This is the only Athlon Argos BTR 6-24×50 review you’ll have to read.
In fact:
I’ve owned this scope for over 11 months now and have hand-tested everything, including zeroing, accuracy, reticle, durability, glass quality, and more.
By the end of this review, you’ll know if the Athlon Argos BTR rifle scope is for you.
Let’s get started!
Why should you trust me?
I actually bought the Athlon Argos BTR from my own money and tested it.
When I searched the market for a reliable, pocket-sparing long-range scope, I was bombarded with a list of cheap scopes.
So after talking to a couple of folks I met at a long-range shooting event, I hesitantly decided to buy the Argos BTR 6-24×50.
Once it came in, I hand-tested everything there is to the scope: glass clarity, reticle performance, tracking, turrets, durability, and every advanced scope feature.
I left no stone unturned.
What you see below is the result of months of testing and research.
Speaking of results, Athlon Optics did not sponsor this review. In fact, I don’t accept sponsorships or advertising on my site.
That means:
What you read here is my honest review of the Argos BTR. I reveal everything from the ugly to the good.
So with that disclaimer out of the way, let’s get started with the Athlon Argos BTR scope review.
Here’s My Athlon Argos BTR 6-24×50 Review
The Athlon Argos BTR 6-24×50 is the best long-range optic for under $300.
In fact:
You may have heard people saying the BTR performs like a $1000 optic (like the Burris XTR II and SWFA SS).
But…is that true? Or is that all marketing hype?
Read on to find out…
Glass Clarity & Reticle
For $300, I expected the glass to be mediocre.
Turns out, it was the opposite:
In fact, the glass is very clear and crisp. Here’s a side-by-side comparison to my $2,000 Leupold 6.5 Creedmoor scope:
(Keep in mind, the Leupold Mark 5 costs 5X MORE than the Athlon BTR!)
However, this 1080P clarity gets worse at higher magnifications (18x – 24x). But for a $300 scope, I can’t complain. Moving past the glass, we’re met with Argos BTR reticle:
The APMR MIL reticle.
(Also available in MOA).
Here’s what I liked about it:
First, the reticle is illuminated. This makes it easy to read in bright light, low light, or no light situations. It even comes with an 11 setting brightness knob:
Second, the reticle is etched onto the glass. Meaning, you don’t need the illumination or a battery to operate. It’s also more durable and less likely to break than wired reticles.
Finally, it’s a first focal plane riflescope — a feature you usually only see in top dollar scopes. This is sweet for long-distance shooting since holdovers never change no matter what magnification setting you’re on.
Which means:
No more adjustments. No more calculating windage or holdover. Just zoom and boom.
Eye Relief & Eye Box
This is the scope’s biggest con…
It’s 3.3” eye relief.
This can be a bit tight for heavy recoiling calibers. But I’ve had no issues with it. Just be sure to practice good cheek weld.
Also, the eye box is generous. However, it could get a bit tight at higher magnifications (18X – 22X).
Durability
The scope is very durable.
It’s crafted from the same material that Nightforce uses — 6061-T6 Aircraft Grade Aluminum. It’s also O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged.
This makes the scope completely waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof.
In addition, Athlon applied XPL coating to the lens. This protects it from dirt, grease, sand, and oil.
Which means you can use this scope in virtually any condition.
Elevation & Windage Knobs
The turrets are spongy. It moves easily without any resistance. This could lead to over-adjusting. However, there’s an easy solution to this problem:
Re-greasing the turrets.
Here’s how:
First, remove the cap. Then, wipe out all the factory grease (with long cotton swabs and a cleaner). Finally, re-grease it with Halofun Green Slime Lubricant.
Once you’re done, you’ll notice the turrets are way more audible and less mushy. Problem fixed in under 10 minutes 🙂
If you’ve never degreased turrets before, here’s a step-by-step video showing how to do it:
Zeroing is easy. Within 7 shots of getting on paper, I was zeroed. The scope also held zero, despite being dropped twice.
But what about tracking?
I performed a tall target tracking test at 1,000 yards and surprisingly, the Argos BTR tracked true. Turrets proved to be reliable.
Magnification & Parallax
The 6x – 24x magnification is very versatile.
Whether I want to go hunting, pesting, plinking, target shooting, or even long-range shooting, I can do it.
The magnification from 6x – 20x is very clear. But anything above that, it loses some clarity and becomes a bit blurry.
So if you need a high degree of visibility for precision or extreme long-range shooting, you’re going to need a better optic (like the Vortex PST Gen II or Nightforce).
The parallax adjustment knob works like a charm. It’s smooth to turn and accurate.
Mounting & Rings
I have the scope mounted on a GG&G Flt Accucam Mount W/30Mm Rings. It’s very sturdy, easily adjustable, and light-weight.
However, it’s a bit expensive. So I recommend getting the Burris PEPR 30mm Mount. Works just as good.
No products found.
If you need some rings, make sure to get some based on the brand and type of gun you’re using. Generally speaking, get 30mm High rings, like these Warne 30mm Matte PA Rings.
Also:
If you shoot in sunny conditions, I recommend investing in an Athlon Sunshade. (Size: 50mm). It’ll help reduce glare and sun reflections.
Lens caps are included with the scope 🙂
Athlon Argos BTR 6-24×50 Review: Is it Worth it?
If you’re getting started in long-range shooting, I highly recommend the Athlon Argos BTR 6-24×50.
Besides the limiting eye relief and a slight reduction in clarity/brightness at high magnifications, it’s got:
- Great glass
- Durable build
- First Focal Plane
- Dead-on Tracking
- APMR Illuminated Reticle
- Long-range Capabilities (1,200+ yards)
Put another way:
You’re getting all the fancy long-range features at ⅓ of the cost.
It even comes with Athlon’s lifetime warranty. So if anything happens to it, they’ll fix it for free. It’s a solid long-range scope with solid warranty.
Disclosure
You may have noticed there are no ads, popups, or annoying autoplaying videos. That’s because I don’t accept ANY advertising on this site.
In fact:
I don’t allow anyone — including optic manufacturers — to sponsor my reviews. This enables me to write the most honest review without appeasing scope manufacturers.
However, Scopesfield.com is a for-profit website, and it’s your right to know any potential biases that may affect this review.
First, I do earn money on this site through affiliate links. This means, should you choose to purchase something after using my link, I may earn a small commission — typically 2-4%.
I don’t see what you purchase, nor does it affect your price.
In short:
I only get paid if you decide I should. This encourages me to write the most honest and useful review on the internet.
With that said, if you have any questions or concerns about this review, the Athlon Argos BTR 6-24×50 rifle scope or about rifle scopes in general, let me know in the comments below.
Update: Check out my review on the newest Athlon Argos BTR GEN2 6-24×50.
