What other MIL/MIL scope options are out there?

[yorke-1]

I need to buy a new scope to replace my SIII 8-32 that's off being repaired. I love the glass on the SIII, but it just wasn't tough enough to hold up to my 375 BME (375 RUM Improved) throwing the 350gr SMK at 3100 fps. When it gets back, I'll move it down to a smaller caliber or back on to one of the SPs.

Right now I'm looking to replace it with a MIL/MIL scope. I'm running a MK 4 8.5-25x50 ER/T M5 TMR on my 300 WSM and I'm very happy with this scope. I've grown very fond of the TMR Reticle and the .1 mil adjustments. I'm looking for a similar scope with a lower power (15-16x) with similar features. The 25x top end is nice, but I'd like a little less than 8.5 on the bottom. There's really no where over 1000 yards to shoot around here, so I don't think 15x would really be a handicap.

While the Mk4 is a great scope over all, the glass on the Sightron SIII was better, and the clicks felt better on the Sightron. Unfortunately the SIII is out because of durability issues. The other obvious choice is the NSX 3.5-15. Midway has the MLR reticle, .1 mil turret version on sale for just under $1600 right now. Nobody around here has one of the MLR reticle versions for me to look at in person though.

I know that the Vortex PST, SS HD 5-20, and some of the Bushnell Elite Tacticals are available in a MIL/Mil version. I'm just not convinced that they will hold up any better than the SIII.

Anything else in the $1600 I should look at?

Andrew

 

[Tarheelpwr]

I need to buy a new scope to replace my SIII 8-32 that's off being repaired. I love the glass on the SIII, but it just wasn't tough enough to hold up to my 375 BME (375 RUM Improved) throwing the 350gr SMK at 3100 fps. When it gets back, I'll move it down to a smaller caliber or back on to one of the SPs.

Right now I'm looking to replace it with a MIL/MIL scope. I'm running a MK 4 8.5-25x50 ER/T M5 TMR on my 300 WSM and I'm very happy with this scope. I've grown very fond of the TMR Reticle and the .1 mil adjustments. I'm looking for a similar scope with a lower power (15-16x) with similar features. The 25x top end is nice, but I'd like a little less than 8.5 on the bottom. There's really no where over 1000 yards to shoot around here, so I don't think 15x would really be a handicap.

While the Mk4 is a great scope over all, the glass on the Sightron SIII was better, and the clicks felt better on the Sightron. Unfortunately the SIII is out because of durability issues. The other obvious choice is the NSX 3.5-15. Midway has the MLR reticle, .1 mil turret version on sale for just under $1600 right now. Nobody around here has one of the MLR reticle versions for me to look at in person though.

I know that the Vortex PST, SS HD 5-20, and some of the Bushnell Elite Tacticals are available in a MIL/Mil version. I'm just not convinced that they will hold up any better than the SIII.

Anything else in the $1600 I should look at?

Andrew

FWIW, both the SS and PST are rated for up to a .50 BMG. Only other thing I can think of in that price range is the Weaver Tactical.

NF will bump you up over $2k

 

[sp6x6]

You mentioned the mark 4 I have on on my 338 Norma mil/mil 5-20 you can go 4-14,I also like my SS 5-20

 

[longrangehunterII]

I'd think about saving the funds for later and double it for either a KAHLES K312II (3-12X50 34MM MIL/MIL FFP CCW MIL DOT) or a PREMIER HERITAGE 3-15X50 TACTICAL that has the same features as the Kahles but has a Illuminated reticle, that extra feature will cost you another $500 over the K312II. But honestly the Kahles is just as good as the Premier, and I like the fast focus eye piece better then the Premier that seems to do nothing when you turn it, although the reticle is sharp for my eyes.

The Premier is going on a TRG-42 Lapua I have coming, not to say the Kahles wont hold up as well but it's on another gun. Only time will tell?

 

[DinoS]

Not sure if this is what you want, lower end optic, but SWFA SS have a mil/mil. I have read good reviews on them and they are reasonably priced. They have variable and fixed power scopes. Give them a look.
3x-15x by 42 FFP with a 30mm tube $699.00

DinoS

 

[sp6x6]

NF has a couple modules and bushnell elite tacticle, they are expensive but have some nice ones also

 

[longrangehunterII]

FWIW the Khales K312 is to my eyes a better scope than the Premier LT

I have ran both extensively and found the k312II to just be an easier scope to use.
I ended up selling my USO 3-17 after one 1k range day with the khales I had in for testing.
I subsequently got a hold of a Premier LT and it seemed very finicky on parallax settings.

Hey Charles,

I've been using both the Kahles K312II and the Premier Heritage 3-15 Tactical (this is not the Light Tactical version) for a few months now. Believe it or not, the Kahles has the better glass, and is easier to stay behind the scope for longer periods of time. I do like the heavy clicks that stop at each Mil on the Premier, but the illumination is nothing to write home about. The Premier does track very well and maybe more robust then the Kahles? But that is not confirmed as of yet, as both guns have less then 100 rounds down the tubes with these scopes.

BTW, nice article on the new Zeiss HD5 scope. Did the turret adjustments track well?

Thanks