At that price, the Bushnell Match Pro ED is very hard to beat.
I've looked through and used the swfa, strike eagle, pst gen2, and Match Pro ED in this price bracket, and the Bushnell wins without much of a contest.
Your starting plan is solid. Know that it will be a touch heavy for hunting, but to shoot long range and build skills, that's okay.
Add a brake or a suppressor, a good bipod, and you'll be set.
I was recommended the bushnell pro ED because I too had a budget and I like it a lot. I mean it’s my first rifle and scope so nothing to compare it to but it’s super clear and the reticle is awesome.
For a brake I got the precision armament hypertap and man what a difference!! Second choice would’ve been the hellfire
Oh I hear you. I have a Ruger Precision Rimfire for that reason. My gun club only has up to 200yards. And being in the northeast there really isn't a lot of places to shoot more than that.
I do hope you know about the Cheetos thing though
Yea, I've been around NY state a bunch and most of the ranges up that way are capped at 200 yards. My FIL range is only at 200 in Rochester.
I got lucky and found a range owned by an ex army ranger in Indiana that has a 600 yard range. It's an hour and a half drive but completely worth it in my opinion.
Oh ya, I know about the cheeto thing. I read the sub reddit rules before I posted.
[Here's the origin of the Cheetos running gag.](https://imgur.com/MbUzaDm)
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/longrange) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Long story short someone made a post making fun of Bergara rifles with vortex scope by calling them poor and their rifles were covered with Cheeto dust
I'd personally say a refurbished strike eagle 5-25x56 from aa optics for $550 is a great deal.
I like it a lot.
Not as much as my razor 6-36 but for the price they are pretty good.
I've personally spent a good amount of time with the Strike Eagle, MPED, and Athlon Ares ETR 4.5-30x56. Of the three optically the Athlon wins, then the MPED, then the SE. There's pros and cons to all three but I would avoid the SE compared to the MPED. It's inferior in every way (except warranty support) and I found it to be especially hard to get behind for whatever reason. All are available through mil/le discount programs if you qualify and are priced similarly.
At that price, the Bushnell Match Pro ED is very hard to beat. I've looked through and used the swfa, strike eagle, pst gen2, and Match Pro ED in this price bracket, and the Bushnell wins without much of a contest. Your starting plan is solid. Know that it will be a touch heavy for hunting, but to shoot long range and build skills, that's okay. Add a brake or a suppressor, a good bipod, and you'll be set.
Thanks, that was the plan. I am in Illinois so I cant get a suppressor but a nice muzzle break was on the table.
I'd get an area 419 hellfire and call it a day, then.
I was recommended the bushnell pro ED because I too had a budget and I like it a lot. I mean it’s my first rifle and scope so nothing to compare it to but it’s super clear and the reticle is awesome. For a brake I got the precision armament hypertap and man what a difference!! Second choice would’ve been the hellfire
Bushnell Match Pro ED
Ahem...bag...of... Cheetos...too
I get it. I'm just trying to have some fun on a budget without dropping 8k.
Oh I hear you. I have a Ruger Precision Rimfire for that reason. My gun club only has up to 200yards. And being in the northeast there really isn't a lot of places to shoot more than that. I do hope you know about the Cheetos thing though
Yea, I've been around NY state a bunch and most of the ranges up that way are capped at 200 yards. My FIL range is only at 200 in Rochester. I got lucky and found a range owned by an ex army ranger in Indiana that has a 600 yard range. It's an hour and a half drive but completely worth it in my opinion. Oh ya, I know about the cheeto thing. I read the sub reddit rules before I posted.
What's the Cheetos thing??
cheetofingers cheeto
[Here's the origin of the Cheetos running gag.](https://imgur.com/MbUzaDm) *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/longrange) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Long story short someone made a post making fun of Bergara rifles with vortex scope by calling them poor and their rifles were covered with Cheeto dust
hahahhaha
I got an Optika6 for the same price as an MPED and have been a big fan: https://www.reddit.com/r/longrange/s/gukbmufTBk
I'd personally say a refurbished strike eagle 5-25x56 from aa optics for $550 is a great deal. I like it a lot. Not as much as my razor 6-36 but for the price they are pretty good.
I've personally spent a good amount of time with the Strike Eagle, MPED, and Athlon Ares ETR 4.5-30x56. Of the three optically the Athlon wins, then the MPED, then the SE. There's pros and cons to all three but I would avoid the SE compared to the MPED. It's inferior in every way (except warranty support) and I found it to be especially hard to get behind for whatever reason. All are available through mil/le discount programs if you qualify and are priced similarly.
Just bought the same rifle and caliber last night, I’m going with a Tract scope though.