Looking for a new scope for a 6.5 CM. Will use for hunting and target shooting. I have a vortex pst 4-16 now but want to upgrade

Couple things i am looking for
-would like something with a low end of 4 or 5 and high of 20 or more
-exposed turrets
-budget $1000 to $1200


Here are a couple i am thinking of

Vortex pst2 5-25- Like the reticle and magnification
Vortex
Rudolf tactical 6-24- heard good things about glass. Low end of 6 is a little high for short shots
rudolph
Nightforce SHV 5-20
Nightforce
Burris 4-20 xtr ii-
Burris

Any recommendations?

I vote Burris.

Viper PST turrets are too easy to turn.

The jury is out with me, on the NF SHV. The one that showed up on my range, had turrets that felt mushy. But the owner loved the scope.

Don’t pick a scope with a reticle that doesn’t work for you. One reason I like the PST2 is because the EBR-2C reticle is so nice.

They’re all good options IMHO. I would also consider some used models in your price range: Bushnell ERS, SWFA HD, Steiner T5xi, Vortex Gen 1 Razor, and some I’m probably forgetting.

From the list I’d go with the Burris.
Have you looked into any of the bushnell line? They have a few in your range and glass is great.

Burris XTR II

Has anyone put the Nikon Black 1000 to the test yet? I have noticed pricing to be @ 800 on it.

If you like Vortex then maybe stick with it. I have never used Nightforce but friends use them and like them. I have to defer to Jason with regards to Burris. They work for him and I won't discount his opinion.
I have Vortex on several of my rifles and they work well for me. Have a PST2 coming to replace a Zeiss.

Buddy at work has the Nikon Black X1000. I haven't had a chance to see it in person yet. The specs look nice, but it is SFP, which means you gotta be careful about using subtensions at magnifications other than 18x. I don't mind SFP in something like a 3-15 (actually prefer it), but I wouldn't want SFP in a scope with max magnification at 20x or higher. JMHO

You would be impressed by the 5/25 pst 2

The Nikon black turrets are hideous. I hope they fix them

I've only seen one, but I thought the elevation turret on the PST 2 I looked at was mushy (it was brand new, too).

I can agree with that. There is not a perfect scope in that price range but I believe it's the best one

I run 2 Burris XTR ii 4-20 right now and considering a 3rd for the money I think the are hard to beat.

I do some freelance work for Nikon and I have been using Nikon's BLACK X1000 scopes for about 9 months. I think that for the $ you get a lot of features and the expected repeatable consistant accuracy. I have been using this scope on a pair of 6.5 CM's that I have used to shoot targets at over 700 yards with great success. I also have buddies using the same scope on different rifles who couldn't be happier with the features Nikon put into this optic. For the price it is definitely worth taking a look at.

I have Vortex Viper HS 6-24x50mm scope. Sent it back to Votex for repair.
The scope does not hold zero in-between the last three trips to the field and range. Recently I have ordered a new scope by ATN https://www.atncorp.com/smart-hd-weapon-sight. Works fine for me!