Hands-On: Athlon Argos BTR Review [6-24×50MM]

Consider this; a popular long-range precision shooter's website lists the top scopes used by the pros. Among those scopes are:

If you are in the market for one of these, by all means, click on one of our affiliate links for the latest information and best prices.

One scope that is not on the list is:

Athlon Argos BTR 6-24x50mm

So what gives? The Athlon Scope features zoom to 24x, 6061 T6 aircraft aluminum main tube, laser-etched, illuminated FFP reticle, sunshade, and many of the features found on the scopes used by the pros. How can we get all of that in a package for less than $400 bucks? Read on to find out how it's done and why the Athlon Argos BTR ffp scope may be the right scope for you.

In a Hurry? Athlon Argos BTR 6-24x50mm Quick Specs

A Quick Note About Scopes And Their Lenses

If you are not interested in the “techie” stuff, you can skip this part, but it has some helpful information that goes to the heart of this (or any) scope review.

Consider an 8-inch vital zone (medium size antelope) viewed at a distance of 750 yards. Some quick math reveals that the target’s included angle size is a minuscule .017 degrees! That’s like aiming at a dime at 100 yards. A rifle scope is essentially a telescope with a crosshair built-in. Here are some of the issues that affect your rifle scope’s ability to see that tiny target clearly:

• Lens alignment is critical. If a 1-inch lens inside a 30mm tube is misaligned by more than 50 millionths of an inch edge-to-edge, it will degrade the scope’s focus. Machine accuracy on that scale is costly.
• Multi-Coatings improve image quality because light bouncing around the optic interior washes out detail and blurs colors. Manufacturers of quality optics add up to 80 thin coatings to optimize each of the primary colors’ transmission. Super-critical application of multiple lens coatings is costly.
• Manufacturers such as Schott Germany produce ultra-high quality, very low dispersion glass, which results in superior images. Light transmission and dispersion are measured at the molecular level. Ultra-high quality glass is costly.
• Assembly procedures and quality control measures that ensure perfection in every aspect of a scope’s performance are very costly.
• Add all of those costs together, and you can see why top-of-the-line optics come with a stratospheric price tag.

BOTTOM LINE ON VALUE: Most folks will never have the opportunity to shoot with a three thousand dollar scope. I have, and the difference is visible, measurable, and tangible. But don’t despair. 

Significant improvements in lens making, manufacturing, and machine assembly in just the last ten years (especially in the Pacific Rim countries) have narrowed the gap between the genuinely magnificent the merely great rifle scopes. That means you can get a scope like the Athlon Argos BTR 6-24x50mm for a fraction of the cost and still nip at the heels of greatness.

Athlon Argos BTR 6-24x50 Review

The Athlon Argos BTR 6-24x50 is a Solid, Budget-Friendly First Step Into Precision Long-Range Shooting.

I am always into value for the dollar. I am willing to give a legit scope maker a shot, so to speak, when they offer a product that promises to provide superior performance for a reasonable price. 

That's why I have an Athlon BTR 6-24x50mm on top of my Remington 700 chambered in 300 Remington Ultra Mag. I would not hesitate to put one on top of a gun such as a Ruger Precision
Rifle or Savage 110 Stealth as well.

Athlon Optics opened its doors in 2014, established in Olathe, Kansas as an importer of sport optics, including spotting scopes, binoculars, red dots, and rangefinders. I say “importer” because all Athlon products are manufactured outside the USA as far as we know. Here is the breakdown of where Athlon scopes are made.

• Athlon Neos scopes – Made in China to Athlon specifications.
• Athlon Talos and Talos BTR scopes – Made in China to Athlon specifications.
• Athlon Argos BTR and Helos BTR scopes – Made in China to Athlon specifications.
• Athlon Midas BTR, Midas HMR, Midas TAC scopes – Made in China to Athlon’s specifications.
• Athlon Ares BTR and Ares ETR scopes – Made in China to Athlon’s specifications.
• Athlon Cronus BTR scope – Athlon’s top-of-the-line scope and is made in Japan (Light Optical Works LTD) to Athlon specifications.

An enterprise started from the get-go to design in the US and develop links to established foreign suppliers has no legacy manufacturing or infrastructure overhead. The result is a streamlined company with lower operating costs. Athlon can offer good quality scopes at very competitive prices. I consider the Athlon lines to be comparable to Bushnell, Leupold, Nikon, Burris, and Vortex entry-level offerings.

The 300 RUM’s sole mission is to deliver heavy for caliber projectiles at maximum possible distances with maximum possible energy. To that end, the gun begs for a scope with the optics, magnification, and ranging capabilities that stretch both the gun and the shooter to their limits. This review is a "hands-on" evaluation of the Athlon Argos with the pros and cons you need to know.

Optics

The “tech” stuff above should prepare you for the inevitable comparisons with the giants. Instead, let’s cut to the chase and talk about what you will actually see through the scope.

Clarity

The image is clear and distortion-free up to about 16x. From there to about 20x, there is a drop-off on focus that is noticeable but not objectionable. Above 20x, the eyebox all but disappears, and the clarity suffers noticeably.

That is not to say that you cannot use the scope above 20x, but shooters must hold an exact eye position with a good cheek weld. This is not a problem for a one-off hunting shot, but you would not want to spend the day at a PRS match at high mag settings with this scope

Distortion

I do not notice edge distortion at any magnification with this scope, but the overall lack of clarity at high magnifications will be an issue for some.

Parallax

The side focus parallax adjustment works well down to 10m and matches well with indicated distances. The knob was easy to grasp and firm to adjust.

Zoom

The zoom control is well textured and has a raised lever for quick, precise adjustment. It is firm without being stiff and rolls smoothly.

Reticle

Athlon designed the APMR (Athlon Precision Mid Range) FFP IR MIL reticle for precision long and mid-distance shooting. An illuminated center cross and 0.5 mil hash mark increments can help you quickly lock in your target and set holdover positions and leads for a moving target. 

The illuminated 18 mil span cross lines with 0.5 mil hash marks and 0.2 mil hash marks from 7 to 9 MIL on three directions provide finer details that help a shooter quickly locate the target and find a holdover position with precision and confidence.

This is a busy reticle, but for long-range precision, more is better when it comes to ranging information. The APMR is a FFP (first focal plane) reticle that zooms with magnification and is accurate at all magnifications, unlike sfp reticles which are only valid at max zoom. 

It is clear, crisp, and easy to read even in low light conditions. The fast-focus eyepiece brings it into sharp focus in a hurry. I find it a step up from a regular BDC reticle.

Turrets

Other reviews and blogs have said a lot about the “poor” feel of the Athlon turrets. I found nothing objectionable about them at all. They are easy to manipulate and not mushy. They have a positive click feel, and I had no trouble at all returning to zero or counting clicks.

On the range, the turrets tracked well at .1 mil increments. I ran the turrets to their ± limits in windage and elevation, and return to zero was perfect.

Build

The Athlon Argos BTR 6-24x50mm features an etched glass reticle with shockproof construction. The main tube is made of 6061 T6 aircraft grade aluminum, o-ring sealed, and argon purged for a waterproof, fogproof, sealed enclosure for added durability. The XPL coating keeps the lenses clear in all weather conditions.

The Athlon positive zero stop system allows you to lock down your zero position and dial back to it with a sharp and precise stop right at your zero mark, even if you are turning it by feel alone.

The fully multi-coated lenses give good color rendition and clear image at all but the highest magnifications. The scope comes in at a healthy weight of 30.3 ounces. If I have to go mountain climbing with this 9+ lb beast (gun, scope, rings, ammo, and sling), I’ll hire a sherpa to carry it for me.

Ergonomics

EYE RELIEF WARNING: (Really) The Athlon Argos BTR 6-24x50mm has a modest 3.3 inches of eye relief with a narrow eye box. If you use this scope on magnum, ultra-magnum, or other high-recoil guns with poor shooting technique, there is the possibility of scope impact with the face. Shooters must establish positive control of the gun, good cheek weld, and precise eye alignment to prevent injury.

OK, I’ve done my part. That said, I have not had any problems shooting the heaviest 300 Ultra-Mag loads with this scope. Just don’t get sloppy, and you’ll be fine.

The illuminated reticle has 11 brightness levels and is visible in all lighting conditions. Parallax and zoom showed no point-of-impact shift on the bench. All controls functioned as advertised.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Great scope for the price. Lots of high-end features for not many bucks
• APMR FFP reticle is well designed for mid to long-range shooting.
• Rugged build for dependable service.
• Illuminated reticle with 11 brightness settings
• Athlon transferrable, lifetime warranty

Cons

• Eye relief is a modest 3.3 inches.
• Small eyebox necessitates precise eye position
• Some loss of clarity at higher magnifications

An Alternative to Consider:

Burris 6-24x50 Fullfield IV Rifle Scope

If you are willing to shell out another $25 bucks or so, you can lay your hands on one of Burris’ redesigned Fullfield IV 6-24x50mm Illuminated MOA scopes. With slightly longer eye relief and wider eyebox, the Burris is a natural pick in the entry-level, long-range scope lane.

The Burris Fullfield IV 6-24x50 SCR Matte Riflescope is a rugged, lightweight, and reliable companion for the long-range shooter. The Fullfield IV models are offered with an improved 4x zoom system, premium multi-coated lenses for edge-to-edge clarity, and the large 50mm objective for low light performance. 

The 30mm main tube is nitrogen-filled and is waterproof, shockproof, and fog proof. This scope can handle heavy recoil in all applications including, magnum caliber rifles. The turret knobs allow easy finger adjustments. The Fullfield IV rifle scope comes with the Burris Forever Warranty.

The illuminated MOA reticle provides instant windage and elevation information and is illuminated with 11 brightness levels for visibility in all lighting conditions.

If the Burris alternative strikes your fancy, click below to find the best prices for this impressive rifle scope.

Burris Fullfield IV 6-24x50mm Illuminated MOA: Quick Specs

Ratings By The Numbers

Usability: 3.5/5

This scope fits the bill for a mid to long-range optic. The lack of eye relief and narrow eye box may be a concern to some.

Optical Performance: 4/5

The Athlon Argos BTR 6-24x50mm offers good glass for the money. Despite the slight loss of clarity at upper zoom limits, shooters will find the scope useful throughout its range.

Mechanical Design & Construction 4/5

Good mechanical design with close quality control measures at the point of manufacture produces a scope quality in line with any other scope at this price point. 

Value: 5/5

In the sub $400 price point category, the Athlon Argos BTR 6-24x50mm gives a lot for the money. In the mid to long-range scope category, it is one of the best values out there.

Warranty & Support 5/5

Lifetime, fully transferable warranty.

Final Score 4/5

For less than $400, The Athlon Argos BTR 6-24x50mm and the Argos BTR gen 2 are good optics for not much money. If you are looking for a new scope to step into the long-range shooting arena, this is an excellent place to start. Click below to get the best price on this winner from Athlon.