I'm looking for a scope for my CTR. Looking for something in the $500-$750 range. Would like to keep the weight of the scope down to around 20 oz. I think if the CTR as dual purpose long range target/hunting scope because of is compactness and weight of 7.5 lbs.

I know I definitely want a Mil/MIl scope.

Swfa

One of the SS scopes.

Maybe a used Burris XTR II

I dare say a Vortex Viper PST, tape the windage turret so that it can't move.

I've got a Swfa SS on my ctr. Love it. I also like the fireman's Burris -- it's a heck of a good scope.

The 3-9 SWFA SS is definitely a leading contender. I like all the features of the 2.5-10 PST including illuminated reticle. I just heard so many mixed reviews. The 4-16 HST is also ineresting.

What's the reticle and turrets on the HST?

Sightron sIII. Nothing comes close in tracking or glass until you get into BIG money optics. Just try one before you buy anything else, and thank me later!

Jason. I think they have a mil/mil version with zero stops. It's 2nd Focal plane which I'm not thrilled about on a 16x scope. I'm not as concerned about it on 10x and under.

I had an SWFA 3.5-15x42. Awesome scope for the money. I think you can get a sample list version for around $500. Not the best glass for low light, but an excellent all-around unit that's built like a tank and works through anything.

If the glass is perty good, you'll be OK with 16X. But I completely agree with your not being crazy about a SFP 16X scope, but would be alright with a SFP 10X scope. I had entertained buying the one and only SFP scope I would have in the herd, a Viper PST 2.5-10. Figured if I needed the reticle for holding corrections, I'd be at 10X anyway, and it would actually work better for close in shots since you can still see a reticle at 2.5X.

But I digress.

JG. You summed it up perfectly, exactly my thought process. I would prefer an illuminated reticle for low light hunting. The Vortex PST 2.5-10 seems to fit the criteria. I just heard a lot of people bash them about not tracking correctly or failing. Seems like for every 3 Vortex supporters, there is one basher. I know their warranty is rock solid but I'd prefer rock solid reliability when on a paid hunt.

I've had one, and it really ticked me off last year mule deer hunting with it.

Glass is pretty good, it really is. I've literally connected at a mile (1760 yards) with a Viper PST. The reticle is very well designed. They do cut down the weight of a scoped rifle. My absolute biggest problem with it is that the turrets are too easy to turn. I thought about devising a way to make them more difficult to turn, but sold a perfectly working scope instead.

One idea I thought about was removing the turret, fitting a thin rubber band around the end of the turret, reinstall the turret. Basically it needs to fit between the turret knob, and the female to it, on the body of the scope, possibly providing resistance.

I know these are new but it has a lot of features. Also has a turret lock down to keep things from moving accidentally.

http://theopticzone.com/product/sig-sauer-tango-4-3-12x42-illuminated-mrad-graphite-sot43004/

scott, I'm in no position to recommend a tactical scope (looking myself), but Hodnett told me once that if a guy doesn't want to spend money on expensive custom guns and NF scopes, a guy can do no better than a Tikka T3 tactical rifle and a Bushnell HDMR scope. If you do not want to spend Bushy money get an SWFA he says.

Why would you want to put an unknown commodity on a great rifle like that Tikka?

Seeing some good reports on those Sig scopes. Have never had my hands on one, though.

I like the Leupold vx-r 3-9 firedot for hunting in that price range or the vortex 2.5-10x32 ffp for something a little more versatile. The sig looks amazing but i honestly don't know much about it.

But there is one sig optics red flag that Is see:
5 Year Electronics Warranty - to heck with that

I have a 2-7 Firedot and I love it. The 3-9 Patrol is an option. I'm not sure how long Leupold warrants their electronics but it specifically states electronics are excluded from the Gold Ring Warranty.

LHRS 3-12
I have a CTR 6.5 CM coming in today, I will probably mount a 4.5-18 LRHSi I got in but I prefer the 3-12 for a hunting rifle. Glass is good enough to make hits on 12" plates at 1K and rivals glass on scopes costing twice as much.

I have a Weaver Grand Slam Tactical 3-10x40 on it now borrowed from another rifle. It's the Midway exclusive scope. It's been a good scope. I may be just in the mode of I bought a a new rifle so no I need a new scope. This is good discussion and I really appreciate everyones input. I'm trying not to be impulsive and think this one through. Took me a while to buy a CTR. I've been eyeballing them for a while but I already had a plethora of bolt action rifles so I kept talking myself out of it. Now that I have one, I'm extremely impressed with everything except the cost of a spare magazine which is criminal.

Scott, if you'd like to view through my Burris or SS, you're welcome to come out and play with them. Just PM me, and figure out a day we can meet.

I appreciate that Jason. After hunting season, I plan on coming to take your course. I know some of the basics but I know there is plenty to learn. I can always just throw my 10x SS on it for the course.

Nope. Not happening.

I'll bring three scopes, you pick the one you want to mount onto your rifle for the day. As long as you have a 20 MOA pic rail on your rifle, it's no trouble to put one of my scopes on it. And as long as the rifle/ ammo shoot tight, in two shots the scope is zeroed for your rifle.

Get the best your money can buy, alot of good used scopes on the market. Your most important investment will be glass. Out of all the rifles I've owned and sold/traded I've kept every single nightforce, S&B and vortex. If I want a new scope than I'll swap them on rifles, my .22 now wears a 4-16HST vortex. If you can wait a few more months and move your budget to about $1500 it will be worth it.

How do you like the 4-16 HST?

It's a nice scope for the money but has its flaws like they all do. It's light, tracks well but the zero stop sucks, poor light transmission at dusk and dawn and FOV is less thsn desirable at full power.