Rifle Scopes Topping an AXMC- Am I Crazy?

[hafejd30]

Long story short I’m buying an AXMC from a member this Saturday. I’m sure he’ll see this post and maybe chime in as well.

Use: Long range hunting 500-1500 yards (mainly 500-1200)

I’m an MOA guy, but I’ve used MIL and either works for me. So either works for me with this rifle

Caliber: I will be trying a 300 Norma. This rifle is a 338 Lapua and I will be purchasing without the barrel as I plan to go 300 NM anyways

So here’s my question. I run a NF 4-16 ATACR on my AIAT. I run a Athlon Cronus BTR on a, cough cough, Savage 110 in 300 WM that I took off a GA precision I sold last year

I will admit I love my ATACR. I plan to get an ATACR or S&B for the AXMC. However I can’t get past the fact that the Cronus BTR is just as clear, has a great reticle, has a illuminated reticle adjustment I prefer to the NF and the ocular piece of the Athlon doesn’t rotate like the NF. I also prefer the Zero Stop on the Cronus

Am I crazy for actually debating ordering a Cronus Gen 2 for this AXMC? I can afford the NF and honestly may go with a 5-25 ATACR in a second focal plane

Opinions?

 

[BND2763]

It sounds like you prefer your Cronus to your ATACR.

If that’s the case, I think you’re only crazy if you spend more on something you like less.

Edit to add: Or, sounds like you should try the SB

 

[hafejd30]

It sounds like you prefer your Cronus to your ATACR.

If that’s the case, I think you’re only crazy if you spend more on something you like less.

The issue I have is purchasing reliability. Anything can fail. Including a scope. NF just has the track record that I can’t get past. But yes there is a preference to the Cronus for the reasons above

Anyone who asks this question it seems easy for me to answer. Now that I’m topping a high end rifle. I question it myself

I’d be the only guy probably with an Athlon on an AXMC. There’s probably special lanes at ranges for poors like me

 

[BND2763]

The issue I have is purchasing reliability. Anything can fail. Including a scope. NF just has the track record that I can’t get past. But yes there is a preference to the Cronus for the reasons above

Anyone who asks this question it seems easy for me to answer. Now that I’m topping a high end rifle. I question it myself

I’d be the only guy probably with an Athlon on an AXMC. There’s probably special lanes at ranges for poors like me

I can understand that.

Especially if you need this rifle to work every time.

If it’s more of a range gun, maybe it’s not as big of a deal. I think Athlon has a good reputation for customer service?

Do you have any reason to believe your current Cronus isn’t reliable?

 

[hafejd30]

Do you have any reason to believe your current Cronus isn’t reliable?

I do not

This will be a hunting (crop damage gun) same as I use my AT for. Shooting deer via permits from dnr during summer. It will see a lot of field hours. Set up in fields covering 40-120 acres. Several days a week, several hours a sit, 3-4 months a year

Not a rifle I’m planning to put in any life or death scenario

That said I don’t mind paying for reliability vs features and great customer service. I played the CS/feature game with Vortex. Which is why that’s not on the list

 

[hafejd30]

Nightforce and S&B are both on the table with the Athlon. Going the Athlon route in a new Gen 2 would only save me about $400 on buying a used ATACR in 5-25 SFP. SB would be a bit more

It will go in a spuhr mount as I have 3 already and very happy with them. So buying the Gen 2 would essentially have enough left over to pay for the mount

Before anyone asks:

I definitely can go be poor elsewhere

And

Yes it’s still available

 

[GUNNER10]

Get what you want and as long as it works for you who cares.

 

[Huskydriver]

Sb has a pretty tight eye box that's not very forgiving...

Honestly I would pick up another gen2 razor if your looking to stay sub 2k on a scope

 

[hafejd30]

Sb has a pretty tight eye box that's not very forgiving...

Honestly I would pick up another gen2 razor if your looking to stay sub 2k on a scope

The Gen 2 in reference is the new Athlon Cronus BTR Gen 2. Supposedly has stainless steel internals as an upgrade

I can’t even look at the vortex after my experience with the Gen 1 PST’s.

 

[Huskydriver]

The Gen 2 in reference is the new Athlon Cronus BTR Gen 2. Supposedly has stainless steel internals as an upgrade

I can’t even look at the vortex after my experience with the Gen 1 PST’s.

Well that's not even close to the same level but understandable.... Run what you like honestly.

I'm a glass snob so my opinion is def tainted

 

[hafejd30]

Well that's not even close to the same level but understandable.... Run what you like honestly.

I'm a glass snob so my opinion is def tainted

My first thought was a NF ATACR 7-35 with the Mil XT. However I think 7 power would be a disadvantage at last light. Still in the running tho. A guy on the Fclass team I shoot for runs a Cronus BTR and several 7-35 ATACR’s. So I may have to pay him a visit. But I still think 7 at last light would be a bit much

 

[hafejd30]

This is my AIAT

Which I already discussed with @Huskydriver isnt going anywhere. So this is my baseline for reference

Edit: if someone told me to build the perfect rifle. This would be it

 

[Huskydriver]

My first thought was a NF ATACR 7-35 with the Mil XT. However I think 7 power would be a disadvantage at last light. Still in the running tho. A guy on the Fclass team I shoot for runs a Cronus BTR and several 7-35 ATACR’s. So I may have to pay him a visit. But I still think 7 at last light would be a bit much

Mil xt is nf best reticle. I don't think you would be handicapped by the 7x.

And ya that's a great looking AT

 

[hafejd30]

Mil xt is nf best reticle. I don't think you would be handicapped by the 7x.

And ya that's a great looking AT

She never missed a beat to 515 yards this past year. It fed a lot of people much less fortunate than myself via the Salvation Army. One rifle I will never part with...unless I up and die, then hit my wife up for what will likely be a great deal if she sells it for what she thinks I paid for it!!!

Actually I have the best wife in the world. Never says a word and I shoot as much as I want and she will be accompanying me this Saturday to pick up the AXMC. And yes, she knows exactly what I’m paying for it

 

[Johnny00K]

I prefer one of the features on the NX8 over some on the ATACR. Only the mag ring rotates on the NX8. It is cheaper as well.

 

[hafejd30]

I prefer one of the features on the NX8 over some on the ATACR. Only the mag ring rotates on the NX8. It is cheaper as well.

I’ve looked at the NX8 as well. However recommendations have pointed me to the ATACR.

Let me say that I’m not looking for the budget minded scope. I’m not looking for the scope that gives up clarity for a $$ savings

If anyone has the atacr and NX8 then definitely comment on both.

Make no mistake, I’m willing to spend the $$ on the best optic I can afford. I’m just questioning whether the higher $$ optic is truly what I want

From what I’ve seen regarding the atacr vs the NX8 I’d prefer the atacr. But having looked through both the ATACR and Cronus BTR side by side the Cronus has given nothing up to the NF other than its reputation

That said I can’t see myself spending the ZCO or TT money. But if anyone has the experience with everything mentioned above I’m willing to listen

 

[MK20]

Honestly, I have been lucky to play with some really nice issued NF scopes. To ME, my LRTSi Bushnell is just as nice.

 

[Johnny00K]

I have a 5-25 ATACR and a 4-32 NX8. Clarity between the two is only noticeable to me when I am actually trying to see the difference. Going back and forth between rifles I don't notice it. NX8 wins on weight for my hunting rifle. I didn't buy Nightforce scopes because their glass was superior, I bought them for the turrets and because they are tough. I don't have any issue with eye box like others have mentioned, I think half the people who say this are just parroting shit they read on the internet. The only thing I really notice between the two when bouncing back and forth on rifles is the entire ocular piece rotates on the ATACR and it doesn't on the NX8.

 

[hafejd30]

Just figured I’d update my thread,

After comparing several ATACR and Cronus BTR. Several scopes in 5-25, 7-35, 4.5-29 etc I made my decision

ATACR 5-25 F1 MIL XT

I prefer the tree reticle should I ever need it I’ll have it. My Cronus BTR has it and I don’t find any drawbacks to it. I decided the field of view on 5X would get used more than the 35X. Thus opting to go with the 5-25 and spend the extra on another spuhr

Thank you to all who helped

 

[Steel head]

I really like the mil-xt.
The Cronus is a great scope
The Atacr is a great scope
Win/win situation.

Love that green AI

 

[1moaoff]

If you are buying an AI you can afford to give a little.

GGWG's & Kids S.A.F.E. Foundation Let's Do This!

One of our Brothers, @earthquake brought this up regarding the Kids S.A.F.E. Foundation. Myself and a number of others have looked into this, and as far as Good Guy's With Guns and The Squirrel Mafia is concerned, this is a WINNER all the way around. Here is the link for donations and some...

www.snipershide.com

 

[hafejd30]

If you are buying an AI you can afford to give a little.

GGWG's & Kids S.A.F.E. Foundation Let's Do This!

One of our Brothers, @earthquake brought this up regarding the Kids S.A.F.E. Foundation. Myself and a number of others have looked into this, and as far as Good Guy's With Guns and The Squirrel Mafia is concerned, this is a WINNER all the way around. Here is the link for donations and some...

www.snipershide.com

Done