How do budget scopes perform for precision rifle shooting? We test six to find out. Precision By Alfredo Rico
J
ust spent your money on a precision rifle and now don’t have the cash to buy a premium scope? We’ve all been there. A few years ago, I would have said, “Save your money until you can buy once and cry once.” But recently, optics companies have improved their budget-friendly lines. Being curious and dubious about this crop of new scopes, I rounded up optics that get a lot of buzz and tested them to see what ones I’d have confidence using in a competition.
When choosing the criteria for PRS-style shooting, I look for low dispersion glass, a first focal plane (FFP) reticle, and a Christmas tree-style mil reticle. You can be competitive with- out these, but the path has its challenges. The criteria quickly narrowed the field to the Athlon BTR GEN2 HD 4.5-27×50, Arken Optics USA EP5 5-25x56, Sightmark Latitude 6.25-25x56, Primary Arms GLx 6-24x50, Riton 5 Conquer 5-25×56, and Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25x56. At $529, the Arken EP5 was substantially the least expensive of the group. The rest were between $840 and $1,087.
By First Last Photos by First Last
Precision Scope Roundup
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Budget Guns
2023
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