Whats the OB recommend on scopes? Looking to buy one under $600.

Must haves:

FFP
At least 24 max magnification
MOA
50mm objective lens or bigger
30mm tube or bigger

Its to go on my 6.5 grendel AR-15. Will be using it for pretty much everything. I have an old 3-9 scope from my father in law's rifle that I inherited awhile back. This is my first and hopefully last scope purchase.

Currently looking at vortex and athlon brands. But open to others on recommendations.

I don't have a recommendation, but you can get 14% off vortex optics through Euro Optics through November.

https://www.eurooptic.com/vortex-optics.aspx?utm_source=eoic2017&utm_medium=jph

Have you ever looked at a scope with all those qualifications? Itll probably weigh more than the gun. IMO, the tube and objective diameter aren't worth it.

CS78 said:

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Have you ever looked at a scope with all those qualifications? Itll probably weigh more than the gun. IMO, the tube and objective diameter aren't worth it.

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Agree. What you have described is not a "do all" scope as you stated you wanted, more of a long distance target scope. Which is fine if that will be mostly what you do with the gun...but its going to be heavy, likely not balance well offhand, and the minimum magnification that goes along with 24x+ will make shooting shorter/quick/moving things difficult at best.

That's a lot of scope. I typically run LPVO on that type of gun with at most 8x on the top end for 500 yard shooting. What you are wanting I would typically put on a long range bench gun.

If you get a scope with your wants at that price, would probably be better served as a trotline weight.

Nightforce NX8

Missed the part about $600

You can get all those things in a light weight package, but not for $600

I just bought this one a couple months ago at Cabelas to hang on a 7 mag I bought. Have no idea what FFP means but I'm pretty sure it meets your qualifications.

FFP = First Focal Plane

I have one of those on an AR. I like it, but the setup (along w/ the QD mount) does get a little weighty. Not terrible, though.

i also have the same scope in a 4-16 x 42 (i think). probably a better "general" solution.

24x is way too much for most purposes. I don't think that much magnification will help you on a scope at that price point. You do you, but you should look at things in the 3-15x range. I think it would serve you better.

aggie_2010 said:

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I don't have a recommendation, but you can get 14% off vortex optics through Euro Optics through November.

https://www.eurooptic.com/vortex-optics.aspx?utm_source=eoic2017&utm_medium=jph

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I've been looking for a Vortex Crossfire II 3-9 x 40 with the basic/non-illuminated reticle for over a month. Can't find that scope anywhere. Trying to get an Axis II compact in 7-08 set up for my 9 year old. LGS's all sold out, can't find them anywhere. Such a bummer was going to be a great Christmas gift.

Check out the bushnell nitro 6-24x50. I'd be real surprised if another scope that fits your criteria even exists

CS78 said:

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Have you ever looked at a scope with all those qualifications? Itll probably weigh more than the gun. IMO, the tube and objective diameter aren't worth it.

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Figured since i would be hunting in the early morning/late evening it would be good to get the most light in the scope as possible, which from what i read the bigger lens and tube does that.

In that price range, you will sacrifice a lot of clarity to have more zoom. I have a Vortex Viper HST 6-24x and it's fine for a bench gun, but I would not hunt with it due to weight, clarity, and FOV. Better to look at lower magnification and get better glass.

I love all my primary arms scopes. I have their prisms, LPVOs, 4-24x and 6-30x56.

I'm sure they have something in their SLx line that fits your needs.

And they are down the street from me in Houston. great customer service.

I have the 1-6x LPVO withe the ACSS Predator reticle on my 12" AR 6.5 Grendel.

perfect pairing and my favorite AR.

Here's some info from leupold.

https://www.leupold.com/leupold-core/core-knowledge/articles/top-5-optics-myths-explained

If this is for a hunting gun, I would look at the options available in the leupold vx3i 4.5-14. I really like the grendel but it simply doesn't have the energy to be a consistent killer past about 300 yards. The 14x should do you well out to that range. And the 4.5 will be much more friendly inside 75 yards and in low light. And don't forget that you might need to dispatch a wounded deer that's either moving and/or in tight quarters.

Obviously prices are lower but you can compare models- https://www.leupold.com/product-series/vx-3i-rifle-scope

VegasAg98 said:

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I love all my primary arms scopes. I have their prisms, LPVOs, 4-24x and 6-30x56.

I'm sure they have something in their SLx line that fits your needs.

And they are down the street from me in Houston. great customer service.

I have the 1-6x LPVO withe the ACSS Predator reticle on my 12" AR 6.5 Grendel.

perfect pairing and my favorite AR.

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Isnt that scope calibrated for a different caliber?

I've wondered about those BDC scopes, but none of them say for 6.5 grendel

In regards to low light, it is more complicated than lens size and tube size, and I am no expert. Glass quality and the especially the coatings are probably most important because they diminish glare and improve light transmission as well as image contrast. The objective lens size and tube size are less important but come into play. Perhaps Eyeguy could weigh in on this since he has a lot of knowledge about optics.

Good advice! I have a Vx3i 4.5-14 on my .270 and have zero complaints. Leupold's low light transmission is hard to beat for the money.

ajolly said:

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VegasAg98 said:

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I love all my primary arms scopes. I have their prisms, LPVOs, 4-24x and 6-30x56.

I'm sure they have something in their SLx line that fits your needs.

And they are down the street from me in Houston. great customer service.

I have the 1-6x LPVO withe the ACSS Predator reticle on my 12" AR 6.5 Grendel.

perfect pairing and my favorite AR.

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Isnt that scope calibrated for a different caliber?

I've wondered about those BDC scopes, but none of them say for 6.5 grendel

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The owners manual tells you where to zero for 5 .56/.223, .308 and 6.5 Grendel.

For 6.5 Grendel using 123 gr AMAX you zero 1" high at 100 yards

admittedly i don't get 2850 fps out of my 12" but I don't use it out that far

VegasAg98 said:

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ajolly said:

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VegasAg98 said:

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I love all my primary arms scopes. I have their prisms, LPVOs, 4-24x and 6-30x56.

I'm sure they have something in their SLx line that fits your needs.

And they are down the street from me in Houston. great customer service.

I have the 1-6x LPVO withe the ACSS Predator reticle on my 12" AR 6.5 Grendel.

perfect pairing and my favorite AR.

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Isnt that scope calibrated for a different caliber?

I've wondered about those BDC scopes, but none of them say for 6.5 grendel

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The owners manual tells you where to zero for 5 .56/.223, .308 and 6.5 Grendel.

For 6.5 Grendel using 123 gr AMAX you zero 1" high at 100 yards

admittedly i don't get 2850 fps out of my 12" but I don't use it out that far

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Do you know if thats just for that scope or if all their scopes allow for that?

ajolly said:

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VegasAg98 said:

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ajolly said:

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VegasAg98 said:

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I love all my primary arms scopes. I have their prisms, LPVOs, 4-24x and 6-30x56.

I'm sure they have something in their SLx line that fits your needs.

And they are down the street from me in Houston. great customer service.

I have the 1-6x LPVO withe the ACSS Predator reticle on my 12" AR 6.5 Grendel.

perfect pairing and my favorite AR.

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Isnt that scope calibrated for a different caliber?

I've wondered about those BDC scopes, but none of them say for 6.5 grendel

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The owners manual tells you where to zero for 5 .56/.223, .308 and 6.5 Grendel.

For 6.5 Grendel using 123 gr AMAX you zero 1" high at 100 yards

admittedly i don't get 2850 fps out of my 12" but I don't use it out that far

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Do you know if thats just for that scope or if all their scopes allow for that?


The Athena BPR reticle is not caliber specific and is a Xmas tree reticle with bullet drop and wind holds. I'm just not working it out on my 20" BA 6.5 Grendel as I haven't chronographed fps yet. I believe that any any of the .556/223 0r 3.08 bdc reticles will work with the same 6.5 Grendel modified zero mentioned above.

A quick email to them will let you know. Look at their online reviews of the scopes and BDC reticles. All the reviews say the BDCs are dead on and my ACSS Raptor and Apollo for 6.5 CM and .225 Valkyrie have been dead on

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