All,
Thinking about a new scope purchase. There are a bunch of these on here but everyone's requirements are a little different and most are for hunting.

1. Is there enough improvement in optical clarity between a Vortex PST Gen 1 (or Riton Gen 1 6x24) and new scopes around the $1500 mark to be worth the upgrade?

Assuming so, what is the best optical clarity with the below requirements.

Bench rest/prone steel shooting up to 1000 yd with 308
<$1500
Mag Max: atleast 16x prefer 18x - 24x
Mag Min: no higher than 6x
FFP
Mil or MOA reticle, prefer with windage tree (used both, can get used to either)
zero stop
fewest dial rotations as possible, (308 = ~43 MOA, Riton currently is nearly 3 full dial rotations + no zero stop = sucks)
prefer if # rotations are indicated as well but not required.
low light doesn't matter

Is this price range too low for these requirements?

I think that covered most of the follow-ups people have on these so what options are there?

Thanks in advance for the input, way too many options to dig to all these different details from scratch.

Leupold VX5. Sweeeet scope. Saw one once. It was awesome. It's at the upper end of your price range.

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/leupold-vx-5-hd-rifle-scope

Nightforce

FunkyKO said:

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Nightforce

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eot

www.mavenbuilt.com

nightforce nx8 or SWFA 5-20

I like the leupold 5xhd as a hunting scope but for a straight bench I would prefer one of the above.

Which Nightforce hits all OP's requirements for $1500 or less?

Serious question as I'd want one too.

Shv nx8

https://www.eurooptic.com/NF-NX8-2-5-20x50-F2-1-MRAD-MIL-CF2-Like-New-Demo-Riflescope-C638.aspx

Math is hard.

Bushnell elite tactical. First focal plane should've been on your list of requirements at that price range.

Thanks for input so far, 1500 range seems difficult, only one that hits is swfa thats been recommended. Had not heard of maven so those are interesting.

Bushnell is also in range, are those optically worth the money over say pst gen 2 at $1000 or upper end riton?

So hard to judge if cost is for clarity, widgets or just brand name.

I have had some good luck buying used optics. Scopes dont hold their value like a rifle does so you can buy a used scope well below what it costs new. I think I got my SWFA for $850

Just bought me a sh4 gen2 6-24x50 scope from Arkenopticsusa.com

Lots of excellent reviews for this up and coming company. Mine is on a 7-9 week backorder.

One more bump for the monday crowd.

Where are people finding used optics and has anyone had trouble with used optics, sensitivity with optics and the cost makes me nervous buying used.

Thanks again for all the input.

Check midway for Bushnell scopes. Seems like they have a sale in them all the time. I have a Forge on one of my rifles and it's very clear. It also comes with some extras that some of the big names don't include (fabric cover, flip caps, locking turrets, magnification swing arm, sun shade).

I just mounted a Vortex PST gen 2 on my new rifle and was a little disappointed that the caps included were some cheap ass plastic, the turrets do not lock and the illumination turret is almost impossible to rotate. Also, just sighting it in involved taking the turrets off that I did not have to do in the Bushnell. I'm actually wondering if I shouldn't have spent another $200 and gotten a Bushnell DMR II.

Since you have both, how isclarity between forge and pst?

Bushnell Elite Tactical XRS and DMR are being clearanced and discontinued pretty heavily at a few online shops.

XRS - $1050 - $1225 ($1700 - $1950)
DMR - $770 - $825 ($1200 - $1300)

Are these really $1200 - $1500 optics? "List Price" is even higher

rab4225 said:

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Since you have both, how isclarity between forge and pst?

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The clarity on the Forge is very good. Unfortunately all I've done is mount the PST since the new rifle showed up Wednesday. Weather has been crap for shooting the last week.

I looked that one too. It's SFP.

For some it doesn't matter but long range i much prefer FFP.

Nightforce C433.

Sorry I just realized you already had FFP on your list.

Try here.... samplelist.com it's SWFA's bargain website. Really good deals can be had here.

rab4225 said:

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One more bump for the monday crowd.

Where are people finding used optics and has anyone had trouble with used optics, sensitivity with optics and the cost makes me nervous buying used.

Thanks again for all the input.

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Check out the sightron siii also, but you should just buy the swfa and go shooting
Longrangehunting and 24hourcampfire have nice optics pop up in their classifieds regularly. Ebay too. All of the good brands have great warranties, doesn't matter if you bought it new.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1022743167?pid=918734

I have the 3-18 version of this one and I like it a lot. It has locking turrets, includes flip caps, soft cover, and a throw lever (something my Vortex PST Gen2 does not have - have to pay extra for those). Also has a sunshade.

Check out Rudolph Scopes. See the EyeGuy Texian firearms