Reasonable Practice rifle scope

[DFWshooter]

So I’m setting up a practice rifle in 6.5CM. What’s a decent/good scope I can use to shoot steel out past 500 yds? Ideally out to 1,000. I prefer a more precision reticle in mils. Budget around $500. Thanks.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Swfa 3-9 or 10x or 3-15 if you bump your budget some

 

[DFWshooter]

Thanks. My buddy is steering me towards those too. He suggested the 12x. I think the 3x15 is $750 new. Is that a good deal?

 

[Ajsomp]

Don’t get the 12x. I’d suggest a second hand 3-15 or a 10x Milquad if you want something available now and works great. I have two of them

 

[DFWshooter]

Why not the 12x

 

[Ajsomp]

Why not the 12x

Above 10x is pretty much only useful on the range. So if you never plan to use it off the range, 12 could be fine. 10x for range and hunting use is what I would recommend.

Also, if you’re setting up a dedicated practice gun, 223 is going to be a better option. But that’s a whole other thread.

 

[Nush324]

For a 6.5CM practice rifle hitting steel past 500 and out to 1,000 yards on a $500 budget with a precision mil reticle, the sweet spot is the Athlon Argos BTR Gen 2 6-24x50 FFP MIL version.

It’s the one most guys in your spot actually run and like FFP mil reticle that stays true at any magnification, exposed .1 mil turrets with a functional zero stop, side parallax, and illuminated center for low light. Glass is decent for the money clear enough to spot and call hits on steel out to 800–1,000 yards in good conditions not Nightforce level, but way better than basic hunting scopes.

It tracks reliably for practice work and has held up well for a lot of budget long range shooters. The Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6-24x50 FFP is the close runner up slightly better eye relief, Vortex warranty, but most prefer the Argos for the zero stop and illumination at this price.

Grab the MIL version, mount it solid, and you’ll be ringing steel without frustration. If you stretch to $550–600 later, the next jump Viper PST Gen II feels noticeably better, but this will get the job done right now.