Scope help again (Athlon Argos?).

[Grey Kiwi]

Folks, I am returning my Leupold 45x45 Competition scope.
Yes, it will focus down to 25 yards...but try as I might I could not sort out the parallax issue.
Lovely scope, crisp, clear glass...but could not get the reticle to stop 'wandering' all over the target.
Not a fault of the scope at all. Both myself and the seller (a business) knew that it may not be quite right for 25 yard rimfire benchrest...but it was worth trying.
No problems...I'll buy something else but must be available in NZ or Oz (as US can't send to me...maybe it's all that snarled up postage/shipping issue?).
I have found an 'Athlon Argos BTR GEN 2 10-40x56 BLR MOA SFP 30mm Riflescope'.
I read online that the Gen1 had stiff turrets. Maybe Gen2 has that sorted.
Anway, do any of you have actual experience with this scope?
No use telling me to get 'this' or get 'that' scope as we simply do not have those choices here in NZ.
Have to buy what I can find in NZ (or from our lovely neighbours in Oz).
Limit is about $US900-1000, which doesn't get a really top notch scope over here.
Can't find a nice Vortex. Can't find a nice Sightron.
Most NZ scopes are for normal hunting (deer, etc), so the target stuff is hard to find.
Thanks.

 

[AlNyhus]

Greg, my experience with one is limited to taking mine out of the box and mounting it to my scope test fixture....haven't had it on a gun yet. It's a Gen2...never had a Gen 1 so can't do any comparison. The optics are very good, the clicks are solid, and the parallax corrects nicely (didn't go lower than 50 yds though it's marked to 20 yds.). The reticle is a bit busy but the center dot is very nice. It's a large scope and the weight is 32.5 oz. with the supplied scope caps.

On all the Athlon's scopes I've purchased or handled, the quality and optical level is much, much higher than the price point. Athlons business model is also distinctly different from other companies that have optics produced off-shore.

Hope this helps. -Al

 

[jpx2rk]

I've got a G1, but mounted on a 6mmBR. I'll try and get it out and see what the short range stuff looks like for you.

ETA:
I set up my 6br on a shower stool looking out the front storm door while sitting on the floor. Today happens to be garbage day so everyone has their beat up cans out at the street. Neighbor across the street has a brick mailbox right at 50yds, my G1 would focus clearly on the brick, can see all of the surface imperfections in the brick, as well as the usual scratches, gouges, etc. on the plastic trash cans with wheels. I was not able to verify any parallax issues as the front rest was far from steady with no rear bag.

My scope will focus down to 15 yds or so, and was able to focus it fairly well on a solar landscaping light in my front yard, and on my rolling trash can at the end of my driveway, which is about 25-30 yds from where I set up. Hope this helps.

ETA #2:
I set up my portable shooting bench in the garage for another gun project, and also got the 6mmBR out with the G1 mounted. Bench was set up on concrete floor, used a BE front rest and decent rear bag, and as long as I kept my body weight off the bench, NO gun movement. My scope will focus down to 41 yds with NO parallax issues, measured with a inexpensive 600 yd range finder on the neighbors brick wall. POA was the corners of various bricks using the windage and elevation adjustments on the BE.

Hope this helps.

 

[huntingskeetman]

I’ve got that exact scope you’re considering, picked it up as a demo as new in box. I briefly had it on a Rimfire target gun and liked the reticle. It’s a decent scope at its price point. The image quality suffers at its highest magnification and gets darker especially if you’re at an indoor range, but outdoors it’s decent brightness.

 

[Grey Kiwi]

Many thanks gentlemen. Much appreciated.
It is the image quality getting darker at high magnification that might be a concern as I only shoot indoors (although it is lit well).
In the interim, I will put this scope on my list of possibles though.
One of our club members has 2 of the Vector scopes, which look like a clone of the Athlon.
I have used his rifles before, and did notice that same darkening of the image.
It was so kind of you all with putting up photos, setting up rifles/scopes, etc just to help out an old guy who needs information.
Truly wonderful.

 

[CA_Shooter]

I have the Athlon Ares BTR gen 1, 4.5-27. It is FFP and seems to track really well. Glass is good for my eyes. I like it, although I do want more magnification

 

[Sandstorm]

All the Athlon scopes I have used at one time or another have all had nice glass for
their price point...and fairly solid in all other aspects.

 

[rckendall]

I recently purchased a BTR Gen 2 10-40 demo and mounted it on my 22LR Factory Class benchrest rifle. I have only shot with it one time, mostly to get a good zero at 50 yards. What I found at that time was it seems to have a very small eye box. I just set it up on a bench downstairs to see if there was some adjustments I could make and found that it is pretty much where it needs to be (limited be the rail and rings).

While shooting the other day, I believe my parallax was not adjusted correctly and I found the crosshairs moving a lot, and my hold is usually very stable. It will be a couple more days until I can get out and play with it, but I know that I am in for some serious attention being paid to this scope.

Richard

 

[CharlieNC]

I have an Argos Argo, it's ok for field and tactical style shooting. For the same money on my 22 I have a Weaver T36 which is a much better scope for my short range application. Much depends on the application.

 

[Grey Kiwi]

Well, my choice was easy.
No Athlon Argos available at the time (I'm in NZ).
Then I found a NIB 'Big Nikko'. I don't know when made...maybe 8-10 years old now.
Nikko Stirling Diamond Mk3, made in Japan, 10-50x60, 30mm tube.
Bought that, and fitted to my CZ457 with Leupold medium rings and a CZ rail (I needed that extra 8mm thickness to clear scope bell end from barrel).
I preferred using the rail/rings combo instead of just taller rings, as the CZ has 11mm dovetail and I felt it would be a bit 'wonky' with tall rings clamped up on the small dovetail.
Anyway, it shoots well. Been playing with cheek rest on the At-One stock...gave up as old hands are giving trouble holding that stock...bought an Oryx chassis and the pistol grip style is easier for me.
Time to go shoot some lead!
I would really have loved to buy a nice scope from USA but sadly no-one will sell out of USA to Australia/NZ.
Nothing wrong with the Big Nikko, and they are well rated. But 'something' more modern was probably my original idea.
Thanks for all your help and advice folks.

 

[NZVarminter]

Folks, I am returning my Leupold 45x45 Competition scope.
Yes, it will focus down to 25 yards...but try as I might I could not sort out the parallax issue.
Lovely scope, crisp, clear glass...but could not get the reticle to stop 'wandering' all over the target.
Not a fault of the scope at all. Both myself and the seller (a business) knew that it may not be quite right for 25 yard rimfire benchrest...but it was worth trying.
No problems...I'll buy something else but must be available in NZ or Oz (as US can't send to me...maybe it's all that snarled up postage/shipping issue?).
I have found an 'Athlon Argos BTR GEN 2 10-40x56 BLR MOA SFP 30mm Riflescope'.
I read online that the Gen1 had stiff turrets. Maybe Gen2 has that sorted.
Anway, do any of you have actual experience with this scope?
No use telling me to get 'this' or get 'that' scope as we simply do not have those choices here in NZ.
Have to buy what I can find in NZ (or from our lovely neighbours in Oz).
Limit is about $US900-1000, which doesn't get a really top notch scope over here.
Can't find a nice Vortex. Can't find a nice Sightron.
Most NZ scopes are for normal hunting (deer, etc), so the target stuff is hard to find.
Thanks.

Hi Greg

did you sell your 45x45 to GunCity in CHCH? I just bought one 2nd hand from there to go on my Stolle Panda 6ppc.

I have also just bought a Delta Stryker 5-50 x 56 to go on my BRX. Not convinced about the optics at 40+. I cant seem to get a really sharp focus.

I too have been looking at the argos 10-40. they seem to get good reviews... but then so does the Delta!

Cheers

Grant H

 

[Grey Kiwi]

Hi Grant, no it's not Greg...it's Kelvin.
Yes, that Leupold 45x45 Competition was 2nd hand from Gun City, ChCh. One of their staff (lady shooter) traded it back to them.
I found that at first it seemed fine, but then noticed it would loose focus as I shot a card.
But at only 25 yards it is something that scope was never built for.
Sent it back to them and bought a Big Nikko Mk3 and quite happy with that.
I can give you contact details for..."Nikko Target Master 8-32x50 with the choice of a FC crosshair or a mil dot crosshair. Both around the $600 mark. They are the earlier Japanese assembled ones with Japanese glass".
Same guy sold me the Big Nikko. Excellent deal, and quick delivery.
These are good quality older scopes but NIB from a ChCh gunshop that was munted in the last earthquake.
I suspect these would be better than a China made Argos.
PM sent.
Edit: hey, just found you on NZ Hunting & Shooting forum!