Posted: 11/17/2015 10:07:14 PM EDT
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First off, you guys are awesome and I've learned a ton from this forum. I'm in a dilemma and need advice. I know this topic has been mashed out to death but hopefully this thread will help someone else as well. I purchased an LWRC REPR 7.62 about 6 months ago. I've been working over hundred hour weeks and haven't had time to figure out a scope, let alone shoot. I am finally ready to pull the trigger and finish the rifle and get shooting again.
I'm looking for a Horus style reticle in mil/mil that is illuminated. Options are, but not limited to: - Vortex Viper PST FFP 6-24x50 EBR-2C - Vortex Razor, Gen I or II, havent learned enough about them yet. - Leupold Mark 6 - U.S. Optics 5-25x58 ER-25 - Steiner 5-25x56 - Nightforce AtacR F1 The rifles primary use will be distance shooting with occasional use for hog hunting. Continued below due to my low post count... |
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I don't believe in setting a strict budget and do believe that you get what you pay for. That being said, I looked through a Viper PST last night and have to say i was impressed. Part of me says it would be cheaping out but i overcame that with saving the rest of the money to tie up loose ends such as getting an offset red dot, mount, and atlas bipod. Tonight i looked into where they are made and was disappointed to find out that it looks like they are made in the Philippines. It looks like the Leupold Mark 6 is not available with an illuminated Horus reticle until you get to the Mark 8, and the Tremor seems to be way out of budget. I emailed Nightforce a while back to question if they had any intentions to build the ATACR F1 with an illuminated Horus reticle and there response was the following: "Thank you for contacting Nightforce Optics. The ATACR F1 optics are offered to the commercial market in the form they are built for military contracts. Current military does not want illumination in these optics…" I find it hard to believe that the military would decline having the option for illumination if it was given to them but that's besides the point. I have shot the rifle out to a grand when a friend (guy who i bought the rifle from) put his sfp Nightforce back on it and would like to see if I could stretch it even further. It will also be used for hog hunting here and there but my 10.5" sbr is my go to for that. Any thoughts and opinions are greatly appreciated. |
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The Vortex Viper is not even in the same ball park of the optics you listed. I would ignore that right away unless money is an issue.
The Gen 2 Razor is prob the best optic you have listed. However its a bit heavy for a gas gun. If weight is not an issue, there is not a better optic out there for the money. The Mark 6 is an attractive, lightweight option. However there are serious reports of poor tracking and wandering zero's. I would look elsewhere. US Optics at one time was the only "custom" optic manufacture. They have since then been surpassed in quality, QC , features and price. I would look elsewhere. The Steiner (Make sure its a Military Model) is a fantastic optic. It can be had in MSR reticle. I would consider this within the top 5-7 optics right now. Nightforce reports are questionable about the Atacr F1. The NSX line was great for its time but there are reports of wandering zeros with the new F1's along with some dumb shit like using phillips head screws inside the turrets. I also dislike their reticle offerings. I would look elsewhere. Here are some other options that you didn't mention. They all are quality optics and fill out the rest of the best of: Kahles 624I Gen 2/3. This would be near the top of my list for a gas gun. It is lightwer weight, fantastic design, great tracking, killer glass, neat paralax adjustment and it comes with some very good reticles (check out SKMR2) Around $3Kish maybe less if you find a deal Leupold Mk8 3.5-25x56 . Not a ton of these in the wild but reports are very good. Phenomenal glass along with good tracking. Lightweight and feature filled. Comes with H58. They will cost around $3K with a .mil discount for $3800ish from a good dealer. March 3-24x52. This is a superb gas gun optic. Lightweight, great glass, good power range. Can be had with illumination and some decent reticles (although no horus). Around $2500ish and only a few dealers out there. S&B 4-16. There are tons of options. Single Turn, Double Turn, MTC, illumination, Long list of reticles. You also have the 5-20 ultrashorts, 3-27, 5-25 and the 3-12 (that the USMC uses). The gold standard in optics for the last 10+ years. Expect to spend between $2K used to $6K for a top of the line model. Premier 3-15/5-25. Right there at the top with S&B not too long ago. They went out of business and the IP was bough by Tanget Theta. You can still find a good used one that is lightweight and around $2000-2500. The Gen 2 XR reticle is simple, effective and elegant. Great glass and tracking as well. TT also does the warranty work, so your good. Tanget Theta 3-15 & 5-25. Reports are this is the new king on the block. The best glass on the market, tooless zero stop and tracking/turrets/reticle that is spot on. Comes with the amazing Gen 2 XR reticle. Price will be between $3500-$4200. Right now, I don't think there is a better rifle optic on the planet right now. So if money is no issue & weight is not a concern, For a gas gun, I would rank them as such: Tanget Theta 3-15/5-25 Vortex Gen 2 3-18 or 5-25 Mk8 3.5-25 (would be higher but not enough sample size) S&B in whatever flavor Premier Reticles in whatever flavor Steiner Military in whatever flavor Kahles 6-24i Gen 3 March in whatever Flavor Nightforce F1 Us Optics If weight/size is a concern In order of weight/features/quality ratio: Tanget Theta in whatever flavor Premier Reticles in whatever flavor Mk8 3.5-25 S&B 4-16 March 3-24 Kahles 6-24 Nightforce 4-16 Steiner 3-15/5-25 Gen 2 Razor If money is a concern here is how I price bracket optics. Less than $500: Don't own any $500-$1200: Used Bushnell Elite 3-21x50 G2's, Bushnell elite LRHS 3-12 & 4.5-18 ( IMO for under $1500 the LRHS is the best optic out there short of a used 4-16 Steiner Military that is much bigger and heavier) $1200-2000: Used Steiner Militaries 4-16, 3-15 & 5-25's. Might Find an older Gen Kahles in there as well, but it won't have SKMR2. Might get a MSR or SKMR1 $200-2500: Vortex Gen 2 razor owns this. Really they own up above the $3K price point but lets bracket this for fun. $2500-$3500: Mk8 with .mil discount, S&B feature rich, Kahles Gen 3 with SKMR2. $3500 and up: Tanget Theta. Simple put the best optic you can buy right now. If I was a millionaire, I would sell every optic I own and buy one for each gun I own. I really do think that the Gen 2 Razor and the TT are the top optics right now. If you can afford the TT, get it. If you can't look for a Gen 2 Razor new or used. Bushnell or Steiner if you are stuck at the $1K+ range. Just IMO. |
| Thank you very much for your time, it is greatly appreciated. The guy I bought the rifle from put a mark 8 on a Surgeon 300 and it is an incredible optic. That being said, ideally I would like to keep the weight down as much as possible but if it comes down to it I'll carry the extra few pounds in order to get the right glass. I feel like it's comparing apples to oranges with the viper pst to the top tier scopes but the difference is I would get the viper immediately without a hiccup instead of waiting another bit to order. |
| I would agree with Hollow Points reply. I own a 16" REPR and just ordered the Razor Gen II 4.5-27. I do t do any hunting so the weight isn't a concern for me. No two ways about the Razor being heavier than Ted others, but I'm willing to deal with it due to the quality and price point it is at. I was looking at the MK8 and the S&B 5-25 PM II series also, but couldn't justify the higher price points for as little as I go shooting. I'm hoping that changes soon..... Good luck in your decision making and keep us posted. |
| I should know pricing tomorrow but it looks like I may go ahead with the Razor Gen II. From the sounds of it it's top tier at a reasonable price. Next question is what mount do you guys suggest? Also looking to put a red dot off the side since my minimum magnification is 4.5x so I'm not sure what route to take. Spuhr mount? Seekins rings with a separate offset mount? I have had good experience with my dnz mount on my .270 weatherby but don't know if it's in the same ballpark. Thanks |
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Quoted:
I should know pricing tomorrow but it looks like I may go ahead with the Razor Gen II. From the sounds of it it's top tier at a reasonable price. Next question is what mount do you guys suggest? Also looking to put a red dot off the side since my minimum magnification is 4.5x so I'm not sure what route to take. Spuhr mount? Seekins rings with a separate offset mount? I have had good experience with my dnz mount on my .270 weatherby but don't know if it's in the same ballpark. Thanks It seems the options are limited a little. I know ADM mounts will not work. I have decided on the Spuhr SP-4616 mount personally. Someone recommended to me a Badger 22MOA riser and the Vortex precision match 1.1" rings. The Spuhr would run approximately $100 more. As far as red dots go, Spuhr makes an add-on mount for a Trijicon RMR and Burris. I may do that myself, I like the idea that both are pretty much on one mount and not two separate mounts located at two different spots on the rail. |