Mid priced, high powered FFP opinions

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gotboostvr

gotboostvr

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I'm still hunting for a scope for my informal target shooting rifle. Selling off some extra scopes I had laying around.

I think I'm starting to narrow it down.

I like the Arken SH4 6-24x, but it's got a 16 week backorder. I'm willing to roll the dice, but that's a longer wait than I'd like.

I'm seeing some Crimson Trace series 3 scopes. They have pretty good reviews. Apparently Japanese glass that's supposed to be very good.

There's some Bushnell Nitro's on blow out that might be pretty nice as well.

Athlon has a couple models that I think are pretty tempting. The Helos and Midas Tac both 6-24x. I think they're the front runners right now. The Helos is doable without question, the Midas Tac might be pushing the budget a little to get a Christmas tree reticle that I'd like. Is there a big difference?

I've looked at the Vortex Strike Eagles, but I'm just not interested.

Anybody have a favorite in the FFP ~$600 category? I'd like 20x or more on the top end, max of 6x on the bottom. Don't need illumination, weight isn't a concern. I would prefer a Christmas tree reticle, but I'm not set on MIL or MOA.
 
gotboostvr said:
I'm still hunting for a scope for my informal target shooting rifle. Selling off some extra scopes I had laying around.

I think I'm starting to narrow it down.

I like the Arken SH4 6-24x, but it's got a 16 week backorder. I'm willing to roll the dice, but that's a longer wait than I'd like.

I'm seeing some Crimson Trace series 3 scopes. They have pretty good reviews. Apparently Japanese glass that's supposed to be very good.

There's some Bushnell Nitro's on blow out that might be pretty nice as well.

Athlon has a couple models that I think are pretty tempting. The Helos and Midas Tac both 6-24x. I think they're the front runners right now. The Helos is doable without question, the Midas Tac might be pushing the budget a little to get a Christmas tree reticle that I'd like. Is there a big difference?

I've looked at the Vortex Strike Eagles, but I'm just not interested.

Anybody have a favorite in the FFP ~$600 category? I'd like 20x or more on the top end, max of 6x on the bottom. Don't need illumination, weight isn't a concern. I would prefer a Christmas tree reticle, but I'm not set on MIL or MOA.
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I've seen the Bushnell Forge first focal plane show up in the $600 $700 range every now and then.
Might also want to take a look at the Athlon Aries BTR Gen 2s I believe those are available from camera land for about 550, I had a first generation It was really impressed except for the fact that I hate first focal plane scopes.
 
LoonWulf said:
I've seen the Bushnell Forge first focal plane show up in the $600 $700 range every now and then.
Might also want to take a look at the Athlon Aries BTR Gen 2s I believe those are available from camera land for about 550, I had a first generation It was really impressed except for the fact that I hate first focal plane scopes.
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Those Ares are a little out of my price range currently. I might have to give Doug a call. I've heard tell he's liable to cut you a deal over the phone.

What's your dislike with FFP's? I've heard you mention that before.

Laphroaig said:
Bushnell Matchpro checks all of the boxes for $450 or so. Must be ordered direct from Bushnell and there is a backorder time.

https://www.bushnell.com/riflescopes/match-pro/match-pro-6-24x50-riflescope/P2178035.html
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That one ticks alot of boxes as well. Probably a real good deal since they're cutting out the middle man and going with pretty basic packaging. Seems like they're actively trying to get the shooter the best scope for the price. I don't think they'd market it so heavily at competitors if it wouldn't at least be decent for the price, or it'd catch a bad rep fast.
 
gotboostvr said:
What's your dislike with FFP's? I've heard you mention that before.
Click to expand...
I try to mostly buy wide range variables these days and I like more power on the top end. A FFP 2.5-15 or 4.5-27ish, usually has a very thin reticle as most of its usage is probably going to be at the upper end. That makes it harder to see than I like at lower power.
Again even if I don't USE 2.5x its disconcerting when i cant make out the crosshair easily.

This would all be fairly academic, IF I was willing to invest the time and get comfortable with FFP scopes. As is, for what I do, there isnt a real advantage to them, and im too cheap and lazy to get used to them.
That also dosent mean I think they are bad, or wont buy them if I like everything else about the scope.....just that my personal prejudice is strong enough to avoid them if possible.
 
FFP has its purpose and many scopes do not understand what that is about. If you cannot use a reticle at a lower power, it is pretty useless. I do not use FFP.
 
For reference, I'm upgrading from the Primary Arms 4-14xFFP. Mine was a MILDOT model. It's held up for a number of years, but I'd like something nicer.

For anyone with experience, does the Vortex PST have upgraded glass over the HS? The HS's glass and coatings didn't really impress me when I was looking for hunting scopes.
 
I know it’s 30% above your target, but Midway has the Bushnell DMR II’s available for a hair over $800. These were clearing out at $670-750 a few weeks ago, but $800 is still a great deal on them. FFP Christmas tree, 3.5-21x50mm, reliable tracking, wonderfully clear glass with resolution above its price point. Stretching the budget a little here brings a nice bump in performance.
 
Varminterror said:
I know it’s 30% above your target, but Midway has the Bushnell DMR II’s available for a hair over $800. These were clearing out at $670-750 a few weeks ago, but $800 is still a great deal on them. FFP Christmas tree, 3.5-21x50mm, reliable tracking, wonderfully clear glass with resolution above its price point. Stretching the budget a little here brings a nice bump in performance.
Click to expand...

I could probably spare a couple stripper clips of XM193 to sell and make up the difference. :rofl:
 
Let's get the requirements locked. Price? It is all about cost. You get what you pay for. I have been ruined now that I have a higher end Leupy. Never believed the difference between lower and upper quality glass. Night and day. Don't ever get behind superior glass. You will be ruined.
 
army_eod said:
Let's get the requirements locked. Price? It is all about cost. You get what you pay for. I have been ruined now that I have a higher end Leupy. Never believed the difference between lower and upper quality glass. Night and day. Don't ever get behind superior glass. You will be ruined.
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Probably $600. I'm not opposed to buying used especially if it's from Leupold or Vortex since they'll both fix/replace scopes for second hand buyers.

I could always sell off some more gear I've got sitting around. Plenty of bakelite AK furniture and no AK, PSL mags but no PSL, Burris FF2 I've got just sitting around in its box.
 
rbernie said:
The PST Gen2 has much better glass, to my eyes, then either the HS/HST or the Gen1. The Bushnell DMR II that Varminterror suggested is probably the highest quality choice of the lot.
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Agree on all counts. Have a Gen II PST I bought on sale and I bought the DMRII on sale as well. I could be happy with either, but like the DMR better overall. The Gen II PST is much better than the Gen I
 
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