Scope recommendation for a hunting rig

freddyfour

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Hey guys, budget is $1K give or take, new or used does not matter. Would like to try FFP but not a deal breaker, a reticle with some sort of drop compensator, magnification in the range of 2-15, 1" or 30mm do not care and not weigh as much as a brick.

What ya got for a recommendation?
 
How far are the shots you're planning on taking?

Does your $1000 budget include rail and rings?

My plan for a .223 Rem 700 is a Vortex Diamondback tactical 4-16x44 ($500) ATRS rail ($165) and ATRS low rings ($165). I typed "plan", because other unexpected yet necessary expenses keep arising.
 
I’d go for a Leupold with one of their drop reticles or my preference a CDS dial setup for your load, a little more precise than using a drop hold over.

Great durable scopes and light weight
 
I have a VX3i 2.5-8 on this rifle now, which I really like. But when at the range or out in the bush shooting steel I find the x8 not enough. At the same time I would like to keep the nice low end power for hunting.
 
How does the glass compare between the VX 5HD and the Razors?

I have the original Razor HD LH with the 1" tube as well as a couple Leupold VX-5HD 3-15 scopes. I would say the Razor glass is slightly better but not by much. The Leupold does seem to be slightly better when it's getting dark out but that could be because it has a 30mm tube not a 1" like the Razor. Overall out of those scopes I still prefer the VX-5HD because the 1" Razor LH is lacking in features comparatively.

But the new Razor LHT is a more comparable optic to the VX-5HD. 30mm tube and similar features. I would say the reticle on the Razor is more useable than the reticles available on the Leupold. When I need another hunting optic I'm pretty sure I'm going to be trying the new Razor LHT.
 
Just bought an Athlon Midas HMR 2.5-15x50. Illuminated BDC reticle. Under $900 with rings from Mystic Precision.

Haven’t got my hands on it yet, but it fits your criteria and everyone I’ve talked to has great things to say.
 
I have Swarovski Z3 3-10X42 with BRX reticles on most of my rifles, and that's quite a few. Great clarity and the BRX reticle works very well. There are often deals for under $1000 so skip the big box stores.
 
If you want FFP, good reticle etc. go with a Bushnell LRHS or LRTS. They are great scopes, very durable, good turrets that track reliably and the glass is nice. I have had a variety of different scopes from Vortex, Zeiss, Swarovski, Bushnell, Leupold and the Bushnell is my favorite of the bunch for what you get. If you won't be dialing the exposed turrets at all, it matters a little less, but these are a lot more bulletproof than the other scopes mentioned. Athlon makes a decent scope as well and they are growing in the market every day. Far from a no name brand. Jerry @Mystic Precision can hook you up with an Athlon. I will be trying the newer Meopta Optika 6 once it gets in over the next couple weeks here, but the weight is a little more prohibitive on that.
People have asked what exactly and how exactly it will be used and that will be crucial in determining what features you want to pay for. If you will use the exposed turrets, but also hunt, you want locking turrets and a reticle that is bold enough for the bush. The Bushnell checks both of those boxes. I found this around your price https://frontierfirearms.ca/bushnell-elite-tactical-lrts-3-12x44-g3-ffp-flat-dark-earth/ and I have bought from them and they are great to deal with.
If you won't be dialing and FFP isn't crucial, the LHT is a decent scope. I haven't really enjoyed the Vortex scopes I have had, but the Razors are decent scopes and I had a chance to look at the new LHT and it was decent. I had a VX6HD and a VX5HD due to the features, but they aren't as reliable scope. If you want to look into them more just google either and tracking issues... As for the Swarovski, my opinion is that you pay a premium for the brand name and there are other options that provide more for what you pay. YMMV. If you want more recommendations outside of those listed I could probably come up with more, but would be helpful to know exactly what you want.
 
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