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scope suggestions for ELR - Printable Version

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scope suggestions for ELR - mel - 04-30-2020

so what i wasnt is something like
5-24x minimum
8-32 or
say something in the max 42-45x power range


ideally i think 32 max mag will be enough ( as long as its clear) but i love magnification to me more is better
my biggest thing is elevation adjustment gota have alot lol
i can work with mildot and moa reticles so nothing big there

suggestions in the 1000-1200$ ish range ?

scope suggestions for ELR - A5BLASTER - 04-30-2020

I'm useing a Athlon Midas btr gen2 on my bolt grendel. It's 4.5x27 power. I have a 20 moa rail under it and have plenty to reach 1200 yards with my 129 ablr and 123 eld-m handloads.

Really like the zero stop and the turrets have good clicks and track well and repeatable. It's sfp and a great reticule for doing holds if need be.

Hope this helps sir.

scope suggestions for ELR - mel - 04-30-2020

opps i didnt mention its for my 6.5 cm though it will see some use on my gr i already have a 5-24x56 for the grendel when im not using the atn x sight

scope suggestions for ELR - FLshooter - 04-30-2020

I have an 8-32X 56 Nightforce Benchrest and a 6-24x50 Vortex Viper PST sitting on my 6.5 CM bolt action rifles.I’ve used both just shoot 850 yards. I would use them out to 1200 yards if I had somewhere I could shoot that distance.

scope suggestions for ELR - iNheRchOnieS - 04-30-2020

mel Wrote:so what i wasnt is something like
5-24x minimum
8-32 or
say something in the max 42-45x power range


ideally i think 32 max mag will be enough ( as long as its clear) but i love magnification to me more is better
my biggest thing is elevation adjustment gota have alot lol
i can work with mildot and moa reticles so nothing big there

suggestions in the 1000-1200$ ish range ?

What focal plane do you think you want?

Generally speaking, high magnification (that’s actually useable) and low cost (relatively) are usually not compatible. It may be that higher quality glass with lower magnification is actually better, more useful than cheaper high power glass.

IMO, for the 42-45X power range your seeking, with glass that’ll actually make the higher magnification worthwhile, you need to consider possibly doubling your price range. Cool

For lower magnification, and in your current price range the Athlon Ares ETR gets a lot of love for its clarity and tracking. I have one and it’s impressive for the price but it’s durability is still largely an unknown.

Even cheaper, I hear the Athlon Midas “TAC” models, and only the “TAC” models, have the same turrets and adjustment mechanism that the Ares does. Of course with its lower price point the glass quality and coatings will be a step down also from the Ares.

Here’s some YT review links

https://youtu.be/zzUjXbGP-48

https://youtu.be/QG9XF22oIWU

scope suggestions for ELR - Klem - 04-30-2020

Ultra long range and cheap scopes just don't go together.

Maybe a good quality scope going second hand by someone who has looked after it. Nightforce, S&B, March, Kahles, Vortex Razor.

You don't always need high magnification and indeed sometimes 'too much scope' is not helpful, especially on a hot day. Even 10x with good glass will resolve a 2MOA target at 1000. That said, a dedicated long range scope should have at least 25x. More is better but there will be days when you don't use all of it.

I use March and Nightforce.

scope suggestions for ELR - mel - 04-30-2020

iNheRchOnieS Wrote:What focal plane do you think you want?

Generally speaking, high magnification (that’s actually useable) and low cost (relatively) are usually not compatible. It may be that higher quality glass with lower magnification is actually better, more useful than cheaper high power glass.

IMO, for the 42-45X power range your seeking, with glass that’ll actually make the higher magnification worthwhile, you need to consider possibly doubling your price range. Cool

For lower magnification, and in your current price range the Athlon ETR gets a lot of love for its clarity and tracking. I have one and it’s impressive for the price but it’s durability is still largely an unknown.

Even cheaper, I hear the Athlon Midas “TAC” models, and only the “TAC” models, have the same turrets and adjustment mechanism that the Ares does. Of course with its lower price point the glass quality and coatings will be a step down also from the Ares.

Here’s some YT review links

https://youtu.be/zzUjXbGP-48

https://youtu.be/QG9XF22oIWU

i may be willing to spend more if i take a lil out of my thermal scope budget

hows the eye relief on the higher end model althlons i tried one of the of the lower models a friend had and it was horrible at higher mags
ive been happy as can be with my ade 5-24x56 it just lacks a zero stop and the turrets arent tactile enough but its clear at 24x no idea about durability on it

scope suggestions for ELR - A5BLASTER - 04-30-2020

mel Wrote:i may be willing to spend more if i take a lil out of my thermal scope budget

hows the eye relief on the higher end model althlons i tried one of the of the lower models a friend had and it was horrible at higher mags
ive been happy as can be with my ade 5-24x56 it just lacks a zero stop and the turrets arent tactile enough but its clear at 24x no idea about durability on it

I don't find the eye relief to be a problem with mine. But as you know everybody is diffrent in what they like.

scope suggestions for ELR - mel - 04-30-2020

A5BLASTER Wrote:I don't find the eye relief to be a problem with mine. But as you know everybody is diffrent in what they like.

since im stopping in my local shop today im going to see what they have in stock
the one i tried i belive was a talos or an argos i cant rember , but the slightest movement and scope went black i hated it

scope suggestions for ELR - A5BLASTER - 04-30-2020

mel Wrote:since im stopping in my local shop today im going to see what they have in stock
the one i tried i belive was a talos or an argos i cant rember , but the slightest movement and scope went black i hated it

Yea my Argos 4-20x50 with the ahmr1 reticle is like that. But my Midas btr gen 2 I don't have that issue. It's on my bolt grendel so that might play into it.

scope suggestions for ELR - DL42 - 05-01-2020

I am in the same boat as OP, and I believe I have decided on the Athlon Ares ETR as well. I use about 15x for steel at 1000, so 30x max will be plenty for 1500 and maybe even a mile. I am a little curious though... on a 6.5 Creedmoor, what do you need a thermal scope for if youre shooting in excess of 1000 yards?

scope suggestions for ELR - mel - 05-01-2020

DL42 Wrote:I am in the same boat as OP, and I believe I have decided on the Athlon Ares ETR as well. I use about 15x for steel at 1000, so 30x max will be plenty for 1500 and maybe even a mile. I am a little curious though... on a 6.5 Creedmoor, what do you need a thermal scope for if youre shooting in excess of 1000 yards?

ill put the thermal on my grendel or my creedmoor when we out hunting coyotes at night depending on what i wanna take out that night

ive been out to over 1 mile with my atn x sight 4k pro which is a 4-20 power it does zoom out to 54x but it gets super pixelated past around 28-30x

scope suggestions for ELR - Pootyng - 05-04-2020

I’ve been researching the SWFA SS in 3-15 and the Meopta Optika6 3-18. Both have have a lot to offer for the price and they have higher magnification if needed.

scope suggestions for ELR - iNheRchOnieS - 05-04-2020

Pootyng Wrote:I’ve been researching the SWFA SS in 3-15 and the Meopta Optika6 3-18. Both have have a lot to offer for the price and they have higher magnification if needed.

I have a SS SWFA 3-15 and it’s a decent scope but it’s getting a little long in the tooth. It’s been around forever and it’s starting to look “dated” compared to a lot of the newer scopes.

Have one of Athlon Midas TAC’s too and it’s much nicer for the money.

https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/101960346?pid=260714

Better glass, more power, larger objective, better illuminated Christmas tree style reticle, I think it may even have better turrets and internals. Time will tell if it’s as robust.
If you go with the Athlon Midas, just make sure it’s one of the TAC models, they have the higher quality turrets and adjustments.

You may find it cheaper elsewhere that just popped up first when I was looking for one for sale.

The one upside to the SS, it’s got a long track record, the Athlons are still in the infant stage compared to the Super Snipers.

Again, nothing wrong with the SS in that price range but, I think the Athlon is a better value right now.

scope suggestions for ELR - Kswhitetails - 05-05-2020

I haven't read through every comment, but here's my two cents. You're going to have a really hard time getting anything remotely decent for your goals (I'm assuming you're like me and that ELR = 1500+ Meters) in the sub 1K price range. That's just how it is. Might you get lucky and find something used out there that fits your needs? Sure. But you're in competition with every other LR/ELR shooter out there, and they all know the market. If you find something that might be what you want but it's 400 more than you want to spend- better snap that up because there's a list of guys thinking the same thing you are...

The thing is, when you start getting out to these distances (1K plus) you're not moving in clicks anymore. You're between. Sometimes, 21.43 is a hard call. If your scope doesn't click right on the gnat's ass, you're off by enough to miss. The expense in a scope is usually in the glass until you get to about $1k. Then the construction becomes more expensive to machine and assemble. Beyond $2k, turrets and erector are by far the highest expense, followed by glass, then coatings. At the level of precision required for repeatable performance and longevity, usually with the no questions asked warranty offered to entice the big ticket prices, these optics are on a totally different level of design and time in manufacture. The level of finite tolerances and designed precision is outrageous. The friction between the detents and springs has to be engineered to several decimal places, - then it has to be built! The glass has to be mounted, sealed, and epoxy bedded (most of the time by hand) in order to ensure things absolutely don't move or flex. There is ZERO room for error. It cannot be great. It HAS to be perfect. I honestly don't know how they do it.

These aren't rifle scopes, they're more attuned to interstellar telescopes with precision machined mechanisms to move an included reticle around inside. All while being able to withstand a drop down the professors stairs as he clumsily carried it home...

If you're really wanting to be going ELR (1500+) you're going to be entering a new game. The cartridges get much, much larger. The barrels get much much larger. The glass follows. The expense increases exponentially, as the gadgets and gear are so much more precise. It's a wealthy mans game, really. The market hasn't caught up to demand, and there are lots of lost men seeking the next big stick. The gear, travel, facilities, and components are almost funny expensive, and the rewards are few... like atta'boys... Look up a box of 408CT. >Big Grin

If I've gone too far down the ELR rabbit hole, and you're just wanting to stretch your CMs legs, then a 30X will do it well. A Bushnell DMRII PRO, Bushnell Elite 6500 4.5-30, Burris XTR II, Steiner PX5i, Vortex Razor Gen II(beat to hell, unicorn), Athlon Cronus/Ares ETR, PA Elite, may all be good places to start. There's a list over on the EE/SH that gets rummaged daily by the re-sale trolls and beggars, but has good deals weekly on most of the optics you're looking for. Above 30x, the cost changes. The Athlon guys won't like this, but I'd stay away from Athlons above their 27x. They just don't have the punch, and I don't know if their turrets are truly up to snuff beyond what you're shooting now. Upping your budget to $1500-2k in the used section opens doors into the 3k-4k retail optic window, and that really is a different world, equipment wise. Keep warranty in mind, Khales, Swaro, and some others don't always play well when you send in equipment you didn't buy... On the other hand, considering what the quality is, sending in something you get discounted, then paying for repair, you can find great deals on top of the world glass if you're willing to wait for the mailman to do his thing...

scope suggestions for ELR - mel - 05-06-2020

yeah just the cm for now theres something much more capable in my future though
my atn did just fine for me at 1 mile on the grendel and will go even further on the cm so i may just hold off for right now till i really start playing with my cm
just have the 3-14 or 3-35 extended zoom x sight xd on the extended zoo m is only really useable till around 22-25x depending on lighting though
[Image: GRgMgTL.jpg]

scope suggestions for ELR - Kswhitetails - 05-06-2020

Yea, digital zoom leaves a lot to be desired when you start really using it. The pixilation becomes a distraction.

10 years ago I spent a lot of money on a digital zoom camera. Waste of the money, and a good lesson nothing beats optical zoom in a quality lens. Of course, nothing beats the price either...

scope suggestions for ELR - mel - 05-06-2020

I just mounted the x sight 4k on my cm this am im going to start playing with it .the extended zoom on that is good for about 35-42x depending on lighting so ill see how far out that can get me might be able to hold me off for a bit till i can add more money to the scope fund.

scope suggestions for ELR - mel - 05-07-2020

[Image: DKuY5DS.jpg]
[video=youtube;32RofpxCcH4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32RofpxCcH4[/video]

so played witht he 4k on the cm a lil today forgot to take the damn sunshade off but i think the 4k on the cm might actually get me out decently far
time for a heavy buffer and gota get that adj gas block on

scope suggestions for ELR - mel - 05-09-2020

I'm sticking with my atn for right now friend gave me some tricks to use with it at very long ranges and I can get out to about 2500 y with it on the cm

I'm going to save up a bit more for a good scope so I only have to do this once lol

On the other hand been having a blast with my cm let my boss try it out last night at 1500y

[video=youtube_share;o5kDDO9T2nM]https://youtu.be/o5kDDO9T2nM[/video]