1-6x Optics

[zimagold]

Looking for a new optic for my BCM Lightweight 16" (Pencil profile with KMR rail). The gun weighs 6.0 lbs without optic and I want to keep it light.

Current Optic: Rifle has a 1-4x Vortex PST with MOA reticle and capped turrets sitting in a Larue LT-104. This setup has served me well for the last few years. It is generally fast at 1x and works well out to 300 yds.

Needs: I want to upgrade to something with a brighter center dot and has enough zoom to get me out to ~400 yds (With my eyes, seems like 6x should do it).

Preferences: MOA or MIL hashes to fixed drop stadia. Capped turrets.

Budget: Sub 2k

Current Options in Mind:
- Vortex Razor HD II (Heavy...otherwise reviews I have read are good)
- Trijicon TR25 (Newest, Illumination seems to get mixed reviews)
- Burris XTR II 1-5 (Only 1x more than PST, better glass should help)


What is everyone using these days for 1-6x optics? What am I missing in my research?

[Calculated]

I've got the vortex gen 2 on my scar and aside from the weight which is noticeable, it's a stellar optic. If you want to try it out sometime on your rifle you've got my number. We can meet at Trigger Time and we can slap it on your gun. The 11 brightness settings pretty much cover everything, except night vision which I haven't tried. Very forgiving eyebox. Lots of room.

I don't have experience with any of the others.

[cstone]

Primary Arms has a 1-6x with the their ACSS reticle that I have been considering. It is hard choosing an optic without having the chance to run it hands on.

[ray1970]

Not bashing you or your choice in optics, but I'm curious why you would mount a normal type scope on a six pound rifle?

If it were me, I'd go with one of the small red dots.

Not the info you were looking for. Sorry about that.

Hope whatever you get suits your needs and makes you happy.

[Beer]

[thvigil11]

The PA 1-6 is pretty damn good for the price. My friends got one and it's inspired me to order one. Their reticle is about as easy to use as one can get. The new 1-8 that they are offering seems pretty interesting, but at the 1200 dollar price tag, I'm hesitant without being able to try one hands on.

[zimagold]

Not bashing you or your choice in optics, but I'm curious why you would mount a normal type scope on a six pound rifle?

If it were me, I'd go with one of the small red dots.

Not the info you were looking for. Sorry about that.

Hope whatever you get suits your needs and makes you happy.

[Beer]
Astigmatism. Red dots are 100yds tops for me. I really like TA33 ACOGs for lightweight with magnification, but want more than 3x magnification.

I'm down to one red dot on an AR. T-1 on an 8.5" 300blk. Fits that role well.

Edit: Rifle started with a red dot. Pencil barrel ended up being way more accurate than expected, that's how it got the 1-4 PST.

[MarkCO]

While most people over magnify and really don't care, once you ga past 1-4 in any optic that is considered to be a "budget" optic, parallax becomes a significant issue. What good does 6x do you if the parallax adds 1 or 2 MOA to your groups...

I run the Burris XTR 1-5 and it has great glass, but not capped turrets. It is a very good choice. On my light ARs I run a 1-4 to keep it lighter and still shoot 1 MOA out to 600 yards with it and my 69 loads.

IMHO, once it gets to be about this time of year, unless you are in a hurry, wait to see what happens as SHOT. I know of a few new optics coming out and I am sure there are a lot I do not know about.

[ray1970]

Makes perfect sense. I was just curious. I always had bad astigmatism but the red dots seemed OK to me. Maybe a little fuzzy around the edges but not bad. Lasik should have corrected my condition. I need to see how they look now compared to how they used to look.

[zimagold]

With glasses I can normally get my left eye corrected to a solid dot. With contacts, what I mainly wear, its hopeless. Small star cluster that shifts as I move my head.

[zimagold]

I hate to think of 2k as "budget", might need a new hobby.

Good point about SHOT, I've been surveying options for a year or so, whats another 6 months.

[Erni]

MarkCO, any fun items you can hint at? Is there a preview of Burris' new 1x reticule on the prismatic?
(Sorry about the thread derail) [emoji477]

[Great-Kazoo]

Have one of these needing a new home. Dr bills make for some great deals over at Honest Hamids

http://www.opticsplanet.com/steiner-1-5x24mm-rapid-dot-7-62-30mm-riflescopes.html

[Tim K]

I have a USO 1.5-6 that I like a lot. You can specify most every detail with these guys, so mine has the exposed (and superb) EREK elevation knob and a capped windage turret. I ordered it with the internal level which, while a great idea, doesn't work well in anything but very bright light.

1.5X on the bottom is a compromise. It was worth it to me to get the 6X on the high side. I get hits on a full sized IPSC target at 750 with ease.

It's a few years old now and their lineup has changed, I think. They may have an offering with true 1X now. At the time I bought it a few years ago, it was in your budget.

[zimagold]

Thanks Kazoo for the offer. I'll keep it in mind. Looks like they also have a T5XI 1-5 model with capped turrets. Interesting.

[MarkCO]

MarkCO, any fun items you can hint at? Is there a preview of Burris' new 1x reticule on the prismatic?
(Sorry about the thread derail) [emoji477]

Since we did the design, I know what it is, but we are not supposed to put it out there. I don't think I will get in trouble for saying that the XTRII 1-5s will come with some new turret options in the box that the user can change out...yes one is capped. There are some more that I am really looking forward to. :)

[Kraven251]

Not exactly what you were looking for, but it could be worth looking at the Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6x24. Has a BDC reticle that is easy to use, and they actually document what the delineations are so you can build a card around it. The optic is $340, needs a mount, and has a spare battery storage in one of the turrets.

Depending on your application that might fit the bill without the USO price tag.

http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/vortex-strike-eagle-1-6x24-riflescope-ar-bdc-reticle/reticle

[zimagold]

Mark, what are your favorite options in the 1-4 category?

Edit: might just do a glass/reticle upgrade.

[MarkCO]

Mark, what are your favorite options in the 1-4 category?

Edit: might just do a glass/reticle upgrade.

There are a ton of them, and not all are equal. I have the Burris MTAC 1-4 on my do-all back-up AR. The like the larger dot in the middle for the speed with the illumination, which is the best in class. Some find it a tad cluttered for precision, but I was 4th overall at RM3G with it on the long range rifle stage one year...ahead of most of the "famous" guys, so it does work.

If I could not have the MTAC, I would have a Vortex PST in 1-4. 3rd choice Bushnell AR223, 4th choice is the Leupold 1-4 HOG (Pig Plex). I do not like the thick plex type reticles myself, but it does center fast.

IMHO, I would take any of those 4 over the new Vortex Strike Eagle. Better glass on all 4 and the parallax is not as bad. I have seen very accomplished shooters go to war on targets past 300 yards with the Strike Eagle and when I told them to check parallax they were shocked. I like Vortex, but you have to understand the market segment and the trade-offs. For the vast majority of people who will never shoot past 200 yards, the 1-6 Strike Eagle offers some good value. But I'll stick with 1x out to 200 yards and I go to 600 with 4x.

[funkymonkey1111]

If you're considering the xtr, dvor has a decent deal on it with a PEPR and RMR included

http://www.dvor.com/burris-1-5-24mm-illum-riflescope.html?promotion=weeklong-burris-xtr-ii-riflescope-sale-13-2015-10-18&options[]=2179-8420-126571&options[]=2179-316-141058&utm_source=event-notification&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=event_20151018&opener=mail

[Big John]

I'm running the Vortex Razor HD and love it. You are correct in that it is a pig. With the weight being basically over the center, it doesn't bother me. My vision being what it is these days, having crisp glass on my AR is worth every ounce of extra weight for me. It doesn't hurt my feelings that I was banging 20" steel at 700 yards last week either.

[encorehunter]

I know it isn't a dot, but have you considered a Sightron SIII 1-7x24? It is a illuminated reticle. At 20 oz it is not super light. I have several Sightrons and have been more than happy with them and their prices.

[longrange2]

Anyone try out the Vortex Strike Eagle yet? Was thinking about getting one.

[KS63]

Anyone try out the Vortex Strike Eagle yet? Was thinking about getting one.
I just handled one today at Centennial Gun Club. For the price (not at CGC) it's probably worth a shot. If you've any experience behind higher quality glass, you may be disappointed. It looks fine to me for a sub $400 optic.

[DocMedic]

The Leupold VX6 1-6 is currently one of the lightest 1-6 scopes on the market, weighs less then one pound. If I were to run scopes on my 3gun rifle I would seriously consider this scope.

[MarkCO]

Anyone try out the Vortex Strike Eagle yet? Was thinking about getting one.

If you are shooting 200 yards and in, not bad. Out at 300 and beyond, there can be some parallax issues with it.

[YammyMonkey]

That Leupold looks interesting. Especially considering the price. I'd like to see how it compares to the Steiner M5 xi 1-5.

[DocMedic]

That Leupold looks interesting. Especially considering the price. I'd like to see how it compares to the Steiner M5 xi 1-5.

The MXi Is nice glass, but no where near the 2.5x cost of the Leopold :)

[Great-Kazoo]

That Leupold looks interesting. Especially considering the price. I'd like to see how it compares to the Steiner M5 xi 1-5.

Take a ride up north and road test the one i have.

[Marine24]

I'm running SWFA 1-6X scope with capped turrets on my 308 AR and plan to do the same with a PredatAR I just ordered. Lots of good options with that budget. I've been looking at the US Optics SR-8s. At $1495, not a bad option but it will add 1.5 lbs to the build.