Witch long range scope and why..

[CAMPMEAT]

Nobody has mentioned VORTEX. I have a Millet on my 308. Shots out to 825 yards with no problem.

I had a Mullet, but none of my friends would shoot with me...........

That's why I don't have friends now, the dang mullet.

[2labs]

Bought a 4.5 x14x50 leuy long rang with turrets on line, thinking I would have too send it in. It is perfect at one third the new price! Buy a used luepold.

[BULLBLASTER]

My long range rifle had a viper pst for 4 years until I upgraded to a razor hd a month or so ago. I personally like front focal plane reticals in long range scopes. With a matching turret. I use moa/moa but mil is popular also.
As said above a quatplity range finder is a must. One with a built in ballistic program is really good also. I use an older Leica and a kestrel along with a phone app.

[Alan K]

Can't go wrong with the Viper PST.  I have a PST in 6-24x, and an HST in 4-16x.  Both good scopes.  I now run a Razor Gen II, 4.5-27x.  All quality with an amazing warranty service.  You can pick up Razor Gen I's (5-20x's) for a pretty reasonable price now.

While the all in one range finders are nice, I wouldn't consider them critical. You can get most all of the input information from apps on your smart phone these days, and a calculator like Strelok works great. Just make sure the rangefinder model you get gives you horizontal distance, or at least an angle along with the line of sight distance.  Another thing I don't care for with most of the rangefinders that provide solutions is that most don't actually give you solutions for your load, you have to choose one of their curves that fits the best.  Around 400-500 yards there is probably not much difference, but I wouldn't count on it when you get way out there.

[Alan K]

Pretty decent deal on a Razor Gen I: http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f40/fs-vortex-razor-ebr-3-burris-xtr-ii-mdr-zeiss-conq-varmint-156243/

PST 6-24x: http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f40/fs-brand-new-vortex-pst-6-24x50-ebr-1-moa-reticle-156349/

The only problem IMO with the Razor is that it's MRAD.  I prefer MOA, and I think that's what most people use.

[The scout]

if 2000 was my budget I would get a leupold 3-18 cds and a leica 1600

[MtnMuley]

if 2000 was my budget I would get a leupold 3-18 cds and a leica 1600

Well, if the OP wants, I have one of each in mint shape that I'd happily let go as a pair for $2K

[xXLojackXx]

I have owned and shot Vortex PST's/Razors, Leupold Mk 4's, Nightforce NXS/ATACR, and a Steiner T5Xi. Hands down the best is the Steiner, I'll get to that in a minute. Here's my honest opinion since you don't really have a budget ( a good thing  )

Vortex PST's and Gen 1 Razors have decent glass, but they milk out and lose clarity at their top of the magnification range. I'm not a fan of the PST and Gen 1 Razor turrets, but that's all personal preference. The Gen 2 Razor is a GREAT scope, but it comes with a 3lb weight penalty. If you're building a match rifle, its irrelevant but too heavy for a hunting rifle IMO. They come with a good warranty, but they're made in China and I've seen several need to go back in and/or replaced. Last thing I want before I pull the trigger is the thought of "is my scope tracking right?"

Leupold Mk 4 30mm scopes have better glass than the Vortex (except Gen 2 Razors). The reticle thickness is too bold for my liking, but if you have bad eyes that might be a plus. The biggest problem with the Mk4 scopes is the turrets. They track well and have crisp audible clicks, but they aren't MIL turrets to match the MIL reticles they put in the scopes. They offer the MK4's with M5 turrets, which are MIL turrets. Not having matching turrets and reticle subtensions in long rang shooting is a crime. Unless you're really good at converting MILs to MOA, or like to get easily confused.

Nightforce NXS is an all around good 30mm scope. Several options on how to conform the turrets (high speed/non HS, zero stop/non ZS) and PLENTY of reticle options. For an MOA reticle the best IMO is the MOAR or NPR1. I also like the MIL-R reticle. Good clarity and track perfectly. Known for being durable, I've dropped my rifle before onto the scope on a rocky surface. Picked it up and got a first round hit on a target at 1380 yards. If you want better glass and a 34mm tube the ATACR is a clear upgrade form the NXS. Noticeably better clarity, brightness, and more internal elevation adjustment. Can be had new for $1900-2000.

Lastly, and my favorite scope for under $2000 (I paid $1600) is the Steiner T5Xi. I run a 5-25x56 on my rifles. 34mm tube and only weighs 2 lbs. Glass is on par with the NF ATACR for $400 less (German made scope). Very generous eye relief for shooting odd postitons and not getting scoped, as well as easy parallax focus. Very low profile turrets with clear adjustment clicks and great fit/finish. Eleven illumination settings with off positions between settings. Zerostop on the turrets is solid and the easier to set than any I've done before. One of the best features is the turrets "roll over" at 12 mils so you never have to guess what revolution of the turret youre one. Your turrets read 1-23 MILS, even past the first revolution. Then it rolls back over when you turn down below 12 mils again. VERY useful in high stress situations. A bonus with the Steiner as well, is the free magnification throw lever and Tenebraex flip up scope covers after filling out an online review through the Steiner website, mine took about 2 weeks to show up in the mail. I have been trying to find something I don't like about the scope because I like to switch gear a lot  but I can't.

Hope that helps a bit. I'm in no way affiliated with any scope manufacturer. Now if you want to spend $3000, the doors open up to a whole new world of elite scopes.

[BigBullDreamer11]

Thanks for all the information i am looking at all these options now.. Their are so many ways to go with this. I do appreciate all the information.. This forum is awesome.