Upgrading scope. *Got it! Pics and review in last post*

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Roddy

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Hello. I have a Vortex Viper PST 6-24x FFP with an EBR2 MRAD reticle. I am looking to upgrade to something a little more robust with a bit better optical clarity.

The features I am looking for are FFP, mechanical zero stop, 4-6 to 20-25×, and definitely a miliradian based reticle either a Christmas tree type or something with half mil increments.

Other features that I would like but aren't deal breakers are an illuminated reticle, a sun shade, and a 30mm tube as I have a 30mm AI mount I spent a lot of money on but I can always sell it and get something else.

I bought the Viper PST because it had almost all these features but the shim zero stop system isn't the best. The optical quality to me doesn't look that good but I have nothing better to compare it to so maybe it's just me. And I based on reviews I have read I just don't trust it 100% and feel I should have a better scope.

I thought the Burris XTR II looked promising but I can't find one in Canada. Nightforce has rave reviews but they lack some of the features I would like to have in the models in my price range, most importantly to me the mil based reticle. The Gen 1 Vortex Razor looked good but I can't find one and the 35mm tube seems weird to me.

So what would the members here reccomend and where can I get it, new or used? The rifle is a .308 AI AE used for plinking, coyote hunting, and entry level competition.

Thanks in advance!
 
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Keep the Viper for now and save up more $$$$$$ for a better scope. Schmidt and Bender, Nightforce, or Tangent Theta won't disappoint and will last you a lifetime. ;)
 
The Vortex optics don't look good to me either had a viper ffp 4-16, get a nxs I would stay away from the budget line and whatever short cuts they took, you look hard and you should get a F1 used bellow 2000$.
 
Thanks for the advice everyone. The S&B is just too much to spend I think. I don't use the rifle for anything serious enough to justify spending that much.

The Nightforce ATACR or NSX, where would be the best place to buy one in Canada?

I have been checking the EE for a few weeks. There is a Leupold 6.5-20× LR/T that is well within my budget but I don't know anything about them. Not sure if it's much of an improvement in qua little or if it has the windage and elevation adjustments in mils.
 
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I think I'll be going down the same road as you when I have the money. I currently have a Bushnell Elite Tactical 6-24x50 with the G2 reticle and the new Tactical Hunter with the G2 style reticle. So far, these are my favourite reticles. If you watch the PRS competition videos on YouTube you'll notice that there are a ton of Bushnell DMR / HDMR / ERS / XRS scopes being used and I'm tempted to pick one one when I have the money.

Check out Precision Rifle Blog as well, they have an excellent article that compares a very large number of mid to high end scopes in an extremely rigorous test.
 
I have the exact same ERS scope in the above video but with the TReMoR2 reticle. Very nice scope with glass not quite up to ATACR standards but definitely comparable to the NXS. The locking turrets and zero stop seem to be working just fine. Scope tracks perfect and always returns back to zero. The only complaint I have with the scope is that when zooming past 15x eye positioning is very finicky, at least on mine.
 
armorman said:
I have the exact same ERS scope in the above video but with the TReMoR2 reticle. Very nice scope with glass not quite up to ATACR standards but definitely comparable to the NXS. The locking turrets and zero stop seem to be working just fine. Scope tracks perfect and always returns back to zero. The only complaint I have with the scope is that when zooming past 15x eye positioning is very finicky, at least on mine.
Click to expand...

Would you reccomend the ERS over the DMR for the extra few hundred dollars? Is the zero stop the biggest difference?

Have you ever compared the glass to a Vortex Viper? Is it much of a step up?
 
According to Bushnell, all the 3.5-21s have the same glass. The DMR has no zero stops and 5 mil per revolution, turrets lock in the down position. The higher end models have 10 mil per revolution and zero stops along with more reticle choices. I like the G2DMR quite a bit. The glass is excellent but the downside afforded by the lower cost is eye positioning is more critical at higher magnifications. When you're centered its great but not as forgiving as Nightforce. Personally I wouldn't upgrade to a higher end model for the turrets or reticle options but I wouldn't say no to a good deal on one either.

Roddy said:
Would you reccomend the ERS over the DMR for the extra few hundred dollars? Is the zero stop the biggest difference?

Have you ever compared the glass to a Vortex Viper? Is it much of a step up?
Click to expand...
 
supernova said:
According to Bushnell, all the 3.5-21s have the same glass. The DMR has no zero stops and 5 mil per revolution, turrets lock in the down position. The higher end models have 10 mil per revolution and zero stops along with more reticle choices. I like the G2DMR quite a bit. The glass is excellent but the downside afforded by the lower cost is eye positioning is more critical at higher magnifications. When you're centered its great but not as forgiving as Nightforce. Personally I wouldn't upgrade to a higher end model for the turrets or reticle options but I wouldn't say no to a good deal on one either.
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Thank you very much supernova, and everyone else who replied. That's exactly the type of information I was looking for.

I do use my zero stop (but don't like the design in the Vortex) and I would appreciate the 10 mil per turn turrets so for me I think that would be worth it. Losing the eye box due to being off center I could live with as I have a fully adjustable stock and that may even help me be more consistent.
 
I have the ERS 3.5 -21 with the G2 reticle and I quite like it. The glass is a bit better than my viper PST. I would agree with the comments that it is fussy about eye position, but of you have an adjustable buttstock and can dial it in you shouldn't have any issues.
 
Roddy said:
Thanks for the advice everyone. The S&B is just too much to spend I think. I don't use the rifle for anything serious enough to justify spending that much.

The Nightforce ATACR or NSX, where would be the best place to buy one in Canada?
I have been checking the EE for a few weeks. There is a Leupold 6.5-20× LR/T that is well within my budget but I don't know anything about them. Not sure if it's much of an improvement in qua little or if it has the windage and elevation adjustments in mils.
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I have the exact same scope as you and my next purchase will be a Schmidt & Bender
Actually the S&B 6x24 is the best value going at the moment at around $3800.
S&B prices have not gone up while our dollar has plummeted.
Comparable NF scopes have gone up substantially in the same timeframe.
 
thump_rrr said:
I have the exact same scope as you and my next purchase will be a Schmidt & Bender
Actually the S&B 6x24 is the best value going at the moment at around $3800.
S&B prices have not gone up while our dollar has plummeted.
Comparable NF scopes have gone up substantially in the same timeframe.
Click to expand...

5-25 you mean?
 
thump_rrr said:
I have the exact same scope as you and my next purchase will be a Schmidt & Bender
Actually the S&B 6x24 is the best value going at the moment at around $3800.
S&B prices have not gone up while our dollar has plummeted.
Comparable NF scopes have gone up substantially in the same timeframe.
Click to expand...

S&B prices APPEAR to be staying steady, but once wolverine is out of the stock they got on the par dollar, I'd expect that to change. I could be wrong, but I don't see why S&B prices would be immune. BUY NOW!!! DO NOT DELAY!!!
 
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