jtb33

Before I even start, here are some threads discussing Counter Sniper optics: http://opticstalk.com/topic11448_page1.html http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1349027&page=1 Now, since Nightforce optics are "comparable" (your word), you should be able to find similar discussions about how bad they are. I'd love to see a couple links, because I can't find any. Counter Sniper is ALL marketing. There's no substance to it. They are a "Dark Ops" brand. If you know who that is, you won't need to read much further. Would you buy a Hesse AR15? So what is "Bertillium Zantitium" that CSO advertises? lol PLEASE explain to me how this reticle functions: Here, let me help: Two aiming points? How do you adjust the second one? Contract overrun? BS. Find me a SINGLE INSTANCE of this optic being purchased by any US Military group. Yes, military purchases are publicly search-able and scope purchases are NOT "Top Secret". Well, let's start off with the basics of a scope's function; what do you need from a variable power scope? Reliability and repeatability. Ever run a box test with a counter-sniper scope? It will fail. Then try it with a Nightforce. Drop your counter-sniper scope from 3 feet. Will it survive? I'd tell you with a 99% probability, something on it will break - whether it's the plastic turrets or the glue that holds the reticle in place. Drop a Nightforce from that same height and it won't have a single issue. How's the CSO warranty? How's NF warranty compare? I won't even ask where CSO are made... Optical clarity. Can you see through it clearly at all variable ranges? There should be no chromatic aberrations at any magnification level. There should be no blur at any part of the scope (edges, etc). The reticle should be usable and unobtrusive. Ever figure out that reticle yet? Oh, wow - look what I've been missing! "Weapon Mountable Optical Gunsights"?! <laughs> In titanium even! Could your Counter Sniper scope handle this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpO8X4E_9vs& or this:

Are you kidding? You're seriously suggesting "Counter Sniper" for "more delicate work" and then proceed to compare Counter Sniper to Nightforce? The two are WORLDS apart in terms of just about everything a scope is. Unless you like pissing money away, do NOT buy a Counter Sniper. To answer the OP's question, a driving factor is your budget. What do you want to spend? I have a USO SN-3 1.8-10x37, but that's a $2500 optic: Here's a Leupold Mark 4 MR/T 2.5-8x36. It's a SFP optic, but has 7.62 168gr M2 turrets on it, so it's designed for the 308 round. That scope would run you about $900. Here's one on the same LR-308: [img width=810 height=540]http://cefllc.net/images/LR308/IMG_2035.JPG Or you could go with a Nightforce optic - either 2.5-10x24 (discontinued, tough to find) or 2.5-10x32, but also not cheap in the $1300 range. It's a SFP as well, but you have more reticle and turret choices (Mil/Mil or MOA). Here's my NF 2.5-10x24 on a SIG 556: [img width=810 height=540]http://cefllc.net/images/SIG556/IMG_1041e2.jpg

You need this one.

I started my optics crusade with the typical crap optics; NCStar, Leapers and other cheap Chinese crap. Definitely not worth it for any firearm. Then I picked up a used 10x40 Super Sniper (by Tasco at the time) and was pleased with it. Still looking for variable power, I tried the "higher end" Chinese stuff (Millet - yes, it's Chinese) - and had marginally better luck, but still not something to count on. For under $500, your options for a GOOD, RELIABLE variable power optic are very limited. Bushnell Elite [series], and Vortex are good names. Jumping up to the $1K ceiling, you open yourself up to some MUCH better options and if I could do it all over again, I would save up until I moved into this $1K budget category. One big benefit of the higher cost optics is that they hold resale value really well. In the under $1K range, look for Trijicon AccuPoint, ACOG, Vortex PST's (variable-power FFP is an option now under $1K!), and if you're lucky you can find a used Nightforce 1-4x24 or maybe a 2.5-10x24 in this range. For the under $2K, Nightforce NXS and US Optics are primo.

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