I’m having trouble picking the right scope, and could really use some help. I just got a TIkka T3X TAC A1 in 308. I’m a newbie at PRS but been wanting to get into it for a while. My budget is around $2000-$2500, I was looking at the Riton 7 conquer 4-32x56 but have seen some conflicting reviews. I’m hoping to reach out to 1000 yard with this setup. Also going to probably end up taking this setup hunting. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Need help choosing optic!
- Thread starter outtaguntrol
- Start date
For $2500 you could likely find a used Razor Gen 2 that would be an amazing scope for PRS shooting. I have no experience with the Riton unfortunately.
The only thing is that the Gen 2 is quite heavy, so it might not make the ideal hunting optic. You'll soon find that PRS rifles and hunting rifles are purpose built for very different things. in PRS, more weight is generally a benefit, whereas in hunting, not so much. It's tough to have a do it all rifle.
The only thing is that the Gen 2 is quite heavy, so it might not make the ideal hunting optic. You'll soon find that PRS rifles and hunting rifles are purpose built for very different things. in PRS, more weight is generally a benefit, whereas in hunting, not so much. It's tough to have a do it all rifle.
A couple different options I would check out in that price range
Apex optics 4-32: pretty much exactly what you're looking for, Canadian company and decent glass
Nightforce NX8 4-32 or 2.5-20. For 308 I would opt for the 2.5-20 I LOVE mine. Glass is very good and it performs well
Apex optics 4-32: pretty much exactly what you're looking for, Canadian company and decent glass
Nightforce NX8 4-32 or 2.5-20. For 308 I would opt for the 2.5-20 I LOVE mine. Glass is very good and it performs well
Thanks clocked92, I was definitely thinking of the razor gen 2. I haven’t been able to find a used one for that price yet but if I do it’s going to be an option forsure. And I agree it’s won’t be a great hunting rifle, the tikka t3x tac a1 alone is already 10.36lb without optics so it’s a mammoth but guna try taking it out anyways lol
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
Have a look at the Athlon Cronus BTR g2, Ares ETR, Delta Stryker and Javelin. all fantastic performers and very well priced.
PM or email if I can help.
FYI, I am hard on my gear while shooting PRS so warranty support to me is very important. Whatever you decide on, make sure that brand has the support to solve any future issues with not a lot of down time and addn costs.
Thanks
Jerry
PM or email if I can help.
FYI, I am hard on my gear while shooting PRS so warranty support to me is very important. Whatever you decide on, make sure that brand has the support to solve any future issues with not a lot of down time and addn costs.
Thanks
Jerry
You've got a couple conflicting criteria in there, basically PRS use as well as hunting. As Clocked92 said, PRS rifles benefit from being heavy and hunting rifles, well, not so much. It all depends what kind of hunting you intend to do and how much time you'll spend shooting PRS vs hunting. If your style of hunting involves short hikes to then setup and glass, then a heavy PRS rifle can work. If you need to stalk through tight woods, you'll quickly get annoyed at the weight of the system. You'll also want to make sure that you have an illuminated reticle (the Riton is) as most FFP scopes used for PRS-type shooting have reticles that aren't very useful at low mag if not illuminated.
So basically it comes down to defining and prioritizing your use(s). If this is mainly going to be a PRS rifle that will occasionally go hunting, then get an optic that is more optimal for PRS (the Razor Gen 2 suggestion would be a great fit) and live with the downsides when hunting (mainly weight). If you want this to be more of "crossover" rifle that is setup for more balanced use between hunting and PRS, I'd look at a lighter weight optic, something sub 30oz in a 3-18, 4-20 or so. On the lighter weight side, the Vortex Razor LHT 4.5-22 is a good fit in the crossover segment having all the features of a "tactical" scope (ffp, x-mas tree reticle, illum) but in a lightweight package (22oz). On the slightly higher side (around 30oz) you have the NF NX8 2.5-20 and Leupold Mk5 3.6-18 that are both great scopes and would serve you well (but are prob not within your budget). I'm not sure what the cost is on the Bushnell DMR3 is but if you can find an older DMR2i, they are fantastic scopes that are super durable and offer all the features that you are looking for.
As to reaching out to 1000yds, you'll find you can do that with most decent scopes so long as you make sure they track properly. You really don't need much magnification as you can easily shoot at 1000 with a 10x scope so long as it's got clear glass.
I started a thread in the optics section about the best options in the $2k price point. The consensus is, don't be poor, nightforce anything is the best, and $2k scopes are garbage, LoL. All that said, I have a delta Stryker and an Athlon Cronus on the way to me. I've spent time behind both and they are great options. $2500 would get you a used razor gen2 which is a safe bet. Also gets you into the apex and the tract toric. None of these are light weight. I think you have alot of solid options in this price range regardless of what you are told on here.
That thread really went off the deep end with that last angry dude going on about $2000 ffp scopes all being garbage, haha. I'll grant that I've become spoiled in the last bunch of years and pretty much only run higher end optics but if I had $2g to spend on a scope right now I'd be looking hard at used scopes with a great warranty. Something like a Bushy (H)DMR2 or XRS2. I dunno how many (tens of?) thousands of rounds I've put through guns with those optics on them and never a hiccup. Track like surveying equipment, good glass (better in the XRS2 than the DMR2) and just bombproof. XRS2s go for sub $2k and you can probably get a DMR2 for around $1k. Lotsa bang for your buck and you won't miss a target on account of the scope, haha.
In the $2000-2500 range I've had really good luck with the Apex Rival, Bushnell XRS 2 and DMR 2 Pro scopes. Decent glass, excellent tracking, lifetime warranties if ever needed down the line.
Lots of other good scopes in that price range - Bushnell XRS 3, Burris XTR 3, Cronus/Stryker, Tract Toric, Minox LR etc. A used gen 2 Razor amd XRS 2 would fit the bill as well.
To help narrow things down, you should think about reticle preferences and features you want. You mention hunting, do you want illumination, locking turrets etc.
Lots of good options to chose from.
Lots of other good scopes in that price range - Bushnell XRS 3, Burris XTR 3, Cronus/Stryker, Tract Toric, Minox LR etc. A used gen 2 Razor amd XRS 2 would fit the bill as well.
To help narrow things down, you should think about reticle preferences and features you want. You mention hunting, do you want illumination, locking turrets etc.
Lots of good options to chose from.
I think the same guy went off on Leupold in another thread, then claimed the SHV was a great hunting scope, when it's just not.
Anyways, I frequent r/longrange as well and the number of folks shooting out past a grand with Strike Eagles, Viper PST GIIs, Bushnell Match Pros, and Burris XTRs is quite significant. The Bergara B-14 HMR/Viper PST Gen II combo is basically the "default" recommendation.
Used scopes are a good option as well went they're backed by solid, transferrable lifetime warranties.
Yeah there's this weird hyper-commercialized part of the "gun community" where it's all about flexing how nice your kit is, etc. All those scopes you mentioned are probably better than an old Leupold Mk4 3.5-10 (which was considered great 10 or so years ago) lotsa which got shot well past 1000 yds, haha. People like spending money on gear but balk at spending money on ammo or training. Even the best shooter is better served dropping $1k on an optic and $4k on ammo/training time than $5k on an optic, all things equal. Hard to flex your training on social media though, haha.
It comes down to the ol' saying better to be tail of dragon than head of snake. NF NX8 line gets you there and offers great performance for the price. APEX is another up and comer that I am impressed with. I had an Athlon and it was meh. I still dont under stand the hype about minox as I find all their scopes clarity sucks. Leopold priced themselves out of the market. ZCO is a great performer but big $$$ especially if you have multiple rifles. Schmidt and bender is an amazing option but used run for around 3K.
I'm tired of having to use Vortex' warranty so I dont buy them anymore.
The Burris XTR Pro is an amazing scope for the money! I have an XTR II and am still amazing behind it. is it as good as the NF? no but also $800 cheaper.
Sightron is another low flying great scope. My issue with a lot of these Japanese rebranded scopes is the consistency isn't there. Some people get a really good one, others not so good. If I had to pick between a Cronus, Stryker and NX8, I'd pick NX8 every time.
the law of diminishing returns definitely applies to optics, but for me how a scope handles mirage is very important. Nightforce, Kahles and Schmidt win that battle for me.
I'm tired of having to use Vortex' warranty so I dont buy them anymore.
The Burris XTR Pro is an amazing scope for the money! I have an XTR II and am still amazing behind it. is it as good as the NF? no but also $800 cheaper.
Sightron is another low flying great scope. My issue with a lot of these Japanese rebranded scopes is the consistency isn't there. Some people get a really good one, others not so good. If I had to pick between a Cronus, Stryker and NX8, I'd pick NX8 every time.
the law of diminishing returns definitely applies to optics, but for me how a scope handles mirage is very important. Nightforce, Kahles and Schmidt win that battle for me.
to add to what alot of the more experienced members said.
If you are a member of a range, see if any of the members will let you take a look through their scopes, of all different manufacturers. Check out the firmness/mushiness of the turret clicks, how big or small is the eye relief at min/max magnifications, do you like the reticle, how does the glass clarity seem to you, post an eye chart at 200m and take a look at it to compare if you can.
Just because 1 person loves a scope doesnt mean you will. Guy at my club bought a bushnell elite 6500 on recommendation from another member and doesnt like it because he hates the reticle.
i like my sightron 6-24 ffp on my 22lr and really like my apex. Upgraded over time from falcon, leupold varixiii, vx3(x2) sightron 6-24sfp(and ffp) and now apex.
If you are a member of a range, see if any of the members will let you take a look through their scopes, of all different manufacturers. Check out the firmness/mushiness of the turret clicks, how big or small is the eye relief at min/max magnifications, do you like the reticle, how does the glass clarity seem to you, post an eye chart at 200m and take a look at it to compare if you can.
Just because 1 person loves a scope doesnt mean you will. Guy at my club bought a bushnell elite 6500 on recommendation from another member and doesnt like it because he hates the reticle.
i like my sightron 6-24 ffp on my 22lr and really like my apex. Upgraded over time from falcon, leupold varixiii, vx3(x2) sightron 6-24sfp(and ffp) and now apex.
Try to find yourself a used Vortex AMG Razor 4-24x 50mm with the 30mm Tube. This is Vortex's flagship crossover PRS/Hunting scope. It has locking Turrets that are very simiiar to those of the Razor HD2, coupled with excellent Japanese glass and American manufacturing. This is Vortex's only scope built by the American Manufacturing Group (AMG), constructed entirely in the USA with imported Japanese glass and weighing in at a mere 28.8 oz. It is a fantastic scope that is bang-on as a crossover featuring all the best characteristics of the Razor HD in a much lighter, smaller package.
Nightforce is the only to go. 12 x 42 x ituminated . I have two fiends have been using the them for 10 years, not any porblems
ask for 1.5 min thats wht you get, my gun have three barrels over 3500 rounds on each . I put in on my 7mm mag for longrange ,
red dot is great at last minutes of daylight
ask for 1.5 min thats wht you get, my gun have three barrels over 3500 rounds on each . I put in on my 7mm mag for longrange ,
red dot is great at last minutes of daylight
Try to find yourself a used Vortex AMG Razor 4-24x 50mm with the 30mm Tube. This is Vortex's flagship crossover PRS/Hunting scope. It has locking Turrets that are very simiiar to those of the Razor HD2, coupled with excellent Japanese glass and American manufacturing. This is Vortex's only scope built by the American Manufacturing Group (AMG), constructed entirely in the USA with imported Japanese glass and weighing in at a mere 28.8 oz. It is a fantastic scope that is bang-on as a crossover featuring all the best characteristics of the Razor HD in a much lighter, smaller package.
The Razor AMG actually uses American made glass as well, not Japanese. That was the whole point of the AMG line.
