Scope selection help.....

I am starting to get into the long range shooting using my custom Remington 700 6.5 build but in need of a teir 2 optic. I am currently looking into the Vortex Razor Gen 1 5-20x50, Steiner T5XI 5-25x56 and Athlon optics 4.5-27x56. I am currently looking around the $1500 range and able to see these scopes in this price or lower (other recommendations are also appreciated)....needing feed back because this will be used on multiple platforms in future.....thanks in advance

Geoff Glover

Mar 12, 2018

Are any of the scopes you mentioned used? If-you can find the Razor used and it's been repaired by Vortex already, or thoroughly vetted by the previous owner, the Gen 1 might be OK.

I've spoken to a guy who has an Athlon Chronus and he is happy with the performance.

I just heard very good things about the T-series Steiner's.

But as Rex says, you have to check YOUR scope to make sure it performs as it should. My IOR 3.5-18 x 50 should have been fine, but as I've said elsewhere, the manual stinks and you can't loosen to set screws on the turrets so much that they fall out, or the tracking will likely be off.

If you are going to use the scope on other rifles with more recoil than the 6.5 in the future, I suggest you get the one that is likely to be the most durable (probably the Steiner or an IOR).

Just be advised that if the IOR needs repair, it make take a while to get it back.

I haven't heard much about Athlon's or Steiner's customer service.

mattp8c

Apr 2, 2019

Hey Mike,

Good form on building a 6.5 instead of buying one. My last Remington 5R wasn’t a shooter, but their actioins can still be built into something great!

I will highly recommend the Athlon Cronus. I have their 4.5-29x56 on a Bergara 6.5, and really am impressed.

For reference, I have an S&B 6-25 PM2, IOR valdada 6-24, Vortex 6-24 (not the Razor) and a couple of Burris XTR 2 scopes. I really think the Athlon has a great field of view, PERFECT tracking, and appreciate that they have a full magnification range (low end on my PM2 and IOR tunnel). The only things I can knock on the Athlon is it’s a litte mushy on the clicks, and no sunshade included (When I bought an aftermarket shade, it was glossier than the scope finish). Their Argos line is not worth buying...

I have had my Athlon on a 6.5 Grendal AR, and a 16” 308 bolt rifle. I has performed flawlessly.

I have been impressed with the Burris XTR2 line too. I have the 5-25 and a 3-15. They track and are durable, and quite a bit cheaper.

Any of the optics you mentioned will make for a great setup!

Cheers,

Matt

leongbarnett

Apr 13, 2019

See Rex's review of the Athlon Ares ETR. It appears to match tracking of the Tier 1 German stuff, and for only $1100. I have an Athlon Helos and it tracks consistently ~95% and returns to zero completely, but if the Ares had been available, it would be on my gun now. I may even swap the Helos for the Ares ETR, but since this is a hobby gun for between hunting seasons, I haven't justified the change, Yet!