Suggestions for a "DMR"-type optic

You guys advocating for a $2k optic ought to unclench - nobody is saying that the precious Trijicon 1-8x isn't a wonderful DMR optic. Arguably even the best in its class for a balance of performance versus cost. That said, there is always better glass, it just depends on how much you want to spend and how you value the quality of your optic versus the price of your build, or your ammo and training budget.

The OP asked for glass suggestions in the $600 range. Some of us suggested he might not be satisfied for less than $1k. Others went "Full Retard" and contend with all of their ego that only $2k glass will do on a $600 plinking Sporter....

Anyone with money can do expensive glass. I have Vortex Razor HD2s and Trijicon where the firearms and their roles warrant it (to me), and then I have Bushnell Elite Tactical and Vortex PST 2 for my lesser rifles and roles. It is all about what I expect from the rifle and optic balance on a particular firearm, not just the ability to see. It is the ability to see and reliablly & effectively hit what you see. It is about the optic/firearm balance.

When the OP asks for suggestions in the $2k range the Trijicon 1-8x will be terrific advice. Under the current parameters it is an irrelevant suggestion akin to bragging. Yes, we all know that you have a Trijicon 1-8x scope and we are all very happy for you. Now, how about come useful advice for the OP?
 
Last edited:
Ive trained with CobraGt. And he kows that I said that as a joke. So put your pitchforks away.

So many uptight people here....
 
Bartok5 said:
You guys advocating for a $2k optic ought to unclench - nobody is saying that the precious Trijicon 1-8x isn't a wonderful DMR optic. Arguably even the best in its class for a balance of performance versus cost. That said, there is always better glass, it just depends on how much you want to spend and how you value the quality of your optic versus the price of your build, or your ammo and training budget.

The OP asked for glass suggestions in the $600 range. Some of us suggested he might not be satisfied for less than $1k. Others went "Full Retard" and contend with all of their ego that only $2k glass will do on a $600 plinking Sporter....

Anyone with money can do expensive glass. I have Vortex Razor HD2s and Trijicon where the firearms and their roles warrant it (to me), and then I have Bushnell Elite Tactical and Vortex PST 2 for my lesser rifles and roles. It is all about what I expect from the rifle and optic balance on a particular firearm, not just the ability to see. It is the ability to see and reliablly & effectively hit what you see. It is about the optic/firearm balance.
Click to expand...


Words of wisdom both sides of this argument can live by.

Yes, OP will likely be better suited to some higher end glass but fancy tools doesn't necessarily equate to success without putting in the time to actually build your skill set.
My "DMR type" rifle I posted up earlier in the thread only sports a PST optic because it's not my primary focus of my shooting, it's something I'm growing into and in my specifics the money spent on ammo and shooting will yield far better results than the 2-3k optic I REALLY wanted for it, which I'll likely purchase in the end if that aspect of shooting sticks with me.
Over the 4 rifles I shoot frequently, I've invested over 7k in optics but only because that's the area I shoot the most and have the personal abilities to back that optic up.
In a similar response I made in a different thread last week, in the hands of an inexperienced shooter you won't see a difference on paper whether they're shooting a 400 dollar bushnell or a 4000 dollar S&B. Likewise, a well trained and competent shooter can make do with whatever they've got on hand.

You can't purchase skills, and I'm assuming that's where the OP is at as well.
 
Not the best glass, but okay, the magnification is high and it has a big objective.

Argos BTR (Tactical)
214060 6-24x50, Direct Dial, Side Focus, 30mm, FFP, ATMR IR-MOA MSRP $585.96
214061 6-24x50, Direct Dial, Side Focus, 30mm, FFP, APMR IR-MIL MSRP $585.96

https://athlonoptics.com/product/rifle-scopes-argos-6-24x50-atmr-ffp-ir-moa/
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...497-Athlon-Optics-Price-List?highlight=Athlon

Over at www.gobigtactical.ca , it's the cheapest I've seen and heard good things. No hands on. I would love this in a lower magnification and smaller objective.

ArgosBTR-62450-01.jpg

 

Attachments

  • ArgosBTR-62450-01.jpg
    ArgosBTR-62450-01.jpg
    46.8 KB · Views: 284
Last edited:
CobraGT said:
So here's my situation. I have a Colt Canada IUR 15.7 upper which, while it is on the heavy side, is freakishly consistent in its shot placement. So, I've decided to use it as the basis for a medium-range (200-400 yard) DMR rifle sometime later this year.

I'm thinking I'd like to spend maybe $600ish for an optic, tops, and would want something decent in relatively low light, variable zoom (maxing out at something like 12x?) with an illuminated reticle.

What would people suggest? I already have a couple of spare rings and other mounts, so really only need the optic. I have several 1-4 optics already, but I'd like something with more magnification for longer ranges.

Thanks!

Click to expand...


I was looking at a DMR optic as well. I like the versatility of a 2.5-10 and was thinking for the vortex viper. The new strike eagles look interesting and I like the EBR-4 Reticles but it also seems very busy so that's something you'd have to be comfortable with.

If I don't go 2.5-10x it would be one of vortex new 1-6, I find 4x just a little weak for 400-500 meter shots with a 5.56.

As noted I'd be very cognizant of the glass you're buying with strike eagles. I have both the viper PST and strike eagle and its a very noticeable difference.
 
While PA makes some okay stuff, I'm not a fan of the ACSS reticle. I really don't like drop compensation and prefer knowing my load drops in mil or moa, too much variation unless you're only dropping lead on big gongs.

For a DMR I'm assuming a person wants to dial and you're not going to do that on the PA 1-8.
madashell said:
Can't believe this hasn't been suggested until now.

Best choice for the OP imo.
Click to expand...
 
Another option to check out are some of the Sightron scopes like the 2x10 S-Tac.
I personally feel your going to sacrifice overall quality by wanting an illuminated reticle. Ymmv

Sightron is carried by Hirsch Precision, a forum sponsor to boot.
 
skoal said:
Yeah but dosnt mean a guy has to go without eating for a few weeks just to glass his ar.
Click to expand...

Heh, I probably could afford to go without eating for a few weeks... pants have been getting tighter in the past coupla years... ;)

With regard to cost vs performance, anyone who has shot with me (Dilli for example) knows I don't mind spending the money to put good optics on my guns. This "DMR" is not the main focus of my shooting; more just a side thing I'm interested in. As such I wasn't looking to drop a bunch of money on it, hence the budget I had stated.

That being said, if there isn't anything decent in my stated price range, I'll look at something a bit costlier. The Trijicon looks great, but I'd like something with at least 10x magnification and pretty decent glass.

Thanks for all the advice, guys!! Looks like I have some research to do.
 
CobraGT said:
Heh, I probably could afford to go without eating for a few weeks... pants have been getting tighter in the past coupla years... ;)

With regard to cost vs performance, anyone who has shot with me (Dilli for example) knows I don't mind spending the money to put good optics on my guns. This "DMR" is not the main focus of my shooting; more just a side thing I'm interested in. As such I wasn't looking to drop a bunch of money on it, hence the budget I had stated.

That being said, if there isn't anything decent in my stated price range, I'll look at something a bit costlier. The Trijicon looks great, but I'd like something with at least 10x magnification and pretty decent glass.

Thanks for all the advice, guys!! Looks like I have some research to do.
Click to expand...

Keep us updated... i am curious to know what you are oging to go with.

Not that I know anything about DMR but if I was in your place I would keep away from scopes that have a parallax dial.
The whole point of semi-auto designated marksman rifle is speed.
You are giving up a bit of accuracy for the ability to engage targets quicker.

Keep the good old Celestron 31045 AstroMaster telescope on top of your bolt rifle or 50cal,
stay in the 1-9x range or go fixed 10x like what Marine snipers used back in the day.

Cheers,


ps: Why did M.Donut get banned??!?!?!??! Wtf?!?!
 
Last edited:
GreenBob said:
Keep us updated... i am curious to know what you are oging to go with.

Not that I know anything about DMR but if I was in your place I would keep away from scopes that have a parallax dial.
The whole point of semi-auto designated marksman rifle is speed.
You are giving up a bit of accuracy for the ability to engage targets quicker.

Keep the good old Celestron 31045 AstroMaster telescope on top of your bolt rifle or 50cal,
stay in the 1-9x range or go fixed 10x like what Marine snipers used back in the day.

Cheers,


ps: Why did M.Donut get banned??!?!?!??! Wtf?!?!
Click to expand...

I disagree with avoiding anything with a parallax dial. Just cause you can't adjust for it, doesn't mean there isn't parallax error. Scopes without parallax dials just have it set at the factory, normally around 100 yards. So if you leave your dial set at 100, then it's the same. But when you have the time, you can dial it.

I'd say have a look at something in a 2.5-10 or 3ish-12 with a good reticle. I'm thinking hard about replacing the Leupy Mk4 3.5-10 on my M14 with a Bushy LRHS 3-12. It's ffp, good mag range, mil/mil and has a very useful reticle, basically a Xmas tree with a circle overlaid. If the circle was illuminated, that'd be damn near perfect. You can get illumination in the LRTSI, I think, but it's 4-14.
 
That's true xdmer, if you want to dial for DMR I'd choose something else.

However, the ACSS is not just for hitting gongs. It's also good for it's intended purpose. ;)

xdmer said:
While PA makes some okay stuff, I'm not a fan of the ACSS reticle. I really don't like drop compensation and prefer knowing my load drops in mil or moa, too much variation unless you're only dropping lead on big gongs.

For a DMR I'm assuming a person wants to dial and you're not going to do that on the PA 1-8.
Click to expand...
 
xdmer said:
Not the best glass, but okay, the magnification is high and it has a big objective.

Argos BTR (Tactical)
214060 6-24x50, Direct Dial, Side Focus, 30mm, FFP, ATMR IR-MOA MSRP $585.96
214061 6-24x50, Direct Dial, Side Focus, 30mm, FFP, APMR IR-MIL MSRP $585.96

https://athlonoptics.com/product/rifle-scopes-argos-6-24x50-atmr-ffp-ir-moa/
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...497-Athlon-Optics-Price-List?highlight=Athlon

Over at www.gobigtactical.ca , it's the cheapest I've seen and heard good things. No hands on. I would love this in a lower magnification and smaller objective.
Click to expand...

These Athlon optics look interesting, and reasonably priced if they're good, but even though I like to get good value for my money, I'm not cheap... I'm a 'buy once cry once' kinda guy. I wonder what the Athlon glass quality and build quality are actually like. Anyone have any first-hand experience with these?

I'm not going to be buying for a few months, but at this point I'm leaning toward raising my budget a bit, and am looking at:
  • something in the Leupold VX-series ($800-$1000ish)
  • something in the Vortex Viper PST or HS series ($850-$1000ish)
  • maybe a Sightron SIIB 3-12 ($850ish)

Thoughts on these? Or others that may be better for the same or less money?
 
Last edited:
CobraGT said:
These Athlon optics look interesting, and reasonably priced if they're good, but even though I like to get good value for my money, I'm not cheap... I'm a 'buy once cry once' kinda guy. I wonder what the Athlon glass quality and build quality are actually like. Anyone have any first-hand experience with these?

I'm not going to be buying for a few months, but at this point I'm leaning toward raising my budget a bit, and am looking at:
  • something in the Leupold VX-series ($800-$1000ish)
  • something in the Vortex Viper PST or HS series ($850-$1000ish)
  • maybe a Sightron SIIB 3-12 ($850ish)

Thoughts on these? Or others that may be better for the same or less money?
Click to expand...

I have an HS-T 4-16X44 MRAD and its not bad. Its the only HS I would consider, some models have a capped windage/target elevation turret. Maybe a Wild TV deer sniper special or something but anyways. From what I can gather, the HS-T is basically an SFP 1st gen PST without the illumination. Only 1 reticle choice though, the VMR-1 in mil or moa with matched turrets. Its a basic hash reticle like Leupolds TMR or NF MLR. The mil version uses .5 mil spacing with no wind holds below the center stadia. Its basic but functional. Glass is pretty good, typical of vipers. Not great and nothing to rave about at the price point but it gets the job done. Being SFP and lacking wind holds I wouldn't put it too high on my list for a DMR role only because there are better suited optics. If Bushnell has put the G2DMR reticle in a mid power lighter weight 30mm optic that would be a strong contender for me in the $1000 range. They have added it to the venerable 6-24X50 with mil turrets in ffp but that is a lot of magnification for 200-400m. The 3-12 FFP would be great paired with the G2DMR reticle.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom