Zero Compromise ZCO 4-20x scope for a 18” SPR 5.56….

[madangler1]

I have a good old 18” 5.56 SPR (Noveske barrel). Currently, I have a Kahles 3-18x50 sitting on top. The scope is great from 3-15x, but the eyebox narrows down significantly between 16-18x. I like to shoot with higher magnification for tight groups 100-300 yards. This is not for hitting man targets (like PRS competiitions) at 400-600 yards etc, but just for hobby shooting. I only have access to a 300 yards range at the moment, and I rarely have time to drive 2-3 hours on a weekend to longer ranges.

I wanted to buy something with a slightly larger eyebox and a little bit more top end magnification. The S&B 3-20 Ultrashort is an obvious answer, but even with a sale, they are still $4000-5000 depending upon what reticle you get from EuroOptic.

The ZCO 4-20x appeals to me with the larger diameter tube. Only downside is all the mounts I see are 1.5” high; there are no 1.7-1.93” high options I can find.

I guess another option would be a NX8 2.5-20x. I really liked the 5-25 Mark 5 Leupold I looked through (unlike previous generations), but it might be a little bit too long and big for an 18” AR-15 in 5.56.

Thoughts? For a point of reference, I own a 6-36 S&B, 1-8x S&B and Kahles 1-6x as well. I like Euro glass, and I like adjustable diopters, which makes it easy for me to adjust when I shoot with my glasses vs contacts. I am very sensitive to eyebox issues, hence my affinity for European glass over Leupold and Nightforce.

Happy Labor Day and thanks

 

[roostercogburn98]

1.5 worked fine for me. I’m not dinosaur neck though, so may be different for you

 

[madangler1]

Thanks for the reply. If I wear my larger Peltors prone, 1.5 becomes an issue for me. With Sordins, I can squeeze in but 1.7” is more comfortable.

and I forgot to add another thing: I plan on putting the Kahles on another rifle. Another motivation for the switch.

 

[roostercogburn98]

I ran a 420 in a badger C1 max for a bit, I wear slimmer plugs with rifles and save the sordins or walkers for pistols of observing. I can see wear those types of earpro would get in the way some

I only took it off cause I wanted to change direction in a rifle, other than that it would still be on my 18 inch gas gun.

 

[Ikeman83]

Try a K525i. Same tube, 2.5" longer, same weight

 

[CSTactical]

I have a good old 18” 5.56 SPR (Noveske barrel). Currently, I have a Kahles 3-18x50 sitting on top. The scope is great from 3-15x, but the eyebox narrows down significantly between 16-18x. I like to shoot with higher magnification for tight groups 100-300 yards. This is not for hitting man targets (like PRS competiitions) at 400-600 yards etc, but just for hobby shooting. I only have access to a 300 yards range at the moment, and I rarely have time to drive 2-3 hours on a weekend to longer ranges.

I wanted to buy something with a slightly larger eyebox and a little bit more top end magnification. The S&B 3-20 Ultrashort is an obvious answer, but even with a sale, they are still $4000-5000 depending upon what reticle you get from EuroOptic.

The ZCO 4-20x appeals to me with the larger diameter tube. Only downside is all the mounts I see are 1.5” high; there are no 1.7-1.93” high options I can find.

I guess another option would be a NX8 2.5-20x. I really liked the 5-25 Mark 5 Leupold I looked through (unlike previous generations), but it might be a little bit too long and big for an 18” AR-15 in 5.56.

Thoughts? For a point of reference, I own a 6-36 S&B, 1-8x S&B and Kahles 1-6x as well. I like Euro glass, and I like adjustable diopters, which makes it easy for me to adjust when I shoot with my glasses vs contacts. I am very sensitive to eyebox issues, hence my affinity for European glass over Leupold and Nightforce.

Happy Labor Day and thanks

PM me your information and I’ll be happy to answer any questions you have tomorrow.

Richard

 

[kthomas]

You can find new S+B 5-20 ultra shorts for around $4k or less.

 

[madangler1]

You can find new S+B 5-20 ultra shorts for around $4k or less.

Where? Everything went up by $1k. Also, how is the eye box compared to the 3-20? The form factor of the 5-20 does make more sense, but its size poses technical limitations, much like the Kahles 3-18, which is also an "ultra short".

 

[kthomas]

Where? Everything went up by $1k. Also, how is the eye box compared to the 3-20? The form factor of the 5-20 does make more sense, but its size poses technical limitations, much like the Kahles 3-18, which is also an "ultra short".

EuroOptic for one.

I haven't spent any time behind the 5-20, so I can't answer those questions.

 

[CSTactical]

Ths ia a ZC420 that we cerakoted in Magpul Green on top of a gas gun, we liked how it turned out Price wise they are just at ~$4k
-Richard

 

[roostercogburn98]

Ths ia a ZC420 that we cerakoted in Magpul Green on top of a gas gun, we liked how it turned out Price wise they are just at ~$4k
-Richard

View attachment 8759239

Good thing I didn’t post my POS!! Yours would have made it cry

 

[opeagle]

I’ve used my ZCO 4-20 in a Spur Mount on my AR .224 Valk and a AR-SPR modem build .223 a good bit. Now at 300 you can do things with whatever. PRS isn’t man size targets, it’s 1-2 MOA all the way out really.

And I cannot agree with the higher mount stuff. You do you but I’ve seen the IG nation mounts and seen a lot of people that couldn’t hit shit with them. Once they got down to a good mount for their Cheek weld than everything was better.

I’ve used the 4-20 ZCO at PRS two days and in classes if you realty have a question.