OK so I want it all and on a budget

[Saltlake58]

Looking for a new scope, and I want it all! I want all the whistles and bells, incredibly clear glass, Mil-Do reticle that's razor thin and you know, all the good stuff.

Criteria obviously starts with a good quality scope company. From there it goes like this:

• Mil Turrets matched to the Mil-dot reticle
• Side focus for Parallax
• Parallax down to 20 yards or less
• 30 mm tube design
• 44 mm or larger objective lens. let's not go crazy here, maybe a max of 50 mm, and I could go as small as maybe 40mm
• First Focal Plane. I already have one and quite like it. This also seems to be the most limiting factor
• Lots and Lots of travel in the turrets. I believe the FFP I have is something like 40 MOA travel for elevation and windage.
• ability to Zero set the turrets

Priority wise, the FFP is a major issue for me. Love that feature. I know there's debate about the value but for me, it's a deal breaker. As for the Mil turrets to go with the Mol Dot reticle, I'm a bit OCD and want it to match. MOA with Mil-dot drives me nuts.

The older Primary Arms 4-14x44 FFP seems to meet all of the criteria, but it's getting harder to find these days. Any other thoughts on scopes that fit the criteria??

Price wise, somewhat limited. No Schmidt and Benders here, gotta keep it under $400 or better yet, under $300

Many thanks in advance!

 

[shutik]

I have one candidate for you: Athlon Argos BTR 6-24x50 FFP

• 0.1 MIL turrents
• Side focus
• focuses down to 10 yards
• 30 mm tube
• 50 mm objective
• First focal plane
• 18 MILS travel in turrets
• Re-settable turrent
• Illuminated reticle with MIL markings, glass etched
• Life time warranty
• $370

 

[Saltlake58]

That sounds promising, and the price isn't a bank buster either. Athlon gets good reviews these days as well.

When on 24x, how hard is it to see through? I have one 24x scope and it's worthless about 18x or so, just can't see through it.

 

[shutik]

I don't own one of these, but I saw it on someone else's rifle and heard good things about it.

 

[Hynzie]

I HEAR THE SAME CALL UTAH AIR THEY WILL GIVE U THE LOW DOWN WITHOUT THE GUFF

 

[dleadslinger]

I have 2 that meet your requirements. One is a Monstrum Tactical 4-14x44 FFP(I think) and can be had from amazon for +/- $200. Its not bad and the glass is clear enough to see impacts in the target at 150 yards. I like the reticle better than the other which is a 4-14x44 FFP BSA. The BSA was a little more expensive. If I remember correctly it was a little more than $200 but I like the turrets on the BSA better.

 

[Saltlake58]

I have the BSA. I like the scope, but if the Monstrum has better glass, all the better. If I remember correctly they both share the same aluminum tubes and design, but the glass specs may be different. I'll take a look at it.

 

[Hookster]

Athlon Argos, I own two and Glass is clear at full power. Can't say the same for Hawke I just sold. 10-50 on 50 power was never crisp and the new owner has the same comment. For the money I'm putting Athlon all my PCPs. I have said this a lot on this forum and will keep saying it, if you shoot various ranges and use various power settings FFP will ensure more shots on Target hands down.

 

[alex2865]

dont mess around.get the real deal.swfa in 10 or 12 power.for 300 bucks.alex

 

[Saltlake58]

Argos is a strong contender. I'll probably never go to 50x, so 24 is plenty. I have two BSA scopes, one is the 4-14 and it's crystal clear to 14x, the other is a 6-24, and it's only usable up to about 18. Granted I only paid $60 for it on sale.

Getting a 6-24 that is actually usable at 24 would be great. It also ticks most of the boxes.

 

[dodge3500]

I loved my athlon Argos btr up to 20x but anything past that got very difficult for me to find eye position .I just recently sold it but only because I'm colorblind and the Illuminatied reticle was a useless feature for me.
I'm looking to replace it very soon but without a Illuminatied reticle.

Ooh,I forgot to mention that I had the 8x32-56 model.

 

[Saltlake58]

Gotcha on the eye position. The exit pupil on any 6-24x50, at 24x is only 2.08 mm, making eye position critical. at 32x, the 56mm lens has an opening of 1.75mm, making it more critical. I was wondering if that would be a problem. I have a BSA 6-24x40, and if I can get my eye in the right place, it's good, but keeping in the right place for me is incredibly hard. I suspect the highest usable magnification for me will be in the 20x range no matter what I buy.

For color blind, I guess you could try the UTG multi colored reticles. That might give you a choice on the colors. For me, illumination doesn't make much difference, as I don't use the feature. Good luck on the new scope. More to think about. Still have time as I'll have the cash for the gun soon, and will buy the scope at the same time.

 

[PumaCarl]

I just recently went through the same search. I ended up getting a Tac Vector 10x44 that was rather awesome but the reticle was off so I sent it back. I will try try them again though; a lot of other people have had better luck than me. I was a little gunshy at that point though so I got the Primary Arms one you are looking at, -good scope, works as advertised. It is not as bright as the fixed power Tac Vector and the standard mil-dot reticle on the PA isn't half as nice either but it won't disappoint functionally. Tac Vector makes some other models that are worth a look too. Like was already mentioned though, $300-$500 is the SWFA zone, especially if a fixed power will do for you. There is no better deal or optical quality in the price range which is going to out shine the robustness and mechanicals of this scope. That is what everybody to an owner has told me repeatably and I am starting to believe them. Actually, I do believe them, I just didn't have the extra cash to spend at the moment and I wanted to try FFP. FFP is awesome, I see what all the hype is about now. I still prefer fixed power scopes for various reasons but the PA is ok and the Tac Vectors are making a lot of people happy too. Good luck!

 

[Saltlake58]

Well, it seems to come down to Athlon Argos 6-24x50 or the Monstrum 4-14x44. I've hunted for others, and these seem to be the best candidates. I like the power of the Athlon and the price of the Monstrum. Decisions, decisions, decisions!

 

[Tomiboy]

Athlon also has a Talos 4-14x44 

 

[Saltlake58]

The question on the Athlon vs Monstrum 4-14x44 is in the price difference. Is the Athlon worth $100 more than the Monstrum. Is it that much brighter? Does it work that much better? Anyone have an opinion?

 

[Tomiboy]

My guess is they are all made in China to different specifications using the same basic shell. I have read reviews where the Athlon Talos tracks perfectly and the Monstrum doesn't. If you are just using mildots and not clicking the Monstrum is probably adequate.

 

[Saltlake58]

Tomiboy - good observation. I forgot about tracking. I'll check reviews on the scopes before making decisions. 99% of the time, it'll just be mil-dots, but on that odd occasion where tracking is needed, I do want it to work.

 

[dleadslinger]

Tracking on the Monstrum tactical is pretty good. I have had occasions where the elevation turret wasn't quite right when doing the "box test". Sometimes it was dead on and others it seemed about 2 clicks off. Could have been just me I guess.

 

[Tomiboy]

plenty more on youtube!