Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Athlon Helos BTR Gen 2?

I'm looking at this in the 4-20X50 to put on my 6mm Creedmoor. I know the 2-12X42 seems to be a more popular optic around here. I'm just wondering if anyone has anything they don't like about the 4-20X50 before I buy one? I know they're made in China already.

I'm using the 3-12X40 Talos Mil-Dot on my .22 lr and WMR rifles, and I've been very happy with them. I got both optics second hand, and so far the adjustments move when and where I tell them to. I've only been dialing between 25 and 100 yards with the rimfires but they do RTZ very well. I don't think I paid more than $125 each for them, and I'd probably buy a bunch at that price.

Have had one on my 7WSM for little over a year. Glass is pretty good, tracking has been spot on. I like the way the turrets lock. Being FFP the reticle blocks small targets at high magnification, not really wild about that. As a hunting scope it would be fine. Illumination is good too.



Say what you will about made in Chy-na products, Leupold doesn’t come close to this level of scope in this price range.

The 2-12x and 4-20x are VERY different animals. Hint.

I'll greedily take the 2-12x for Utility killing and the '20x is more of a Play Toy. The 12x's reticle is fhuqking FAST and killer in low light,with great illumination. The '20x is none of those things. Hint.




I rather like the 12x on Seex Kreeds. Hint.










Just sayin'.....................

Nice Rifle! Say what you will I do like M70 rifles.

I want the 2-12, but the deal is to good to pass. It's going on a rifle that weighs close to 13 lbs suppressed right now. Main use will be steel and maybe some low volume prairie dog shooting from a bench.

I have a couple of each. BS is right about the size of the 2-12 reticle makes it a bit faster but so far I don’t mind either one.

2-12 if it’s straight hunting and 4-20 if you wanna dot I’s on the range and hunt with it. Both are darned good for my use.

Went ahead with the purchase, now just waiting on the mail.

Was / is someone running a deal on these?

Do I hear my phone ringing???

You will be happy.

the reticle visible at 4x ??

But......I thought these Helos scope failed the dreaded drop test over on Rockslide? How could anyone buy something that failed the end all, be all of scope tests?

I dropped my rifle hunting last year on the scope and it was fine. Granted, just falling from leaning on a tree, but I can't see dropping it further. 2-12 version

It's your money, JG, waste it if you want!

Seriously, I get what you're saying. I still buy scopes that either haven't been drop tested, or didn't pass the drop tests with flying colors. I don't have a problem testing my own scopes to the upper level they might see in use, which is a fall or drop here and there while crawling through swamps and over dead fall in winter conditions, and bouncing around on miles of washboard forest service/logging roads. As such, I'm more inclined to trust scopes that have worked well for me over a few seasons than I am to trust without verifying something I read about on the interwebs; there's just too many influencers with something to gain out there.

I can say that I have had good experiences with a couple of the models that seem to do well on the drop tests.

The major critique I have for the drop tests is that they are comprised of exceedingly small sample sizes. To say one scope of a certain model passed or failed one time, or that one example of a model has done well for X amount of use and abuse, and that those limited data points are definitively indicative of design flaws or soundness is a stretch. There's causation and correlation. It's why I prefer to test and, as a result, have or loose confidence in the scopes and rifles that I own and plan to rely on. To be fair, seems that most internet testers acknowledge this shortfall.


Ancillary conversation: I did notice that a pile of the Athlon 2-12's popped up for sale in various classifieds after the drop test results were put out. Made me chuckle.

Well said Starbuck, I'm right there with you. Yeah, panicking over some internet drop test is laughable at best.

I’ll throw 3rds on that.

If they survive Big Stick they will survive all usage by the average Joe.

Thought I found the perfect dog calling and kid scope in the 2-12. One season of backpack hunting on a lightweight 260 (Creed without the gay) and it lost zero twice. Too bad, pretty much fell in love with that scope. Back to a 2.5-10 NF for kids gun.

It was a deal on open box/demo scopes. I bought the last three the guy had. I'm keeping the one Mil scope, and have buddies that want the two MOA scopes. I didn't buy these from Doug, but the last deal I got through him was awesome.

If you're looking for one of these scopes just call us and mention this forum, we'll make you happy

This. All day, any day ending in "Y"

I like mine so much, I traded an SWFA 3-9 HD for another one.

Good trade IMO.

Both of us are happy with the trade. Can’t get any better than that.
The new one is now mounted on my Bergara BMR 22lr. that the SWFA was on. I liked the SWFA, but I like the Athlon better for my uses.

Not trying to cast shade on the 2-12's. I don't have experience with them.

But if you have any more 3-9 SWFA MQ's I'd be interested.

If I had any more of those, I would be keeping them. The trade request came from the other member and I had to mull it over for most of the day to make my decision.
The 3-9 HD MQ is a very nice scope, and I will buy another one to replace it eventually.

Well, I got the scopes in yesterday. I'm going to have to send mine to Athlon for warranty. They all look like brand new scopes, but mine has something loose in the guts that actually rattles as you move the scope. The other two scopes seem good to go to my buddies.

Sometimes the vaunted locking turrets don't stay locked. I had a 2-12 that went back for replacement because the windage popped up on every shot. I liked many of the features on this model but like the MQ reticle better so sold the 2-12s. Contrary to Internet lore, it had nothing to do with a drop test on a forum I don't read, but rather on use and deciding I liked something better.

I fixed the issue with my scope and feel kind of dumb. I originally pulled it out of the package and there was a rattle inside the scope, I put it back in the box as I received a call from work. Well I actually took the time to mess with it yesterday before I packaged it to send back to Athlon. I took the elevation turret cap off and had a set screw loose in there.

The set screws are for the zero lock ring. It has five places to use them to set the zero lock. You only need to use three screws for the lock ring, they give you five spots to avoid the screws in the elevation post. Anyway the ring had five screws in it and a sixth loose under the cap. I took the loose one out and two more out of the ring and threw them in a little baggie with the allen wrench and four more set screws that was inside the box.

Glad it was that simple. I have 4 of these scopes and do like them. I did send one back due to the elevation turret not locking correctly. It would slide up and down with virtually no resistance whereas all the others snap firmly into place.

What are your thoughts on the Springfield Armory rifle?

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

"Slow" hitch. Hint.





Torn on the beloved '12x,while awaiting a Brownie MPO 1-6x to arive,or go for giggles with a Reupold M3 MK4 6x. Google as you MUST,while "living" vicariously. Hint.

Fhuqking LAUGHING!.................

That's a cool score.

Was Talkeetna sniffing and it was as close as I could get. Will chop to 21",poke it in the lathe,remove rear sight dog dick and might even flute the bitch. Hint.



Though I only took a month off and Spring Flings FLY by. I gotta dredge Chrome in the AM and then will start dabbling new wares,as the Mail accrues. Hint..................(grin)

Keep it as a 375?

I'm VERY much a 375 H&H AI Guy,but hate Winny's version of "COAL",so am torn. It's a beautiful thing,to headspace a shoulder though. Hint.

As much as I hate Pre-64's and even the S/S remnants,I don't see me poking a good spout on it. After The Chop,if it will squeak 1MOA with 270 BTSP's at 2700fps,it will be a viable option. Though a 338 Twat-Six squirting 250 Skinners and their .648 BC,with (5) rounds in the belly,out does it on all accounts. Hint.

Had a pard draw Fall Kodiak and another Spring Unimak,so procured it as a loaner,to help the boys out. Ordered 1000 270 BTSP's,so as to run it through the paces first. Hint..............

The 3.6 on them is not great. I love 70’s and hate that part.

Can’t see that rifle being a slouch though and 2700 should be a breeze.

I have 375 Improved on an old P64, so all the [bleep] you just mentioned not liking, but it isn’t a bad shooter and I make do with the trite magazine box.

I’d kinda figured you’d be all over the 250 TTSXs in the 375.

2700fps in a Salami Six-Bits is typically a breeze,with 270 grainers. I HATE fhuqking Varget and bought 8lbs,so it will be slated to same,if only to keep the sanctity of a Schit Sandwich. Hint.(grin)

The .375" 250 TTSX wears a Dog Schit .424 BC and is a parachute. Starting velocity,ain't ever impact velocity. Compare that to the Twat-Six and 250 Skinners,with their .648 BC at 2550fps. Hint.

I've never had more than (5) 375 H&H AI's at one time and gave my best one to RamHumper. It was a LW Fhuqking Hammer,that shot soft and amazingly precise. Hint.............

I thought I’d read you’d had a few 375 Imps.

Did you hunt much with it BS? I’ve used mine very little and while it’s a hammer and light enough for me, it’s never near the top of first picks usually.

What do the 270’s run for BC? Never messed with much other than 250’s and 300 Sierras/Noslers in mine.

There was a time,when I drove .375" as a default of sorts and literally shot my 378 Wby to failure. LOTS of 375 SALAMI's,though more 375 H&H AI's. Hint.

The latest Midway Sale has .375" 270gr Speer BTSP's and their "whopping" .429 BC at $58/100,so I ordered a thousand. They tend to shoot rather well. Hint.

Speer Six-Bits RINK

How I HATE Winchesters. Hint.

Fhuqking LAUGHING!...............

Defaulted 6x MQ this morning. Hint.........

Fhuqking Winchester Glue. Hint.



Fhuqking LAUGHING!..............

You know what I'd do with that knob......

It's shaping up nicely. Hint.





I'm thinking the only bases I have,is a Nightfarce 20 MOA 1913 rail...which I really don't want on this platform. I'll keep digging. Hint..............

Like!
That stock’s a heavy bugger.
What’s your plan for the handle?

Stock weighs 37.5 oz. Seen 'em better and worse. Hint.



Need to toss a 264 Win spout on a Pre-64 and dump JO Gen2 guts into a Carbon Queen...but the Fight Card starts on the hour. Hint.....................

Stick, please be sure and spill yer guts on the Brownells glass when it arrives…

I been eyeing them for a few months now might be a handy dandy little piece if it functions properly.