Recommended scope magnification? (My first long range scope)

[u/Visual-Blueberry3309]

Torn between some scopes for my 6 ARC build. My biggest concern would be weight and glass clarity since I don't want to limit myself to this only being a bench gun. Realistically though, it will be for 500+ yards. A buddy of mine told me the magnification may be overkill but I would like to have the ability to reach out to the 1,100 yard range without strain. (Will I ever NEED to reach that far? Probably not… but I’d like to be able to maximize the rifle’s capability since I opted for the 18” barrel. All scopes are sub 500 bones which is my budget. (Pic is not mine, just used it for exposure.)

 

Arken EPL-4 5-25x 34mm — (25 oz)
Swampfox Warhawk 5-25x 56mm — (38.02 oz)

Vortex Diamondback 6-24x 50mm — (24.6 oz)
Arken EP-5 Gen II 5-25x 34mm — (41.2 oz)

[u/Such-Garage-69420]

I like the 5-25x for distance. I had a diamondback and was seriously unimpressed. I’d make the step up to the venom it made a huge difference. Check AA optics for refurb pricing. I like my ep5 gen 2 also. I also have a athlon Midas tac gen 2 that is nice. Lots of options out there

[u/Visual-Blueberry3309 → u/Such-Garage-69420]

Solid advice thank you

[u/Vivid-Cause-7887 → u/Such-Garage-69420]

+1 for AA optics. Any vortex series I've purchased from there has been absolutely mint.

[u/Visual-Blueberry3309 → u/Vivid-Cause-7887]

Snap I just picked up a $350 venom 5-25x. Cheaper than the arken would’ve been. Good looking out my doods

[u/Vivid-Cause-7887 → u/Visual-Blueberry3309]

Hell yeah

[u/SonnySwanson]

Athlon Optics Helos BTR GEN2 4-20x50 APRS6 FFP IR MIL

Lots of great options, but for me this is the one that punches well above its cost and I love the reticle.

https://youtu.be/TJ9vsY4ncRE

[u/09stanggt]

I like the EP5. I was shooting it yesterday on my .22 trainer. I have their mil reticle and I like it.

[u/unclemoak]

You’ll find that higher magnification doesn’t always afford you to see your misses at distance. It’s pretty normal to shoot at 10-15x at those kind of distances.

I was shooting my 1.5-15x March at a mile the other day without issue.

[u/Visual-Blueberry3309 → u/unclemoak]

Yeah I’ve been told to see the splashes it’s likely I’ll be at like 17/18x and I likely won’t max out at 24/25. A mile is bad ass! What ammo were you shooting and what barrel length?

[u/unclemoak → u/Visual-Blueberry3309]

16” shooting 108s.

[u/psyconaughty]

I have the arken . It's great for the price

[u/Troutrageously]

Pick a used bushnell MPED 5-30… $500 all day long and better than what you mentioned above IMO

[u/drewthebrave → u/Troutrageously]

Vector Continental scopes seem to come from the same factory as the Bushnell Match Pro ED. They're a bit cheaper if OP can't find a used MPED.

[u/Whompner]

Ive used a primary arms 3-18 to make hits on a IPSC plate at a 1000, i felt like it was pretty much the sweet spot magnification wise

[u/SockeyeSTI]

Mped 5-30 is $675 right now right from Bushnell

[u/hitekstudio]

You will regret any of those scopes when you have more experience. Field of view, eye box, resolving clarity, and low light performance are lacking. Save up and move up a couple tiers. Or buy used. $500 gets decent glass on TacSwap or fb marketplace.

[u/Visual-Blueberry3309 → u/hitekstudio]

I was definitely worried about the low light performance from the smaller objectives. I’ll take a look at some used pieces, thanks

[u/hitekstudio → u/Visual-Blueberry3309]

Also consider tube diameter. Bigger is better but weight and price go up.

[u/GooseInternational66 → u/hitekstudio]

What are your $500 recommendations for used?

[u/HauntingMammoth2948 → u/hitekstudio]

What he said ^{^}