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

[Jarhead6870]

With a $1000 limit, the Gen 2 Vortex PST 5-25x50 FFP checks all your boxes. Glass is decent for the price, has a zero stop, a very good reticle (in my opinion) and is FFP (First Focal Plane). For the money, it’s a decent entry level scope. There are others like Athlon, Burris and Bushnell, to name just a few, that have offerings at your price point.

 

[762plinker]

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

some BRANDS have multiple layers of products at quality and cost steps. diamondback is an entry level product.you do not need an nf ATACR. MUCH better off with used 12-42. 20-25x scopes are ok for large targets where no group is measured. 36x is a min in my opinion..
save your money and buy once, a low power scope will likely hold you back

 

[CharlieNC]

I have/had nice scopes and cheap scopes. For your description and PRS purpose the Arken ED at about $450 will meet your needs and you will be happy you got a good value. I like the optical quality of Sightron and the 6-24 is nice and one I've held onto the longest, but the reticle is lacking functionality. I didn't like the Cronus or Vortex vs Arken.

 

[rdb8847]

I have/had nice scopes and cheap scopes. For your description and PRS purpose the Arken ED at about $450 will meet your needs and you will be happy you got a good value. I like the optical quality of Sightron and the 6-24 is nice and one I've held onto the longest, but the reticle is lacking functionality. I didn't like the Cronus or Vortex vs Arken.

Which reticle do you have in your Sightron 6x24.

 

[CharlieNC]

Which reticle do you have in your Sightron 6x24.

I don't recall the name, it's a mil hash but not a Xmas tree which I prefer for LR field shooting.

 

[dhagerty40]

these are the sightron FFP scopes and all but 2 are over $1K.

I have the Sightron SIII 6-24x50 long range scope with MOA2 reticle. mine though is the SFP version. this is one of the best scopes I have owned. What makes it better, I won it in a raffle!

FFP Riflescopes

Sightron is a premium optics manufacturer with factories in Japan and the Philippines. Our North Carolina headquarters offers full service support, sales, and marketing.

sightron.com

 

[miningshawn]

Am I the only person that leans toward Burris? I have NF, March, and Kahles - but I really like my XTR3 for PRS and long range prone. At $1200 on sale it punches way above it's weight.

 

[Knotwild]

And remember, the classifieds are a good place to score a deal.

And also remember that we might be at war with China, and that businesses are currently moving out of China. I don't want to be dependent on them for anything.

 

[762plinker]

again if you want any precision target shooting, 24 x will not cut it. at least 36x

 

[Dgd6mm]

Use the Arken for now. Get more used to the eye relief especially in positional shooting. Shoot your target shooting and do a few 1 day PRS shooting. All the time while doing this ask other shooters if you can look thru their scopes. Everyone on here has a preference and will quickly lead you to what they like best, usually pretty high $$$$ stuff. Then when you're ready make a purchase. I find that setting my eye relief in prone position actually helps in shooting other positions and off the bench, the other way around setting it off the bench and going to prone you can get screwed. Do not forget to check the classifieds, there usually pops up excellent deals.

 

[dthomas]

You said you wanted to shoot prs and maybe f class. A scope that is optimized for one will not be for the other. Not that it can't work but a ffp tactical scope is not preferred for f class.

 

[Randall D]

Athlon Midas Tac 6x24 for the win! I have 2 in the MOA version. I haven't had any issues with these.

 

[nilebartram]

buy once cry once

 

[Orr89rocz]

Im no longer convinced money gets you more with glass…to a point. Atleast in the 1500 and under range
I had a trijicon tenmile 4-24x50 and sent it back it just was not impressive in glass. Wasnt that clear and darker than my Athlon midas btr gen 2 4.5-27x50. So i sent it back and got a zeiss conquest v4 6-24. Its basically equal to the athlon with maybe a slight edge at low light, it just seems to have a more white light look than a slightly warmer yellower light look in the athlon but both are very close.
My sightron beats them all but its 8-32x56 so the 56 mm may help with the brightness and image. But those you can get for 750-800 on the sightron sales.

I really wanna look through something super high grade just to know. I cant comment on how the cheaper scopes hold up. They all seem to track consistently, but i have needed to true my ballistics drop at long range. That may be because of bullet bc and such or maybe the tracking on scope is touch off but atleast its consistent

 

[Psycwar1]

The Arken sh4 is a great value. But if you can catch a sale, the Ep4 is much better and the Ep5 is a phenomenal value for the price.
Judging Vortex by looking at the diamondback is doing yourself a disservice. The razor LHT 4.5-22x50 is a good value in a compact lightweight. The Strike Eagle and PST genII are pretty good values. Vortex , Arken and Swampfox all have really good discounts for veterans. And Midway USA is constantly running great sale prices on scopes that are on clearance, for instance: they had the Bushnell XRSII for sale under a grand.