Budget turret scope: SWFA, Maven CRS 3, etc.

[elkhunter505]

Hey everyone, looking to get a scope to replace my vortex viper that does not have turrets. That scope is going to end up on my back up gun. I’m on a relatively limited budget because of my career but that same career gets me some pro deals/discounts on certain products and brands. That being said, until perusing this forum, I had never even heard of SWFA scopes and now seeing the price tag, I’m very intrigued. The Maven CS 1.2 is another scope I’m intrigued by and happens to be one I can get at a slight discount through GovX. Anyone have any suggestions or thoughts on this? Also are there any other scopes you would recommend to open up options? I have had a Diamondback tactical that I borrowed one year but it lost zero a couple times which has ruled it out for me. My criteria are in order here:

1) turret system
2) Holds zero reasonably (if I accidentally drop the gun, I want it to hold but ultimately it’s on me for dropping it or banging it on something)
3) minimum 3x (would like 3 for timber hunting when I do it)
4) maximum 16x (anywhere between 9 and 16 would likely fit my use case)
5) Glass quality is not a concern since I won’t be judging animals or anything, just hoping to be able to spot shots if possible.

Appreciate all the info you all are putting out on scopes, really helps open up the options for all of us which I find extremely helpful.

 

[sndmn11]

What's the actual budget?

There's a few 6X SWFAs on the classifieds here, those would be good choices at ~$400. Or wait to see if any come in stock. A SWFA fixed 10x is drastically better than a poor performing variable of any price range...

Alternatively, the 3-9 or 3-15 meet your criteria. I don't think anything else "budget" is worth considering unless you dig into some of the Trijicon models and find a used/sale.

Beyond that, the ~$1200 range holds the rs1.2, NF shv, Tenmile, LRHS2 scopes that are "budget" in the sense that they are lifetime purchases that won't leave you wasting ammunition chasing your tail.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

There are excellent options from Arken, Athlon & Element. Please give us a call, 516-217-1000, to discuss which would best suit your needs. Thank you

 

[Scottf270]

Swfa, Lrhs of some variety, Helos btr, are top choices. You have several good options. I will say this, buy what you want the first time. Avoids upgrading later.

 

[elkhunter505]

What's the actual budget?

There's a few 6X SWFAs on the classifieds here, those would be good choices at ~$400. Or wait to see if any come in stock. A SWFA fixed 10x is drastically better than a poor performing variable of any price range...

Alternatively, the 3-9 or 3-15 meet your criteria. I don't think anything else "budget" is worth considering unless you dig into some of the Trijicon models and find a used/sale.

Beyond that, the ~$1200 range holds the rs1.2, NF shv, Tenmile, LRHS2 scopes that are "budget" in the sense that they are lifetime purchases that won't leave you wasting ammunition chasing your tail.

Let’s say somewhere in the $700 range would be the highest I could afford but given I have a discount on the CRS 3, it’s closer to $550 what I am looking at right now. Sorry for the confusion the scope is the CRS 3 from Maven.

 

[WoolyBugger]

Let’s say somewhere in the $700 range would be the highest I could afford but given I have a discount on the CRS 3, it’s closer to $550 what I am looking at right now. Sorry for the confusion the scope is the CRS 3 from Maven.

There is a thread in here about the CRS3. @sndmn11 did a drop test on it you can look at in there. I’ve had mine since November and I haven’t had a problem with zero retention yet. I think it comes down to if you can get by without a zero stop or not. Personally, I like the scope but I would say its unproven yet

 

[sndmn11]

Let’s say somewhere in the $700 range would be the highest I could afford but given I have a discount on the CRS 3, it’s closer to $550 what I am looking at right now. Sorry for the confusion the scope is the CRS 3 from Maven.

I did a quick zero retention run with a crs3 here https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/maven-crs-3-newest-new-model.377852/post-3925867

I wouldn't trust that scope like I do others for a while. I have the luxury of a surplus of individually proven scopes to where I can screw around with unknowns when they get sent to me. EVERY hunter needs one dead nuts reliable scope, and I think you would be best served with a $400 SWFA fixed that you can keep forever, and continue adding funds to the remaining budget to hit the $1200 winners. Just because something is discounted doesn't make it a deal, and just because something has more "features" doesn't make it better.

Athlon was mentioned twice above, and specifically the HelosBTR, they are trash.

Hey everyone, looking to get a scope to replace my vortex viper that does not have turrets. That scope is going to end up on my back up gun.

1) turret system
2) Holds zero reasonably (if I accidentally drop the gun, I want it to hold but ultimately it’s on me for dropping it or banging it on something)
3) minimum 3x (would like 3 for timber hunting when I do it)
4) maximum 16x (anywhere between 9 and 16 would likely fit my use case)
5) Glass quality is not a concern since I won’t be judging animals or anything, just hoping to be able to spot shots if possible.

3) Allows me more funds for either a) the same scope on my backup rifle because if my backup rifle loses zero it is equally as worthless as whatever happened to my primary rifle to make me pick up my backup rifle. and/or b) allows me more funds to shoot more and drive to places to scout.