Scope Recommendations for LR-308 24"

[Justintoxicated]

I'm tempted to just grab another Nikon in the M308 flavor, but I have never bought a higher end scope.

Thinking Bushnell Elite,Vortex HD, or Nightforce NXS F1 but I'm open to other options as well.

This will be used for my introduction to longer range shooting. From my experiences so far, only out to 300, I have found more magnification is usually helpful, if not just to make it obvious how much I am shaking. I'm not sure if more magnification beyond 15x would be more helpful or FFP.

I want to learn on a mil/mil system but I am undecided if I should make FFP a priority or not. I always wanted to try one but the NXS F1 is damn expensive.

I will have about $2500 into the gun once I complete it, so I think I will also make that by maximum budget for the scope, unless it is a waste on an AR platform?

Gun will have adjustable gas system, Jp BCG and Rainier Ultra Match barrel in 24", so I hope it should be a decent shooter, and a good scope would not be a waste.

Better yet, anyone know where I can go look through these before buying in So Cal?

[CSTactical]

The Bushnell Elite,Vortex HD, and Nightforce NXS F1 are a great way of going. You may also what to look at the Steiner rifle scopes.

If we can be of help please let us know we stock all the above and more.

Mike @ CST

[Justintoxicated]

I'm leaning towards the NXS F1, but it's only 15x so I might look elsewhere.

[CSTactical]

The Nightforce are great scopes and I'm sure you will not be disappointed. If you have any question on optics let me know.

Our # is below.

Mike @ CST

[Justintoxicated]

I keep coming back to the B.E.A.S.T but It's hard to justify since I don't get to shoot but maybe once a month on average, and I'm new to long range. My usual range only goes to 300 yards, but I want to try 1000's once I get some load development going. it has everything I'm looking for plus more.

Buy once cry for a couple months, isn't that how the saying goes?

[CSTactical]

The ATACR 5-25x56 0-stop are very nice they are not FFP but they would do the job.

Another scope to look at would be the Bushnell ERS 3.5-21x50m Black or FDE. They are compact, alot of elevation, 0-Stop, awesome reticle.

[Justintoxicated]

that looks pretty sweet, can't find any reviews yet though. Not sure how clear that glass would be but it does in fact have the features I'm looking for.

[Charlieh313]

Check out the Vortex PST line with FFP. Good bang for the buck. I've got one of those and a US Optics SN3 both in MIL/MIL. US Optics is great but definitely pricey. If you're trying to stay within a certain budget the Vortex PST is pretty reasonable and from what I hear they offer a great warranty.

[Justintoxicated]

So far my thinking is (without being able to see anything in person):

Vortex HD : best warranty
Bushnell ERS: best reticle
Nightforce BEAST: might be the king but too expensive. Additional $1500 over the others

I hear mixed opinions on the glass between the Vortex and Bushnell other than nightforce being the best.

Without looking through them I will probably never know what is the best offering, but I still can't decide. I would probably just get the ERS except for the lack of a bulletproof warranty.

What is the difference between the Bushnell ERS and the HDMR? How much adjustment do they have?

now I'm looking into SWFA, and Scopetron. I'm leaning towards a Vortex HD (after I complete and test the rifle for accuracy), but it is a little more than I want to spend still. Very tempting to just get another nikon, but I really want to learning ranging with a FFP.

[Justintoxicated]

I'm starting to lean more towards an MOA reticle.

[CSTactical]

that looks pretty sweet, can't find any reviews yet though. Not sure how clear that glass would be but it does in fact have the features I'm looking for.

The Bushnell glass is not the best but it is very nice. I was very impressed the other day when I was using one. Not sure when I will be able to get to the video review but I will be doing one.

Mike @ CST

[CSTactical]

I'm starting to lean more towards an MOA reticle.

MOA work and works well I prefer the MRAD system because everything is in segments of 10. It is a personally preference.

Mike @ CST

[xjdesertfox]

I was in the same boat as you, almost bought a nightforce NXS F1.

It was going on my LMT 308, ended up getting the new 2.5x10x32 Vortex viper PST FFP. I checked all of my options out in person and the PST had great optically quality for the price.

[Justintoxicated]

What is the difference between the Bushnell ERS and the Elite Tactical 3.5-21x50 G2DMR 34mm Riflescope?

Surely more than just $500, it must offer something over the existing line I just can't seem to find it. Even bushnells site does not seem to show any difference other than price.

I'm trying to decide between the ERS, and Vortex HD, or the older Bushnell Elite, and the Vortex PST.

Still open to other options such as SFWA asd well. It appears that US Optics is overpriced and Nightforce does not offer enough magnification for me.

The Bushnell has a wider range 3.5-21x and the vortex has only 5-20x in HD, but includes illuminated reticle, and a nice MOA Reticle. It would be much easier to decide if there was a place that had them both so I could check them out in person.

Vortex has a MUCH better warranty too it seems. I think the smaller design of the Bushnell is a plus, I don't like the giant knob on the vortex HD, but this is probably insignificant.

[CSTactical]

The ERS have 0-Stops and 10 MRADS Per Rev.

The Vortex HDs are very nice scopes. We have them in stock with the high speed turrets.

The Bushnell has a very good warranty also.

We just got the 4.5-30x Bushnell in stock.

Mike CST