Rifle Scopes What scope $650-$1300 new or used for a 22lr trainer

[Kubitza123]

Just picked up a MPA built 22lr trainer.
Now I just need to choose a good optic for it.

I want a FFP, 30-34mm tube ,mil/mil good reticle , and something that’s not tank heavy like a GenII Razor.

I was thinking of a 5-25 PSTII but see some 5-25 Steiner around 1k-1200 as well.

What would your top choices be in the $650-1300 range?

 

[koshkin]

Vortex AMG would be a good option, but it is kinda difficult to find for $1300, I think.

Honestly, PST Gen 2 should be at or near the top of your list. Also, consider Meopta Optika6 5-30x56 and Athlon Ares ETR 4.5-30x56.

If you can live with a little less top end magnification, Tract Toric UHD 4-20x50 is very good. If you can live with 50 yard minimum parallax, SWFA SS 5-20x50 should be on your list.

ILya

 

[Alabusa]

Athlon Midas Tac

 

[scocoabeach]

Above is a great choice as is the Athlon Ares ETR.

 

[mi223]

Vortex AMG would be a good option, but it is kinda difficult to find for $1300, I think.

Honestly, PST Gen 2 should be at or near the top of your list. Also, consider Meopta Optika6 5-30x56 and Athlon Ares ETR 4.5-30x56.

If you can live with a little less top end magnification, Tract Toric UHD 4-20x50 is very good. If you can live with 50 yard minimum parallax, SWFA SS 5-20x50 should be on your list.

ILya

What is your opinion on the Bushnell dmr2 in this price range? Cameraland has great sales on these currently.

 

[bhoges]

Cameraland has the Bushnell or Meopta Optika 6 series scopes as well. I have the Meopta 3-18x50. It can focus down to 10 yards and has all the features you want without the high prices.

 

[Ryridesmotox]

Bushnell DMR pro. The glass is really good on the bushnell stuff eith the SD prime coating stuff. I really like my XRS2 with that glass. Might even be able to find an XRS2 pretty close to that price range this time of year with sales.

 

[skatz11]

I like my Gen1 Razor 5-20 on my 22lr. It has a tone of elevation range. You can find them used here between $1000 - $1200

 

[fdkay]

What is your opinion on the Bushnell dmr2 in this price range? Cameraland has great sales on these currently.

The problem with the bushnell DMR series of scopes is the minimum parallax. 50 yards on most models, 75 on others.
Since there is quite a bit of shooting done at 25 yards, to me, this would rule out any scope that doesn't focus down to at least 25 yards, preferably even closer.
The Sightron S Tac 4-20 will focus down to 10 yards, reports on it suggest a tight field of view.
The Athlon Midas Tac 6-24 will focus down to 10 yards as well.
The Viper PST II will focus at 25 yards.
Bushnell Forge, 25 yards.
Arken OPtics - 25 Yards

I'm thinking the Midas tac might be the ticket.

Product Description

Product Description | Camera Land NY

cameralandny.com

 

[tlsmith22]

I think you were on the right path when u mentioned the Gen 2 Razor. Lol

Other than that, the PST Gen 2 is a nice scope too

 

[gr8fuldoug]

The Athlon Midas TAC is an excellent option and at the low end of your budget. Please give us a call to discuss which would be the right one for you

Happy Thanksgiving

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

It's actually under your budget, but punches well above it's price point - the Bushnell Match Pro. 10y parallax, MIL/MIL FFP, 18MIL adjustment range, and pretty damn good glass for the money. They should be back in stock on the Bushnell website in the next few weeks if you can be patient.

 

[Kubitza123]

Thanks for the input guys , I’ll check out some of the models mentioned above.

 

[Kubitza123]

Man I’m loving the looks of the
Meopta Optika6 5-30x56 ED Illuminated MRAD 34mm FFP.
Haven’t had time to research yet but wonder which has better glass ? The Meopta or the PSTII?

 

[koshkin]

Man I’m loving the looks of the
Meopta Optika6 5-30x56 ED Illuminated MRAD 34mm FFP.
Haven’t had time to research yet but wonder which has better glass ? The Meopta or the PSTII?

Optika6 resolves a little better. PST Gen2 has a little better flare control. The view through PST Gen 2 is a little warmer, but both have good contrast.

Meopta's larger objective helps a little in low light and on high magnification where it is a touch more forgiving.

However, PST Gen2 has wider FOV when on the same power (about 11% wider). Both have reasonably sized eyepieces, so the tradeoff is between eye relief and FOV. Optika6 has longer eye relief, but narrower FOV.

If you spend a lot of time on high magnification, I'd lean toward Optika6, where the objective size is an advantage. On lower magnifications, I kinda like the wider FOV of the PST Gen2.

Both tracked fine in my experience. Both have zerostop, but Optika6 elevation turret does not have a rev counter, so if you routinely dial beyond 10mrad, it is a little bothersome, but not that big a deal in my opinion.

I prefer the MRAD tree reticle in the Optika6 (for some really odd reason... )), but both are good scopes.


ILya

 

[PracticalTactical]

However, PST Gen2 has wider FOV when on the same power (about 11% wider). Both have reasonably sized eyepieces, so the tradeoff is between eye relief and FOV. Optika6 has longer eye relief, but narrower FOV.




ILya

I'm curious if the wider FOV is sharp to the edges or if they fish eye the lens near the outer edges as I've seen in some Leupold scopes.

If you pan up and down viewing a horizontal line you may see the line bow up and down.

You can check it going left to right on a telephone pole or building as well.

 

[koshkin]

I'm curious if the wider FOV is sharp to the edges or if they fish eye the lens near the outer edges as I've seen in some Leupold scopes.

If you pan up and down viewing a horizontal line you may see the line bow up and down.

You can check it going left to right on a telephone pole or building as well.

On lower power, virtually every scope has some of the fishbowl effect and these are no exception. You also see it differently in different lighting levels since the relationship between the size of the exit pupil and eye pupil makes a difference.

On higher power, it largely goes away. PST Gen 2 controls it slightly better, but like with all scopes, you have to be very careful with how you set up the eyepiece. I did a couple of videos on eyepiece adjustment. It is sometimes a little different for FFP scopes.





ILya

 

[Prebanpaul]

I would buy a Burris XTR 2 5x25 scr for 650 used. Take the rest of the money and buy ammo. I have the Burris on my T1x. I hit sporting clays with it out to 500

 

[littlepod]

@koshkin what would be the next step upgrade from an Ares ETR? I love everything about my Ares ETR, am curious as a Christmas/Bonus gift upgrade, what would be the next big bang for the buck in terms of upgrade to the glass quality. The turrets and reticle I love, no complaints there, wouldn't mind even higher clarity glass, maybe a less finicky parallax. Still need a 25yd parallax, so I was considering the ZCO 5-27, but that's not really a small price bump...

 

[Shooter McGavin]

$599.00

Vortex Optics Viper PST Gen 2 Rifle Scope 30mm Tube 3-15x 44mm 1/10

This updated favorite hands an unfair advantage to shooters who seek to keep the upper hand in every situation from close quarters to long-range shots....

www.midwayusa.com

 

[YF12A]

On lower power, virtually every scope has some of the fishbowl effect and these are no exception. You also see it differently in different lighting levels since the relationship between the size of the exit pupil and eye pupil makes a difference.

On higher power, it largely goes away. PST Gen 2 controls it slightly better, but like with all scopes, you have to be very careful with how you set up the eyepiece. I did a couple of videos on eyepiece adjustment. It is sometimes a little different for FFP scopes.





ILya

Ilya, thanks again for this. I somehow manage to forget how to do this, senior citizen moment here, and will go through the safe and check my scopes again. Fred.

 

[Kubitza123]

Pm sent Koshkin

 

[koshkin]

@koshkin what would be the next step upgrade from an Ares ETR? I love everything about my Ares ETR, am curious as a Christmas/Bonus gift upgrade, what would be the next big bang for the buck in terms of upgrade to the glass quality. The turrets and reticle I love, no complaints there, wouldn't mind even higher clarity glass, maybe a less finicky parallax. Still need a 25yd parallax, so I was considering the ZCO 5-27, but that's not really a small price bump...

Ares ETR that I have has very nice optics. To make a substantial upgrade, you kinda have to go up in price significantly.

The first step up is probably Delta Stryker 4.5-30x56. It is not a huge step, but it is noticeable and I prefer the reticle.

To get better than that, you really have to go up to the really top end scopes like ZCO, Tangent, S&B, Minox, March, etc. If you need 25 yard parallax, I would be looking at March, ZCO and S&B. Sometimes you can find good deals on the SB 5-25x56, but reticle selection is not my favourite.

I use March 3-24x52 for its light weight and good overall quality, but parallax is not any more forgiving than Ares ETR. If weight is not a huge concern, you can always try the larger 5-40x56 March. Generally, I think Opticsplanet is closing out on their March inventory (distributor changes), so they have some good deals on whatever is in stock.

March focuses down to 10 yards like S&B. If you can live with SFP, I think Opticsplanet has one of their 10-60x56 High Master scopes for under $3k, which is not something we will see a whole lot going forward. It is sort of a different beast, but I finally had a chance to look at their High Master glass a bit more carefully and I am kinda impressed. As it trickles over to their FFP designs, we will see some interesting things, I hope.

ILya

 

[littlepod]

Ares ETR that I have has very nice optics. To make a substantial upgrade, you kinda have to go up in price significantly.

The first step up is probably Delta Stryker 4.5-30x56. It is not a huge step, but it is noticeable and I prefer the reticle.

To get better than that, you really have to go up to the really top end scopes like ZCO, Tangent, S&B, Minox, March, etc. If you need 25 yard parallax, I would be looking at March, ZCO and S&B. Sometimes you can find good deals on the SB 5-25x56, but reticle selection is not my favourite.

I use March 3-24x52 for its light weight and good overall quality, but parallax is not any more forgiving than Ares ETR. If weight is not a huge concern, you can always try the larger 5-40x56 March. Generally, I think Opticsplanet is closing out on their March inventory (distributor changes), so they have some good deals on whatever is in stock.

March focuses down to 10 yards like S&B. If you can live with SFP, I think Opticsplanet has one of their 10-60x56 High Master scopes for under $3k, which is not something we will see a whole lot going forward. It is sort of a different beast, but I finally had a chance to look at their High Master glass a bit more carefully and I am kinda impressed. As it trickles over to their FFP designs, we will see some interesting things, I hope.

ILya

Thanks I compete in NRL22 / PRS so definitely need reliable holdovers in FFP, so I'll stick with FFP scopes. The March Optics looks nice... no heavier than an Ares ETR. I'll see if I can find one in mil.

Thank you for the feedback!

 

[koshkin]

Thanks I compete in NRL22 / PRS so definitely need reliable holdovers in FFP, so I'll stick with FFP scopes. The March Optics looks nice... no heavier than an Ares ETR. I'll see if I can find one in mil.

Thank you for the feedback!

March alwayes manages weight really well.

ILya

 

[littlepod]

March alwayes manages weight really well.

ILya

Went through the March reticles, I do like the Delta Stryker reticles more. I'll need to read more on the Delta Stryker and see how well they warranty their work, etc. It looks like only a 10yr warranty, and service centers are outside the US.

 

[koshkin]

Went through the March reticles, I do like the Delta Stryker reticles more. I'll need to read more on the Delta Stryker and see how well they warranty their work, etc. It looks like only a 10yr warranty, and service centers are outside the US.

Yes, they are from Poland, but the scope is from LOW.

I know the owner of the company and they stand behind their product quite nicely.

Ilya

 

[koshkin]

What is your opinion on the Bushnell dmr2 in this price range? Cameraland has great sales on these currently.

DMR2 is a perfectly decent scope. I do not think it is that great of a deal at regular prices, but since Bushnell is clearing them out like crazy, they offer good value. They focus down to 50 yards, I think, so probably not ideal for a 22LR rifle.

ILya

 

[scocoabeach]

@koshkin what would be the next step upgrade from an Ares ETR? I love everything about my Ares ETR, am curious as a Christmas/Bonus gift upgrade, what would be the next big bang for the buck in terms of upgrade to the glass quality. The turrets and reticle I love, no complaints there, wouldn't mind even higher clarity glass, maybe a less finicky parallax. Still need a 25yd parallax, so I was considering the ZCO 5-27, but that's not really a small price bump...

You might want to look at the Vortex AMG as well. Check the Black Friday sale from Scott at Liberty Optics.

 

[A-Rob]

I've had Midas TACs, an ETR and now a Cronus BTR. The Cronus and ETR are very close to my eyes in image quality. The ETR has noticeably smoother side focus and power knobs. I like the Cronus turrets just fine but the ETR turrets are better feeling. You can find a like new ETR for $850-900 and a Cronus BTR for under $1200 fairly easily. The Cronus has a more solid feel but that's all subjective, I just feel more comfortable with Japanese scope. For a .22 I think the ETR would be perfect, though.