Rifle Scopes Help on 2.5-10x scope

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CTown137

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Dec 30, 2011
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Caldwell, Idaho
#1
Hello,
I have made up my mind that I want a 2.5-10x scope for my AR10, 16" rifle. It will be used from 50-700 yards. I will eventually get a RMR for the closer shots. There are so many good scopes in my budget which is $1200 ish. I have been looking at the Viper PST 2.5-10x32, but recently I have been hearing issues with their durability. Now I am not abusive to my equipment; however, it is a tool and I treat them as such.

I need your guy's expert help on making a finial decision. So here is what I am looking for in the scope:
FFP, 2.5-10x(or close to it), mil reticle (no BDC), mil turrets (exposed), zero stop preferred but not required, illuminated again preferred but not a deal breaker.

I have looked in depth at the PST but would be interested on feed back in regards to their duriblity.
Second is the IOR Tactical 2.5-10, question I have is if it has zero stop, paralx adjustment, and if it is worth the $500 more than the PST
Third is the Burris XTR II 2-10.

Opinions (based on real world experience) would be appricaited. Also if there are more scopes in this area that I should consider.
I believe in buy one cry once, but the $1200 mark is where I need to be, so please no suggestions well outside that range.

Thanks
Chad
 
#2
Well you've identified the most obvious choices for your use and magnification range. The 2.5-10x32 FFP PST is probably the best of the PST series, and gets a lot of good reviews. I found the reticle too thin at 2.5x, however. The Burris would seem like a great choice but doesn't have illumination. It also has a 34mm tube which somewhat limits your mount options. You might also look up the Weaver Tactical 2-10x36 FFP scope, which has illumination and seems to meet your specs. I don't see many reviews of them, but the few I've seen were positive. That is a made in Japan scope which should compare well to the PST and Burris (both of which are made in Philippines).

You should also look into the Bushnell Elite Tactical 3-12x44 scopes. There are actually two different models, the older (if 2011 is old!) 3-12x44 model which is available with either G2DMR or BTR-MIL reticles, with the BTR-MIL being illuminated, and sells for $750 or so; or the newer LRHS, a totally different scope despite the name and specs, which has a slightly different reticle, a zero stop, nice elevation turret, and absolutely amazing glass for its price, which I've seen as low as $1029 at Opticsplanet. All of the Bushnells listed are very nice scopes.
 
#3
PSTs have their issues but the 2.5-10x32 FFP is pretty popular. I have had issues with my 4-16x50 (Vortex took care of it) but none with my 2.5-10x44 (limited use to be honest though).

I, personally, would stay away from IOR. While their newer line (Gen 4) is supposed to be the latest and greatest so were the last two generations. Some people will rave about them but there are enough horror stories out there to keep my money from their pockets.

The only other item I think you could look at is a deeply discounted used USO 1.8-10x. Great scopes and great company.
 
#5
We get great feedback on the Vortex 2.5-10x. The New Burris XTR II 2-10X42MM G2B MIL-DOT FFP looks very promising I have not test one out yet. The Burris turrets feel really good, the glass is good, and I have always like the Mil-Dot G2.

Mike @ CSTACTICAL
 
#7
Go with the 2.5-10x32 PST. Best value for the money for this class of scope. The glass on this scope is fantastic. Many rave about the NF, but the NF is SFP (which admittedly isn't that much of a disadvantage for a 2.5-10 power range), has no SF parallax adjust, and costs close to $1K more (if you get the HS ZS mil/mil). If you were to go with the Bushnell 3-12 LRHS, it has no illumination and costs $400-$500 more. The decision gets a little tough when you compare the PST to the SWFA 3-15. The PST has illumination, zero stop (w/shims) and an smaller objective (more suitable for AR style rifle); but the SWFA goes up to 15 power (but for a 16" 308 gasser, the 10 power should be plenty adequate).
 
#9
I have an IOR and Vortex both. The IOR is the far better choice over the PST, especially for shooting 600 yards. The reticle is perfect, the clicks are very positive, and the glass is freaking phenominal. Plus it has a real zero stop. With it on my MK12, I have never had an issue with parallax, and if your tuning an RDS, that's moot anyhow. It is better built, and if you buy from Scott at liberty, I'm sure Ir you should ever encounter an issue, it won't be an issue.. if your trying to save money, the PST will fit the bill and work great for your intended purpose. But if you want the best for your budget, the IOR is it. If I had it to do over, I'd do a 3x15 4x16 though with an RDS for close in and for 1k there are quite a few choices these days.
 
#10
#11
LCDR JGB said:
If you were to go with the Bushnell 3-12 LRHS, it has no illumination and costs $400-$500 more.
Click to expand...

The LRHS is just one of the Bushnell options. It's $1029 at Opticsplanet, or was last week. So I don't know where you find the Viper PST for between $529 and $629. Based on examples I own or have owned, the LRHS is a whole class above the PST, even though that PST is a pretty good scope.

The other version of Bushnell's Elite Tactical 3-12x44 is available with an illuminated reticle, as I mentioned in my post, for about $750, which is within $50 or less of the best street prices I've seen on the x32 PST. It's a slightly larger and heavier scope, but is very comparable.

A used Nightforce NXS would also be a great option if that's an interest. SFP, but as already mentioned that doesn't really matter in this magnification range.
 
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#12
CTown137 said:
Thanks guys. My research continues. I really like the NF, but from what I see they are in the $1600 range and that is more than the wallet will allow.
Click to expand...

I was in the same boat as you after a month search I was able to find a NF mildot reticle with mil adjustments and a AR mount for $1250 used. Deals can be had and that little scope is my favorite so far. I really like the size and weight. IMO it has everything you need and nothing you don't need.
 
#13
Yes, thats the one. this thing is built to take a beating, much more as compared to the older gen 3x18 from what i can tell. Ive dropped about a dozen times, a few on the turrets, and have given it pretty regular rough handling. So tough, definitely. Typical zero stop, just loosen the allens and rotate the knob to zero and tighten back up. Parallax is non adjustable. I don't have the spec in front of me, but no parallax shift from the 100 yard zero to 600 where i shoot out to, so id say infinity is at least set to 100. Closer than that wont make that much a difference, unless your trying to shoot bugholes at 50 yards. From a practical stand point, its one less thing to fuss with if your trying to shoot fast from personal experience. But i wish i had a tad more top end magnification.
 
#15
SomeOtherGuy said:
The LRHS is just one of the Bushnell options. It's $1029 at Opticsplanet, or was last week. So I don't know where you find the Viper PST for between $529 and $629. Based on examples I own or have owned, the LRHS is a whole class above the PST, even though that PST is a pretty good scope.

The other version of Bushnell's Elite Tactical 3-12x44 is available with an illuminated reticle, as I mentioned in my post, for about $750, which is within $50 or less of the best street prices I've seen on the x32 PST. It's a slightly larger and heavier scope, but is very comparable.

A used Nightforce NXS would also be a great option if that's an interest. SFP, but as already mentioned that doesn't really matter in this magnification range.
Click to expand...

Man, that LRHS price has really dropped! There was a group buy "deal" not long ago where that scope was selling for $1500! Also, if you're military (like me) Vortex gives a very nice discount, which is why all my scopes (save my S&B PMII 5-25) are Vortex. I don't think I'm allowed to give out the price, but it's not far from the numbers you mentioned above.
 
#16
I am LE and Vortex does offer a great deal on their scopes. It is the least expensive scope of the ones I have looked at, which makes it hard to pass up. I just want to make sure I get the scope that will last vs spending the least amount of money.

Thanks for all the input. I am really leaning towards the Viper just because I can almost get my RMR along with it for the cost of the IOR or a good used NF.
 
#17
I'm not sold on FFP on a scope that tops out at 10X. To me, FFP is only useful on scopes that are around 12X or higher, this is purely personal,but I find that most FFP reticles are too fine below 8X to use the hashes or dots effectively for holdovers, leads and range estimation, so you would only benefit from the FFP from 8 to 10X (again, this is for me).

I haven't seen a bad report on the Vortex 2.5-10x, but I generally prefer a bit larger objective lens, say 40 or 42 mm as it would increase the exit pupil.
FWIW, Sightron also has a very good LE/Mil program and they have an excellent SIII 3.5-10x scope.
 
#18
Get the Vortex 2.5-10x32. It's an excellent scope and will work just fine for you. Worst case you get it for LE price and don't like it for some reason, but you will ;) , you can sell it for your money back at least.

Also if you are looking for an RMR type site look at the Vortex Razor red dot. You might be able to order both at the same time and save money on both.
Vortex Tactical - Razor Red Dots

 
#19
I have a Zeiss 2.5 x 10 x 50 HT Illuminated reticle and I must say it is the brightest clearest sharpest scope I have ever used. I ordered it from Germany with there BDC Turret...It might be out of your price budget you are looking for but ohhh so glad I did. IMG_6966.jpg
 
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#20
Rob01 said:
Get the Vortex 2.5-10x32. It's an excellent scope and will work just fine for you. Worst case you get it for LE price and don't like it for some reason, but you will ;) , you can sell it for your money back at least.

Also if you are looking for an RMR type site look at the Vortex Razor red dot. You might be able to order both at the same time and save money on both.
Vortex Tactical - Razor Red Dots

Click to expand...
Very nice set up you have there.
 
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