: 350 Rifles used for T&E: • 308win built by Newman Precision During this T&E I completed the following: ...

www.snipershide.com

In my opinion, I would say: NF ATACR > Vortex Gen II > NF NX8 to give some frame of reference.

 

[Hoody2shoes]

Man you dudes are helpful. I half expected this to be 'another new guy learn to use search' responses like some other forums do.

 

[Steel head]

Man you dudes are helpful. I half expected this to be 'another new guy learn to use search' responses like some other forums do.

Still time in the day for that

 

[koshkin]

Razor Gen2 is an excellent recommendation. It is heavy, but aside from that, it is excellent for the money.

Other good scopes in the $1500-$1600 range are Delta Stryker 4.5-30x56, Athlon Cronus 4.5-29x50 and a few others.

If you are not a magnification hog, I was really pleasantly surprised with how good EOTech 5-25x50 was as long as you stay under 20x or so. If you like simple reticles, MD3 will be right up your alley. All the rest of these come with tree reticles (Delta Stryker is available with a non-tree reticle).

Lastly, Doug at Camerlans still has some Steiner P4Xi 4-16x56 scope for $800. That is a screaming deal and SCR reticle should agree with you.

ILya

 

[Hoody2shoes]

Razor Gen2 is an excellent recommendation. It is heavy, but aside from that, it is excellent for the money.

Other good scopes in the $1500-$1600 range are Delta Stryker 4.5-30x56, Athlon Cronus 4.5-29x50 and a few others.

If you are not a magnification hog, I was really pleasantly surprised with how good EOTech 5-25x50 was as long as you stay under 20x or so. If you like simple reticles, MD3 will be right up your alley. All the rest of these come with tree reticles (Delta Stryker is available with a non-tree reticle).

Lastly, Doug at Camerlans still has some Steiner P4Xi 4-16x56 scope for $800. That is a screaming deal and SCR reticle should agree with you.

ILya

I am not a magnication hog at all. I'm perfectly fine with glass that tops out between 15-25

I looked at that vudu online. Most people seem to like it. Thanks for the suggestions-looking at them now

 

[Steel head]

I am not a magnication hog at all. I'm perfectly fine with glass that tops out between 15-25

I looked at that vudu online. Most people seem to like it. Thanks for the suggestions-looking at them now

Another value gem is the above mentioned Cronus.
at $1000-1100 it’s a hell of a deal.
I really like mine.

 

[Hoody2shoes]

That athlon looks nice. How's the glass at both the lower and higher mag settings?

 

[koshkin]

I am not a magnication hog at all. I'm perfectly fine with glass that tops out between 15-25

I looked at that vudu online. Most people seem to like it. Thanks for the suggestions-looking at them now

There are compromises involved with making scopes compact, so Vudu kinda exceeded my expectations given how short it is.

Now that I think about, if you are willing to buy from a new company Element Optics Nexus 5-20x50 is a really nice scope. I am testing one with a tree reticle, but they also have APR-1C that is simpler.

ILya

 

[Steel head]

That athlon looks nice. How's the glass at both the lower and higher mag settings?

Quite good.
I’m often on max power when shooting past 1500ish.
in fact I’m almost always on or near max power.

 

[Hoody2shoes]

There are compromises involved with making scopes compact, so Vudu kinda exceeded my expectations given how short it is.

Now that I think about, if you are willing to buy from a new company Element Optics Nexus 5-20x50 is a really nice scope. I am testing one with a tree reticle, but they also have APR-1C that is simpler.

ILya

I get the compromises thing. I might have to take a second look at that too.

 

[Vodoun daVinci]

Not shopped nor shot for a while check out Athlon Optics.

VooDoo