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What makes the perfect SPR scope? (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 2/13/2026 12:32:18 PM EDT
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I think the Athlon Ares 2.5-15 comes very close (at least in the <$750 market), with the only real detractor being the lack of locking turrets or at least a capped windage turret. Glass in the Chinese version is quite good, the reticle is great, and my only other complaint is that the brightness is too dim to use the reticle quickly at lower powers. What SPR optics are you fellas running? |
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Originally Posted By the-answer-is-42: Did you stop doing YT videos? Or were your links always on rumble? At any rate, I like 15-18x SPR scopes. No idea why people cap themselves at 10-12x IF a 15-18x can be had within the same weight and length spec. Got kicked off YouTube for “violations” that they could never actually specify  To your point, I agree. 2 or 3-15/18 is about perfect I think. I will say the new PLX 1.5-12 is pretty interesting though! |
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I'm running an NXS 2.5-10x42mm. I don't mind the sfp since the 10x on a 42 mm objective is really forgiving. I use a hsgi taco rebuild to cap the windage. Good glass, durable, light weight. I'm gonna wait for some reviews before I upgrade to something with a tree. |
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Originally Posted By the-answer-is-42: Did you stop doing YT videos? Or were your links always on rumble? At any rate, I like 15-18x SPR scopes. No idea why people cap themselves at 10-12x IF a 15-18x can be had within the same weight and length spec. Here in NH realistic shooting distances are inside 400 yards and that was across the biggest clear-cut ive come across up here. I was bigger than that but the hillside obscured the rest of it. 200 yards is just about as far as you can see due to hills/trees. I think a 2.5-10 is just about perfect. A 15x top end might be just as usable and im open to try new thing when I buy another but im not replacing anything right now. |
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Originally Posted By 03RN: Here in NH realistic shooting distances are inside 400 yards and that was across the biggest clear-cut ive come across up here. I was bigger than that but the hillside obscured the rest of it. 200 yards is just about as far as you can see due to hills/trees. I think a 2.5-10 is just about perfect. A 15x top end might be just as usable and im open to try new thing when I buy another but im not replacing anything right now. If a 2-10 and a 3-18 was the same weight and size, or nominally different - wouldnt you want the extra mag if needed but just not use it? |
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Originally Posted By the-answer-is-42: If a 2-10 and a 3-18 was the same weight and size, or nominally different - wouldnt you want the extra mag if needed but just not use it? The one aspect to keep in mind in regards to this would be reticle sizing (for FFP). If you wanted to take most of your shots around 5-8x for field of view reasons or whatever, your reticle will be likely much more visible/usable in a 2-10 than in a 3-18. |
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The 2-10 Credo is about the perfect execution of the concept, for making quick and effective hits at varying distances. People will complain about wanting more mag, or about wanting a side focus, but neither are really very necessary for the purpose of the optic and would either make it larger or slower, neither of which are playing to its strengths. Coming out soon though the 2-12 NX6 and 1.5-12 PLXC look very promising. If you insist on more mag the 2.5-20 NX8 is also a great execution of the concept that satisfies the side focus and magnification complaints. I don’t know that either are helping the intended purpose and it does add 5oz, and the dimensions coupled with the magnification range do give it issues with eyebox and depth of field, but it is still a nice optic and I have a few. Different tools for different jobs and all that. The 4-16 ATACR is an excellent optic and well suited to the task, but the higher minimum magnification and 30oz do make it a bit of a different optic than the aforementioned options. Excellent optic though, but maybe as suited to a large-frame than a small-frame. I love mine. But again, different tools for different jobs. |
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If we're talking 5.56 SPRs, then this is the perfect feature set. 1. 20ish ounces, the lighter the better. 2. 2-10xish, with at least a 40mm objective. 3. First focal plane. 4. Little variance in eye relief through the magnification range. 5. Eye relief on the long side. 6. Big eye box. 7. MIL reticle, on the clean and simple side as opposed to a detailed tree. 8. Option to dial elevation or cap it or lock it. 9. Capped windage. 10. Daylight bright illumination. I'd give up eye relief and daylight bright first and could settle for a medium eye box. |
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Originally Posted By cttb: If we're talking 5.56 SPRs, then this is the perfect feature set. 1. 20ish ounces, the lighter the better. 2. 2-10xish, with at least a 40mm objective. 3. First focal plane. 4. Little variance in eye relief through the magnification range. 5. Eye relief on the long side. 6. Big eye box. 7. MIL reticle, on the clean and simple side as opposed to a detailed tree. 8. Option to dial elevation or cap it or lock it. 9. Capped windage. 10. Daylight bright illumination. I'd give up eye relief and daylight bright first and could settle for a medium eye box. Let me add: Under $600 to that 
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| I've had an old Leupold Mark-AR 3-9x on my mk12 clone I built about 15 years ago. It's been a great scope, but I might finally upgrade to something a little more powerful because it's getting tough for me to see well at 300yds. I'm thinking something that goes to at least 12 or 15x, while not being huge, as others have posted. |
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Originally Posted By the-answer-is-42: Let me add: Under $600 to that |
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Originally Posted By cttb: If we're talking 5.56 SPRs, then this is the perfect feature set. 1. 20ish ounces, the lighter the better. 2. 2-10xish, with at least a 40mm objective. 3. First focal plane. 4. Little variance in eye relief through the magnification range. 5. Eye relief on the long side. 6. Big eye box. 7. MIL reticle, on the clean and simple side as opposed to a detailed tree. 8. Option to dial elevation or cap it or lock it. 9. Capped windage. 10. Daylight bright illumination. I'd give up eye relief and daylight bright first and could settle for a medium eye box. I differ on a few points but I mostly agree. |
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Originally Posted By goer001: At that price point your best bet is going to be either the HELOS BTR GEN2 2-12x42 or an ARES BTR GEN3 HD 2.5-15. The Ares does not have locking turrets. I've been using the 2-12 for hunting dear and it's been great. I have a Gen 2 Aries 2.5 - 15 but I don't drag it around the woods due to the non-locking turrets. If you qualify expertvoice has both at your price point. Hence the video and thread
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Originally Posted By cttb: If we're talking 5.56 SPRs, then this is the perfect feature set. 1. 20ish ounces, the lighter the better. 2. 2-10xish, with at least a 40mm objective. 3. First focal plane. 4. Little variance in eye relief through the magnification range. 5. Three inch eye relief. Four is too much. 6. Big eye box. Wider/brighter is better on top end. Low end can suffer. 7. MIL reticle, on the clean and simple side as opposed to a detailed tree. 8. Option to dial elevation or cap it or lock it. 9. Capped windage. 10. Daylight bright illumination. Or none at all. 11. Parallax fixed at 150yds. Generally like an LPVO, but with default emphasis on high mag with low mag usage as necessary. |
"Technique isn't something that can be taught. It's something you find on your own." - Bunta Fujiwara
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1) locking turrets (hard requirement for me) 2) first focal plane mil reticle 3) lower power erector (4x or 5x at the top end) keeps reticle usable throughout the magnification range (caveat being DFP reticles like March) 4) some kind of illuminated tree reticle (really helps in the dawn and dusk hours and adding additional contrast for thermals or night vision, and tree reticles give you the ability to quickly adjust your shot on a miss without having to dial) 5) 2x magnification for every hundred yards as the median of the magnification range (600yd SPR = 12x magnification being somewhere in the middle of the magnification range (not the max magnification)) I haven’t looked at the extreme high end offerings (ZCO, Tangent, S&B etc) but Nightforce 4-16x ATACR or Leupold 3.6-18x MK5HD immediately spring to mind. |
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Originally Posted By Andi-in-BKK: 1) locking turrets (hard requirement for me) 2) first focal plane mil reticle 3) lower power erector (4x or 5x at the top end) keeps reticle usable throughout the magnification range (caveat being DFP reticles like March) 4) some kind of illuminated tree reticle (really helps in the dawn and dusk hours and adding additional contrast for thermals or night vision, and tree reticles give you the ability to quickly adjust your shot on a miss without having to dial) 5) 2x magnification for every hundred yards as the median of the magnification range (600yd SPR = 12x magnification being somewhere in the middle of the magnification range (not the max magnification)) I haven’t looked at the extreme high end offerings (ZCO, Tangent, S&B etc) but Nightforce 4-16x ATACR or Leupold 3.6-18x MK5HD immediately spring to mind. This Ares is so close with the exception of the turrets. I will say that I haven’t had them move on me—yet. |
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I opted for a Vortex Viper PST Gen 2 3-15. Just built the upper for it and put it on an existing lower till I build a new one. The rest of the upper is lighter with a 16" fluted barrel and lighter weight rail, went back and forth between a 16 and 20 inch barrel but wanted to compensate. I wanted a 2-10, but my eyes are older and will help me see better. Built as a cross between an SPR and a coyote rifle. I live in areas with heavy woods but also open fields and it would help me see. Attached File |
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Originally Posted By Ronnoc: I opted for a Vortex Viper PST Gen 2 3-15. Just built the upper for it and put it on an existing lower till I build a new one. The rest of the upper is lighter with a 16" fluted barrel and lighter weight rail, went back and forth between a 16 and 20 inch barrel but wanted to compensate. I wanted a 2-10, but my eyes are older and will help me see better. Built as a cross between an SPR and a coyote rifle. I live in areas with heavy woods but also open fields and it would help me see. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/73248/4519_jpg-3721613.JPG Viper Gen 2 is getting long in the tooth but still a solid option for sure. |
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Originally Posted By cttb: If we're talking 5.56 SPRs, then this is the perfect feature set. 1. 20ish ounces, the lighter the better. 2. 2-10xish, with at least a 40mm objective. 3. First focal plane. 4. Little variance in eye relief through the magnification range. 5. Eye relief on the long side. 6. Big eye box. 7. MIL reticle, on the clean and simple side as opposed to a detailed tree. 8. Option to dial elevation or cap it or lock it. 9. Capped windage. 10. Daylight bright illumination. I'd give up eye relief and daylight bright first and could settle for a medium eye box. QFT. Also no need for daylight bright illumination in a MPVO. |
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Originally Posted By SteveJobs: I have a lot of questions about durability. I wish someone made a youtube channel just drop testing magnified optics like guys do red dots. Is there a go to mount for spr's? Giessle or nightforce? Sounds like an expensive venture! As for mounts, I would think anyone with a mil/gov contract should be good to go, like Reptilia (Brits), probably Badger as well. |
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Originally Posted By SteveJobs: I have a lot of questions about durability. I wish someone made a youtube channel just drop testing magnified optics like guys do red dots. Is there a go to mount for spr's? Giessle or nightforce? Some drop testing has been conducted on Rokslide to evaluate riflescope zero retention. In these tests, some scopes consistently lose zero while others remain unaffected. The test isn't considered scientific nor is it brutal on the scope, but one particular brand of scope has repeatedly shown a tendency to lose zero after a drop from about 18 to 36 inches onto a padded mat placed over dirt. |
| I recently DXed an SWFA HD 3-9x and replaced it with a Leupold Mk4 4.5-18x on my SPR. My eyes are getting older and the extra magnification is welcome. If I was concerned about having to use my Mock12 for CQC, I'd pop an offset or piggyback MRDS on it; or just index shoot in a pinch. |
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Originally Posted By Bravo_Six: I recently DXed an SWFA HD 3-9x and replaced it with a Leupold Mk4 4.5-18x on my SPR. My eyes are getting older and the extra magnification is welcome. If I was concerned about having to use my Mock12 for CQC, I'd pop an offset or piggyback MRDS on it; or just index shoot in a pinch. Leupold is a brand I've obviously heard a ton about, but I don't know if I can say that I've ever actually used one. |
| I, being a poor, have a swampfox kentucky long 2-12x44 ffp with the recce mil reticle on my mk12 right now. I am greatly enjoying the Christmas tree over older reticle styles, much faster acquisitions and engagement knowing dope and not messing with turrets. Turrets lock, adjustable parallax, glass is good enough compared to older vortex and most importantly cheap. I bet the 34mm version is just overall better with this quality of glass. Slayed many deer last season. |
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Originally Posted By Dark_zero_x: I, being a poor, have a swampfox kentucky long 2-12x44 ffp with the recce mil reticle on my mk12 right now. I am greatly enjoying the Christmas tree over older reticle styles, much faster acquisitions and engagement knowing dope and not messing with turrets. Turrets lock, adjustable parallax, glass is good enough compared to older vortex and most importantly cheap. I bet the 34mm version is just overall better with this quality of glass. Slayed many deer last season. |
"Technique isn't something that can be taught. It's something you find on your own." - Bunta Fujiwara
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Originally Posted By Dark_zero_x: I, being a poor, have a swampfox kentucky long 2-12x44 ffp with the recce mil reticle on my mk12 right now. I am greatly enjoying the Christmas tree over older reticle styles, much faster acquisitions and engagement knowing dope and not messing with turrets. Turrets lock, adjustable parallax, glass is good enough compared to older vortex and most importantly cheap. I bet the 34mm version is just overall better with this quality of glass. Slayed many deer last season. I had their SFP 1-10 a few years back. Really wasn't bad, but I didn't like SFP in that high of magnification. |
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Originally Posted By Dark_zero_x: I, being a poor, have a swampfox kentucky long 2-12x44 ffp with the recce mil reticle on my mk12 right now. I am greatly enjoying the Christmas tree over older reticle styles, much faster acquisitions and engagement knowing dope and not messing with turrets. Turrets lock, adjustable parallax, glass is good enough compared to older vortex and most importantly cheap. I bet the 34mm version is just overall better with this quality of glass. Slayed many deer last season. These days I use mostly NFs, Steiner, Trijicon, etc. Even then I had one of their 2-10 Warhawks awhile back and it really wasn’t that bad. Outside a bit of weight it actually fairly impressed me especially for the price. I had the 2-12 KL too and it was ok but the 2-10 WH was a huge leg up. |
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Originally Posted By doty_soty: These days I use mostly NFs, Steiner, Trijicon, etc. Even then I had one of their 2-10 Warhawks awhile back and it really wasn’t that bad. Outside a bit of weight it actually fairly impressed me especially for the price. I had the 2-12 KL too and it was ok but the 2-10 WH was a huge leg up. WH is their premium line and I’d definitely be interested in trying one. |
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Originally Posted By the-answer-is-42: If a 2-10 and a 3-18 was the same weight and size, or nominally different - wouldnt you want the extra mag if needed but just not use it? No. Over 10x on a 5.56 battle/spr rifle is out of place/not needed for the cartridge. The nxs 2.5-10 has reigned up there for many many years now. Huge fan of the mk5 2-10 cmr as well if looking for FFP. If I was forced to choose it would be the nxs.. as leupolds durability is questionable. Trijicon has some options as well and they are generally durable(more so than most). |
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Originally Posted By Jeeper21: Some drop testing has been conducted on Rokslide to evaluate riflescope zero retention. In these tests, some scopes consistently lose zero while others remain unaffected. The test isn't considered scientific nor is it brutal on the scope, but one particular brand of scope has repeatedly shown a tendency to lose zero after a drop from about 18 to 36 inches onto a padded mat placed over dirt. Originally Posted By Jeeper21: Originally Posted By SteveJobs: I have a lot of questions about durability. I wish someone made a youtube channel just drop testing magnified optics like guys do red dots. Is there a go to mount for spr's? Giessle or nightforce? Some drop testing has been conducted on Rokslide to evaluate riflescope zero retention. In these tests, some scopes consistently lose zero while others remain unaffected. The test isn't considered scientific nor is it brutal on the scope, but one particular brand of scope has repeatedly shown a tendency to lose zero after a drop from about 18 to 36 inches onto a padded mat placed over dirt. @SteveJobs https://rokslide.com/forums/forums/rifle-scope-field-evaluations.133/ |
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Originally Posted By Duck_Hunt: No. Over 10x on a 5.56 battle/spr rifle is out of place/not needed for the cartridge. The nxs 2.5-10 has reigned up there for many many years now. Huge fan of the mk5 2-10 cmr as well if looking for FFP. If I was forced to choose it would be the nxs.. as leupolds durability is questionable. Trijicon has some options as well and they are generally durable(more so than most). For minute of man/battlefield accuracy, sure. But for anything more than that past 200 yards you need more than 10x. |
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Originally Posted By JoshNC: Why? Are you using it like a LPVO at 2x? I’d personally rather have a piggybacked or offset red dot, but that’s a personal preference. Originally Posted By JoshNC: Originally Posted By Duck_Hunt: Man idk… in a FFP optic like the mk5 2-10.. I wouldn’t have it without it. Why? Are you using it like a LPVO at 2x? I’d personally rather have a piggybacked or offset red dot, but that’s a personal preference. I do have a scrs offset currently. I’ve found that I don’t really use it as at 2x on full illum it’s very fast. Taking the scrs off has crossed my mind. Either way the daylight illum is very very nice and helpfull. |
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Originally Posted By the-answer-is-42: For minute of man/battlefield accuracy, sure. But for anything more than that past 200 yards you need more than 10x. Originally Posted By the-answer-is-42: Originally Posted By Duck_Hunt: No. Over 10x on a 5.56 battle/spr rifle is out of place/not needed for the cartridge. The nxs 2.5-10 has reigned up there for many many years now. Huge fan of the mk5 2-10 cmr as well if looking for FFP. If I was forced to choose it would be the nxs.. as leupolds durability is questionable. Trijicon has some options as well and they are generally durable(more so than most). For minute of man/battlefield accuracy, sure. But for anything more than that past 200 yards you need more than 10x. That’s not been my experience. The 5.56 is good out to 8-875yds with a 18” barrel. I’ve shot at these ranges extensively and with a nxs 2.5-10 can hold moa out to that distance and bang a 18” plate almost as fast as I can pull the trigger. Sure if I want to go for the smallest groups I can achieve at 1k with a bolt gun I’m going to opt for something with 2.5 times the max mag of the nxs 2.5-10 or even more, but that’s not the purpose of an spr imho. |
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Originally Posted By Duck_Hunt: That’s not been my experience. The 5.56 is good out to 8-875yds with a 18” barrel. I’ve shot at these ranges extensively and with a nxs 2.5-10 can hold moa out to that distance and bang a 18” plate almost as fast as I can pull the trigger. Sure if I want to go for the smallest groups I can achieve at 1k with a bolt gun I’m going to opt for something with 2.5 times the max mag of the nxs 2.5-10 or even more, but that’s not the purpose of an spr imho. What elevation or windless country are you in that you can rip repeated hits at almost 900yds? In my experience it gets tougher once you go past 650 or so in a 16” barrel. |
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Originally Posted By Duck_Hunt: I do have a scrs offset currently. I’ve found that I don’t really use it as at 2x on full illum it’s very fast. Taking the scrs off has crossed my mind. Either way the daylight illum is very very nice and helpfull. Cool, thanks. My eyes don’t really do well with using non-unity power optics like a red dot. But I see your point. |
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Originally Posted By bluedog82: What elevation or windless country are you in that you can rip repeated hits at almost 900yds? In my experience it gets tougher once you go past 650 or so in a 16” barrel. Originally Posted By bluedog82: Originally Posted By Duck_Hunt: That’s not been my experience. The 5.56 is good out to 8-875yds with a 18” barrel. I’ve shot at these ranges extensively and with a nxs 2.5-10 can hold moa out to that distance and bang a 18” plate almost as fast as I can pull the trigger. Sure if I want to go for the smallest groups I can achieve at 1k with a bolt gun I’m going to opt for something with 2.5 times the max mag of the nxs 2.5-10 or even more, but that’s not the purpose of an spr imho. What elevation or windless country are you in that you can rip repeated hits at almost 900yds? In my experience it gets tougher once you go past 650 or so in a 16” barrel. About 1k ASL. Yea sure on a windy day that’s not ideal. Doing what I described above with a 18” shooting mk262 (clone) loads is very easy. That’s the beauty of a mk12. Things get unstable around 875-925 depending on temps IME. |
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Originally Posted By Duck_Hunt: That’s not been my experience. The 5.56 is good out to 8-875yds with a 18” barrel. I’ve shot at these ranges extensively and with a nxs 2.5-10 can hold moa out to that distance and bang a 18” plate almost as fast as I can pull the trigger. Sure if I want to go for the smallest groups I can achieve at 1k with a bolt gun I’m going to opt for something with 2.5 times the max mag of the nxs 2.5-10 or even more, but that’s not the purpose of an spr imho. Originally Posted By Duck_Hunt: Originally Posted By the-answer-is-42: Originally Posted By Duck_Hunt: No. Over 10x on a 5.56 battle/spr rifle is out of place/not needed for the cartridge. The nxs 2.5-10 has reigned up there for many many years now. Huge fan of the mk5 2-10 cmr as well if looking for FFP. If I was forced to choose it would be the nxs.. as leupolds durability is questionable. Trijicon has some options as well and they are generally durable(more so than most). For minute of man/battlefield accuracy, sure. But for anything more than that past 200 yards you need more than 10x. That’s not been my experience. The 5.56 is good out to 8-875yds with a 18” barrel. I’ve shot at these ranges extensively and with a nxs 2.5-10 can hold moa out to that distance and bang a 18” plate almost as fast as I can pull the trigger. Sure if I want to go for the smallest groups I can achieve at 1k with a bolt gun I’m going to opt for something with 2.5 times the max mag of the nxs 2.5-10 or even more, but that’s not the purpose of an spr imho. I can shoot to the mechanical precision of my most precise gassers with an 8-10X. I’m sure a lot of shooters can do a lot with a little, so that’s not saying much. But these days we have pretty capable optics and a 2-10 works, but a 2-12 or 3-18 etc does the same things with more on the top end. Even 4-24 etc. Consider the modern utility offered by a RDS offset/piggybacked to make up the bottom end, affording a superior close range sighting solution relative to an ultra fine 2-4X low end of the main optic. This added magnification may not seem useful when shooting silhouette or gong high contrast targets on a mowed range, but life outside a mowed range is rarely filled with such simple targets. For this reason, while I have plenty of 2-n’s, I see the utility of higher magnification optics on small-frames. |
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Originally Posted By doty_soty: I can shoot to the mechanical precision of my most precise gassers with an 8-10X. I’m sure a lot of shooters can do a lot with a little, so that’s not saying much. But these days we have pretty capable optics and a 2-10 works, but a 2-12 or 3-18 etc does the same things with more on the top end. Even 4-24 etc. Consider the modern utility offered by a RDS offset/piggybacked to make up the bottom end, affording a superior close range sighting solution relative to an ultra fine 2-4X low end of the main optic. This added magnification may not seem useful when shooting silhouette or gong high contrast targets on a mowed range, but life outside a mowed range is rarely filled with such simple targets. For this reason, while I have plenty of 2-n’s, I see the utility of higher magnification optics on small-frames. Completely agree. If similar size and weight, no reason to max at 10 assuming equal glass. As long as you have a good reticle, you can always back down to 10. |
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Originally Posted By doty_soty: I can shoot to the mechanical precision of my most precise gassers with an 8-10X. I’m sure a lot of shooters can do a lot with a little, so that’s not saying much. But these days we have pretty capable optics and a 2-10 works, but a 2-12 or 3-18 etc does the same things with more on the top end. Even 4-24 etc. Consider the modern utility offered by a RDS offset/piggybacked to make up the bottom end, affording a superior close range sighting solution relative to an ultra fine 2-4X low end of the main optic. This added magnification may not seem useful when shooting silhouette or gong high contrast targets on a mowed range, but life outside a mowed range is rarely filled with such simple targets. For this reason, while I have plenty of 2-n’s, I see the utility of higher magnification optics on small-frames. Originally Posted By doty_soty: Originally Posted By Duck_Hunt: Originally Posted By the-answer-is-42: Originally Posted By Duck_Hunt: No. Over 10x on a 5.56 battle/spr rifle is out of place/not needed for the cartridge. The nxs 2.5-10 has reigned up there for many many years now. Huge fan of the mk5 2-10 cmr as well if looking for FFP. If I was forced to choose it would be the nxs.. as leupolds durability is questionable. Trijicon has some options as well and they are generally durable(more so than most). For minute of man/battlefield accuracy, sure. But for anything more than that past 200 yards you need more than 10x. That’s not been my experience. The 5.56 is good out to 8-875yds with a 18” barrel. I’ve shot at these ranges extensively and with a nxs 2.5-10 can hold moa out to that distance and bang a 18” plate almost as fast as I can pull the trigger. Sure if I want to go for the smallest groups I can achieve at 1k with a bolt gun I’m going to opt for something with 2.5 times the max mag of the nxs 2.5-10 or even more, but that’s not the purpose of an spr imho. I can shoot to the mechanical precision of my most precise gassers with an 8-10X. I’m sure a lot of shooters can do a lot with a little, so that’s not saying much. But these days we have pretty capable optics and a 2-10 works, but a 2-12 or 3-18 etc does the same things with more on the top end. Even 4-24 etc. Consider the modern utility offered by a RDS offset/piggybacked to make up the bottom end, affording a superior close range sighting solution relative to an ultra fine 2-4X low end of the main optic. This added magnification may not seem useful when shooting silhouette or gong high contrast targets on a mowed range, but life outside a mowed range is rarely filled with such simple targets. For this reason, while I have plenty of 2-n’s, I see the utility of higher magnification optics on small-frames. That reply was to counter the posted opinion that one needs more than 10x to shoot accurately (better than minute of man) past 200yds. Sure more X can be beneficial at times, but you will almost always sacrifice weight and profile/dimensions. It’s just not needed on a 5.56 spr rifle IMHO. Hell some people hunt out to 600+yds with fixed 6x optics and others hunt timber/woods using 5-25 optics. To each their own. Absolutely there isn’t a hard cut off at 10x for me. For example the Steiner h6xi 2-12 is an option that on paper is better and more modern than the nxs 2.5-10. It’s FFP, and pretty much the same weight and length as the nxs. No idea on its durability - which is the most important factor in choosing an optic you would trust your life with. No idea how the athlon mentioned in the OP holds up. Maybe they have tested it on rokslide. Here is the Athlon BTR gen 2 2-12 test |
What makes the perfect SPR scope? (Page 1 of 2)
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