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Help picking a scope- $400 vs $1000 vs $1500

tradbrad

I need help understanding the difference between a $400 scope and $1000 scope and if it's worth it?
I have an Arken sh4 24x scope that's pretty good, but the eye box kinda sucks, especially at full magnification.
I started looking for a new scope under $1000 and have run into a lot of contradicting advice. A bunch of people are telling me I need to spend $1500 on a scope to see a significant difference over the Arken. (Which doesn't seem right)
I'm looking for zero stop, ffp, with a minimum of 20x magnification. I also want decent eye relief.
I'll be using it for target shooting a possibly PRS matches.
Are there any good options at the $600-1000 price point? Or should I just stick with the Arken until I can scrape together $1500+?
Thanks!
 
Personally I think the sweet spot in scopes is the $1500 range
The Japanese LOW made scopes like the DMR, Cronus and others are a great combination of glass and features that aren’t completely devastated by a TT, March, s&b, henny and other top shelf scopes like they do to 500-1000$ scopes.
 
Well, you said it - the eyebox. You may also see a difference when the mirage is difficult. If you have any users of Kahles, Nightforce ATACR or March at the range, have a look through their scopes and compare. I'm a Sightron fan for value for money, and prospective Kahles owner...
 
tradbrad said:
I need help understanding the difference between a $400 scope and $1000 scope and if it's worth it?
I have an Arken sh4 24x scope that's pretty good, but the eye box kinda sucks, especially at full magnification.
I started looking for a new scope under $1000 and have run into a lot of contradicting advice. A bunch of people are telling me I need to spend $1500 on a scope to see a significant difference over the Arken. (Which doesn't seem right)
I'm looking for zero stop, ffp, with a minimum of 20x magnification. I also want decent eye relief.
I'll be using it for target shooting a possibly PRS matches.
Are there any good options at the $600-1000 price point? Or should I just stick with the Arken until I can scrape together $1500+?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
define its actual use...distance and target size for "target shooting"
look for a used 12-42x nightforce
arken aint in the same class as nightforce/march/etc
 
When shopping scopes, you really have to look at the sales and discontinued models, first and maybe also last. I hate to sound cheap but 40% and more off is a really big deal, and it’s enough to completely rearrange the price brackets you have suggested.

There are times, I’ll refrain from examples, when a model is “discontinued” because it is too expensive to produce, relative to other options. If you happen across a model that is both on discontinuation sale, and also was a true bruiser to build, well that can be extremely hard to beat and likely one you won’t sell.

On the other hand, if you put a full price $400 scope on a rifle and walk that rig to the gun counter on a trade, you will likely be quoted the same price allowance, either with or without that scope on it.
 
Attend a few shooting events and talk to a few shooters. Most I know are very accommodating when asked by other shooters if they could get behind a rifle to look through their scopes. I realize that it’s not the same as having it setup for you and your shooting position but you can usually get an idea of glass clarity, reticle and the eye box/relief of a particular scope to help make a prioritized list of candidates.
 
here is some side info.
current marine sniper rifle uses a nightforce scope, either a 5-25 or a 7-35 actar.
they shoot at large targets so low power is ok,,but the scopes are not cheap about $3300 for the 7-35
 
"I'm looking for zero stop, ffp, with a minimum of 20x magnification. I also want decent eye relief.
I'll be using it for target shooting a possibly PRS matches."

With this information it appears you are looking for less of a target scope and more tactical / targets. If you want zero stop I assume you will be dialing dope back and forth and this is where the price goes up. Cranking knobs, you want repeatability and dependability and scopes such as NF (NSX, NX8 etc) tend to hold up.
 
For your purposes your probably looking at scopes along the lines of the Vortex Razor, US Optics Foundation series, or a Nightforce ATACR. All are at or above the $2,000 range.
Maybe a 8-32 Sightron SIII.
Better might be one of the 10-50X60 Sightron SVED. Still above the $1,000 range new.

I own a Sightron STAC 4-20X50 MOA-2.
$450 range.
I'll be the first to admit that i would not use this scope for your intentions.
If your just starting out in 600 yard F-Class & on a budget, you can get it to work.
It falls short with small caliber in short range Benchrest also.

I've not seen many shooters with the US Optics scopes.

An outside the box option might be a Meopta, or if you can find one a Crimson Trace Series 5.
 
Last edited:
Nick Caprinolo said:
You haven't said what you are shooting. Is this going to be a hunting scope or a target scope?
Click to expand...
Target. I got into reloading about a year ago and now I think I want to try PRS and possibly fclass.
The range I'm a member at only goes to 200 but I do u have access to a 600yd range.
Looks like the Sightron or Nightforce might be the way to go. I've also been told to check out the vortex viper. I had a diamondback and thought it sucked so I'm a little hesitant to go with vortex
 
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