Which scopes (turret type) really are the most durable

Someone just asked if Vortex scopes were any good - in another post. I’ve had one of just about every scope type I ever owned die. That does not include any of the serious money scopes, like NF or S&B. So my question, which is directed to those of you that have used and tested the big money turreted scopes, is to ask you which scopes in your experience and opinion are the most durable under heavy turret use. I know it’s just opinions, but I am interested in what you long distance guys think. And you can list and rank them if you wish and if you actually have the knowledge.

Not asking about glass quality. This is only about toughness and durability.

The scope I have tortured the most, for going on 6 years of weekly use, is the SS 5-20X. It looks like it went through a garbage disposal, with all the dings, scratches, and missing anodizing. It has been on an unknown number of rifles, all of mine, and loaned to customers. It has never had to be sent in for repair.

Had a Gen I PST, and had to send it in. Sold it, and the next buyer had to send it in. He sold it, and the next buyer had to send it in. I know this because they are all THF members.

Bushnell Elite ERS 3.5-21X has held up well. It too has several scars.

When I had a Burris XTR II on loan from Burris for a year, it never failed. I got the impression it was built to last.

The NF ATACR I have now, well it is built on the decades old repuation for Night Force toughness. I've had it 8 months, lots of rounds fired or spotted, and not a hiccup. I suspect I won't ever have to send it in. At least not for anything that is Night Force's fault. If it tumbles down a canyon, that's on me.

Bushnell Elite LRHS is bulletproof

7.5 years with NF NSX I would say #1
10 years with Leupold M4 #2
2 years with Burris XTR II unsure yet but has not failed me so far, the first one was good enough I bought a second one.

All are tools that get used, but it I could only have 1 it would be a NF NSX or ATCAR.

Bushnell Elite is tough. Burris seems to be pretty stout, too. Nightforce is hard to beat.

I have 2 years with a S&B PMII, 1 year w/ a Bushnell Elite, a 6 months w/ a NF NXS. I would say I don’t have enough time with any of them to provide substantiated feedback regarding your question. I have abused the S&B way more & by abuse I mean accidentally banging it around on rocks, tree limbs, the ground, etc while hunting and taking shots. The other two I just haven’t been as careless with (not that I am intentionally careless with the S&B). All 3 have held up without issue. It wasn’t my scope, but I shot a Nightforce NXS after it had been beat violently on a counter top as a demonstration and then remounted on a rifle.. Even though it wasn’t mine I wanted to cry. It was flawless & held zero.. I can’t say therefore which is more durable. The only feedback I can provide is that the feel of the S&B is nothing short of a tank in build quality and weight. Lol. I don’t doubt the NF either after witnessing what I have seen regarding the abuse it Can take and still get the job done.. The Bushnell Elite has been babied on the 6.5 but I don’t have any concerns about it either. Time will tell for all of them as this is true for most anything however me using them doesn’t compare to the abuse seen by military/LE or more avid competition shooters and hunters than myself. Just my .02.

Well, that brings up another question. What does the military use these days? I have no idea.

Probably still some Mark 4's out there. Some original NF F-1 3-15X, Schmitt and Bender, and no telling what other NF NXS scopes are still afield.

Depends on unit. Your Army or Marine Corps Sniper might have limited choices. Seal 6 might get anything they please.

Navy just awarded Leupold contract for M6 and Marines M8. The Army new SASS has a S&B. The Secret Squirrel Units run what ever they want.

Secret Squirrel?

Shhh. No one can talk about that.

I didn’t see no squirrel.

That is the way it is supposed to be, move along nothing to see here.

I have a ATACR gen one that has never failed me. Nightforce is known for there excellent turret system.

I have been behind a X5i for almost 3 years now and it has never failed me. It has fallen out of my high rack 3 times landing on the scope twice, don’t ask me how, and never lost zero or tracking. The new Swarovski turret system is awesome and I actually like it better than the NF just based on feel. The turrets are very audible and you can feel every click. They also have a nice revelation counter and a below zero feature if you need it.
https://www.swarovskioptik.com/hunting/x5i-c200507

Lots of good mentions here. Steiner T5Xi is one that seems to be under-rated. Top notch build quality and optics, and you can find them used for much cheaper than the top-end options that cost $2k+. I've seen them around $1300-$1400, and you'd be hard-pressed to get better bang for your buck. The SCR reticle is pretty good.

I'm holding off for when Tangent Theta puts Minox's MR4 reticle in their 5-25, then I'm selling my firstborn to buy it.

I couldn’t do that. Do you think a third born would bring enough? I could part with that one.

Lots of people have a bad taste in their mouth after tracking issues, and problems with customer service to correct those issues.

Maybe that's why they're so cheap used...

Not even close. Probably your 2nd and 3rd combined.

I just realized the third one is my favorite one, so I’ll have to do 2 and 4. I get the strays mixed up sometimes.

Any unit can purchase scopes or run what is issued. Lots of nightforce and razors on guns with mil barcodes on them. My understanding is that if the unit purchases them there isn't a big enough purchase to show up on gov contract list.

Mk4 were typically zeroed at a set mid range and held under or over. Most didn't trust them enough to constantly turn the turrets. The new updated turret on the mk4 is said to be great but it's locking and huge also the only mk4 offered in a 34mm tube. The mk4 I have/had the turrets feel horrible but it's a great hunting scope so I gave it to my dad.

I've had a couple Mark 4's out. Nice glass, nice Mil reticle, and 1/4 MOA turrets. They did dial very well, and return to zero though.

That would be why.

I don't use any of mine enough to call them bullet proof.

Bushnell LRHS (I have 3)...no problems
Leupold Mark 6 ( I have 1)...no problems
Bushnell XRS(I have one)...no problems
S&B 3x12 PMII (1)...no problems
Vortex Razor gen 1 (1)...no problems
Sworviski X5...(1) no problems

I sold my XTR II...no problems, just did not like the scope...sold my SS as the glass was marginal compaired to the above--no problems though. Sold my night force 5.5x22 as it was heavy and MOA based, but no problems.

I will say again I shoot maybe every other week, and have not owned enough to have any statistical relevance.

Ed

In the US Steiner’s warranty is done by Burris out of Greenly, CO. I had a Steiner military that lost tracking and the windage turret froze up. Bad experience as I had to send it back 2 other times before I sold the scope for a huge loss. If your Stiner is American made then Burris built it. I know a lot of people like the XTRii but I would stay away from The new Steiner products because of my experience.

Nightforce ATACR. I have had other scopes that work, but none have instilled the confidence that this one has over the years. I'd rather have this one, than any other combination of lesser options. Pony up the money, learn how to use it, and never need a better mouse trap ever again.

I have a few Steiners, all have been rock solid
But, there definitely has been some problems with them..

I have a 1-5 Tactical, 2 3-15 tacticals and a 5-25 Military

My answer, easy- Nightforce. I have 6 of them. Absolutely solid scopes with great turret internals. I have spoken to the NF reps about the internals, and they built their internals to avoid the problem issues other scopes have. The main one being they have a turret stop (not a zero stop) that does not allow the reticle to touch the side of the tube. Many scopes will allow you to dial all the way until you feel the turret get "squishy" when the reticle hits the tube outer walls. This will strip the internal screws and can lead to misalignment with with the reticle inside.

#1- Nightforce
#2- S&B
#3- Vortex

I have played with MANY scopes and broken a few. The absolute worst one has been a Swarovski. Yes, they have great glass, but when you start dialing on their turrets, problems begin. Their main problem is they have 1" tubes (does not allow for much internal travel), and the magnification is so high, that it decreases internal travel even more. Then they put a target turret on top for you to dial. Some of their scopes have as little as 40 or 50 moa. If you zero your rifle at 100 yards and your zero is on the high side inside the scope, then the scope has no room for more elevation. I have also seen some Swarovski scopes not be able to zero at 100 since they have so little internal elevation. If a scope doesn't have good internals, then it doesn't matter how good the glass is, IMO.

A few others I've seen have issues are US Optics and a few Mark 4 Leupolds.

hard to argue against NF!

Haven’t looked through a Nightforce in a couple of years. Back then the glass was really good but not the best I’d seen. On the other hand if my life depended on it I’d want a Nightforce on my rifle due to their toughness. I’ve read the glass has improved lately.

exactly

Glass is decent in them. We recently had a 5-25 atacr f1, 5-25 S&B pm II , khales and a 3-15 premier heritage. The consensus was the NF lacked in the glass area vs the other 3. It's eyebox was less forgiving for myself. As far as reliability and toughness goes it's right there with the rest and I would take any of them besides maybe the khales into battle. The turrets feel wise go to the premier.

The 7-35 nf is supposed to have glass that's on par with the others but I've not looked through one in person yet.

7-35X doesn't look any different than my 5-25X, at least not to my eye.

You're the first I've heard say they look the same. I was not impressed with the 5-25. Resolution and clarity just wasn't there.

They must have put pixie dust in mine.

Built on a Wednesday instead of a monday or friday......

That's gotta be what it is.

That 7-35 looks pretty spiffy, too.