Budget FFP Scope?

1

I watched Jim’s scope videos and i could use some help. Im looking to start playing around with tagets at 300, 500, and maybe even 700yds and im looking for a good budget friendly FFP scope. Is there anything you guys would recomend in the $500 range with no capped turrets?

Gun is a ruger gen ii 7prc.

Im not doing competitions or anything structured. This is just for my own curiosity and challenge. Im keeping an eye on sales as they come along as well.

Cheers!

2

I would look at Burris, Athlon but honestly you can not beat an arken. For the money a $450 the ep5 5 x25x56 is amazing

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3

I have had Vortex Diamondbacks in the past and was looking for exactly what you’re describing (I upgraded all my scopes this year so I was down to my last dollars to spend). I ended up going back to the Diamondback Tactical. It just does the job better and cheaper than everything else anywhere near $500. I was also able to use a vortex code at Midway that dropped it down to around $330. Nothing else is that good that cheap brand new. Good luck.

4

Thanks for the rec. That arken is definitely intriguing.

5

Thanks Ben. Vortex has definitely been in my search window, especially since they have fairly large mark downs like you’re saying.

6

and Texas plinking did a review of the arken

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7

I’ve had an Athlon Midas Tac 4x16 for a couple years now and it’s been good. You’d have to find it on sale to get down to that $500 dollar mark, or you could look at one of their other options like the Talos BTR Gen2 4x14. For the money, I’ve been happy with mine.

8

I’m pretty happy with my Arken EPL 4-14x44. There is a 25% off sale right now on their website it looks like.

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9

I bought one of these Athlon Ares BTR’s about 5 months ago and have been happy with it. Everywhere I looked the scope was selling for over $700, and someone on SnipersHide suggested this seller on Walmart. Sure enough, the FFP MOA version was $150 cheaper. I typically don’t like anything higher than 4 or 4.5 on the low end of magnification.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Athlon-Ares-BTR-4-5-27x50-APRS5-IR-MIL/301555373?clickid=X5lSxmzAHxyPWxCw423c4zohUkFS%3Ao0pUTZo240&irgwc=1&im_rewards=1&sourceid=imp_X5lSxmzAHxyPWxCw423c4zohUkFS%3Ao0pUTZo240&veh=aff&wmlspartner=imp_101044&affiliates_ad_id=565706&campaign_id=9383&sharedid=

10

Arken EP5 or the SH-4J are the best value for the money for a budget precision scope; tons of people run them for local NRL matches and the like. The glass is good enough to see what you need to see, but more importantly the turrets track very precisely. One step above those is the Bushnell MPED.

11

Thanks for the great replies. That Arken EP5 has my attention for sure.

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12

I have the Arken SH-4 6-24x50 on my 22. It’s great, but it’s huge! If you are planning on hunting with this rifle I wouldn’t go with the Arken. I put it on my 22 for the high magnification and the elevation adjustment revolutions. Plus you have to get 34mm rings, which don’t have as many options. But I love that scope for a fun bench gun.

I also have a Diamondback Tactical 6-24x50 FFP on my other 22. I would take the Arken any day over the DB Tactical! The glass on the DB is not as clear.

13

I am planning on hunting with it, but not super often. I have a 6.5 grendel that is my main hunting rifle but the ruger will get some time in the field as well. The size is definitely something i was concerned with. I keep going back and forth between the EP5 and the DT.

14

I put the element titan 3-18x50 on my elk rifle… its comes in at 34oz or 2.15 lbs. I can say that it has really bulked up what would otherwise be a fairly light gun. Not all bad as I can manage the extra ounces, but it did surprise me when I saw that the 9lbs rifle I planned for is actually closer to 10. But, as the saying goes - Buy the best glass you can afford, so if the Arken is that much better…

15

That’s why I personally went with Arken’s EPL series. L is for lightweight. They have trimmed a lot of the weight off for hunting purposes.

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16

I second this–Arken EPL for the win. Affordable, a more reasonable weight than the EP series, but better glass than the Vortex Diamondback Tactical. Also has illuminated reticle, which the Diamondback Tactical lacks.

17

What about the Vortex Viper PST Gen 2 5-25x 50mm?

Midway has a crazy sale on them right now for $600.

Anyone have experience with this scope? It looks like it has been around for a long time. That could be good or bad.

18

Also. Its not a tough transition but i went from MOA to Mills… you might want to look into that. Its pretty easy

19

So, i ended up purchasing the Arken EP5 and the Vortex PST Gen II. I really wanted to get my hands on them before deciding, but I could not find a combination of stores in my area that have these in stock. The plan will be to return one and keep one. I’m hoping that there is a clear leader between them. The Arken seems to be the favorite, I’m just worried about the size.

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20

Report back and let us know what you think and like.

Im mounting my arken on my bergara 6gt and my burris on my MPA… i have a problem