Having trouble picking a scope

powdergun

powdergun

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So I have been looking, researching, looking at various scopes and my head is about to explode. The scope is for a 6.5 cm that will be used at the range and not hunted with. I have a Nightforce SHV 5 to 20X on another rifle and am quite happy with it and would be happy with another but if I can find a more economical option I may go for that. Some of the options:

1) Vortex Viper or Venom
2) Bushnell Match Pro
3) Possibly some of the Arken or Athlon offerings

My requirements are:

1) 20X or more but has to be clear at 20X ( able to clearly see a five inch circle at 500 meters )
2) No illuminated reticle ( I really don't like those )
3) Solid tracking,and able to hold zero

Overall I want a solid, clear and durable scope and do not need any frills ( 30 or 34 mm tube )

Thanks in advance and all suggestions welcome
 
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I've always found the Sightron S-Tac series to be extremely good value and would definitely recommend that you take a look at the 4-20x50 model with the MOA-2 reticle and no illumination. You should find one new for around $800 or a very clean used one for around $650. Absolutely no problem seeing a 5" target at 500 yards, and seeing it clearly at that. Their tracking system is bullet proof and in many respects sets the reliability standard that other brands chase. The only thing missing in case it's important to you is zero stop -- but they do have upgraded models that have that feature if it's a deal breaker for you.

I say all this as a guy who also owns (and loves) several Nightforce NXS scopes. The S-Tacs are my second choice for a range gun, but not by much.
 
As much as I like Nightforce I didn’t want to have to go with a 56 mm objective on sfp SHV. So I bought a Trijicon credo hx 2.5-15x42. So far I’m really liking it.
 
jparent said:
The Arken EPL-4 checks all those boxes at a fraction of the cost of a Nightforce.
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Indeed they do. I'm running one on a Bergara B-14R and it's performing extremely well. I will say, however, that there's a noticeable degree of chromatic aberration in the scope that I'm willing to tolerate when used to shoot rimfire out to 300 yards, but not when I'm shooting steel with a centerfire at 2 or 3 times that distance. It would certainly work, but it would be distracting. I'll agree though that the feature set on those Arken's is absolutely crazy for the price point.
 
powdergun said:
So I have been looking, researching, looking at various scopes and my head is about to explode. The scope is for a 6.5 cm that will be used at the range and not hunted with. I have a Nightforce SHV 5 to 20X on another rifle and am quite happy with it and would be happy with another but if I can find a more economical option I may go for that. Some of the options:

1) Vortex Viper or Venom
2) Bushnell Match Pro
3) Possibly some of the Arken or Athlon offerings

My requirements are:

1) 20X or more but has to be clear at 20X ( able to clearly see a five inch circle at 500 meters )
2) No illuminated reticle ( I really don't like those )
3) Solid tracking,and able to hold zero

Overall I want a solid, clear and durable scope and do not need any frills ( 30 or 34 mm tube )

Thanks in advance and all suggestions welcome
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I really agree with most comments made here by everyone.
Today I was picking up some supplies from Budget Shooter Supply. This couple is great, really the kind of people who deserve our support. I was just picking up some basics from the warehouse and found they are now selling Canadian optics... so to speak. I looked through the glass on a few and was impressed in particular by the Scorpion glass. He then explained that Scorpion is using Nikon glass. It made sense immediately as I have looked through Nikon glass many times. Wonderful clarity. I can't speak for tracking but if you set your zero and don't adjust in the field. It doesn't matter. Regardless, good price point from a Canuck sort of product. Frankly way better bang for buck when compared to the Vortex of similar x value and tube size... I do own a Scorpion that I purchased used and blemished for 75 bucks that I mounted on my new 6.8 XPR here on the EE, a ridiculously cheap rifle and scope combo that consistently smokes the 300 yard steel with violent report and 165 ABLR. Cheers
BTW it tracks fine..
 
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I have 3 x Athlon, 2 x Bushnell, 1 x Leupold and 1 x Nightforce.

The Nightforce is the top of them all as would be expected.

For a more economic purchase, the glass on the various Athlon's gets better as you move up the lines. I have had zero issue with any of them.
 
270WSMXBolt said:
I really agree with most comments made here by everyone.
Today I was picking up some supplies from Budget Shooter Supply. This couple is great, really the kind of people who deserve our support. I was just picking up some basics from the warehouse and found they are now selling Canadian optics... so to speak. I looked through the glass on a few and was impressed in particular by the Scorpion glass. He then explained that Scorpion is using Nikon glass. It made sense immediately as I have looked through Nikon glass many times. Wonderful clarity. I can't speak for tracking but if you set your zero and don't adjust in the field. It doesn't matter. Regardless, good price point from a Canuck sort of product. Frankly way better bang for buck when compared to the Vortex of similar x value and tube size... I do own a Scorpion that I purchased used and blemished for 75 bucks that I mounted on my new 6.8 XPR here on the EE, a ridiculously cheap rifle and scope combo that consistently smokes the 300 yard steel with violent report and 165 ABLR. Cheers
BTW it tracks fine..
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What is "Nikon Glass?" Like most scope names Nikon outsources their glass. There might be 3-4 European names sourcing their glass from affiliated glass manufacturers or owned by European glass makers i.e. Zeiss/Schott. At best you get Japanese glass or scopes built to spec by the Japanese and LOW is a prominent name.

As for the Scorpion brand, any scope manufacturer that makes Vortex look good isnt worth owning but thats just one mans opinion. Could always buy one and give us a review down the road.
 
270AB said:
What is "Nikon Glass?" Like most scope names Nikon outsources their glass. There might be 3-4 European names sourcing their glass from affiliated glass manufacturers or owned by European glass makers i.e. Zeiss/Schott. At best you get Japanese glass or scopes built to spec by the Japanese and LOW is a prominent name.

As for the Scorpion brand, any scope manufacturer that makes Vortex look good isnt worth owning but thats just one mans opinion. Could always buy one and give us a review down the road.
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Nikon Japan makes there own glass.. Hikari... unless you know otherwise.. and has for decades. They did stop making scopes and firearm related products and have by my sources sold the production equipment and glass license to a Canadian manufacture, hence my comment. To be clear I own Nikon scopes, a very cheap Scorpion scope, multiple Vortex products, Leupold products, Burris, Bushnell and some others that I can't recall. I have significant investments in glass of many types. I'm only mentioning the firearm related glass btw and I'm speaking from first hand inspection of product inspection... just a couple hours ago... The OP is free to disregard my opinion at his leisure and I will not be offended. I did not say it's the best... I simply said it's better bang for buck than Vortex.
Leica just came to mind on some of the really old stuff.. Cheers
 
270WSMXBolt said:
Nikon Japan makes there own glass.. Hikari... unless you know otherwise.. and has for decades. They did stop making scopes and firearm related products and have by my sources sold the production equipment and glass license to a Canadian manufacture, hence my comment. To be clear I own Nikon scopes, a very cheap Scorpion scope, multiple Vortex products, Leupold products, Burris, Bushnell and some others that I can't recall. I have significant investments in glass of many types. I'm only mentioning the firearm related glass btw and I'm speaking from first hand inspection of product inspection... just a couple hours ago... The OP is free to disregard my opinion at his leisure and I will not be offended. I did not say it's the best... I simply said it's better bang for buck than Vortex.
Leica just came to mind on some of the really old stuff.. Cheers
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I own a few Nikons as well but since they dont build rifle scopes anymore or offer a proper warranty its a moot point. I liked them outside of the weight and that horrible BDC reticle that came on some. Still have a couple of Monarchs on varmint cartridge rifles where the weight isnt a big factor.

Shame that Nikon took the woke route and bailed on rifle scopes. Also too bad they stopped warrantying their scopes and will only offer $$ towards other Nikon sports optics in return.

Crimson Trace bought Nikons lineup. Never owned one of them so cant comment.
 
Paul_T said:
I have 3 x Athlon, 2 x Bushnell, 1 x Leupold and 1 x Nightforce.

The Nightforce is the top of them all as would be expected.
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Not to be a ####, but i really hate comments like these. You can't bundle brands like that without specifying models. A Athlon Cronus, Bushnell XRS3, Leupold Mk5HD will run circles around a Nightforce SHV. But they are all more expensive than the SHV. Most brands have low to high end product lines and anything inbetween
 
MisterVRT said:
Not to be a ####, but i really hate comments like these. You can't bundle brands like that without specifying models. A Athlon Cronus, Bushnell XRS3, Leupold Mk5HD will run circles around a Nightforce SHV. But they are all more expensive than the SHV. Most brands have low to high end product lines and anything inbetween
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Lol well to make your life more complete:

Midas HMR IR 2.5-15x50
Midas TAC 5-25x56
Argos BTR 6-24x50

Elite 6500 (x2)

VX3-HD 3.5-10x40

NX8 4-32x50

 
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