Scope Help - Fine Reticle - FFP or SFP - 30mm - $1000

[kendallhadden]

My 280ai is about to be finished and i'm looking for a new scope. I will be using it for long range hunting and local 100-300 yard competitions. I'm looking for a 30mm scope with a fine reticle, up to 30 power but no lower than 25 power. I have around $1000 to spend on the optics. I was pretty interested in the Athlon Ares BTR 4.5-27x50FFP but I looked through a friends and the reticle is too big for my liking. The glass was very clear, but at 300yds the reticle was just too big for targets. I'm wondering if I should just stick with SFP rather than FFP because of the reticle. I'm thinking the Vortex PST Gen 2 5-25x50SFP would be great for my application. Any input would be great.

 

[Rich Coyle]

SFP!

 

[aaronoto]

The only time I've found a FFP to be a little too thick is when grouping on paper at 400 yards at a small bullseye. For practical purposes though, never an issue. I'd try looking through a few more reticles before making up your mind. I know you want more mag, but if you go SFP I'd actually recommend going lower mag range, say 3.5-15x. You'll find the scope will probably live at 15x most of the time but max power on a SFP scope is generally (scope dependent) where your reticle hold overs will be true. So not only will you get a finer reticle but your hold over will also be true and you'll save money over a FFP scope. For competition use my scope lives at 12-15x out to 800 yards, but these are steel competitions with larger targets. The PST is solid choice, if you can sacrifice a little on the upper end of your mag requirements a Nightforce SHV would also be a very good choice for around your budget.

 

[Schnyd112]

I have a swfa ss that is a ffp. the reticle combined with 15x max mag leave some to be desired for trying to do the things I like to do. (Small targets, small groups, 100-1000 yards) If you have to hold on a hash there is a lot of the target that gets covered. It won't let you hold just off a target, the crosshairs have too much play. You can almost make 3 different (left, middle, right of crosshairs) holds on the edge of a target, none of which are easily repeatable.

I am in the same boat, looking to upgrade for around $1000 and I am probably going to the gen ii pst.i really like their reticle, have shot behind one a fair amount and am fairly confident it will do what I need without making me feel bad for spending money.

I have not been impressed with the athlon offerings I have been shot. I dont like the look, I didn't like the glass, and the two that I messed with had very mushy windage turrets. Almost imperceptible clicks. I really didn't even notice the reticle being thick on them, one look through and it was apparent that I wouldn't spend money on one.

 

[kendallhadden]

I have a swfa ss that is a ffp. the reticle combined with 15x max mag leave some to be desired for trying to do the things I like to do. (Small targets, small groups, 100-1000 yards) If you have to hold on a hash there is a lot of the target that gets covered. It won't let you hold just off a target, the crosshairs have too much play. You can almost make 3 different (left, middle, right of crosshairs) holds on the edge of a target, none of which are easily repeatable.

I am in the same boat, looking to upgrade for around $1000 and I am probably going to the gen ii pst.i really like their reticle, have shot behind one a fair amount and am fairly confident it will do what I need without making me feel bad for spending money.

I have not been impressed with the athlon offerings I have been shot. I dont like the look, I didn't like the glass, and the two that I messed with had very mushy windage turrets. Almost imperceptible clicks. I really didn't even notice the reticle being thick on them, one look through and it was apparent that I wouldn't spend money on one.

Are you looking at FFP or SFP?

 

[Schnyd112]

Are you looking at FFP or SFP?

95% sure it will be FFP. The ones I have shot have all been mil/mil FFP.

 

[highdrum]

Look at the new Athlon ares etr 4.5-, 30X56 with the prs2 mil reticle. Just has the floating center dot.

 

[shawnb]

Burris xtr2 kinda fits what youre looking for. And it comes with a pretty fine reticle.

 

[SavageScott]

I actually have the Vortex you mentioned and I love it! The reticle works fine for me; doesn't seem to big at all at longer ranges.

I also have the Burris XTR II on another rifle and tbh I can't tell the difference with either looking through them. And they are both in your price range and both 5-25x. Perfect for 100- 1,000 (and beyond) in my opinion.

 

[Rum Man]

Burris XTR ii 5x 25 x50 I have one on each of my 338 Edges ! They have been great scopes .

 

[bpcrshooter]

http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/viper-hs-lr-6-24x50-ffp-with-xlr-moa-reticle

have two of these and love them.....

 

[FEENIX]

Not all FFP reticles are created equal. I have the first gen 4-20 Burris Veracity FFP with varmint reticle on my .270 A without any issues.

https://www.burrisoptics.com/scopes/veracity-riflescopes-series/veracity-riflescope-4-20x50mm

 

[Chesternutt]

FFP for sure#

 

[tuscan]

Love my Burris XTRii and my Vortex PST gen ii 3-15x44, both FFP. The OP wanted a 30mm though, and the Burris XTR is 34, the Vortex 30. That and the 50mm make the XTR heavy for mountain hunting, which is why the Vortex is on one of my mountain hunting rifles - much lighter if you are an ounce counter. The Vortex center of the reticle is open, so it doesn't block out small paper targets. My favorite is a March, but that is well above the OP stated budget. Both the Burris and Vortex have been great. Have T & Eed an Athlon too - lots to like there - but still feel Burris and Vortex have a quality edge and love their customer service and gty.