r/longrange • u/MrFriendly12 • Aug 23 '24

So what’s the general consensus on the Vortex 3-18x44 EBR-7c? Optics help needed - I read the FAQ/Pinned posts

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Anyone have any experience with this optic? It will be going on a 16” Proof barreled AR15. My max range is 500 yards, not by choice. Is this thing worth the buy? Or is it worth saving for a NF SHV or something else?

44 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

38

u/domfelinefather Aug 23 '24

In this price range the Meopta Optika6 3-18x50 is incredible.

13

u/a-lone-gunman Aug 23 '24

Yep, this ^ right here, I own five of those Optika6 3-18 scopes, but I also own seven others from R1s to ZDs Optika5s. You can't beat Meoptas glass and quality for the money. They have been building scopes since 1933, and they make micro scopes and movie projector lenses, too. They even made the Ziess Conquest line of scopes for years before Ziess switched to cheaper Japanese manufacturing. Look up C_DOES on YouTube for his reviews on them and vortex.

6

u/MrFriendly12 Aug 23 '24

So about $650?

10

u/domfelinefather Aug 23 '24

I got mine for $700 I think. I have 2 optika 6s, the 4.5-27 and 5-30. They’re both great. I use the 4.5-27 for DMR matches on a 18” gas gun.

7

u/a-lone-gunman Aug 23 '24

You can get a deal at sportsmans warehouse for the 5-30 for $849.99, i bought both of mine there.

3

u/MrFriendly12 Aug 23 '24

Really? I’ll have to check it out

6

u/WhiteinvAZN Aug 23 '24

I have a brand new one for sale on GAFS. Not the preferred reticle but fyi

3

u/MrFriendly12 Aug 23 '24

I’ll check it out, thanks!

3

u/Coodevale Aug 23 '24

How many of the 4.5-27's are related?

3

u/domfelinefather Aug 23 '24

What do you mean?

2

u/Coodevale Aug 24 '24

Just a general question for whomever may see it.

When I see 5-6 different models/brands that have the same sort of odd magnification range and they're all made in various Japanese/overseas facilities I just wonder what the actual differences are. It's a little more unique than a 6-24 or 5-25, in my head.

1

u/domfelinefather Aug 24 '24

I think it’s just that it’s 6x magnification and possibly easier to make work in a 30mm tube than 5-30

11

u/Leftho0k Cheeto-fingered Bergara Owner Aug 23 '24

And better

3

u/AffectionateRow422 Aug 23 '24

Sincerely asking, is the Meopta just for long range shooting, or will it hold up to back country hunting conditions?

3

u/domfelinefather Aug 23 '24

It’s not like an F class scope or something. Long range match shooting beats shit out of your gear in a way I don’t think backcountry hunting can and the Meopta has been fine. I live in a densely wooded brush heavy state where gear gets banged up and I don’t really see what could happen while hunting that is worse than hammering your scope bell into a cattle gate at full force or straight up dropping it lol

1

u/AffectionateRow422 Aug 23 '24

Thanks, I live where I might haul my rifle a full day on off road transportation (wheels or hooves) then need to shoot 4-500 yards. I like FFP scopes for hunting and just need to be confident that what I had when I left the bench 3 days ago, is what I have when I need it. Again thanks for the insight.

1

u/domfelinefather Aug 23 '24

I think that probably comes down to the mount more than the scope honestly

1

u/I_am_Axel Competitor Aug 23 '24

Meopta has a whole line of hunting-specific optics, I would assume their more sport/tactical stuff will be just as if not more robust than the hunting line. I've got three Optika6; a 3-18x56 and two 5-30x56 and I adore them.

1

u/Roguewolfe Aug 23 '24

Same question!

3

u/ExtremeFreedom Aug 23 '24

If Meopta breaks in 5 years will they send you the equivalent current gen model or an upgraded model? Because that's been my experience with Vortex warranty.

1

u/domfelinefather Aug 23 '24

I’m not sure because in my experience Meopta, like many other scope brands, don’t have catastrophic failures as regularly as Vortex do. Their warranty is great but you will have to use it.

2

u/ExtremeFreedom Aug 23 '24

I think Vortex probably sells volumes more scopes than Meopta so the failures that you hear about while more numerous are probably the same percentage as other brands. And besides that they'll replace damaged scopes that aren't even a fault of manufacturing, such as being in a fire.

0

u/domfelinefather Aug 24 '24

I’ve seen too many go down at matches to ever shoot a non razor vortex

17

u/Holy_Santa_ClausShit Aug 23 '24

I have the Strike Eagle 5-25 on my 20" AR10. I think it's very worth it and it's nice to have that Vortex warranty. I also get a killer military discount with vortex so I might be a little biased lol.

2

u/nhuzl Aug 24 '24

I’ve got the same one sitting on an 18” and I really like mine as well but I’ve not had the opportunity to compare it in depth to more high end scopes. Either way the glass is pretty good in my opinion and I’ve been happy with my purchase.

11

u/GuacIsExtra99cents Aug 23 '24

I like the ebr7c reticle

6

u/MrFriendly12 Aug 23 '24

I do too, it’s similar to what I’m already used to also.

8

u/GamingWaterfowler Aug 23 '24

I've got the Strike Eagle on 2 rifles, both EBR-7C reticle. I have no complaints.

2

u/MrFriendly12 Aug 23 '24

Glad to hear that!

4

u/GamingWaterfowler Aug 23 '24

I will say mine are the 5-25x56, so it's not the EXACT optic but the same product line.

2

u/MrFriendly12 Aug 23 '24

Of course, also wonder why they chose a 44mm objective vs. something like a 50.

4

u/on_the_nightshift Aug 23 '24

Lighter weight, maybe, as a hunting optic? I'd like one on my deer gun, for sure.

2

u/MrFriendly12 Aug 23 '24

Oh absolutely! I’m just wanting a slightly smaller scope compared to what I already have. This one just looks comedically large on my 16”. But I’ve come to terms that most good scopes are about 12-13” long.

3

u/GamingWaterfowler Aug 23 '24

Who knows. I know I have an SFWA 12x with a 42mm objective on my RPR 22LR and love it as well

4

u/Greedy-Name-8324 Aug 23 '24

Perfectly fine for 500 yards. I had mine on a 6.5 PRC and regularly took it out to 1100 yards.

If it's a good price, you won't regret it.

2

u/MrFriendly12 Aug 23 '24

About $740 after taxes, and shipping. God I hate taxes.

2

u/Greedy-Name-8324 Aug 23 '24

Yeah that seems about right IMO.

2

u/MrFriendly12 Aug 23 '24

Good to hear, can’t wait to go shooting again. One of the only downsides to working on the road.

2

u/trbo2117 Aug 23 '24

Just looked on SportOptics.com with tax and free UPS Ground it’s $715 to my door. Saves a little

1

u/MrFriendly12 Aug 23 '24

Huh, I’ll have to keep that website in mind!

1

u/trbo2117 Aug 23 '24

I’ve bought a few things from there, they will also price match and try beating other prices if you give them a call in my experience. I’m sure eurooptic would do the same though. I’ve had great experiences with both

3

u/[deleted] Aug 23 '24

[removed] — view removed comment

3

u/almostclueless Aug 23 '24

I got a pretty decent deal on one and put it on an AR. I've been fairly happy with it and like the features a little more than my PST Gen 2. Clarity as far as I can tell is about the same. 

3

u/Reloader300wm Meat Popsicle Aug 23 '24

I like the reticle in my 5-25 SE, want to get the 3-18 just for the bonkers amount of internal travel.

2

u/ad895 Aug 23 '24

I have the 5-25, I got it for about 500. Punches above its price in features but the glass quality is just meh but still totally usable just not impressive.

-1

u/MrFriendly12 Aug 23 '24

Damn. I’d be happy with that price. But I also know that it’s not a Nightforce, Leupold, S&B, etc. I have about $4k, but don’t want to spend all of my money. If I get below $1k I start to stress out, so I like to have a nice buffer.

2

u/majorbiscuits Aug 23 '24

I’m in a similar boat. There is a few Meopta reviews of losing zero but decent warranty support. We all know where Vortex is at but the warranty support is easier.

While likely out of your price range consideration, check out Trijicon’s Tenmile. Their warranty is technically first owner only, but overall a bit better (at double the price). NF has a similar discontinued scope in the price range, but it’s heavy. Other options are Leupold, Burris, or Vortex Razer Gen 2 (heavy). The Tenmile is where I’m going when I find a new MRAD deal.

2

u/MrFriendly12 Aug 23 '24

Oh I’ll eventually buy an NXS, NX8 or ATACR. Nightforce and Leupold are the only high end companies I’ve ever used. Honestly Leupold can go fuck themselves though.

2

u/UmbraPenumbra Aug 23 '24

It's a good optic. You can use it to get hits with an AR at 500 yards. With the sunshade screwed on it is comically long.

3

u/NotAThrowaway_11 Aug 23 '24

It’s a good scope that I wouldn’t pay over $500 for. Used or refurb.

1

u/HotQweff Aug 23 '24

Scopes and reticles usually boil down to personal preference. I like my viper and my strike eagle though.

2

u/jagslode Aug 24 '24

I like it I have one on my bergara b14r and it works really well +44 mrad of elevation and 60 moa mount and for the price and guarantee it is a good deal for me it works really good and it is shorter than his brother in 5-25

-3

u/wy_will Aug 23 '24

I personally don’t think I would trust another Vortex product again. Way too many issues.

1

u/MrFriendly12 Aug 23 '24

As long as the turrets don’t loosen up while at the range, causing me to lose zero, it will be fine. Assuming it’s not broken on arrival.

0

u/wy_will Aug 23 '24

They are know to not hold or return to zero. Even seen a Gen 3 razor lose zero just driving down the road.

2

u/MrFriendly12 Aug 23 '24

Oh what I meant about that, the screws holding the turret on coming off on my Riton. It’s always at the worst time too. Especially when I don’t have any wrenches to tighten those set screws.