New optic frustration

[Delfuego]

Get a 1st focal plane scope...

 

[10XSHOOTER]

NF SHV 5X20 MOAR Reticle $1K

 

[flatlander]

The newest versions of the Athlon Ares BTRs have improved turrets with more distinct click detents, and their new Midas TAC also has these more distinct clicks. Almost everyone who's voiced an opinion on the glass quality of the Midas TAC seems to agree that it's the same as the Ares BTR - they may be right, and since I'm waiting on a new Vudoo Gun Works V-22 Ranch bbl'd action to put into a Manners EH2 stock, all I've done with the TAC I bought is look through it while hand held. Soon as I get the Ranch V-22 in its stock, I'll get the Midas TAC mounted & zeroed, then I'll have a more valid opinion. I had one of the two 34mm Ares ETRs I ordered on a 22RF 40XB w/custom Krieger bbl, and felt it was excellent in that application.

I tried running one of my Sightron SIII MOA 6-24x50 scopes with the mil hash reticle in some PRS-style precision rifle matches several years ago, and while the optical clarity was more than adequate, MOA knobs & sfp reticle w/o zero stop weren't good at all for this type of competition shooting. You need a ffp reticle, a zero stop and mil clicks & reticle. Going out to 1000+yds from a 100yd zero and back with MOA clicks & no zero stop is a train wreck looking for a place to happen. At least a scope with mil clicks & 10 mil/revolution will get you out to 1000+ yds in one revolution, and you might get by OK w/o a zero stop - until that one time you forget to dial back down to your 100yd zero after completing a stage, and then get lost on elevation. Getting used to scopes with mil clicks & reticles & a zero stop in competition have spoiled me forever, and with the selection of affordable scopes with these features from Athlon, I've seen no need to buy a scope or scopes without them, no matter what the main use of the scope will be.

 

[steve123]

have you tried the new Ares ETR?

I was at the Athlon booth at SHOT to see the first preproduction ETR's.

Qualitywise these scopes are very nice, in fit, finish, feel and the glass is very good, almost up there with the $3000 scopes.

Being picky like I am and looking for something to point the finger at - the center dot is tiny. Also I prefer mil reticles all in .2's, not .2's and .5's mixed.

If you don't care about my negative perception of those aspects of the reticle, this scope is superior to a bunch of other scopes on the market. No way in the world can someone fault the turrets in this thing, which feel like the turrets of a much more expensive scope!!!

 

[JaoeyP]

I'm trying to find a new scope for my upcoming purchase of my 6.5 creedmoor. I have looked at so many scopes that I'm in a brain fog.
I like the sightron siii due to its simple and clean reticle, even though its sfp.
2. The athlon ares btr but with the issues they are having with squishy turrets not sure if I want to deal with that issue.
3. Vortex viper pst
Any opinion on this matter or other suggestions.
This will mostly be used on the range target and precision shooting.This will be my first precision gun and scope purchase.

Check with the guys at your local place to see if any of them have these optics where you can look through them at the range.

You can ask guys on the internet and everyone will chime in with their favorite optic, many of whom may not have taken that optic past 200 yards. In my experience, the difference in glass quality is nearly impossible to tell in a store and you'll never be able to tell what it's like on the internet. Where I really see the difference is when I take a scope to the 600 yard range and look at the targets. Everything looks good in a store under the flourescent lights. Getting it out in the field is the best way.