Looking for a Scope for a Long Range Build

[DL42]

[grayfox]

You didn't say what rifle it will go on... it's up to the task for shooting that far, yes? If it's your Grendel, that's not what I personally would take to a 1k line.

There are several guys on here with more distance experience than I have, who will chime in with S&B, Kahles, and scopes like that, all of which I'm sure are excellent. I have one Viper hs-t that I took to 1000 yds on a 6.5 CM, it did ok but was starting to get a bit hazy at 1k, it's more like 600 yd to me. If I were looking I'd probably look at their pst gen II 5-25x50 ffp, with the ebr-7c MOA reticle, for a grand on amazon. I have several vortex's and like 'em.
PA has a 6-30x56 for $1.5k but you need to get that newer athena reticle vice their deka...

[Klem]

For long range you have to pay to play. 1,500yds with a $1.3K scope you will end up throwing money downrange because it will be like looking through a Coke bottle and won't be repeatable enough to instill confidence. You will think it's everything else but the one thing you can't see; the scopes repeatability.

25x upper limit and four-times zoom ratios are becoming dated technology. 8-times for FFP and 10-times for SFP are the go now. Or at least a decent upper limit on the zoom range for the lower priced options.

Your Christmas tree might be wasted at long range and end up making the scope too busy.

The Nightforce Competition is a reasonably priced, repeatable scope with excellent glass. It is popular with long range shooters. 15-55*52, SFP (only) and comes in MOA. It has 0.125clicks. On a hot day you won't be able to use all of it but when it's cool it will let you see detail at long range. And when you crank it up you need good resolution or it defeats the purpose of having high magnification. This includes being able to see the mirage at the target to adjust for wind. You also won't be getting in your truck to check targets all the time. With decent glass you will be able to see holes at 500M but with cheaper scopes you won't.

What calibre are you thinking of using at 1,500yds?

[Bigs28]

Start checking the ar15.com classified section. Some good deals come up their on used optics still in great to mint condition and you can get a better optic for the money.

[FLshooter]

[TNhuntsman]

If you like Bushnell then CameralandNY has some good deals on their Elite Tactical line of scopes, these are made in Japan. https://cameralandny.com/shop/brands...f-d6f5a8428b8a

They also have the Athlon Ares ETR for a good price but is made in China if that's a concern.

[grayfox]

My eyes aren't near what they used to be, so beyond 300 yds I crank it up anyway... so SFP would be a non issue. Under 300 you can back down to an easy multiple, 1/2 max is 2 for 1, 2/3 max is 3 for 2...And with an app like strelok it makes those calcs for you in the reticle picture... so you can have a dope card to take to the field with you.

[DL42]

This will likely be a 6.5CM Savage 110. My Grendel AR is good for up to 1000 yards, even with both head and crosswinds. It used to donn a Vortex HST, and I agree. That scope was good to 600 yards, but beyond 18x mag it started to get very hard to get a good sight pitcure. At 24x, it was worthless, and I have outstanding eyesight.

[DL42]

Most likely 6.5 CM, and I would expect most shots to be in the 800-1200 yard range. However, the new Savage chassis rifles have no price difference between short action and long action, so I might end up just going for the 338 Lapua. Honestly, my Grendel is a blast for the 600-1000 yard shots, so whatever this rifle is will be to carry the torch past 1000. I love in Cali, so my opportunities to shoot extreme distance are scant, and if Im going to shell out 2K for glass for a rifle that wont be shot all that often, Im starting to think I might as well just go for gold. That, or settle for a C+ scope...

[grayfox]

I've got that 110 Savage, nice rig. Right now it has the gen 1 pst on it, got it on sale a few months ago. Haven't had a chance to go to 1000 yet.
There isn't any 1.5k range out here in my neck of the woods. If I can get better than 25% hit rate on steel at a grand I'd be happy!

[centerfire]

The sooner you get away from MOA the better off you'll be. Nearly all of the scopes that fit your criteria are Mil and the ones that don't I wouldn't bother with. The world has changed and Mil won in the "tactical" space. If you switch to Mil the options really open up. With that said I'd probably look at a Viper if you want new or a Razor G2 if you're ok with used. Personally I don't like the Viper Gen2 glass too much but everyone sees differently so what looks good to me may not to you. The HST glass looks like a potato to me for whatever it is worth.

[Klem]

If you are contemplating 338LM then you can afford a decent scope. I used to own a Rem 338 and every time I pulled the trigger the dollar signs rang in my head - more painful than the recoil.

I use a March Mils/Mils for long range, 5-40*56 FFP. If I had my time again I'd probably go SFP but I convince myself I need it for short range hunting and touch-wood it never happens: end-of-days. With a laser range-finder that's one less reason to need FFP.

[DL42]

Yeah, I can afford it, but Im frugaI. I dont mind spending good money, especially on something that will see frequent use. However, this rifle, whether 6.5CM or 338, would probably only be shot a couple times a year. My Grendel is fun for steel out to 1000 yards, so this new rifle is only for shots in excess of that. That means trips to the middle of nowhere. Cost per use of this is going to be very high, which is the only reason 338 is even being considered. If Im going to build a $4-5K setup, I might as well go for gold. This is the problem with my boredom in these times. I have no practical use for this gun I want, its purely a want.

If the Bushnell Forge had any better glass, I would go with that hands down. That fact has me looking at their Elite Tactical line of scopes, particularly the 3-21x, but there are more than a few reviews of less than adequate glass for that price point, which of course largely subjective. I wish I could look through them all, but that is a fantasy world...

[Klem]

Buy once, cry once. You won't regret it if you use it on both guns.

Shooting 1K yards with an AR Grendel is also extreme shooting so why not treat yourself to a decent scope and use it on both guns. On the Grendel most of the time and once a year swap it over.

[DL42]

Anyone here have any experience with the Athlon Ares ETR? It appears to check all my boxes, but what cant be put on paper is the glass and turret quality...