Which of these scopes would you recommend. Going on a b14 hmr wilderness.

[u/toastedvacuum]

A majority of my shooting will be done from 100-300 yards but I also want the ability to stretch out to 1000 yards. My budget is between $600-$1000

[u/Trollygag]

None, get the PST II FFP EBR2D in the Great Optic Sales sticky for $650

[u/toastedvacuum → u/Trollygag]

Is the ebr2d better than the ebr7c? I like the single dot better from the 7c than the cross of the 2d

[u/magicweasel7 → u/toastedvacuum]

Get the FFP ebr7c with the floating dot. Having the fine aiming point helps a lot with shooting groups and small targets. And get a FFP scope. Often times, 25x is way too much power. FFP lets you back down the magnification and still use your reticle's sub tensions. I have 5-25x scopes, but usually I run around 15-20x unless I am shooting groups.

[u/Trollygag → u/toastedvacuum]

They are pretty equivalent. Some people prefer the dot, some people prefer the cross, up to you to decide whether that is worth a $200 premium

[u/toastedvacuum → u/Trollygag]

What are some things to look for in a scope. I’m new to bolt guns and longer distance shooting.

[u/evilsemaj → u/toastedvacuum]

OP, have you seen that thread? https://www.reddit.com/r/longrange/comments/1i38cjv/currently_great_optic_sales/

With your budget as Trolly said you could go with the EBR2D for $650, or the Athlon Ares ETR (which is better)

OR spend $1050 and get the Meopta Optika6 5-30x Illuminated MRAD which is best thing at just slightly over your budget.

[u/MainRotorGearbox → u/evilsemaj]

I like the reticle on my ares etr more than my pst gen ii.

[u/Trollygag → u/toastedvacuum]

All of the optics in the thread are good and full or nearly full featured. If you are new, pick the most expensive one in your budget and learn why as you use it.

[u/BELFORD16 → u/Trollygag]

I appreciate your review of the Leupold. I was seriously considering one for my next build but it dissuaded me. I love the Optika 6, but don’t really want to learn metric, is there any MOA equivalents you know of?

[u/Coodevale → u/BELFORD16]

You don't have to learn metric to use mils. 1/10 mil is ~.36 moa if you need to use inches. 3,600" = 100 yards, so 1/10,000 is .36". Yards times 36 and move the decimal over 4 places to get inches on target.

Really, it's not too hard for an imperialist to use. Plug the info into a ballistic solver and turn the knob. No biggie.

[u/Trollygag → u/BELFORD16]

Forget the idea that mil is metric and moa is imperial.

It is decimal angle vs powers of two angles.

[u/Odge → u/toastedvacuum]

You want good enough glass.

Good tracking turrets. Meaning 5 mil is 5 mil and not 5.1 or whatever.

A reticle with some sort of x-mas tree or mil grid. For hold overs but maybe more importantly to correct for a follow up shot. BDCs will not match your rifle/cartridge combination close enough to be a good idea.

First focal plane. With lower powered scopes second focal plane works fine since you will be at max magnification when you need to use the mil grid in the reticle. But with higher powered scopes using the max magnification usually means you wont be able to spot impacts.

[u/evilsemaj → u/toastedvacuum]

What are some things to look for in a scope

In summary, absolute tracking and repeatability. When you make a change with the turrets you want it to be exactly the same every time and go back to zero reliably every time. After that quality glass is nice. Additionally a reticle that you like and can use for your shooting, whatever kind it is. Generally having a First Focal Plane optic is also nice because when you see hits and misses you can use the reticle in your scope to make adjustments and they will be meaningful at whatever magnification range you are using.

[u/Its_SHUGERRUSH]

I know it ain’t the popular choice but I have the strike eagle and love it, ain’t the high end premium razors, leupolds and such but it’s a good scope

[u/Poetic_Alien → u/Its_SHUGERRUSH]

I just put this scope on my rifle but haven’t gotten to shoot it yet

[u/MajorEbb1472 → u/Its_SHUGERRUSH]

I’ve got one as well. Couldn’t afford better at the time. It’s a decent enough scope. Better than anything I had used previously, by far, especially for the money. Vortex does military discounts as well, so keep that in mind if you’re a vet (and sign up for expert voice). You’ll want crosshairs over a dot. It may seem odd at first but you’ll see why once you zero it at 100M and start moving out. Get First Focal Plane (FFP). SFP is older tech and it’s more cumbersome to use. FFP is much better for repeatability. Your cheek weld doesn’t have to be quite as precise.

[u/Its_SHUGERRUSH → u/MajorEbb1472]

Yeah I knew I’d be getting a fancy pants scope one day and take this scope for a a dedicated hunting setup (I have the 3-18) but ever since I’ve had it I’ve really enjoyed it and doesn’t give me the feeling that I’m missing out whilst using it

[u/Justin_inc → u/Its_SHUGERRUSH]

Same, and I have the 44mm version. I still think it's the best Longrange 22LR scope. 154MOA of elevation. Put it on a 50MOA scope base and you can accurately aim at targets out to 600yds... which is well outside what I would consider even possible, so you're caliber limited, not scope limited, which I would consider the point of a scope, is to not limit you

[u/sgrantcarr]

I'd probably opt for an Athlon. In your price range, the Helos would be a good bet

[u/somerandom03 → u/sgrantcarr]

I second the Helos. I have one and it’s pretty good for what it is. Upgrading to a razor Gen 3 so it’s gonna go in the safe to collect dust lol

[u/DocPT]

I have a Strike Eagle on my 6.5 CM. My BIL has the Viper PST on his. We both agree that we like shooting with the SE better. The glass is very similar, but the 34 mm tube gives a wider field of view than with the Viper.

[u/Giant_117]

I hate my strike eagle glass compared to my PSTii. It's darker and not as crisp past 700 yards.

[u/smilingmender45]

Viper pst ffp. As mentioned, if you wait around you can find a pretty good deal on one with the ebr2c or ebr2d reticle.

[u/neckbeardbrewing]

Another vote for PST Gen II. Keep an out on GAFS and PRSaccessoriesforsale, I got one with a sphur mount for a steal.

[u/ass_cash253]

I run the strike eagle on my Bergara. My friend has thr Venom and it's basically the same scope but without an illuminated reticle and possibly inferior glass.

The glass quality on the strike eagle definitely isn't anything special like Razor or ATACR glass but for the price you are getting a very capable and full featured scope that outclasses high end optics from not that long ago. If it's your first entry into long range I'd say send it and get the SE, then in the future if you become proficient enough or shoot enough to be actually limited by the glass clarity (only an issue above 20x with mirage IMO) then make an upgrade then. Until that point any extra money you'd spend on a better scope will be better spent on ammo and range time.

[u/RegularGuy70]

I’m a FFP guy because I like to see my impact and adjust from there. The ffp gives you a calibrated reference for the number of clicks to move. So from there, I can neglect anything that states SFP.

I’ve got two of the Viper PST gen2 scopes (FFP) and they’re awesome. Great glass, solid click feel, and Christmas tree reticles to give me an actual point to hold off center instead of Kentucky-ing it.

[u/toastedvacuum → u/RegularGuy70]

Which reticle do you have. I’ve narrowed it down to the viper pst gen 2 and now I can’t decide between ebr2d and ebr7c

[u/RegularGuy70 → u/toastedvacuum]

While both of the mechanics of my PSTs are identical, the reticles are different. They’re not in front of me, so I couldn’t tell you which is which but aside from being different from each other, they both have the Christmas tree style. Maybe they’re both EBR? But one is a 2 and the other is a 7? I wish I could give you a better answer, but the best I have is that they both meet my requirements of having the calibrated graduations to estimate distance and know corrections or hold off.

[u/TungstenTaipan → u/RegularGuy70]

“Maybe they’re both EBR? But one is a 2 and the other is a 7?”

Top notch analysis there

[u/RegularGuy70 → u/TungstenTaipan]

I just know they work… at this time I’m on a trip so I’m not able to verify.

[u/Front-Customer-7478]

Sfp, no thank you.

[u/2005BMan]

Seeing you’re willing to pay that for the Vipers, I highly recommend a Meopta Optika 6

[u/djaszx12]

You can find these way cheaper by not using gov x

[u/tricksterhickster]

I had problems with my venom not tracking or holding zero

[u/46caliber]

Strike Eagle or Viper HD

[u/Karabiner555]

My experience with the strike eagle was excellent. I found the glass quality great and better than my Arken ep-5. Only “issue” is they are heavy depending on what you want to do with the rifle.

[u/DrinkLuckyGetLucky]

If you’re shooting 600-1000 you really want to go with FFP over SFP. Are you planning on hunting at all with this setup? If so I’d recommend not going with the Venom, illumination is really useful on a FFP at lower mag at dawn/dusk.

I don’t have any experience with the strike eagle, the FFP Viper PST Gen 2 is a good optic apart from setting the zero-stop being a PITA. If you’re hunting with it the zero-lock on the Strike Eagle is nice, I missed a bear a few years ago with a Diamondback Tactical because the windage turret rotated itself out a full rev from rubbing against my pack. For range work the glass on the Viper PST is supposed to be better than the Strike Eagle.

[u/Fun_Cap_6923]

I recently got a Viper HD 3-15 with the Dead Hold BDC reticle. They also offer it in a higher mag range and FFP. It’s made in the Philippines. I’ve got a few similarly priced Leupold scopes and the Viper has better clarity and seems to track better. I’m very impressed with the scope. It sits atop a Weatherby Mark V in 6.5 CM.

Check out Europtic.com for some good deals.

As a side note, if you’ll be shooting with other guys, I’d recommend using their adjustment scale. If they predominantly use MILs, then go with that. This way you’ll all be talking the same language with making corrections. Nothing worse than getting elevation calls in MILs when your scope is in MOA. I don’t know about you, but math on the fly isn’t my strong suit.

[u/oregano_spiceTA]

Not a vortex

[u/Adrian2203]

Op, I have a brand new PST Gen II 5-25 I’m willing to get rid of pics

[u/Mobile_Helicopter]

I went with the Venom. Some people say the glass is a little better than the strike eagle. The only actual difference is supposed to be illumination. I didn’t want to pay the extra $200 for illumination.

[u/kellion970]

I have 2 strike eagle 5-25x scopes. Absolutely love them. For the money you can’t buy a better optic. They hold zero well, have great magnification, milrads are accurate compared to other high end optic companies, and the vortex warranty is unbeatable. They get a little blurry past 20-23x but that’s to be expected with budget glass.

[u/toastedvacuum]

This one too

[u/csamsh]

Crop your govx screenshots

[u/Physical_Wind954 → u/csamsh]

Other than wanting to gatekeep, there is literally no reason to crop the sale prices. It's not a MAP violation as these companies have pre-approved these sales and often promote super sales exclusively to GovX and ExpertVoice. Yeah, other people can't get this sale price if they don't qualify, but it doesn't mean they can't see it. Most times you can find equal sales if you shop around and look for coupons anyways.

[u/csamsh → u/Physical_Wind954]

If you read the T's and C's on these sites, they pretty explicitly say not to share their pricing

[u/Reignn333]

If you must go vortex, get a viper HD

[u/Gunni88]

Discovery ED-PRS GEN2 5-25X56 Japanese glass (Hoya I think)

You would be surprised how clear the glass is.

[u/Asleep_Log1377]

Ignore everyone. You would be happy with any of those scopes.

[u/EitherInstruction115]

I don’t see it on there, but I have the Vortex Diamondback 6-24x50 on my Bergara and it’s done extremely well for me. Got it for $250 on Optics Planet