Best magnification for conventional-1000 yard shots (bolt-action 6.5 CM)?

[Digital_Damage]

Can't argue the resale, I deal with large volume orders and requirements matching.
SOCOM recently performed the most extensive precision optic testing that I believe has ever been done with the ECOS-O, in which the Leupy 3-18x crushed.
True, there are some current players and items that were not included (such as the recent NF offerings) that are, in my experience, very good optics.
I'm not saying that there aren't other good optics.

I have found the Mk 6 line to be pretty significantly superior to the Mk 4 and VX-R lines.

Well crushing it is relative... It made the requirements at the price point needed.

The requirements were a little tight and tailored made for it IMO. At the time no other scope met the requirements, a few vendors rushed some out the door. That is why we had a slew of "short" optics hit the civ market shortly after. That being said, it did meet all the requirements and passed the shake downs.

[Failure2Stop]

Well crushing it is relative... It made the requirements at the price point needed.

The requirements were a little tight and tailored made for it IMO. At the time no other scope met the requirements, a few vendors rushed some out the door. That is why we had a slew of "short" optics hit the civ market shortly after. That being said, it did meet all the requirements and passed the shake downs.

There are optics out now that were not in the ECOS-O program.
I would not hesitate to recommend the NF ATACR 4-16.

[Digital_Damage]

There are optics out now that were not in the ECOS-O program.
I would not hesitate to recommend the NF ATACR 4-16.

That is one I would love to test... seems to be made of the right stuff on paper.

My only concern is it seems to be on the heavy side. +6 over the MK6, and the same as the S&B ultra short 5-20x50.

[TraumaPlateDuctTape]

Thanks for the responses, guys. I'd like to edit my original range requirements to 100-1000 yards. The rifle I'm looking at is the DT SRS-A1, so I really want the optic to squeeze as much potential out of the rifle as possible. I'm willing to splurge.

[SomeOtherGuy]

Nice rifle. You are probably looking at scopes above the $2k or so range, which is where my personal experience ends. I would do a lot of research before buying, and would include in your research these sites:

Sniper's Hide
http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=541&f=5511

Precision Rifle Blog, and this article in particular:
http://precisionrifleblog.com/2015/1...-and-reticles/

Ilya's Optics Thoughts
http://opticsthoughts.com/

My 2 cents - expect near perfection at that price point, and don't settle for anything that isn't. And whatever you get, no matter how expensive, set up a tracking test and make sure the exact scope you bought tracks correctly. All this requires is a properly measured distance (typically 100 yards but you can scale it for others) and a yardstick. The "scope humbler" tests have shown that many companies make examples that do and don't track properly, even within the same exact model.

[Digital_Damage]

Nice rifle. You are probably looking at scopes above the $2k or so range, which is where my personal experience ends. I would do a lot of research before buying, and would include in your research these sites:

Sniper's Hide
http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=541&f=5511

Precision Rifle Blog, and this article in particular:
http://precisionrifleblog.com/2015/1...-and-reticles/

Ilya's Optics Thoughts
http://opticsthoughts.com/

My 2 cents - expect near perfection at that price point, and don't settle for anything that isn't. And whatever you get, no matter how expensive, set up a tracking test and make sure the exact scope you bought tracks correctly. All this requires is a properly measured distance (typically 100 yards but you can scale it for others) and a yardstick. The "scope humbler" tests have shown that many companies make examples that do and don't track properly, even within the same exact model.

this is good advice.

Easy way to test tracking with a .1mil adjustments without lab equipment is draw a grid with 18 inch squares, place it 100 yard down and make sure the lines are level. Level the rifle on a bench and tie it to a sled, should be able to track to each line every 5mil adjustment.

[gsh341]

Have you looked at the Vortex Viper 6.5-20x50 Mil Dot? They're reasonably priced at about $450.

I'm looking at buying one for my 30-06.

http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/...il-dot-reticle

If you want to spend more, they make a top end model as well.

http://www.vortexoptics.com/category...hd_riflescopes

[HKGuns]

I feel compelled to jump in here as I have a pretty large number of Leupold scopes and have had nothing but good luck and zero issues.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend any of the Leupold scopes I have experience with and there are indeed a lot of nice options out there. The NF 4-16 gives up too much to the MK6 in terms of high end, low end and weight in my view.

I take much of what I read over on that other site with a grain of salt.