I previously mentioned the
Vortex 2.5-10x32mm Viper PST (MRAD, FFP). I cannot recommend this scope highly enough.
MSRP is $999, but real world pricing is between $700-$800, putting it well below $1,000.
I paid $799 for mine on Amazon.com.
There is a SFP version that is considerably less expensive, but I prefer FFP because the reticle subtensions are valid at all magnifications. With SFP variable power scopes, the subtensions are only valid at one magnification power. On the SFP version of
this scope, I believe that it is at 10X that they are valid. With an FFP scope, you don't have to zoom back and forth between the setting where the reticle is valid in order to range the target.
There are two reticles available for it - an MOA reticle, and an MRAD reticle. They are similar in appearance, but they measure windage and elevation in either MOA, or milliradians. In either case, the turret clicks are matched to the reticle. So if you buy the MOA reticle, your turrets adjust in 1/4 MOA clicks, and if you buy the MRAD reticle, your turrets adjust in .1 mil clicks. The glass is superb. You can buy
better glass, but then you're getting into prices in the thousands of dollars. You can buy scopes that are even more precise in their turret adjustments, but then you're getting into prices in the thousands of dollars.
This Viper PST scope also comes with both an ocular lens focus,
and a side focus knob. The first brings the reticle into sharp focus to your eye, which is handy if you have a vision prescription. You can shoot with your glasses on, and be able to focus the reticle to match your glasses........OR, you can focus to shoot without glasses and make the reticle clear to your eye. The side focus knob brings the target into focus, so unlike scopes that lack this feature, you don't have to focus only the one and not the other. That makes a HUGE difference, especially if you're eyes are like mine and not nearly so sharp as they where when younger. Another feature is an illuminating reticle, which makes the etched reticle standout better against the background during low-light shooting.......which, face it, describes a LOT of hunting. Lastly, the scope comes with shims that can be installed in the elevation turret once the rifle has been zeroed. Those shims act as a zero stop. That means that no matter how much elevation you crank into the scope
after zeroing it, you can spin the elevation knob back down and stop it to within a click or two of your baseline zero. BOTH the MOA and MRAD versions are equipped with these features.
Here is a picture of the MRAD reticle's subtensions:
Most of the Viper PST line comes in at under $1,000 in real world pricing, and you can certainly get one with higher magnification in that price range, but then you are getting into the possibility of overscoping your rifle. For
years, military snipers shot out to 1,000 meters with an 8X or 10X fixed power scope.
MY eyes won't do that, but it is doable. Certainly, 10X is powerful enough to cover any distance at which you are likely to shoot a game animal, even out in west Texas where the distances can be further. And 2.5X is low enough power to improve situational awareness AND make shooting closer in a lot easier. This is why 3-9x scopes are so popular.
This just gives you a little more at each end, and throws in a LOT of additional quality for the price.
Lastly, the scope is light and compact, which will make it much more pleasant to hump around with on your rifle. Here is a picture of mine, mounted to my Ruger Gunsite Scout:
“Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times.”
― G. Michael Hopf, "Those Who Remain"
#TINVOWOOT
