Rifle Scopes New to scopes, looking for recommendations

[MarkO76]

I'm building my first long range rifle. I plan to go with a Howa 6.5 creedmoor with a 24" barrel. It will be for ripping paper and pinging plates. 600-1,000 yards mostly during day light hours. I would like to get into some competitions at my local range, eventually. My budget is $800-$1200. Thanks in advance

Note: I just realized I didn't specify that I would like to use mils, and a Christmas tree or some other ballistic drop reticle.

 

[Abbotm2]

Vortex viper, Meopta optic 6, Athlon Ares/Cronos, Bushnell DMR, Trijicon, Steiner, Leupold

Dont skimp on the rings and base- seekins, vortex, nightforce

Pleny of info on here if you search any of those brands. Check the PX for used stuff.

Good luck, its a deep rabbit hole!

 

[army_eod]

Check Cameraland NY. They are a corporate sponsor. They have the Athlon Cronus on sale right now and it is close to your budget.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Check Cameraland NY. They are a corporate sponsor. They have the Athlon Cronus on sale right now and it is close to your budget.

Our pleasure to assist you

 

[fdkay]

This leaves you plenty of room for a good set of rings:

Product Description

Product Description | Camera Land NY

cameralandny.com

 

[sodakhunter]

Check on a iised Vortex Nightforce or even Sig. they all have great warranties and can step up a notch for same money.

 

[Rio2019]

Others above have listed great scopes worth consideration. For your budget of $800-$1,200, Doug at Camera Land gets a lot of positive comments from members, and always has something on special. Many folks will suggest a manufacturer using Japanese glass as a great value in your price range. Do not overlook the Hide’s PX, you might find an excellent used scope which could give you much more scope for the same money. After doing weeks of research, I settled on the Vortex Viper PST Gen 2, (first focal plane, MRAD, and very good glass made in the Philippines) at around $1,000. I felt, and others have confirmed, that it is a lot of scope for the money. Overall, it’s great value and is capable of sub MOA groups at 100 yards. Hope this helps, my friend. Dig into the scope forums for lots of great information.

 

[Abbotm2]

I have dealt with Camera Lands customer service and they are top notch. **Shout out to Neil**

 

[dragman]

PST genII is a hard scope to beat in that price range.

 

[K3RRY]

If you can spend $100 more...Athlon Cronus

 

[MarkO76]

Thank you everyone for the input, now I have a lot more research to do. I'll let you know what I end up getting.

 

[hafejd30]

Athlon Cronus gets my vote
Made at LOW in Japan

I have one. Clarity is spot on with my NF ATACR. Excellent value especially with the sales going on

 

[z71rat]

Give Arken Optics a look as well. My EP4 4-16 glass is superb, and the tracking is exactly as they say... 100% Tracking Guarantee!!

I am getting one of the new Gen2 SH4 6-24x50 scopes once they arrive. In my opinion, best bang for the buck going! $399.99!!

DK

 

[Escanor]

Make sure to look at your needs... durability, clarity, features, reticle, etc... there are a ton of options either in or around your price range

 

[MarkO76]

I just realized I didn't mention I'd like to try mils instead of moa, and some kind of Christmas tree or bcd grid or the like. One other thing I've noticed is that on the higher end scopes like NF the reticle seems much thinner than a lot of the other ones I've seen, wouldn't that make it more accurate down range?

 

[JakeM]

Nightforce SHV 4-14x50 F1 .1 MIL -illuminated Mil-R reticle C557 Showroom Demo

Nightforce SHV 4-14x50 F1 .1mrad Illuminated Mil-R Reticle C557 Showroom Demo | Only at EuroOptic.com!

www.eurooptic.com

 

[hafejd30]

10% Off ALL NEW Athlon Optics - Today Through Sunday

10% Off ALL NEW Athlon Optics - Today Through Sunday We just worked out a sale for you with our Athlon Rep. 10% off all new optics, including all already discounted sale items (Open Box and Display product is not included). We have to turn in all sales receipts on Monday so we cannot extend...

www.snipershide.com

 

[army_eod]

I would jump on the Cameraland Cronus deal right now.

 

[OopsWetWedgie]

Price on a optic is a concern but worry about a reticle you like. If you hate it, you will buy twice. Remember you get what you pay for. You want .5 mills to equal .5 mils when you dial not something close.

 

[steve123]

I just realized I didn't mention I'd like to try mils instead of moa, and some kind of Christmas tree or bcd grid or the like. One other thing I've noticed is that on the higher end scopes like NF the reticle seems much thinner than a lot of the other ones I've seen, wouldn't that make it more accurate down range?

Mils are great, most guys like the system better once they've gotten used to it, I did.

Pics can be deceptive. Reticle specs are accurate if there isn't a misprint. Reticles that aren't so thin are easier to see in a FFP scope at medium and low mag.
People can be silly, usually they and their rifles aren't 1/4 moa capable but somehow they think the slightly thicker FFP reticle obscures a 1 moa sized target, lol. Most steel targets are 1.5 moa or more in size.
Especially if you have poorer eyesight you'll appreciate reticles that are in the .05 mil thick reticle area.

 

[MarkO76]

Mils are great, most guys like the system better once they've gotten used to it, I did.

Pics can be deceptive. Reticle specs are accurate if there isn't a misprint. Reticles that aren't so thin are easier to see in a FFP scope at medium and low mag.
People can be silly, usually they and their rifles aren't 1/4 moa capable but somehow they think the slightly thicker FFP reticle obscures a 1 moa sized target, lol. Most steel targets are 1.5 moa or more in size.
Especially if you have poorer eyesight you'll appreciate reticles that are in the .05 mil thick reticle area.

Lol I'm not 1/4 moa compatible yet, but I definitely want my rifle and scope considerably more accurate than I currently am. I'm going to be mounting it on a Howa 6.5 creedmoor with a 24" bullbarrel on a MDT XRS chassis.