I am looking for best overall scope for mostly target but some hunting that is under $400. I would consider any power up to 34 but probably only need up to 24 power. I am considering Athlon, UTG, MTC. Is there anything else I am missing? I am looking for a scope with a nice reticle that would allow me to shoot targets at 30,50,75 and 100 without moving the zero. This will go onto a FX Impact and be for 22 and 25 caliber. Thanks for your suggestions.
Looking for best 24 power scope under $400.
- Thread starter DrippinLead
- Start date
I am using an Athlon FFP 8-34x Argos BTR with Mil reticle and was able to shoot from 50 to 100 yards at full 34x without adjustments. I calculated that with normal JSB .25 BC pellets I should be able to go out to 150 yards without adjustments. OpticsPlanet has coupons occasionally that can knock down the $389 price by $30. The Mil/LE discount of 12-15% from SportsGear Optics (Athlon's store front) was discontinued for now because of abuse. In my un-expert opinion this scope is worth at least $700 and probably more. I ended up buying a second one. I feel spoiled by the FFP or may be I am just lazy 
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I'd have to recommend Athlon at that price. I'm a sucker for a first focal plane scope. So, when Athlon came out with theirs, I picked it up right away. I like the quality and wrote about it briefly here.
I had an MTC for a while and was impressed with the clarity of it. I'd put it right up there with Hawke.
I have a few BSA 4-14x44 mil scopes. They are a cheap ($250) FFP. They are a lower quality scope that's good for people who want to try an FFP scope but not spend the common high price that comes along with them. The lines are fat when zoomed in and the glass isn't as clear as higher priced scopes. Which is to be expected.
What range are you shooting at primarily? If you need 24x at 10 yards, your options might be limited.
Tom
I had an MTC for a while and was impressed with the clarity of it. I'd put it right up there with Hawke.
I have a few BSA 4-14x44 mil scopes. They are a cheap ($250) FFP. They are a lower quality scope that's good for people who want to try an FFP scope but not spend the common high price that comes along with them. The lines are fat when zoomed in and the glass isn't as clear as higher priced scopes. Which is to be expected.
What range are you shooting at primarily? If you need 24x at 10 yards, your options might be limited.
Tom
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I will not be shooting under 15 -20 yards. I have been very interested in the Athlon 8-34 argos. Can someone please tell me why the FFP scope matters or how it is different from say my mueller?
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I like FFP because the sight picture will have the same mil-dot (or other reticle) superimposed over the target sight picture no matter what magnification you are using. So I only have to remember the particular pellet's drop (how many mil-dots) for each distance and not for each distance + magnification.
Here are some explanations, from much smarter people than me:
http://www.vortexoptics.com/video/first_vs_second_focal_plane
http://www.scout.com/military/snipers-hide/story/1531535-front-focal-plane-vs-second-focal-plane
Here are some explanations, from much smarter people than me:
http://www.vortexoptics.com/video/first_vs_second_focal_plane
http://www.scout.com/military/snipers-hide/story/1531535-front-focal-plane-vs-second-focal-plane
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It might be best to check that out on youtube. The explanation along with the visual aids makes it easier to understand.
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I recently got the Athlon Argos FFP 6x24x50 really liking this scope. On 24x I still have 7 mil dots which gets me to 130 yards. Sighted in at 43 yrds. Shooting JSB .25 cal. 25.39 @ 887 fps
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I am no expert on scopes , But I do know what I like..
Might want to take close look at the Optisan Viper 6-24X56IRS scope
I got one on my 22 Cricket and my 25 Cricket,
Just a little over your 400 mark, But money well spent in my book.
I retired the 4-16X50 Hawke scope to the Mutant 22 and catch my self sometimes need a little more scope,
I like shooting for the eyes on the sparrows,
Mike
Might want to take close look at the Optisan Viper 6-24X56IRS scope
I got one on my 22 Cricket and my 25 Cricket,
Just a little over your 400 mark, But money well spent in my book.
I retired the 4-16X50 Hawke scope to the Mutant 22 and catch my self sometimes need a little more scope,
I like shooting for the eyes on the sparrows,
Mike
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Be sure to check out the Aeon. I have 6-24 x 40 on my Cricket Carbine and have no problems shooting out to 100 yards. Turrets are very smooth and it is very easy to zero.
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I would have to agree with the Atholon. I have a Argos 6-24X50 and it is great so far everything is working good from what I've done so far and even the tracking seems good. With the full 9 mil dots in my scope the ballistic software says I should be able to shoot about 150yrds with a fifty yard zero. I thought that with the first focal plane the reticle would seem pretty big in the scope on full power just from the things I've heard about FFP but it is not bad at all. Another good thing about this scope is that the turrets are the same messurment with the reticle which is a pretty hard find for scopes of this price range.
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I have hawke scopes and I have AEON. I must say for the money, the AEON is a very good scope. I was very pleasantly surprised at the quality. My AEON 6x24 has a home on my Vulcan and has served me very well.
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