Hi all,

I am looking at a higher magnification scope solely for 50 yard ARA matches. These are the 3 that I am considering but am open to suggestions.

Sightron TARGET 36x42 fixed BRD SII Scope TD1 - $519
Athlon Argos BTR Gen 2 10-40x56 SFP - $459
Vector Optics Minotaur 12-60x60 SFP - $519

I currently have an Arken SHJ Gen2 4-16 FFP on my CZ 457 At-One 16" barrel that works ok but just does not get me as large of a sight picture as I THINK I want to see. I have never shot through a scope that is a higher than 25x power, I have also never competed in an ARA competition.


Do you have any experience with these scopes or ones in this price range?

Sightron 36X..You can find them used in the $400 range. I used them for several years in ARA Unlimited.

 

Yeah I would go with the Sightron too. The Athlon is probably fine for Factoy Class @50 yds but I'm not sure I like the reticle. I like the floating dot but not all the hashmarks on the crosshairs. Although the hashmarks may come in handy for consistent hold off. I also don't like that short vertical crosshair on top.

Good luck in Factory Class. Feel free to chime in on our Chat thread or create a new thread if you have anything you're wondering about

 

Interesting . I find the Athlon reticle preferable . It is quite fine and does not present a lot of clutter . I like the short verticle line on top as well . This is by far my favorite reticle .

But , I think the glass on the Sightron will be better at 36x vs the Athlon at 36 x.

I have toe Athlon 10x40 . I preferred the reticle . Sightron is definitely a good choice .

 

I have the Athlon on one of my club bench rifles As I really like floating dot reticle's. It has very clear glass for a $350.00 scope and a no BS warranty to boot. Free shipping and no tax if you buy from the vendor below.

Product Description

Product Description | Camera Land NY

cameralandny.com

Doug is also an RFC vendor with an A+ rating.

Bill

 

Either of the first 2 listed in the poll, and should look at the Weaver 36x as well. I prefer the Weaver 36x myself over the Sightron 36x, but you should try and look thru both with your eyeballs to see what works best for you. The Weaver 36x should be in the $400 or less range as well.

 

It needs to be added that the Weaver 36x will only be found as a used scope. The Weaver of old no longer exists and now is just a house brand of cheap scopes for Natchez.

 

I used Sightron 36X scopes on my BR 10.5 lb rifles. I really liked how accurate and positive the scope adjustment were/are. I never felt the need to go more expensive.

 

If you are not use to a fixed high-magnification scope, you may be happier with a variable powered scope. I am impressed with my Athlon Midas scope. If you have used and are satisfied with a fixed power scope I recommend the Sightron.

 

I had both the Sightron 36x42 and the Athlon 10-40x56. Both worked fine for ARA Factory for my first season/year, I sold them both only to go to higher magnification. You should be happy with either one.

 

What magnification/scope did you end up with?

 

My choice would also be the Sightron fixed 36X. My reasoning is this: until you reach a certain price point, variable scopes are going to become unusable before you reach maximum power, often well before. That has been my experience. There is a reason why top tier variable scopes are so expensive. The glass, the coatings, the precision of construction.... all the things that inexpensive scopes just can't match.

I own two Sightron SII 36X42 scopes. They are not my favorite fixed power scopes but at the price point they are the best you'll find and are better than the variables I've owned. The Sightron will do the job at a reasonable price.

 

My choice would also be the Sightron fixed 36X. My reasoning is this: until you reach a certain price point, variable scopes are going to become unusable before you reach maximum power, often well before. That has been my experience. There is a reason why top tier variable scopes are so expensive. The glass, the coatings, the precision of construction.... all the things that inexpensive scopes just can't match.

I own two Sightron SII 36X42 scopes. They are not my favorite fixed power scopes but at the price point they are the best you'll find and are better than the variables I've owned. The Sightron will do the job at a reasonable price.

This matches my experience. I have a couple of 36X SII. They work fine.

 

I don't think I'd ever heard of Vector Optics Minotaur. I'm sure doubs43 is probably right about the overall quality but if it's like the Arkens it's much better than most people think, especially for the price. If I could find one with this reticle I might roll the dice and try it. The illuminated floating dot would be great for shooting in the tunnel I use

 

There's only a few reviews on youtube about the Minotaur, they are good reviews but anyone with a camera and a reason to post a good review can do so.

 

I've been using the Arken SH4j in 5x-25x. I paid right at $300 for it with discount. Works great, and useful at longer ranges as well. I'll probably add an unlimited gun later this year, and likely I'll just pick up another Arken for it. You don't need ultra quality glass for shooting at a two-color target, but you do need very accurate and repeatable turrets, and the Arken turrets are excellent. If benchrest is the only thing you plan to shoot the gun in, I agree with PWN, that the stadia intended for long range shooting just clutter up the scope at 50yds, but 98% of the rifles I've shot in the last 5 years were set up with those reticles, and I'm just used to it now. I'm only using the fine dot in the center in ARA, so the extra stadia don't distract me much. But the mil marks are useless in ARA shooting. If ARA is the only thing you shoot the gun in, then I'd opt for a scope with the same reticle he posted.

 

I have a Arken SH4 on my Kidd 10/22 and last range trip I was shooting at some ARA UL targets I had been shooting with my UL guns. I found the reticle to be hard to get on the dot. Maybe if it had more magnification or it was SFP it would be better for UL

 

I only have experience with the Athlon having that exact one on both of my Varmint Mtr's, I really like it for what it is. You can beat that price you listed if you shop around, both of mine were under $400.00.

 

@ThemBs I just reread your first post. I assumed you were looking for a scope for ARA Factory Class but you don't actually say that. Can you clarify?

 

Yes sir, factory class. I assumed that you assumed I was shooting factory because I am using a CZ 457 At-One, haha.

 

My opinion (for what it’s worth) go with the Sightron. Here’s why, you’re using it at a fixed distance so having a variable power scope is a nonstarter, again IMHO. The reticle is less cluttered, it should give you a better sight picture and if you need to hold off it is easy by simply putting the dot or crosshair where you think you need to be. Sightrons are not made in China if that matters to you. Wish you the best of luck with your decision and let us know what you decide.

PS - If you get one try it out without mounting it, then if you don’t like it you can return it for one of the other ones.

 

Sightron!

 

Definitely the Sightron, I have seven Sightron scopes, two of these are S11-36x & five are Sllls 10-32 & one 10-50. I have had very good service from all of these.

 

Thank you, Rod. I have chosen the Sightron, if I can find one in stock, they appear to be sold out everywhere.

 

As a novice benchrest shooter I chose a 36x Sightron. Seems to have plenty of magnification and clarity for me.

 

I realize the originator of the thread has already bought an optic but this popped up on my you tube feed today so thought some following this may find it interesting

 

I have a Sightron 36-42 and an Athlon Argos BTR 10-40-56 and it is a great budget scope, but no comparison (for benchrest) to the Sightron which is what the OP decided on, IMHO.

I will say that both have great customer service. Sightron also has great communications to go along with their above and beyond CS. Athlon appears to just replace a scope when it is sent to them with no communication, which is okay too, I guess. Sometimes it would be nice to know what they found, but they probably don't even look at it. Turn around time is good for both.