Rifle Scopes Scope choice is driving me nuts

[TheBigCountry]

Good evening gent's. I apologize beforehand if this topic has been discussed before. I have done a lot of lurking and reading about scopes on here, but I still am very confused as which direction to go with an optic for learning LR precision shooting.

I will soon be getting in my AO built 308. I will use it to learn LR shooting beyond what the 'Corps has taught me. I intend on going to K&M here in FL for a few classes in the art.

I know for sure to go with MIL/MIL. I have read and read on this.

I have been looking into various scopes; 3 three I keep coming back to are:
Steiner Military/T5XI
Vortex HDII 4.5-27
Bushnell ERS/HDMR with G2

I would optimally like to run a scope with 10 mils per revolution and a zero stop. Illumination would be nice, but it isnt entirely necessary.

I have done research into all 3. I know the new Steiner isnt out yet but there seem to be very high hopes for it. I have read rave reviews on the Steiner Military 5-25 with MSR, and it seems on par optically (per some reviews I have read) with the gold standard S&B (if I am wrong please say so)

The new Vortex sounds like it is giving the top-tier scopes a run for their money. I have read many reviews praising it, and their warranty is awesome. Their Christmas tree reticle they offer seems pretty awesome.

Lastly, the Bushy ERS/HDMR G2 has intrigued me for quite some time. The reticle looks pretty neat, but the lack of illumination when compared to the others is some what of a turn off. But the fact that many pro's run it and that it tracks true is good enough though.

So as you can see the market is flooded with many good choices right now, and I dont know what to choose. Thats why I am asking you gents what you think the ideal optic for someone jumping into this would be. I did specify my top 3 picks, based upon lurking/reading/my budget (around $2000).

Thanks for any help and insight you can give me, and once again I apologize if this topic has been already discusses and for such a long winded post. I just want to make sure I make the 100% right choice. I dont want to spend this type of money only to have the "what if's".

 

[cramey74]

Buy one of these used GEN 1 Steiners that keep popping up. Spend the other 1k on reloading stuff or good ammo.

 

[goodmanfj]

What cramey said.

 

[sib1948]

Three good choices, but you really won't know what you like or need until you get out and start shooting at distance in different conditions. I've never needed illumination, but hunters like it for an extra 5-10 minutes of use in the morning and evening. The older Steiner the 2 guys above mentioned or a Gen I Vortex Razor HD 5-20X are top tier starter scopes and FFP with Mils are what most people use. Few MOA hold outs still around though. Ammo and practice with whatever you choose are a big necessity. You might see if some Hide members live close and would let you peek through a few scopes on their rifles. Most Hide members I have found to be very accomadating. Good Luck!

 

[SomeOtherGuy]

No objection to your picks, but consider buying a lightly used gen1 Bushnell DMR for $1k or less on the classifieds here (or a brand new one from Liberty Optics for around $1100), running that for a while to figure out what you do and don't like, whether you miss illumination, and just how much glass quality you personally feel the need for, then re-sell it for almost what you paid and buy your $2k scope with a much better idea of exactly what you want. Sure, it's planning in one upgrade jump, but one that should be less costly than the upgrade ladders many of us have gotten stuck on. As a bonus, the DMR has a 34mm tube as do most of the higher end options, so you can buy good rings and keep them when you later upgrade.

IMHO, the ERS / gen2 DMR is rather pricey for getting just 10 mil turrets and a zero stop. Those are nice to have features, but not essential.

Keep in mind that a lot of these scopes come down in price 6-12 months after coming on market, so if you buy a Razor GenII or the Steiner T5xi when it comes out, you may be paying hundreds more than if you buy the same scope in a year. No guarantees, but it's not uncommon.

 

[Pinecone]

Another option, and yes, I know buy once cry once...

But how about a cheaper used scope from here on the Hide. Then go to some courses. Shoot some other students stuff, and see what you want THEN.

Pick up something like a Vortex Viper PST or similar for around $800 or less. And later, you can sell if for about the same price once you figure out what high dollar scope you want/need.

Better than buying a brand new $2500 - $3000 scope and deciding you don't actually like it, and take a hit in selling it used.

 

[snipe10]

I'm in the same boat as ajv35xx although I've narrowed it down to the Steiner or the Vortex. Assuming that ajv and I don't want to buy used, what would you pick? Personally I'm leaning towards the Vortex as at least they're out though hard to get, no telling for sure, when the Steiners will hit the shelf and then how hard it'll be to get one.

 

[J Max]

I'm in the exact same boat as you Op. It's is a maddening decision to make but it's the sign of a fantastic market that we have so many different and solid choices to choose from for around $2k. For now I've chosen the Steiner military 4-16x50. Euro Optics is having a great sale on them. Reason I chose it is it's built very tough and in Africa I need it to last, illumination, nice power range, seemingly top glass, and the turrets track true. Plus the price they are going for at the moment I felt I couldn't really justify paying more for a similarly equipped, new in box optic.

Good luck with your choice hope my two cents help ya out.

 

[mouse07410]

Gen I Vortex Razor is a great scope and I enjoy it. If I had money,or started from scratch, I'd replaced it with Vortex Gen II 4.5-27.


Mouse
NRA Life Member Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk - now Free

 

[SomeOtherGuy]

Assuming that ajv and I don't want to buy used, what would you pick? Personally I'm leaning towards the Vortex as at least they're out though hard to get, no telling for sure, when the Steiners will hit the shelf and then how hard it'll be to get one.

I think you've answered your own question - one option is available to purchase today, the other is not. An announced product is all speculation until it hits the regular market in useful quantities. So if you need it today, Razor. If you don't need it for 3 months, see what the reviews of both are in 3 months. However great the Steiner T5 may be, I doubt anyone who buys a genII Razor is going to be disappointed.

 

[918v]

I thnk you should consider the reticle vs magnification.

On these high power FFP scopes you have to run them in the high magnification range to see the reticle. But when the sun goes down and you crank the power down to increase light transmission the reticle gets harder to see because it is too thin.

Rather than a 5-25, consider a 3-15. That power range is perfect for a .308 and the reticle is more usable at low magnification.

I'd go with a Nightforce F1. I was shocked and blown away by the edge to edge sharpness at all powers and the overall image quality. This isn't the same Nightforce from 10 years ago.

 

[samnev]

No objection to your picks, but consider buying a lightly used gen1 Bushnell DMR for $1k or less on the classifieds here (or a brand new one from Liberty Optics for around $1100), running that for a while to figure out what you do and don't like, whether you miss illumination, and just how much glass quality you personally feel the need for, then re-sell it for almost what you paid and buy your $2k scope with a much better idea of exactly what you want. Sure, it's planning in one upgrade jump, but one that should be less costly than the upgrade ladders many of us have gotten stuck on. As a bonus, the DMR has a 34mm tube as do most of the higher end options, so you can buy good rings and keep them when you later upgrade.

IMHO, the ERS / gen2 DMR is rather pricey for getting just 10 mil turrets and a zero stop. Those are nice to have features, but not essential.

Keep in mind that a lot of these scopes come down in price 6-12 months after coming on market, so if you buy a Razor GenII or the Steiner T5xi when it comes out, you may be paying hundreds more than if you buy the same scope in a year. No guarantees, but it's not uncommon.

I agree with getting the gen 1 G2DMR either used or from Liberty.

 

[TheBigCountry]

Thanks for all the help and input so far. As of now I am looking at a Gen 1 Steiner 3-12 I found and the Bushy DMR for about the same price.

Thanks for the idea of running the DMR (or Gen 1 Steiner) for a bit and using the other cash for ammo and a class.

Any other thoughts fire away.

A.J.

 

[sib1948]

Get out and shoot! You're set for a lot of fun and learning. I've been doing this LR and ELR stuff for 2 years now and still learn new things every time at the range. Just wait until you start reloading (and you will once the get the shooting, precision and accuracy stuff down!). Good luck and as always be safe.

 

[TheBigCountry]

I ended up going with a Gen 1 Steiner 3-12x50. Price way to good to pass up. Should fit well on my 308.