TFB: Long Range Scope Comparison
BY Herschel Smith
6 years, 4 months ago
Joel clearly prefers the Leupold, so for instance when someone else pays the bill (e.g., military) the choice is clear.
For me, not so much. The Leupold Mark 5 costs $2500, while the Athlon Argos costs $400. They’ll both shoot well out to 600 – 800 yards. Yes, the picture must be clearer to Joel, but for an additional $2100, it had better be.
The question is what do you want to do with a scope? Do you want to be a competition precision rifle shooter, or a hunter and shooter who can do it well to 600 yards and moderately beyond? At some point a man must begin to think about cost unless he is wealthy.
But contrary to what Joel said, who was addressing those folks who think you can put a $400 scope on a $5000 precision rifle, I don’t know anyone who thinks that. If you can afford a $5000 rifle, you can afford a $2500 scope. I can afford neither.
On July 11, 2018 at 10:41 pm, DirtyMick said:
Herschel,
I got a smoking deal from a buddy who was hard up for cash. He flipped me an Armalite AR10 Super Sass with a Leupold MK4 for 1400. Deals are out there you just have to look
On July 11, 2018 at 11:51 pm, Jorge said:
If you’ve got the spare cash and a use for it, go for high end.
If you don’t, your budget scope will not be as good, but it’s likely to be mostly adequate for the task at least. A $400 scope of the present day is vastly better than the top of the line scope of 30 years ago, so we’re not talking about hot garbage here.
On July 12, 2018 at 8:04 am, DAN III said:
ALCON,
The ChiComs thank you for buying their “Made in (Red) China” garbage and fueling their manufacturing capabilities and in turn, their military. Domestically the neocons, Dem, ‘pub and Communist, thank you for supporting no borders and globalism !
On July 12, 2018 at 11:05 am, Ryan said:
I would look at ones skill level and interest. A $500 Savage with a $400 scope will be a serviceable rifle for getting into distance shooting. Also it checks the ‘hunting/ distance rifle’ block.
Having a thousand dollar rifle/ scope you don’t use much is tolerable.
If a person gets way into it and is shooting every weekend at 400+ yards then they can upgrade.
On July 12, 2018 at 3:52 pm, downeasthillbilly said:
I have a Burris XTR-II on my Gen2 AR-10. The scope cost as much as the gun. It’s a good set-up for less than $2K, and gives my bad eyesight a boost. I’m no tack driver, but if I can see it at 600 or less, I can hit it.
On July 12, 2018 at 6:37 pm, James said:
I agree with Ryan,star with decent/basic stuff and it is more then a flash in the pan hobby and distance shooting is your passion you can as skills(& wallet)grow you can upgrade.I though also think that you see a great deal on optics/or a rifle/optics combo and can afford,go for it!
As I am still working on basics just using a Vortex scope that is working well for me and friends with a lot more skills in the shooting world who have tried it really like it and think is perfect for my goals and is reasonably priced.
On the upside I have a well to do friend who doesn’t blink at spending a lot on scopes,lets me use some top of the line glass without the cost,I like that.
On July 13, 2018 at 10:43 am, Bram said:
I was looking at Stryka scopes in the $300 – 600 price range. The reviews seem positive.
On July 13, 2018 at 12:43 pm, Donk said:
I have a Nikon Monarch UCC 4-12X40 AO I bought 1994 for $1500 scopes I have used. Available on eBay for <$400.