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So your saying that I cut corners on glass because I'm not running a S&B?
No not at all.....I'm saying that, for me, I'm going to buy the glass that I like the most and has the features that I desire in an ideal scope. Cost is always a factor in my world, so figuring out what I can and cannot spend enters into the equation every time. In working within my budget I was saying that if I needed to cut the cost, the glass would be the last piece of the puzzle to be altered.
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Bought the Leupold LPS that sits on my trusty 06 used on ebay for about half price, $750 around 2006. It's not as fancy as their newer, super high $$$ units, but it's a **** good hunting scope. Great optical clarity in low light. Don't know if it's still true, but I remember reading articles not too too long ago that Leupold sells more glass to the DoD than all others combined.Without going into great detail to explain my experience in optics testing and evaluation, I can say I've shot just about the hardest recoiling weapons I've ever heard of, with a multitude of glass riding them. I was also part of fixture fire evaluations of the same groups of glass to eliminate operator error and recoil mitigation. To state the obvious, we also broke/rendered inoperable quite a few through recoil events, all in the search for durable, repeatable, and long life cycle optics for US Army sniper systems. From 50cal down thru the exotic cal's, to the short range and mundane, to include offerings of vendors from all over the world. That said, after retirement I've settled on what I've witnessed to be the best proverbial bang for MY buck in glass. That's not to say this particular brand has not failed before, but certainly less than some other glass you can spend more on! I even went so far as to purchased a knowingly damaged rifle scope of this brand off eBay for the sole purpose of returning it to the parent company for free repair/restoration. All my rifles but two wear Leupold MK 4's and above. The exception is only on our gas guns which have 3-9 patrols on them. I can not justify the cost, or weight in some cases of other optic brands. The clarity and real field observation by myself and others have convinced me of my choices. Now this thread is sure to rub someone's pelt the wrong way, so in advance let me apologize by saying 'MY CHOICE' is for the Lepold's. They're like owning a Rolex. They may not be the newest high speed low drag (HSLD) bullet guiders on the circuit today, but they have always delivered my meat hammers to their precise destinations with consistency. You can spend more money on glass, easily. But I'm not remotely convinced your target will know. My petite little 'Huntress' wife would agree. The attached groups were fired by her from Rock Creek barreled gas guns on a measured 600yd range, sighted with Leupold 3-9x patrol's. My advice is get quality glass with a GREAT warranty, a good system with quality ammo, practice,and enjoy the performanceView attachment 246214 View attachment 246215
Optical glass is now like TVs. Used to be that your choice was Sony or Sony. Then Samsung started to creep up on them. Now, **** near any modern UHD TV is stunning. Sony and Samsung are still better, just not quite as much. Look at camera lenses too. Now the Sigma lenses are as good as Nikon or Canon. I have a couple of really cheap Samyang/Rokinon that are quite impressive. I believe that with the conversion to mostly digital photography, a LOT more people started looking at cheaper ways to make superior optical glass and coatings. That translates into the smaller market for rifle optics, with the benefit of better, lighter, cheaper for all.
I'd never even heard of Athlon until a buddy put one on his 338 Lapua. First shot I tried with that rifle, hitting the target at around 825+/-, and I was convinced. Their little cheapie 1-4x are great for ARs. Have yet to try that Ares though...
