Best Optics for around $1,000 USD

[Mountainrancher]

I think something in trijicons credo line is probably the best option that’s available currently.

Trijicon Credo Riflescopes

New for 2020, Trijicon's new Credo Riflescopes are available now are EuroOptic!

www.eurooptic.com

 

[Rebelfan22]

I’ll admit, I’ve only been hunting deer and waterfowl in Indiana my whole life. I now have a big boy job and plan on doing hunting trips with my dad in the future.
I have several rifles and am looking for a scope to slap on a 7 mag to use for big game. I’ve found tons of information, but wanted to get opinions on the best bang for your buck right around $1k. I can’t imagine I’d ever need x60 zoom, so something in the 4-30x40 range seems to fit the bill.

I was looking at a VX-III, Athlon Ares BTR, and an Athlon Midas Tac. Any and all input is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

I’ve got Athlon ares ETR new in box I’d sell if interested. I believe hands down best scope for $1000 just don’t need right now.

 

[Maverick1]

Thanks for the quick answers guys. I knew the athlons were made in the Philippines, but people said the glass was insane for the price. I’m gonna dive deep into some of your suggestions.

Apparently the ares spotting scope is also a no-go. What are your suggestions for a 65mm obj lens sporting scope from 700-1,000?

It is highly unlikely that you "need" a spotting scope.

 

[IrkedCitizen]

110% would buy an SWFA 5-20×50 SS HD. They are on sale right now for $780 non illuminated and $900 illuminated.

 

[manitou1]

Thanks for the quick answers guys. I knew the athlons were made in the Philippines, but people said the glass was insane for the price. I’m gonna dive deep into some of your suggestions.

Apparently the ares spotting scope is also a no-go. What are your suggestions for a 65mm obj lens sporting scope from 700-1,000?

The Ares 65 mm spotter is a great spotter for the $. Why would it be a "no-go"?

 

[Jjustus16]

110% would buy an SWFA 5-20×50 SS HD. They are on sale right now for $780 non illuminated and $900 illuminated.

Seen that tossed around a few times. They’re that good? I was really leaning towards a Nightforce SHV now.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

110% would buy an SWFA 5-20×50 SS HD. They are on sale right now for $780 non illuminated and $900 illuminated.

5x bottom end is stupid on a hunting rifle. I’ve had a few of those and that reticle is thin at 5x too. No.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

Not getting anything to come up with those bushnell LRHS. Assuming the acronym is long range hunting scope?

They’re discontinued aside from whatever GAP has a run of made but they pop up every week or so used here and on the hide. The LRTS is a little more common is seems but the LRHS has the better reticle for hunting.

 

[Jjustus16]

The Ares 65 mm spotter is a great spotter for the $. Why would it be a "no-go"?

A lot of people are saying they’re junk from the Philippines. I’m the first guy to support the workforce, but other countries make great products. Look at the 4Runner for example.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

A lot of people are saying they’re junk from the Philippines. I’m the first guy to support the workforce, but other countries make great products. Look at the 4Runner for example.

Japanese vehicles and optics are great. Made overseas isn’t all the same. Chinese and Phillipino optics are shit.

 

[manitou1]

Japanese vehicles and optics are great. Made overseas isn’t all the same. Chinese and Phillipino optics are shit.

Actually, Phillipine optics can be very good. Do some research.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Any advice to locate that?

WTS - Kowa 554 spotter. Like new

Like new Kowa 554. Used very little. Can’t find a blemish on it. $1250 shipped.

rokslide.com

 

[IH8Cali]

Which one?

TORIC UHD 3-15X50 T-Plex Rifle Scope

The TORIC UHD 3-15x50 utilizes our Ultra High Definition (UHD) optical system with industry leading SCHOTT high transmission (HT) glass, extra-low dispersion (ED) lens and a fully multi-coated lens system that provides incredibly sharp, bright images with superior light transmission values...

tractoptics.com

I use a custom turret on each rifle, so I want as clear a field of view as possible. There's a lot of good scopes out there, but in my (and a lot of editorial) opinion nothing touches Tract for the money.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

Might read this before buying a Tract. Or look at any of the threads the Tract guys have participated in.

Tract Toric Ultra HD 3-15x50mm Field Eval

This is a field evaluation of the Tract Toric Ultra HD 3-15x50mm. This scope was sent to me from from Ryan Avery for evaluation. It was sent to him from a forum member. The ammunition used was Hornady Black 168gr AMAX that was purchased by Ryan. The 20 round proof group was just over 1.1 MOA...

rokslide.com

 

[IH8Cali]

Might read this before buying a Tract. Or look at any of the threads the Tract guys have participated in.

Tract Toric Ultra HD 3-15x50mm Field Eval

This is a field evaluation of the Tract Toric Ultra HD 3-15x50mm. This scope was sent to me from from Ryan Avery for evaluation. It was sent to him from a forum member. The ammunition used was Hornady Black 168gr AMAX that was purchased by Ryan. The 20 round proof group was just over 1.1 MOA...

rokslide.com

Good to know that if someone buys a 3rd-hand used scope, drops it 15 times and still intends to hunt with it, Tract will replace it no questions asked. Compared to the $2500 KnigtForce (well outside the OPs budget), i'd say not bad.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

Except that compared to the $300 swfa 6x, it's an embarrassment.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

Good to know that if someone buys a 3rd-hand used scope, drops it 15 times and still intends to hunt with it, Tract will replace it no questions asked. Compared to the $2500 KnigtForce (well outside the OPs budget), i'd say not bad.

Or…you can go buy an SHV or a Credo for under $1000 and have a scope that will withstand some abuse and hold zero.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

Actually, Phillipine optics can be very good. Do some research.

They probably could be but they just aren’t. They don’t have anywhere near the reliability of Japanese, USA, or European scopes. Fine for a range toy if the worst that happens is bad day at the range, but not fine for a hunting rifle.

 

[JGRaider]

Good to know that if someone buys a 3rd-hand used scope, drops it 15 times and still intends to hunt with it, Tract will replace it no questions asked. Compared to the $2500 KnigtForce (well outside the OPs budget), i'd say not bad.

Agreed, that test was a joke. Funny how the internet commandos like to pass judgment on scopes they've never used, or even seen in real life. It's always entertaining.

 

[JGRaider]

They probably could be but they just aren’t. They don’t have anywhere near the reliability of Japanese, USA, or European scopes. Fine for a range toy if the worst that happens is bad day at the range, but not fine for a hunting rifle.

In certain applications, Burris FFII's are very reliable scopes with more than adequate optics.