Rifle Scopes Talk me out of the LRTS?

[TheBigCountry]

I have been looking really hard at the LRTS. It has what I want (Christmas-tree reticle, FFP, mil/mil, tracking,etc) and fits me budget nicely. It would be both used for hunting and range work, and from what I have read the glass isn’t bad and it plain works.

My main questions are, how would it compare to say a SWFA HD, or similar? Vortex offers the PST 2 with EBR reticle, which also has my eye.

If I could swing the extra cash, stepping up to a Mark 5 Leupy is another option, but would take longer.

For those that have the LRTS, what can you say?

 

[fdkay]

I have the LRTSi.
I like the illumination, I think it is worthwhile for the extra $$.
They are very nice scopes.

 

[spife7980]

I got mine for 900 after a bushnell rebate a year or two ago, I love it. I dont think too many people will try to talk you out of it, it is a fine scope.

 

[BoilerUP]

I previously owned two PST II and two LRTSi 4.5-18x.

I currently own zero PST II and two LRTSi 4.5-18x.

The PST II is a very nice scope, a big step up from the Gen I PST and a very good value, and I honestly preferred its reticle thickness to the G3 Illuminated...but the LRTSi glass is extremely good at the price point. I can only assume the non-illuminated version is similar.

 

[supercorndogs]

I really like mine, you could always spend more money, The Vortex AMG looks nice...

 

[CMH]

I like mine - you get a lot for the price.

 

[Basher]

Why would I talk you out of it? It's one of the best options in it's price range! I'm all Bushnell, primarily just by chance (ran across the scopes at good prices), and don't feel handicapped in any way. For what it is, the LRTS is a phenomenal optic. Excellent glass, excellent turrets, excellent and easy to use zero stop, fairly light, good mag range, uncluttered and very usable reticle, and a lifetime warranty should you need it.

The only thing is that some may find the illuminated models to have a slightly thick reticle. For field use, I don't think it would hold anyone back. I've used mine out to a grand on an 18" plate and did just fine, and if I were personally capable of it, I don't think you'd have a problem hitting even a 1MOA target at that distance.

Having briefly compared one to a 5-25x Gen2 PST, I preferred the LRTS. The reticle is a touch finer on the Gen2, but the glass (to my eyes) was better overall, as was the light transmission levels. If you buy one and don't like it, someone will be along to buy it from you without too much of a wait.

 

[BurnOut]

I have the LRHSi, which is the same glass (AFAIK), and I'm really pleased with it given the cost and intended use. I think you'll be happy with your selection.

 

[lash]

I also only have the LRHSi, now discontinued, but am a fan. The glass is most definitely a step up from the Bushnell DMR I have and it is a solid scope. I am using it quite successfully out to 1000 yards on even smaller than MOA targets.

 

[memilanuk]

I have at least one of each of the XRS 4.5-30x, ERS 3.5-21x, DMRii 3.5-21x and LRTSi 4.5-18x.

Today was the first time I have really had any of them out together - the DMRii and the LRTSi - at distance. Now I definitely want to do that with the others as well.

Probably not really a fair comparison, but after using the DMRii on my .308 bolt gun, and moving to the LRTSi on my .223 gas gun... the DMRii won, hands down, as far as clarity at distance (500, 800 & 1000yds on a cool overcast day) to my eyes. Given that I put it on an 18" gas gun where the later two distances are probably a bit of a stretch (definitely going to take more load work and/or a better gas gun shooter) I'm not too worried about it.

The one thing that kind of surprised me was that the parallax knob seemed a little off. I know the numbers are guesstimates at best... but this was a new one for me: I was having a devil of a time dialing out the parallax at distance, until I just completely ignored the numbers and turned it to where the image was clear / the parallax went away. The knob said '70 yds' but the actual target distance was more like 1030

Might have to see if I can 'slip' the zero on that knob a fuzz

 

[KML7201]

I have an LRTS and an LRTSi. They are both nice scopes for the money.