Rifle Scopes ZCO 420 vs ATACR 4-16X42

[RTV]

Obviously the ZCO is going to kick the ATACR's teeth in on every metric besides the weight and personal reticle preferences.
However this is also a McLaren vs Bugatti comparison.

To get to the actual question.
i love the Mil XT reticle on the ATACR but am just So/So on the MPCT2 reticle that ZCO has.
are these scopes both so good in performance that i should go with the one whos reticle i like better.
or is the ZCO so much better that i should just suck it up and learn to use their reticle while enjoying one of the best scopes on the planet?

this will be used on a DD5V4 in 6.5CM out to 1000 yards as a General Purpose AR anytime i want something larger than a 223.

 

[phlegethon]

This is more like a McLaren vs Camaro comparison. If you can afford the ZCO get it. No question whatsoever.

 

[deersniper]

Try the mpct 3. It’s great.

But really if you like the Nightforce and mil xt buy that. Your not really gaining 1500 with a ZCO over a NF. Have both like both.

 

[deersniper]

Also you won’t make any shots with the ZCO you couldn’t also make with the NF. And the 4-16x42 with zerohold is a sweet slim optic.

 

[BikePilot]

I love looking through the zco. The color temp, etc is just spot on. At 1000 the extra magnification will be nice to have as well. The mpct2 and mill XT seem super similar to me, but I do agree that liking the reticle is critical. If it were me I’d go zco but I’m indifferent between mpct2 and mill xt. I don’t have time behind the mpct3, but it seems quite nice as well.

 

[mmlook]

This is more like a McLaren vs Camaro comparison. If you can afford the ZCO get it. No question whatsoever.

this

especially if you are comparing the 420 to the 4-16

 

[RTV]

Also you won’t make any shots with the ZCO you couldn’t also make with the NF. And the 4-16x42 with zerohold is a sweet slim optic.

I wrote off the MPCT3 reticle as being too cluttered but after looking at some through the scope pictures i actually think i do like that reticle a lot.
i never even considered the ATACR vs ZCO as far as width is concerned do you have a side by side pic of them?

 

[RTV]

This is more like a McLaren vs Camaro comparison. If you can afford the ZCO get it. No question whatsoever.

i Thought that the ATACR series is one of the best on the market only really eclipsed by TT, ZCO, and maybe S&B?

the last time i read a what the pros use article i remember nightforce had a very strong showing using their 7-35 and 5-25 scopes. i figured the 4-16 would be made to the same standards of quality as those.

 

[deersniper]

I wrote off the MPCT3 reticle as being too cluttered but after looking at some through the scope pictures i actually think i do like that reticle a lot.
i never even considered the ATACR vs ZCO as far as width is concerned do you have a side by side pic of them?

I used the MPCT3 at a class and it was great. The bubbles don’t obscure the target but make hold offs and seeing 1 mil increments fast and easy.

I had a 4-16x42 Moa Scope that I sold when I switched to mil. Awesome scope. The elevation turret is nice and low. I ended up buying s 4-16x50 mil used to replace it and it is a nice scope but I liked the x42 form factor much better

I have a kahles 318 and that is also another great scope to look at. Better glass than NF and I like the illumination control better.

I have mil xt and skmr3 reticles among others and mpct3 is my favorite so far.

 

[phlegethon]

NF is fine. They make very good scopes. They are not in the same league as ZCO. I don’t have experience with the other tier 1 scopes so I can’t comment on that.

i Thought that the ATACR series is one of the best on the market only really eclipsed by TT, ZCO, and maybe S&B?

the last time i read a what the pros use article i remember nightforce had a very strong showing using their 7-35 and 5-25 scopes. i figured the 4-16 would be made to the same standards of quality as those.

 

[CSTactical]

This is more like a McLaren vs Camaro comparison. If you can afford the ZCO get it. No question whatsoever.

 

[MOUNTIC]

The ZCO 4-20 IMO is the best example of a scope in that mag range. Along side the 3-20 ultra short. The 4-16 ATACR does not fit in the same conversion as the others.

 

[deersniper]

Rifle Scopes - ZCO ZC420 v Kahles K318i v Schmidt Ultra Shorts v Minox ZP5

Three scopes walk into a bar, the first is a ZCO, the second a Kahles and the third a Schmidt… and so the joke goes, but in reality, it was 6 scopes, and Minox joined the party as well and the punchline of the joke is… well read on and we’ll get there. Right before SHOT 2018 I was thrilled to...

www.snipershide.com

 

[264win]

If cost didn’t matter to me I would have a ZCO on every rifle.
But since I am a poor, I have one ZCO and several less expensive scopes (such as a NF 4-16 ) with is a great scope. They are frequently in the px for $1700-1800, which is nearly half the cost of the ZCO 4-20.

 

[Junco Grande]

Also you won’t make any shots with the ZCO you couldn’t also make with the NF.

^^ Bottom line here.
Get the reticle you like to answer your question. If you want to say you have a ZCO, get one... you can't go wrong with either one.

 

[RTV]

If cost didn’t matter to me I would have a ZCO on every rifle.
But since I am a poor, I have one ZCO and several less expensive scopes (such as a NF 4-16 ) with is a great scope. They are frequently in the px for $1700-1800, which is nearly half the cost of the ZCO 4-20.

it doesn't matter how far down this rabbit hole you go this forum just keeps getting more expensive. when did the ATACR's become "poors" LOL!

i honestly think i am just going to have to buy both and see if the smaller footprint/weight of the ATACR are worth the optical compromises to the ZCO on the DD5 since that is a question only i can really answer for myself.

thanks for all the reply's everyone. seems like most people who have both say yes the ZCO is better and its enough to be worth it if you have the budget but that doesnt mean the ATACR wont do everything you ask it to.

 

[Charger442]

Am I the only one who likes the mpct1 in the 420?

 

[deersniper]

Am I the only one who likes the mpct1 in the 420?

Seems fine if you don’t plan on holding much while the wind is blowing.

 

[ma smith]

ZCO is more comparable in footprint to the x50 4-16 atacr, and in that race you'd want the ZCO. But TT 3-15 is 8-9oz lighter than ZCO which is alot if you have $$$ and care about weight. The NF x42 is compelling if you cannot drop for TT and still want to save 5oz and half cost or whatever.

 

[Charger442]

Seems fine if you don’t plan on holding much while the wind is blowing.

Maybe if you don't dial elevation. If you do, subtentions are all right there

 

[deersniper]

Meant for stages or situations with multiple targets/tangos/varmints

 

[GUNNER10]

Obviously the ZCO is going to kick the ATACR's teeth in on every metric besides the weight and personal reticle preferences.
However this is also a McLaren vs Bugatti comparison.

To get to the actual question.
i love the Mil XT reticle on the ATACR but am just So/So on the MPCT2 reticle that ZCO has.
are these scopes both so good in performance that i should go with the one whos reticle i like better.
or is the ZCO so much better that i should just suck it up and learn to use their reticle while enjoying one of the best scopes on the planet?

this will be used on a DD5V4 in 6.5CM out to 1000 yards as a General Purpose AR anytime i want something larger than a 223.

While the zco is a nicer optic, dropping on on a general purpose gas gun is a little silly unless one has money to burn.

Nothing wrong with it if you can swing it but its not like the zco will make any shots that the nf can't.

 

[deersniper]

To muddy the waters. Here’s a
NF 2.5-20x50
Kahles 318
NF 4-16x50 (the x42 is much slimmer on the objective and elevation + windage turrets )
ZCO 4-20

 

[RTV]

To muddy the waters. Here’s a
NF 2.5-20x50
Kahles 318
NF 4-16x50 (the x42 is much slimmer on the objective and elevation + windage turrets )
ZCO 4-20

completely off topic.

the NX8 2.5-20 was once a top contender but dropped off due to concerns about image quality.
but if i am going to be getting a ZCO for eyecandy the NX8 might be a wonderful addition.

How usable is the NX8 at 2.5x?

thank you very much for your replies everyone they have all been super helpful.

 

[deersniper]

How usable is the NX8 at 2.5x

Very. Plus its slimmer and light. Great hunting or dual purpose scope

 

[earthquake]

I've had a MPCT2 in a Z527. I've since switched to a MPCT1 in a Z420 and love it. After years of not using the "tree" in Xmas-tree reticles, I made the switch to tree-less and haven't regretted it. The Z420 is about the best scope I've ever owned....and I've owned most of them. Never had a ATACR416 but had always considered getting one...I did really like them before I got my hands on the ZCO.

 

[Moose]

I have 2 of the ZC 4X20 scopes and run the MPCT-1 & MPCT-2 in them.I am good with the MPCT-2 but prefer the MPCT-1.