Deciding on a new scope. Narrowed it down.

[MR WICK]

As you all know I'm into Long Range Precision Shooting. I'm holding off on a new rifle and getting some new glass instead. Going through tons of reviews and videos I've narrowed it down to 2. These are what the top competitors in the world are using.

Nightforce ATACR 7-35X56

or

Vortex Rozor HD Gen II 4.5-27

There is a price jump I just want to make sure the price jump is worth it. Thanks.

 

[Hugger-4641]

I would check make sure the side turret on the Vortex doesn't get hit by ejecting cases. They stick out a bit more than other scopes.

 

[MR WICK]

I would check make sure the side turret on the Vortex doesn't get hit by ejecting cases. They stick out a bit more than other scopes.

That's funny you mention that. I already did. But thank you for the input.

 

[MR WICK]

I've decided on the Vortex because of their warranty. It's the number 3 used scope for all major long distance benchrest competitions.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

Wow nice scopes. Im cheap lol. 400.00 is my limit.

 

[thump_rrr]

I've said it before and I'll say it again.
The best warranty is the one you never have to use.
My preferences in high end glass Tangent Theta, Zero Compromise Optics, Schmidt & Bender , Steiner, Nightforce.

 

[Varminterror]

The Nightforce is a substantially better optic than the Gen II Razor. Vortex also doesn’t actually have a better warranty than most brands, they just advertise it more aggressively - NF will take care of their shooters. Both companies are great supporters of sportsmen, so soft science between the two is largely moot, so the objective differential between the two matters - the NF ATACR is worth the price difference.

 

[taliv]

why wouldn't you look at the vortex gen3 6-36?

vortex came out with the gen2 to compete against the S&B PM2 5-25 back when NF was still trying to figure out FFP.
then NF came out with the ATACR 7-35.
recently vortex introduced their gen 3 at 6-36 which is clearly intended to compete against the NF.

yes the gen2 4-27 is still a capable optic and you can probably find them pretty dang cheap as people upgrade, but i'd want the newer gen

 

[mavracer]

Before I spent 3K on a specialized optic I'd figure out exactly which discipline of long range shooting I wanted to specialize in.
You keep using Benchrest and PRS/ELR interchangeable and they're not exactly.
While there is significant overlap because both require a great deal of precision, they have somewhat different requirements for an optic.
Benchrest is about shooting small groups at a given range so a very high magnification second focal plane scopes with fine crosshairs is preferable. Because your gun will be zeroed for that range there's no need for a ranging reticle.
PRS/ELR is about hitting a small target at some random distance so it's much more advantageous to have a first focal plane scope with a ranging and wind hold reticle.
In my limited experience a dedicated PRS gun would work better at Benchrest than a dedicated Benchrest gun does at PRS.

 

[Varminterror]

I've decided on the Vortex because of their warranty. It's the number 3 used scope for all major long distance benchrest competitions.

I’m quite certain this isn’t true. I’m betting again this info came from Precision Rifle Blog and pertains to PRS competition, NOT benchrest.

Maybe popularly of the Golden Eagle has exploded the last couple of years, but I’m betting against that- way too many other optics have been dominating the Benchrest game for too long to think Vortex came up to #3.

 

[Walkalong]

In my limited experience a dedicated PRS gun would work better at Benchrest than a dedicated Benchrest gun does at PRS.

A PRS rifle would not win, nor embarrass its self at a true Benchrest match, but a true Benchrest gun with a SFP 36X or higher scope would drown at a PRS match.

 

[Walkalong]

I’m quite certain this isn’t true. I’m betting again this info came from Precision Rifle Blog and pertains to PRS competition, NOT benchrest.

Maybe popularly of the Golden Eagle has exploded the last couple of years, but I’m betting against that- way too many other optics have been dominating the Benchrest game for too long to think Vortex came up to #3.

And the Benchrest crowd isn't quick to change what's working. Now, show up and beat them with something different, a certain percentage will go out and get whatever it is and try it out in practice.

 

[Varminterror]

In my limited experience a dedicated PRS gun would work better at Benchrest than a dedicated Benchrest gun does at PRS.

A PRS rifle would not win, nor embarrass its self at a true Benchrest match, but a true Benchrest gun with a SFP 36X or higher scope would drown at a PRS match.

For sure - a common custom PRS rifle could shoot small enough to avoid embarrassment at benchrest matches (Robert Brantley shoots his PRS rifle in smaller LR bench matches near his home a few times each year, as an example), but certainly wouldn’t win. But a single shot bench gun with a big zoom second focal plane and no bipod accommodations simply wouldn’t work in PRS format.

Stock cars and drag cars are built differently because they run different races. Pretty straight forward.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I wonder what class a 400.00 223 with a scope of equal value would fall under.

 

[Varminterror]

I wonder what class a 400.00 223 with a scope of equal value would fall under.

Depends on the discipline. Every shooting sport has its own class structure.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I be interested knocking over steel silhouettes out to 2-300 yards. With my axis and with my citadel scope. Off the bench. I can hit clays at 200 with it.
https://sightmark.com/products/citadel-3-18x50-lr2-riflescope

 

[mavracer]

I be interested knocking over steel silhouettes out to 2-300 yards. With my axis and with my citadel scope. Off the bench. I can hit clays at 200 with it.
https://sightmark.com/products/citadel-3-18x50-lr2-riflescope

Just know that you're taking a knife to a gunfight and set your expectations accordingly. Think of your entry fee as paying for an education and show up to a match. I shot my first PRS style match with a 16" 5.56 AR amd a 3-9x scope shooting factory Fiocchi 77gr SMKs. I had a top ranked competitor giving me come ups and wind calls,I learned a ton made new friends and had a blast.
Just be cautioned it'll make you want a 6mm something or other

 

[Walkalong]

Bingo!

 

[Varminterror]

I be interested knocking over steel silhouettes out to 2-300 yards. With my axis and with my citadel scope. Off the bench. I can hit clays at 200 with it.
https://sightmark.com/products/citadel-3-18x50-lr2-riflescope

Do you have a local range offering this kind of match? Or will you travel far enough to participate in them? If yes, then as I mentioned to @MR WICK in his pursuit, you’ll have to fit into the rules of the game being played, as determine by those offering it. I don’t recall a Silhouette Class which allows centerfires which shoots only to 300m, but a local club might be doing something of that flavor. Or you might have to learn to enjoy shooting out to 500.

Most local clubs enable shooters to come enjoy shooting in most formats. Even if scores aren’t officially kept due to gear rule incompatibilities, there tends to be some kind of concession made to let shooters enjoy shooting. How competitive any given rifle might be when pressed out of its element, notwithstanding.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

Keystone fish and game does informal matches. I belong to Keystone fish and game. https://www.keystonefishandgameclub.com/events.html There is a club about 50 miles from me. I need to research them some more. A different one under the Keystone name. I just want to have some fun.
Keystone Sportsmen Association

 

[hdbiker]

I up graded my .243 from a K MART 4x to a Vortex Diamondback 4x12x40, I liked it so well I put on n my .270. Bright, clear and only 200.00 at the time