Optic decision for rifle

[LindenBruce]

Hello All,

Ok, looking to put an optic on my Ruger Scout rifle in .308WIN and 18" barrel. I also have a PTR91 I would also like to outfit with the same scope.

My three choices are;
Burris 4-20x50XTR II
NF 4-14x50 SHV f1.1
Athlon 4.5-27x50 ARES BTR

ALL three in MIL with illuminated reticle. I really like the simple MIL reticle. I hate the Christmas tree crap you see in the Vortex scopes. I know, the Athlon has a similar Christmas tree. I also want to stay First Focal Plane (FFP).

I know any of these three would be great dependable scopes. I previously had my mind set on the Nikon Black FX1000. but since they are getting out of the scope business, I think it best not to go with them.

Thoughts?

Bruce

[rights]

Nightforce my pick

[isntzen]

2nd Nightforce. More robust and 14x is plenty magnification for those rifles.

[mmlook]

a couple other options:
1. Tract Toric 30mm
- awesome glass and eyebox
2. Vortex Razor LHT
- just released
- seems to fit your wants/needs
- vortex scope without a Christmas tree reticle

https://tractoptics.com/riflescopes/toric-uhd-30mm-4-20x50-ffp-mrad-mrad-long-range-rifle-scope

https://www.eurooptic.com/Vortex-Razor-HD-LHT-3-15x42-HSR-5i-MRAD-Riflescope-RZR-31502.aspx

[The War Wagon]

Nightforce, but what are your terrain features like?

I live in the urban cessmaze, and from my ROOFTOP, I have... MAYBE... a 300 yard field of vision, at most.

My SPR is decked out with a Vortex Razor 1x6 - my PTR 91 wears a Leupold Mk.IV CQ/T. And that's about as far as I can FIND a target in my AO.

[LindenBruce]

Thanks for the ideas guys. I live in the country rolling hills and orchards. Yes, 14X is enough magnification. I don't need a GD telescope on my rifle. Not to mention it would be top heavy (LOL). B.

[vintagearms]

Someone needs to educate themselves on Christmas tree reticles.
Best scope:Razor HD Gen III 1-10x24
Budget: TORIC 30mm FFP 4-20X50 MRAD PRS

[LindenBruce]

Do any of you know if the entire reticle on the NF SHV is illuminated or just the center "cross"? B.

[kcheung2]

I have no opinion on the Ruger, but for the PTR I suggest you rethink the idea of putting a big scope on it. The location of the charging handle really limits the length of the scope that can be used, and all of your options are long scopes. Sure you can get a riser and move the scope higher, but then it requires adding the stock cheekrest to maintain cheek weld. And even then, the charging handle will only barely clear the objective bell. It can only be operated with your fingers, you can't really palm it.

If you want to use optics, the shorter LPVO scopes will work much better. Or the fixed 4x, 5x type of scopes.

[FeuerFrei]

I have a NOS Hensoldt German army scope on my PTR I got from a seller in Germany some years ago.

It is clear, accurate, keeps zero after R&Ring it and bullet drop doped to 762x51 ammo. 4 power is actually very effective against 18"x24" targets at longer ranges.

*I also hate busy reticles. I like a clear FOV.

[therealnickb]

Do any of you know if the entire reticle on the NF SHV is illuminated or just the center "cross"? B.

[The War Wagon]

I have no opinion on the Ruger, but for the PTR I suggest you rethink the idea of putting a big scope on it. The location of the charging handle really limits the length of the scope that can be used, and all of your options are long scopes. Sure you can get a riser and move the scope higher, but then it requires adding the stock cheekrest to maintain cheek weld. And even then, the charging handle will only barely clear the objective bell. It can only be operated with your fingers, you can't really palm it.

If you want to use optics, the shorter LPVO scopes will work much better. Or the fixed 4x, 5x type of scopes.

Why I went the Mk.IV CQ/T route 12 years ago on mine.

[LindenBruce]

That's nice for sure. But discontinued. B.

[LindenBruce]

Well, talked to NF today. The SHV I was looking at only has the center "cross" illuminated. If I want one of their scopes I would need to jump up to their NXS series scopes. And that would be a 400 dollar jump in price. Not sure I want to go that high. B.

[RideWest]

I have an NXS scope and I really like it. But, I recently picked up a Vortex Viper PST gen 2, 3-15x44 with the EBR-7c reticle for $810. It's an exceptional scope for the money. The Vortex gen 2 glass is very close to my NF NXS up to 14x, with just a hair less clairity at max power.

It has all the features that you mentioned, FFP, Mil, illuminated retical and zero stop. The turrets are pretty nice, and parallax goes down to 20 yards. Yes it also has a Christmas tree, but it is not cluttered. A tree is a valuable item to have on a tactical scope, because it's a lot faster.