I'm looking at my next optic to put on a 24" 6.5CM.  I like the ATACR scopes, I currently shoot a 4-16 MIL-R and love it.

I want a MIL-C in the next one.  

I looked through a 7-35 today and it looked like it would be a real useable scope in the 10-20 range which is where most of the shooting is done anyway.  I haven't had a chance to look through a 5-25, but reports of it tunneling to 7X make it functional 7-25X.  

Is there any reason why I should consider the 5-25 over the 7-35?  Ruggedness, reliability?

If there is a huge price difference, the 25x should be fine. But if close or same price, I would go with the 35x. Better to have..

I was thinking that if they were both functionally the same on the low end, might as well get the one that has more top end since I wouldn't be gaining anything on the bottom.  

Granted 35X is hard to use, but it would be handy to use as a spotter now and then.  

I just don't want to get into an optic has other potential down sides I don't know about.  I've never owned a high magnification scope.