What to do?

Being I downsized to only one gun being my Taipan Veteran Standard .22, I had a big scope leftover that I have on it and while I love the scope I can't help but think it's too big on it. The scope on it is an Athlon Ares ETR UHD 3-18x50 MIL with APRS6 reticle. The nicest scope I've owned to date but was on a rifle originally and not sure it fits the bullpup as nice. So here's my dilemma. I really would love to get Helos BTR Gen2 2-12x42 instead for it. But I would need to sell my Ares then. However it's only about a 6 oz savings in weight. Is that worth it for only 6oz? I could mount it closer to the bore though I believe also. What to do?
 
I can appreciate matching a scope to a gun for balance, looks and weight (especially if you're carrying the gun afield for hunting). If you shoot off of a tripod then the cost, brain damage and time to swap to a new scope to save 6 ounces (and loose 3X of power, 18x vs 12x) doesn't make sense to me. Function dictates form. Is your Athlon Ares working for you on your Taipan?
 
Hello It all depends on what type of shooting you do. If you move around a lot(hunt/ pesting and walk) and weight is an issue maybe. If you plink or shoot from a bench and weight is not an issue and most importantly the size of the scope does not affect the function of the rifle leave it. It seams you are happy with the scope and as long as it fits the function of the way you use the rifle I see no reason to change it. Just my opinion Eric
 
Put that big ole honker on your Tikka and get the 2-12 Helos. I have one on my CZ 457 and it is sweet. The only drawback in my mind (what's left of it) is that the center dot grows kind of big once you get over 8X. But for hunting and quick target acquisition , it's hard to beat. There my 2 cents worth ! PS, it is difficult to find one in stock anywhere.

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Being I downsized to only one gun being my Taipan Veteran Standard .22, I had a big scope leftover that I have on it and while I love the scope I can't help but think it's too big on it. The scope on it is an Athlon Ares ETR UHD 3-18x50 MIL with APRS6 reticle. The nicest scope I've owned to date but was on a rifle originally and not sure it fits the bullpup as nice. So here's my dilemma. I really would love to get Helos BTR Gen2 2-12x42 instead for it. But I would need to sell my Ares then. However it's only about a 6 oz savings in weight. Is that worth it for only 6oz? I could mount it closer to the bore though I believe also. What to do?

I switched from a Dedal Stalker with fixed mounts to a scope I could mount lower for a more comfortable cheek weld.

The Dedal has better glass, a better eye box and a better reticle but having the new scope lower and fitting better has been worth it.

Do you want it closer to the bore for cheek weld reasons or to bring the PBR in closer in? Or both?
 
Heres my setup. As you can see little it is not. But like I said before a really nice scope. I realize I don't think I can lower the scope much more on the Helos as the limiting factor is more the magnification knob more than anything. 

I'm gonna try my Midas Tac 4-16x44 on it which is similar weight to the Helos and see how that feels. 

I have however found them in stock at Cameralandny if anyone is interested in the Helos.

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Heres my setup. As you can see little it is not. But like I said before a really nice scope. I realize I don't think I can lower the scope much more on the Helos as the limiting factor is more the magnification knob more than anything. 

I'm gonna try my Midas Tac 4-16x44 on it which is similar weight to the Helos and see how that feels. 

I have however found them in stock at Cameralandny if anyone is interested in the Helos.

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What height rings are you using on the Veteran? Looks to be medium. Your setup looks to be quite top heavy.
 
Yeah going back to lower glass is not something I'm sure about Randall that is a good point. Really looking at weight savings as it is top heavy. Grackleblast makes a good point though. Might throw the Ares on the Tikka and try out the Midas Tac on it. The Midas Tac is actually an ounce and a half lighter than the Helos. The length doesn't bother me at all. And I'm not a big fan of high magnification. Used fixed 10x scopes for a few years with no issues. While I do use it on a tripod I also use it offhand and in my truck. Again weight is my main thing. Unless there's another choice out there with a similar tree style reticle, FFP, lightweight, good glass and excellent turrets with zero stop that I'm missing. If my Midas Tac had either reticle of the Ares or Helos that's what I'd likely have on it. While I like the reticle in the Midas Tac wish it was a tree in it for shooting in wind.
 
Dillon, it’s a good problem to have! LOL! You could sell your Midas Tac (wouldn’t sell the Ares!) and that would cover most of the new Helos. I too am not a user of high magnification as you know I have a Ares BTR 2.5-15….less movement is more important than magnification when pesting or hunting for sure. By the way, beautiful Taipan! I’ll get a Taipan one day!
 
Thanks Randall! It is a really nice gun and I'm sure you'd love one. Yeah those Ares BTR seem really nice and I'd probably go with the 2.5-15x50 as well if I went that route. In a pesting rig I couldn't agree more that higher magnification isnt always best.

That's good to know Patrick since you have basically the same level I have with the ETR. Thanks for mentioning stoti as I completely missed his reply. He makes a very good point. 

Mr.H you know I had one of those before and really liked it. Sold it off for my Midas Tac which I do like more than the Arken but it was a very nice scope. What's too bad is they no longer make it anymore. The 4-14x44 with 30mm tube and 10yd parallax. All now are 34mm tubes with 50mm objectives and 25yd parallax.