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The perfect optic recommendations
#8928339
10/03/23 01:56 AM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,523
scot
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,523 |
I spend more time thinking about trying to make things perfect than actually getting out and enjoying whatever I throw together. But here I am again.
Trying to find the optic that checks the following options as best as possible, while keeping the budget as reasonable as possible.
Going on an 8.5” 300blk. Is about 14” from back of the receiver to the end of the rail. Used for Mostly pigs, occasional coyote at the house, deer for kiddos. Upper is sub MOA capable with enough magnification. Need to have a way to easily change between super sonic and sub sonic poa/poi. Need the turret adjustments to actually work. Nothing bothers me more than dialing an inch or a mil only to get something different with how the bullet moves. Need to be able to hit ear hole pigs at 100 yards (300blk is weak.) Illuminated preferred but have a different rig for night vision. Spent more time with mil so would prefer MRAD scope to match my other rifles. FFP would also be preferred as if I am holding for subsonic shots I don’t want to have to add an extra layer of calculation depending on what power the scope is on. Weight savings would be nice.
Would love to stay closer to $300 but would spend in the $6-700 range if it offered something specifically.
Originally this rifle wore a sightmark mini 4k that checked multiple boxes, but got real bulky with the illuminator, and missed a shot at a coyote because the scope was slow to boot.
Then I went to the 1-6 which many will recommend as the answer but I didn’t really see much of a need for 1x and I wasn’t able to be nearly as accurate at 100 yards at 6 power compared to what I was able to do with sightmark and 16x. If I can find a suitable replacement I may end up back in a 1-6.
The 2-10x, or 2.5-10x power range seem to make a lot of sense but many of these start jumping in price. Not seeing many very affordable except for a couple used Vortex PST. Optic Planet says they have a special run of gen 1 PST 2-5-10 but they have a 6-8 week wait which seems bazaar for a discontinued scope.
Anyone make a decent 3-9 that checks any of the boxes?
Once you get into the 3-15x range, it’s going to start being obnoxious on the shorter barrel.
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Re: The perfect optic recommendations
[Re: scot]
#8928376
10/03/23 03:02 AM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,461
scottfromdallas
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,461 |
Just realized you wanted FFP. The above is SFP if you can live with it.
Last edited by scottfromdallas; 10/03/23 03:03 AM.
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Re: The perfect optic recommendations
[Re: scot]
#8928610
10/03/23 03:26 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 19,263
ChadTRG42
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 19,263 |
scot, you have a lot of requirements to be made with a very low budget. Also, why would you want a lot of magnification on a SBR? An SBR is made for quick target acquisition and a high magnification prevents that. I run a 1x on 2 SBR's, and a 1-8 on my 16" 308 Win bolt gun. I find myself often on 1x-3x when hunting. You don't need high magnification to be accurate. A lot of shooters think they need high mag to be more accurate. Sure, that may be the case for long range or shooting a fly off a target. But for hunting, I think many shooters over power their rifles with too high magnification. 2 weeks ago I killed 4 pigs on the run from about 150 yards to 220 yards with a 1x optic and 300 blk out shooting 125 grain bullet. The large field of view on 1x allows me to see better and engage targets much quicker. I couldn't do that on much higher mag, especially not over about 4x.
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Re: The perfect optic recommendations
[Re: scot]
#8928677
10/03/23 05:37 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,523
scot
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,523 |
Which 1x are you running Chad?
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Re: The perfect optic recommendations
[Re: scot]
#8928732
10/03/23 07:35 PM
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 9,806
Mickey Moose
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 9,806 |
There's some contradiction in your post. Regardless, I think something has to give - requirements or money. * SWFA SS HD 1-6x24 - maybe about as close as you can get * Steiner T6Xi 1-6x24 - I like this one
My botnet is bigger than yours.
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Re: The perfect optic recommendations
[Re: Mickey Moose]
#8928733
10/03/23 07:39 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,523
scot
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,523 |
There's some contradiction in your post. Regardless, I think something has to give - requirements or money. * SWFA SS HD 1-6x24 - maybe about as close as you can get * Steiner T6Xi 1-6x24 - I like this one What contradicts?
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Re: The perfect optic recommendations
[Re: scot]
#8928819
10/03/23 10:04 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 42,667
J.G.
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 42,667 |
^^SS 1-6X
One of the best carbine scopes ever made. Mine is 10 years old and beat to crap. Still works perfect.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: The perfect optic recommendations
[Re: scot]
#8929042
10/04/23 03:44 AM
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 2,000
Adchunts
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 2,000 |
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Re: The perfect optic recommendations
[Re: ChadTRG42]
#8929111
10/04/23 11:23 AM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,852
patriot07
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,852 |
scot, you have a lot of requirements to be made with a very low budget. Also, why would you want a lot of magnification on a SBR? An SBR is made for quick target acquisition and a high magnification prevents that. I run a 1x on 2 SBR's, and a 1-8 on my 16" 308 Win bolt gun. I find myself often on 1x-3x when hunting. You don't need high magnification to be accurate. A lot of shooters think they need high mag to be more accurate. Sure, that may be the case for long range or shooting a fly off a target. But for hunting, I think many shooters over power their rifles with too high magnification. 2 weeks ago I killed 4 pigs on the run from about 150 yards to 220 yards with a 1x optic and 300 blk out shooting 125 grain bullet. The large field of view on 1x allows me to see better and engage targets much quicker. I couldn't do that on much higher mag, especially not over about 4x. The more I get into the hunting, the more truth I find in this
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Re: The perfect optic recommendations
[Re: scot]
#8929177
10/04/23 02:02 PM
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 9,806
Mickey Moose
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 9,806 |
Illuminated preferred... ... FFP would also be preferred... Weight savings would be nice.
...
I may end up back in a 1-6
...
Anyone make a decent 3-9 that checks any of the boxes? Illumination adds weight as does FFP. You either want those features or you want weight savings. You get to pick which one. Adding weight by going up from a 1-6. Weight may not be your biggest concern. Just trying to contrast a non-illuminated SFP 1-6 is going to be lighter than an illuminated FFP 3-9, as one example. Bigger than weight is the budget. I suspect the biggest miss on the wish list, given the budget, is reliable tracking. BUT, how much will you really dial on an SBR? It doesn't sound to me like a gun you're packing into the wilderness thus I'd have zero concern with weight. Again, that may be low in your priorities. Go with the SWFA I previously linked, OR splurge to get a used higher end product. You'll be happier than staying in your originally specified price range. That price range is almost certainly supporting China whereas at least with the SWFA I think it comes from Philippines. Hopefully this helps.
My botnet is bigger than yours.
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Re: The perfect optic recommendations
[Re: scot]
#8929211
10/04/23 02:57 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 19,263
ChadTRG42
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 19,263 |
Which 1x are you running Chad? I have 2 SBR's and both wear a Vortex Spitfire 1x prism. They have a circle circle dot reticle, and it's etched to see it during the day and it illuminates for low light, if you want. I sight them in at 50 yards. With a 300 blk out, that puts me a little high at 100 and a touch low at 200 yards. It's one of my favorite firearm for shooting. I wouldn't hesitate for anything inside of 200 yards with it. https://vortexoptics.com/vortex-spitfire-ar-1x-prism-scope.html
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Re: The perfect optic recommendations
[Re: scot]
#8929627
10/05/23 12:38 AM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 26,999
KRoyal
Texoma Legend
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Texoma Legend
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 26,999 |
I run the Arken EP5 on my comp guns and saw they’re coming out with a EP8 which is a 1-8 FFP with a good reticle 34mm tube illuminated as well. MSRP is $399 street price will probably be closer to $300ish. I’ve been really happy with the Arken and their turrets are awesome compared to Vortex. Although the EP8 doesn’t have exposed turrets though most LPVOs don’t. At 1x looks like an EoTech reticle. On my 8” 300BLK SBR I run an Sig Romeo and Juliet combo which is a 3x magnifier with flip to side mount behind a 1x red dot. I’ve tried magnifiers and red dots in the past and haven’t liked them due to eye relief but this one is actually pretty good and very clear.
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Re: The perfect optic recommendations
[Re: scot]
#8929722
10/05/23 04:57 AM
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 453
Geedubya
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 453 |
I learned long ago, not to let the perfect be the enemy of the good!
Best,
GWB
A Kill Artist. When I draw, I draw Blood
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Re: The perfect optic recommendations
[Re: scot]
#8930083
10/05/23 09:41 PM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 14,827
ntxtrapper
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 14,827 |
I think you’re asking too much for a decent optic with all those features. I’d get a 2X7 regulator scope or a Holosun red dot.
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Re: The perfect optic recommendations
[Re: scot]
#8930520
10/06/23 03:19 PM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,299
Korean Redneck
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,299 |
I have been looking for a very similar purpose scope. I agree with others it might be real hard to find something with all those qualities, in particular the FFP and price combo. For me I really want light weight to be of high importance. I honestly gave up on the FFP. So I've narrowed it down to the Leupold Freedom series mostly because they were so dang light. I'll eventually decide between the 3-9x33 EFR (going absolute bare bones but reliable) or the 4-12x40 (light but still good zoom).
good luck! Hope whatever you get you end up liking. Now if weight is NOT and issue and you really like the FFP feature, I always recommend the SWFA 3-15 i've used for years. There are probably better scopes in the range but I just don't know of them personally.
I'm a dude who likes long barrels!
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Re: The perfect optic recommendations
[Re: scot]
#8935302
10/14/23 11:51 AM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,875
GTT
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,875 |
Vortex Strike Eagle 3-18X44 FFP linkYou can also go with the Vortex Viper PST Gen II, but the Strike Eagle has lockable turrets for hunting.
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Re: The perfect optic recommendations
[Re: scot]
#8935618
10/14/23 09:47 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,523
scot
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,523 |
Ended up back in a 1-6 pst. I’ll just try to learn to shoot with less magnification.
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Re: The perfect optic recommendations
[Re: scot]
#8936299
10/16/23 02:18 AM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,875
GTT
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,875 |
Great pick. The glass for the price is hard to beat.
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Re: The perfect optic recommendations
[Re: scot]
#8945464
10/29/23 12:23 PM
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Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 42
ARtexas
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 42 |
Ended up back in a 1-6 pst. I’ll just try to learn to shoot with less magnification. I really like the Vortex PST 1-6x. Illumination is outstanding, and price is reasonable. But it's on the heavy side. For lightweight on 300 BLK, I prefer to run a red dot. For lightweight with magnification, I love the Leupold Patrol 6HD 1-6x. But pricey. Can't have it all.
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Re: The perfect optic recommendations
[Re: Mickey Moose]
#8945465
10/29/23 12:27 PM
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Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 42
ARtexas
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 42 |
There's some contradiction in your post. Regardless, I think something has to give - requirements or money. * SWFA SS HD 1-6x24 - maybe about as close as you can get * Steiner T6Xi 1-6x24 - I like this one That SWFA 1-6x looks sweet. I haven't seen that one before. I think I would really like the reticle. Thanks for posting this!
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