Thoughts on two scopes for 600y F-Class

[Amazingrandy]

Hi Everyone,

I am looking to purchase a scope that will be dedicated to 600y F-Class competition, with the possibility of a 1000y match once a year. I have my list narrowed down to two optics, and this decision is based on money, features, reviews, etc. My two selections are the Sightron SIII 10-50x60 w/MOA-2 reticle and zerostop, with the second being the Athlon Ares ETR 15-60x56 w/BLR-1 reticle and zerostop. The weights of the two scopes have already been taken into consideration as well, along with the 1/4 moa clicks on the Sightron vs. the 1/8 moa clicks on the Athlon.

I would like to hear peoples thoughts and/or recommendations between these two optics. Also possible real world experience using either or both of these optics for 600-1000y F-Class matches.

Thank you!!!

 

[Larryh128]

I would prefer the Sightron.

 

[Zilla]

You will want 1/8 clicks.

 

[Rank Amateur]

For your consideration: I agree with @Zilla regarding the advisability of a scope with 1/8 MOA clicks. At 600 yds, a 1/4 MOA click shifts POA by more than an inch and a half. At 1000 yds, the same click is more than 2.5 inches. These are more than half the diameter of the X ring, so may be too crude to make the fine adjustment you want to tweak your waterline (for example).

Along the same lines, check the thickness of the reticle on your scopes. The lines of the MOA-2 reticle are twice as thick as those on their target dot or fine cross hair reticles. That may be perfectly OK for you, but a finer crosshair/center dot may facilitate finer aiming precision. You may prefer a reticle with MOA stadia lines to assist with hold-offs, but keep in mind that the target rings themselves designate MOA divisions - so, you can hold off as accurately by placing a cross hair or target dot relative to a target ring as you will be using reticle stadia.

The magnification ranges of those scopes are fine, but do keep in mind that you will likely be shooting somewhere below the max magnification in atmospheric conditions with heat and humidity and mirage and ... You need to evaluate these side by side (if you can) under the conditions you intend to compete in. If you can, see if others on the line have these and will let you look through them before you purchase. If you don't have that opportunity, you will probably find that either would be good enough for getting experience in F-Class. Enjoy!!

 

[Coyotecreek]

Call Euro optic and ask for demo pricing on a NF Comp, 15-55. They have 1/8 clicks, very clear glass, big numbers on the turrets for us old farts. I've had 2 different ones and currently have one with the DDR-2 reticle. Cant go wrong.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Sightron is fine. I have one on my 6BR and in some ways prefer it to more expensive glass - certainly at 600yds.

 

[sdean]

Hi Everyone,

I am looking to purchase a scope that will be dedicated to 600y F-Class competition, with the possibility of a 1000y match once a year. I have my list narrowed down to two optics, and this decision is based on money, features, reviews, etc. My two selections are the Sightron SIII 10-50x60 w/MOA-2 reticle and zerostop, with the second being the Athlon Ares ETR 15-60x56 w/BLR-1 reticle and zerostop. The weights of the two scopes have already been taken into consideration as well, along with the 1/4 moa clicks on the Sightron vs. the 1/8 moa clicks on the Athlon.

I would like to hear peoples thoughts and/or recommendations between these two optics. Also possible real world experience using either or both of these optics for 600-1000y F-Class matches.

Thank you!!!

Wrong sightron. 45x45 with ED glass. Best bang for the buck.

 

[Kendell Francis]

Best scope,for my eyes,is the vortex 15 by 60 Golden Eagle , wonderful clear glass, shoot 600 yards,see your bullet holes, unless lots of mirage, very reasonable price

 

[One Eye Pete]

I am not familiar with Athlon but Sightron makes excellent scopes and their service is excellent. It is true that for F-Class shooting 1/8 click scopes are preferable. I have sent a Sightron Slll 8x32 back to them to have it converted from 1/4 clicks to 1/8 clicks at a very reasonable price. Since they also make a Slll 10x50 in 1/8 clicks (without the zero stop) I would give Sightron a call and see if they can do the conversion.
The other possibility is to purchase the Sightron 10x50 model with 1/8 clicks and without the zero stop. On my scopes without a zero stop such as my old Nightforce NXS I use O rings under the elevation turret to create a “poor man’s” zero stop. I find my 100 yard zero and then, using the right size 0 rings I stretch them over the elevation turret and set them below the turret knob until they prevent the turret knob from being turned down more than about 1/4 turn below my 100 yard zero. It’s not perfect but it’s simple and it works.

 

[swd]

I’d look for a used NF Comp in the $1800 range or a used Vortex Golden Eagle in the $1200-$1300 range. Both have 1/8 MOA turrets and good reticles. The GE glass is very average but for the price they work fine. And at those prices you can get all your money back out of them and both have great warranty’s.

 

[prone.life]

if you're set on getting a Sightron or an Athlon, either of those will work but I'd give the nod to a 1/8 moa click.

for f-class i look for the thinnest and cleanest reticle. my first scope (viper pst gen1 EBR-1) has a floating center dot thickness of .18 moa which covers over 1" at 600 and almost 2" of the x-ring at 1000.
-- edit to correct dot thickness

for comparison my NF competition 15-55 NP-2D has a floating center dot thickness of .095 moa which is .6" at 600yds and 1" at a 1000. 55X sounds fun until but when i shoot out west heavy mirage can render anything more than 15-20X useless by 9 am.

if i were to pick up another scope i'd look very hard at the NF Benchrest NP-2DD (~$1k or less) or the Vortex Golden Eagle which can be had around the 1200/1300 range. The Golden Eagle ECR-1 (MOA) with floating center dot subtends 0.095 MOA at 40X.

 

[jnr88]

I’ve had all of these although my NF is 12-42 BR. I have a Sightron 10-50.PLR. Both of these have great glass.I really don’t care for the 1/4 clicks at 400 yards. I couldn’t see the reticle on the GE or Athlon. I have old eyes. The best solution I’ve found is the Trijicon Tenmile 5-50. The illumination really helps against the black F targets. JMO.

 

[Amazingrandy]

I have looked at both Sightron SIIIs, and see that the target dot offers 1/8moa clicks. Would I be at any disadvantage using only a target dot vs. the MOA-2 reticle? Im not opposed to either one, but dont want to hinder myself as well.

 

[Precisionhunter417]

I currently use the Athlon 15-60 on my midrange F-T/R setup and I LOVE it. I also shoot with a 12-42x56 NF benchrest. I have experiences with the Sightron but not nearly as much. The Athlon can be had for $950 if you look around but if you have a few extra $ i would keep your eyes on the FS section and pickup a Gold Eagle with the ECR reticule for $1050.

Reason: you will want to upgrade at some point and the GE will hold its value better.

Keep up the hard work.

 

[Amazingrandy]

I currently use the Athlon 15-60 on my midrange F-T/R setup and I LOVE it. I also shoot with a 12-42x56 NF benchrest. I have experiences with the Sightron but not nearly as much. The Athlon can be had for $950 if you look around but if you have a few extra $ i would keep your eyes on the FS section and pickup a Gold Eagle with the ECR reticule for $1050.

Reason: you will want to upgrade at some point and the GE will hold its value better.

Keep up the hard work.

Great to know, thank you! The GE is actually in my top three scopes, but am also looking to keep the price tag a little lower right now. I agree that the GE would better hold its value.

 

[One Eye Pete]

I have looked at both Sightron SIIIs, and see that the target dot offers 1/8moa clicks. Would I be at any disadvantage using only a target dot vs. the MOA-2 reticle? Im not opposed to either one, but dont want to hinder myself as well.

I don’t know why Sightron doesn’t offer the MOA-2 reticle with 1/8 clicks. I had my 8-32 Slll converted from fine crosshairs (which I couldn’t reliably see on the black center of the F-class target) and 1/4 MOA clicks to the MOA-2 and 1/8 clicks. To me cross hairs with a center dot are ok for short range or long range in really good conditions. However when shooting a black center F-class target when there is sun glare or mirage it’s nice to have the MOA-2 type reticle (especially with old eyes like mine). When things get bad it’s a great reticle for bracketing the big black dot with the hashmarks. I would give Sightron a call to see what they can do. Their customer service is really good.
As far as the Golden Eagle I have one on my benchrest gun. It’s a good scope but the middle part ofthe reticle is too fine for my eyes on the black F-class target center. On a light colored target center it works much better. The other thing is it used to be around $1400. Now a new one is up to $1999. At that price you can get a demo Nightforce Competition with the FCR-1 reticle from Eurooptic.

 

[Steve h]

Sightron 27008

 

[Amazingrandy]

Would I be at any type of disadvantage if I was to go with a Sightron with target dot reticle vs a scope with hash marks? The Sightron with target dot has 1/8 clicks, that is why I am asking. Ultimately I would prefer 1/8 over 1/4 moa clicks.

 

[Xerothermic]

Would I be at any type of disadvantage if I was to go with a Sightron with target dot reticle vs a scope with hash marks? The Sightron with target dot has 1/8 clicks, that is why I am asking. Ultimately I would prefer 1/8 over 1/4 moa clicks.

OEP suggested calling Sightron. Makes solid sense to me.

 

[Jimmy James]

The SV Sightron will give you an edge in mirage. It is heavy, expensive and has a 34mm tube but on a heavy gun, its the ticket. I won a match with it when the mirage was so bad, other shooters were packing up and going home before they had finished shooting.