New optic frustration

[Lkwebb]

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.

 

[ms6852]

Check the Burris veracity series.

 

[sawcarver]

Here is my thoughts. On the FFP thing, if you are bench shooting at the same distances most of the time FFP is not needed. Or if you dial all of your windage and elevation again not needed.

I personally dial all of my elevation and use my reticle for windage, at a bench match or F-class match SFP is fine, but for hunting or a field steel shooting match engaging multiple distances in a timed format I like FFP.

The SIII is a great scope I have a few of them, mine dont have zero stops and SFP so they are bench guns. You can get the SIII in many different reticles.

I also have vortex PSTs they are my primary hunting scope due to the zero stops and FFP. Also a great scope.

A third scope that is great is the burris XTRII, it has the best turret design out of all of them and a solid zero stop. For hunting the FFP reticle gets too fine for my liking at low light conditions, it does have a illuminated reticle and that helps but batteries can fail.

Burris veracity is a great hunting scope too.

First I would decide if FFP is for you and then go from there

 

[Lkwebb]

I don't do any hunting at all, I am just a newb gun lover with multiple handguns . I just want something else to shoot in my free time.
The range close to my house is a 1000 yard range, so that being said 2nd focal plane would be of choice.
Guess I should also out my budget is a 1000.00 give or take a few

 

[Papa Charlie]

I have a Vortex Viper HS-T 6-24x50 and the Vortex Golden Eagle. Both are great scopes and hold POI well. Also got to love their unlimited warranty.

 

[dkhunt14]

What about a Nightforce BR? Good glass, one of the most solid in holding Point of aim. A little more then 1000 but maybe a used one or call Euoroptics and talk to Jason. Matt

 

[NickB1075]

NF NXS, S&B pmii. There are some many choices. If you can look thru a bunch most people will be more then glad to let you look thru their glass at the range. That is what I do for many of my high end purchases. It's hard to drop 2 or 3k on something I ha e never set my hands on.

I am personally a sfp person. But again it is just personal preference. You never mentioned a budget. US Optics is another one to look at.

Nick

 

[Papa Charlie]

Also, if you are a vet, LEO or first responder, there are special discounts available to you. Just contact Vortex or any other optic mfg or supplier and they will direct you to a common service that can process your documentation. Vortex offers a 40% discount off of MSRP. Other manufactures offer similar discounts.

 

[NickB1075]

Leupold has a really generous LEO/military discount as well

Nick

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I don't do any hunting at all, I am just a newb gun lover with multiple handguns . I just want something else to shoot in my free time.
The range close to my house is a 1000 yard range, so that being said 2nd focal plane would be of choice.
Guess I should also out my budget is a 1000.00 give or take a few

I'll try to clarify what I think sums up what sawcarver was saying...In a nutshell, at known distances, go with the sfp. For unknown distances, the ffp is better for ranging the targets at unknown distances. If you plan to shoot at 1000, go sfp. If you plan to shoot any known distance, go sfp. If your tagets will vary in distance and you aren't allowed to or you simply don't wish to use a rangfinder....go ffp. Clear enough?

 

[steve123]

The Ares BTR 4.5-27x50 is my favorite scope in it's $800ish price range. The reason for me comes down to a few things.

It's not too long, nor heavy.
Has one of the best FFP .2 mil reticles out there regardless of price! Which I like over all the other brand offerings as far as non Horus tree reticles go, when holding over and off is a priority.
Focuses close, at 25Y for use on 22's or air rifles for close range hunting and NRL22 comps.
The glass is very good, appropriate for the price but it could pull off 27x better.
The turrets could be better too but certainly work fine and line up well.
It has a zero stop and 10 mils per rev with a lot of elevation travel.
Has illumination.
And tracks great!

Is there a perfect scope??, no there isn't, no matter how much money one spends there will be things about it one may not like, especially at a lower price point.

In other words I can think of all the brands and models and point out their positives and negatives through my eyes. Right now the Ares BTR is striking a good balance for the money.

 

[muleman69]

The Ares BTR 4.5-27x50 is my favorite scope in it's $800ish price range. The reason for me comes down to a few things.

It's not too long, nor heavy.
Has one of the best FFP .2 mil reticles out there regardless of price! Which I like over all the other brand offerings as far as non Horus tree reticles go, when holding over and off is a priority.
Focuses close, at 25Y for use on 22's or air rifles for close range hunting and NRL22 comps.
The glass is very good, appropriate for the price but it could pull off 27x better.
The turrets could be better too but certainly work fine and line up well.
It has a zero stop and 10 mils per rev with a lot of elevation travel.
Has illumination.
And tracks great!

Is there a perfect scope??, no there isn't, no matter how much money one spends there will be things about it one may not like, especially at a lower price point.

In other words I can think of all the brands and models and point out their positives and negatives through my eyes. Right now the Ares BTR is striking a good balance for the money.

have you tried the new Ares ETR?

 

[JFrank]

SWFA is a really good scope

 

[rr2030]

I have a Sightron SIII 8-32 x 56 on top of my 6 CM, you can read a review on a similar scope here. I see them now around $800 It's a great scope, no regrets, will likely buy another Sightron in the future.

 

[C.E.Smith043]

Found this to interesting

 

[carlsbad]

First Focal plane is way overrated at the range. Unless you are shooting PRS or similar matches where you are timed to find multiple targets, then you'll appreciate a second focal plane scope.

I like the sightron 10-50 as the best long range budget scope. Great 1st scope for long range.

I have two vortex GEs as good scopes slightly higher priced. Lots of other more expensive scopes are available that you haven't asked about.

-Jerry

 

[NZVarminter]

in that $800-1000 price range you there are 3 distinct grouping for optical quality:

average: Bushnell, Athlon,
better: Vortex, Burris
Noticeably better again: Zeiss V4

I'l go Zeiss any day over the others, but your limited to SFP

 

[sawcarver]

in that $800-1000 price range you there are 3 distinct grouping for optical quality:

average: Bushnell, Athlon,
better: Vortex, Burris
Noticeably better again: Zeiss V4

I'l go Zeiss any day over the others, but your limited to SFP

How are the V4 turrets and zero stop?

 

[boltfluter]

Nightforce BR hands down if you can find one. Buy once and cry once. I would do what it takes to not have to settle. 1000 is still a chunk of change. Good luck!

Paul

 

[chet]

i have 3 Sightron S III in the 8x32x56 great optics, my buddy has the 10x50x60 nice scope the 8x32 has more Elevation moa. being said that, i want to add i took a chance on a new model just recently released by Athlon, the Midas Tac, in 6x24x50, this scope is gonna be a good seller, clarity is right on par with my sightrons, no question, the clicks are equal to the SIII, zero stop.my buddy has the athlon helos, and the older midas, tuurets are mushy, if you are ever around one of these new Athlon Midas Tac's take a look, you may be impressed as i am.
chet