Looking for advice: Best long range tactical rifle scope

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ftr308

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Hey everyone,

I'm in the market for a quality long-range tactical rifle scope and could use some recommendations from the community. I've been doing research but there are so many options out there that it's getting overwhelming.

**My Setup:**
- .308 Winchester bolt-action rifle
- Planning to shoot out to 800-1000 yards
- Mix of target shooting and hunting applications
- Budget: ideally the most budget friendly but 1000-2000 range (flexible for the right optic)

**What I'm Looking For:**
- Reliable tracking and return to zero
- Good glass clarity in low light conditions
- Durable construction that can handle field use
- First focal plain
- Variable magnification, thinking 4-24x 5-25x 7-35x range

**Scopes I'm Considering:**
- Vortex Viper PST Gen II
- Arken El-5
- DNT "the one"

Has anyone here had experience with these models? Any other brands I should be looking at? Please don't suggest Schmidt & Bender and Zeiss. Yes I'd love to own one, but I'm not there yet.

Thanks in advance for any advice. I appreciate everyone sharing their knowledge.

Jer
 
ftr308 said:
Hey everyone,

I'm in the market for a quality long-range tactical rifle scope and could use some recommendations from the community. I've been doing research but there are so many options out there that it's getting overwhelming.

**My Setup:**
- .308 Winchester bolt-action rifle
- Planning to shoot out to 800-1000 yards
- Mix of target shooting and hunting applications
- Budget: ideally the most budget friendly but 1000-2000 range (flexible for the right optic)

**What I'm Looking For:**
- Reliable tracking and return to zero
- Good glass clarity in low light conditions
- Durable construction that can handle field use
- First focal plain
- Variable magnification, thinking 4-24x 5-25x 7-35x range

**Scopes I'm Considering:**
- Vortex Viper PST Gen II
- Arken El-5
- DNT "the one"

Has anyone here had experience with these models? Any other brands I should be looking at? Please don't suggest Schmidt & Bender and Zeiss. Yes I'd love to own one, but I'm not there yet.

Thanks in advance for any advice. I appreciate everyone sharing their knowledge.

Jer
Click to expand...
I've got a couple EP-5 5-25X56 & a DNT THE ONE, from my experience they're worth every penny & then some. I swapped out my Vortex Viper PST with the DNT, and first trip out connected with a milk jug at 1,000yrds. I have the EP5's on hunting rifles for the lower end 5x magnification instead of the 7x on the DNT.
 
Grab an Arken i'd say, any of them new or old. Had mine for years, and I still prefer it over scopes twice its price. Its solid and reliable, and they produce an outstanding quality product.
 
The "best" is none of those lol.
Best out of those listed, I'd go with the lowest magnification, lower end high magnification scopes tend to not have much to work with at full magnification, mostly unusable.
 
Hitzy said:
The "best" is none of those lol.
Best out of those listed, I'd go with the lowest magnification, lower end high magnification scopes tend to not have much to work with at full magnification, mostly unusable.
Click to expand...
What opinion would you have of a Hendsolt ZF 3.5-26 x 56 Likely not in the price range the op is considering
 
Was just using the Arken SH-4J 6-24 x50 this last weekend on a 223. My daughter was making consistent hits out to 1000m. Decent glass quality.
We started her off with 200m and worked our way out to 1000. She was taking out clay targets set out at 400m with ease. All this on her basically first time out shooting, if you don't count the 10/22 she shot last 7 years ago. She is 15 now.

I have better glass, but at this price point it is hard to beat. I use a march high master on my bench rifle. 4.5-28x52 and CZO 4-20x50 on my hunting rifle, so I have others to compare to.
 
I have numerous long-range optics ranging from the Arken EP5 Gen 2 7-35x and the DNT "The One" 7-35x at the low end, to the Nightforce ATACR 7-35x and Leupold Mk 5 7-35x at the higher end. I've had others in between and in the 5-25x magnifiication range. My hunting scope is a Burris 3-12x. All of that to say that I have a pretty good idea and hands-on examples of exactly what we are talking about. The bottom line is that with optics you get what you pay for, but at the higher end there a law of diminishing returns where increasingly smaller improvements to glass and mechanicals come at an ever greater price-point. For shooting out to 1000m in clear, calm conditions, any of the aforementioned optics will get you comfortably out to there and beyond.

So why spend any more if $1K will get you to 1000m? Well, where the higher-end glass really comes into play is at dawn and dusk and when studying subtleties like wind tells and mirage at distance. Is the jump from <$1K to $4K+ worth the extra money? Only you can determine your needs versus wants, but for casual shooting out to 1000m I'd tend to say no. Start with the Arken EP5 Gen 2 or the (easier to obtain) DNT "The One" and see how you make out. Ask others on the range to have a look through their higher end optics when opportunities present themselves. See if you can tell the difference and decide whether the additional brightness and clarity are worth the price of admission to you. Take a good look at the intermediate offerings as well, which frequently split the difference with slightly better glass, mechanicals and features for half the cost of the higher-end options.

DNT "The One", 7-35x:

20241121-134822.jpg


Arken EP5 Gen 2, 7-35x:

20250721-035318 (1).jpg


NightForce ATACR, 7-35x:

20250219-172441.jpg


Leupold Mk 5, 7-35x:

20250721-034013.jpg
 
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Bartok5 said:
I have numerous long-range optics ranging from the Arken EP5 Gen 2 7-35x and the DNT "The One" 7-35x at the low end, to the Nightforce ATACR 7-35x and Leupold Mk 5 7-35x at the higher end. I've had others in between and in the 5-25x magnifiication range. My hunting scope is a Burris 3-12x. All of that to say that I have a pretty good idea and hands-on examples of exactly what we are talking about. The bottom line is that with optics you get what you pay for, but at the higher end there a law of diminishing returns where increasingly smaller improvements to glass and mechanicals come at an ever greater price-point. For shooting out to 1000m in clear, calm conditions, any of the aforementioned optics will get you comfortably out to there and beyond.

So why spend any more if $1K will get you to 1000m? Well, where the higher-end glass really comes into play is at dawn and dusk and when studying subtleties like wind tells and mirage at distance. Is the jump from <$1K to $4K+ worth the extra money? Only you can determine your needs versus wants, but for casual shooting out to 1000m I'd tend to say no. Start with the Arken EP5 Gen 2 or the (easier to obtain) DNT "The One" and see how you make out. Ask others on the range to have a look through their higher end optics when opportunities present themselves. See if you can tell the difference and decide whether the additional brightness and clarity are worth the price of admission to you. Take a good look at the intermediate offerings as well, which frequently split the difference with slightly better glass, mechanicals and features for half the cost of the higher-end options.

DNT "The One", 7-35x:

View attachment 983672


Arken EP5 Gen 2, 7-35x:

View attachment 983683


NightForce ATACR, 7-35x:

View attachment 983681


Leupold Mk 5, 7-35x:

View attachment 983682
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Really appreciate your post. Of the reviews I've seen online, most people favor "the one" over the gen 2 Arken. What's your experience?
 
You wanna get a high quality long range scope - sorry guys but that answer you won't find in this Forum.

Glass quality? We better start talking with keywords - Tier1 or Tier2 is good enough.
Each of these categories pulling its own price tag, I will not go into details what you will find where.

Me personally believe that 500 M and beyond need at lest a x50 long range target scope. And then you chose how much $ you ready to spend.

I have replaced probably two dozen of scopes looking for my best dedicated combination, I have currently five and all keepers and no need more for now.

Years ago I meat this guy - Joe Rhea - on other forums, he was already into scopes testing and posting on utube.
I bought two scopes following he's recommendations, and both are keepers.
I don't really like the language he is using, but the knowledge is right there with him. He has reviewed hundreds over 6-7 years as much I remember. And he is not selling you anything !!!
I would very friendly advise contact this guy with your questions:

https://www.youtube.com/@CyclopsJoeVideos/videos
 
bigHUN said:
You wanna get a high quality long range scope - sorry guys but that answer you won't find in this Forum.

Glass quality? We better start talking with keywords - Tier1 or Tier2 is good enough.
Each of these categories pulling its own price tag, I will not go into details what you will find where.

Me personally believe that 500 M and beyond need at lest a x50 long range target scope. And then you chose how much $ you ready to spend.

I have replaced probably two dozen of scopes looking for my best dedicated combination, I have currently five and all keepers and no need more for now.

Years ago I meat this guy - Joe Rhea - on other forums, he was already into scopes testing and posting on utube.
I bought two scopes following he's recommendations, and both are keepers.
I don't really like the language he is using, but the knowledge is right there with him. He has reviewed hundreds over 6-7 years as much I remember. And he is not selling you anything !!!
I would very friendly advise contact this guy with your questions:

https://www.youtube.com/@CyclopsJoeVideos/videos
Click to expand...
This is wild info to be throwing out there homie.
Cyclops Joe is a real one for sure tho.
 
67Hertz said:
Put the Bushnell Match Pro ED on your list. Watch some reviews. Highly regarded. I have one and love it.
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THIS. I have a couple of the Match Pro 6-24x and absolutely love them. I've shot a fair bit of EELR and the Match Pro is very capable and easy to use. Amazing scope period and tough to beat for what they cost.


Hitzy said:
The "best" is none of those lol.
Click to expand...
LOL. Always love the guys posting for "The Best ..." when all they can afford is intermediate at best. :rolleyes:


ftr308 said:
You find 5-25 is more than enough for out to 1000?
Click to expand...
I used a fixed 16x to 2000 yds. Vietnam era snipers connected shots at 1000 yds with 10x scopes. There is something about modern shooters who think they need a million power magnification to go past 300 yds. :rolleyes:
 
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