Best optics for target/precision shooting in the $1500-$2500 range?

saunders278

saunders278

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Hey everyone,

I've been shooting my whole life, but only been serious about it for a year or so. So I'm still a relative amateur.

I'm looking into a precision rifle set-up, I'm thinking a Tikka CTR in 6.5 Creedmoor, but possibly the Tac A1 if I can afford it.

I'm pretty set on a Tikka of some sort, but I'm not so sure about the optics. I'm looking for something between $1500 and $2500.

Obviously I'll get better quality for more $ but I have to balance that against the rifle, a cheaper scope could allow me to get the Tac A1.

I was thinking a Vortex PST, then a Nightforce SHV, now I'm thinking of splurging on the Nightforce NXS. But there seem to be a lot of good brands out there.

Any other advice? I've heard great things about Steiner and Swarovski, and I've heard Leupold and Bushnell have some affordable new products that are competitive.

Keep in mind, this scope will be on a target rig, weight and aerodynamics aren't an issue.

All advice is appreciated, thanks.
 
NIghtforce BR even though it is not really a short range br scope,

8 to 32 or 12 to 42 are both under 2000 bucks and they hold point of aim better than a lot of scopes,

your mileage may vary according to the experience of the poster. Jeff
 
I'd give a look at the Athlon line. I have the Ares BTR on a 22 trainer and it's is a great bang for the buck. More mag range and elevation travel than the Vortex PST. Still in FFP, has a zero stop (yes it's more basic of one) and is a few hundred cheaper than the Vortex PST with similar warranty. Yes there is better out there than both but both the PST and Ares BTR are good entry scopes.
 
As always, depends on what kind of shooting you're looking to do. The NF scopes suggested are great scopes for more of a F-Class/square range kinda shooting but if you're looking to shot PRS-style matches, you'll want something with a different feature set (ffp, etc). So first figure out your needs/aims and that should determine what features you'll need.
 
I really like the Sightron S3 8x32x56 , for the price, clarity and repeatability is really good, side focus is really tight so that kinda sucks
 
Do you plan to shoot PRS or anything on the clock? People seem to pick the brand before the features with scopes. What do you need for features? FFP or SFP? What reticle? Figure those things out and then look at brands.

I’ve bought and sold a few scopes and wish I had thought through some purchases better.....
 
Please determine if FFP/SFP, Mils/MOA, zero-stop and illumination is important to you before you pick a scope as that will greatly impact the price and decision. Personally when I did a precision rifle course the best combination for ease from the group of guys there was FFP and Mils. Most of the guys there had scopes out of this (and my) price range. Based on recent reviews I took a chance and recently ordered the new Delta Stryker 4.5-30x FFP for my Tac A1. Also on my list was the Sightron SIII 6-24x FFP Mil or the new Sightron SVED 4.5-24x56ED FFP Mil/Mil (however there is still no price yet). Also in this price range I had considered the Burris XTR II 5-25x FFP. On the course everyone (including me) who had a Vortex went down and had to use a different scope however this was a small sample size so YMMV but I won't be spending anymore money on their products. Athlon are also new and have great features if you want to take a chance on a chinese scope (unless you get the cronus). With the retailers here on CGN I'm sure any of them would take care of any issues if they cropped up. The Ares BTR or the not released until summer Ares ETR look like a pretty good value for features.
 
domaindetente said:
Please determine if FFP/SFP, Mils/MOA, zero-stop and illumination is important to you before you pick a scope as that will greatly impact the price and decision. Personally when I did a precision rifle course the best combination for ease from the group of guys there was FFP and Mils. Most of the guys there had scopes out of this (and my) price range. Based on recent reviews I took a chance and recently ordered the new Delta Stryker 4.5-30x FFP for my Tac A1. Also on my list was the Sightron SIII 6-24x FFP Mil or the new Sightron SVED 4.5-24x56ED FFP Mil/Mil (however there is still no price yet). Also in this price range I had considered the Burris XTR II 5-25x FFP. On the course everyone (including me) who had a Vortex went down and had to use a different scope however this was a small sample size so YMMV but I won't be spending anymore money on their products. Athlon are also new and have great features if you want to take a chance on a chinese scope (unless you get the cronus). With the retailers here on CGN I'm sure any of them would take care of any issues if they cropped up. The Ares BTR or the not released until summer Ares ETR look like a pretty good value for features.
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How did the Vortexes go down?
 
The Bushnell sale on right now makes them quite attractive. I bought a DMR2 3.5-21x last year on sale and am pretty happy with it.
The other scope I've had my eye on is the Athlon line, sold here by a vendor in the EE. Seems like excellent features for the price.
 
adamg said:
The Bushnell sale on right now makes them quite attractive. I bought a DMR2 3.5-21x last year on sale and am pretty happy with it.
The other scope I've had my eye on is the Athlon line, sold here by a vendor in the EE. Seems like excellent features for the price.
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That Bushnell sale is a really tough act to follow. I have 2 HDMR2s and really like them. Very hard to beat the features you get for the price and they are super durable scopes that track really well.
 
I am going to melt my Visa card tomorrow by getting Omer at Precision Optics to ship me a Bushnell XRS 2 4.5-30x 50mm G3 scope. Touted as Bushnell's new flagship scope with a $3K price-point, I am expecting a strong performance nipping at the heels of the Vortex Razor HD2 4.5-27x 56mm currently topping my precision rifle. The 30% Bushnell rebate this month is simply too good to pass up. I took advantage of the sale last year to pick up a DMR IIi 3.5-21x 50mm G3 scope and was extremely pleased with the outcome! That scope has served me very well on an LMT MWS in .308 and 6.5 CM.

If you are on the fence at all about a Bushnell purchase, now is the time to jump! The rebate program is for real and it is pretty quick to put a cheque in your mailbox. This is your chance to get a $3K scope (XRS 2) for $2K, or a $2K scope (DMR II) for $1400 brand new, with Bushnell's incredible "no fault" warranty. My Bushnell spotting scope fell off the bench twice last year because the mounting threads had stripped in the base and it literally separated from the tripod (I was slow to suss out the problem, hence it happened twice). The scope body forward of the Objective Lense was dented and the Lense had 2 small chips from landing on gravel. I sent it in for repair and a few weeks later Bushnell Canada sent me a brand new replacement for my troubles. How awesome is that?!? So, when you buy Bushnell you can buy with absolute confidence. FWIW...
 
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rugbydave said:
That Bushnell sale is a really tough act to follow. I have 2 HDMR2s and really like them. Very hard to beat the features you get for the price and they are super durable scopes that track really well.
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Couldn't agree more
We sold our Schmits and ran the 3.5-21 H59 all last season and they were a very solid scope - features you get for price is serious value...especially with 30% off
 
I'm going to see if I can re-boot this post since my needs have become more specific, thanks for all the advice so far.

I want to get into PRS competitions so the setup I'm asking about will be specifically for that purpose. So I'll need FFP and an MOA reticle of some sort. Still got my eye on the Vortex Viper PST.

I'm pretty set on the Tikka Tac A1 but I've come to realize this rifle isn't accepted in the production division, which would force me into the open division. To anyone who shoots PRS, do beginners ever shoot in the open division? Or is it best to start in production with a Tikka CTR or RPR?
 
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