I recently got an Arken EP5 5-25×56 FFP Illuminated Reticle scope to review. The Arken EP5 5-25×56 has been getting a lot of attention as a budget precision scope for shooters looking to stretch their range without spending a small fortune. I’d seen it come up repeatedly on enthusiast forums and shooting sites, usually with positive feedback, so I wanted to see how it actually performs with real range time.
For shooters getting into NRL22 or upgrading from a more basic optic on a precision rimfire build like my 10/22 KRG Bravo chassis rifle, the Arken EP5 5-25×56 hits a sweet spot by offering a lot of features without costing a small fortune. Let’s take a closer look and see what it’s all about.
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Arken EP5 5-25×56 FFP Scope Review – Illuminated Reticle, Zero Stop, 34mm Tube
While the name is fairly descriptive, I’m going to break it down, as the target demographic for this optic may include some newer shooters. It’s got a magnification range of 5x to 25x, and a 56mm objective which lets in plenty of light. A first focal plane reticle with illumination offers speed and simplifies holdovers. There’s the Arken Zero Stop system (AZS), and the main tube of the scope body is 34mm. A side-focus knob adjusts parallax from 25 yards to infinity. Eye relief is a reasonable 3.4 inches.
Turrets offer 1/10 MIL or 1/4 MOA per click, and the total elevation range is 32 MIL or 110 MOA. For windage, it features 16 MIL or 55 MOA. Arken offers the EP-5 in both MIL and MOA versions. While I have some MIL scopes, I requested their MOA version for this review, because I’ve been using mostly MOA scopes for about 40 years.
The Arken 34mm Combo Pack
Along with the scope, Arken sent their Combo Pack for 34mm scopes. This is a comprehensive kit that includes rings or a mount (0 or 20 MOA), as well as accessories. So it’s got a throw lever, bubble level, flip-up caps, and a rear bag. While that’s pretty nice, Arken also includes some extra swag in the form of a T-shirt, hat, a patch, and some stickers.
At first glance, the Combo Pack might seem a little pricey. However, when you consider the included rings or mount, plus the throw lever, bubble level, caps, and rear bag, it starts to look like a fairly complete setup for someone building out a rifle from scratch.
Unboxing the Arken EP5 5-25×56
First impressions are pretty positive. This is a solid scope. It’s relatively compact for its range, at 14 inches. And it’s porky at 39.2 ounces. But it certainly doesn’t feel anything other than sturdy. Which is good, as my gear doesn’t get babied. The turrets seem huge, because they are. Highly legible engraving accentuates this, in a good way. Although I’m using this on a competition-style rimfire, it feels like it would be just as at home on a heavy recoiling centerfire rifle as well.
Mounting the Arken EP5 5-25×56
The first thing I did was grab the rings and mount the EP-5 on my Bergara B-14R. Yet no matter how I installed the throw lever, it seemed to interfere with the bolt handle. Most of my shooting is done at 25x. Making sure it was not in the way at 25x meant it was too far over at lower magnifications. This is certainly a personal preference and not a flaw, so I decided to install it on a custom 10/22 build instead.
Using the included rings, the bulge on the bottom of the scope, as well as the housing for the erector spring, presented no issues. I had read that this was a cause of concern for some users, but there were no clearance problems for me.
Range Time
After correcting the zero for my range and ammo choice, I shot a few magazines to get a feel for the scope. Adjusting the parallax was easy, with the dial being smooth and well-damped. Those super-legible turrets have a solid click and feel great.
On one trip we had a steel plate out at 200 yards, and I was able to hit that consistently with ease.
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Arken EP5 5-25×56 Price and Value
The Arken EP5 5-25×56 typically sells in the mid-$500 range depending on configuration and whether the Combo Pack is included. Considering the feature set – first focal plane reticle, large turrets, zero stop system, and 34mm tube – it offers a lot of capability for the money.
For shooters building a precision rimfire rifle or getting into long-range shooting, the EP5 delivers many of the features normally found on more expensive optics.
About That Glass
Arken mentions Japanese ED glass, but doesn’t mention how many elements use it. Although that information might be nice to know, it’s not critical for me.
If it’s sharp enough that I can see my target clearly, and see those tiny holes I made, I’m happy. Either way, the images through the scope were sharp and with good contrast.
Conclusion
After spending time behind the rifle with it, this Arken EP5 5-25×56 review confirmed why the scope has become so popular among budget precision shooters.
My whole review is based on performance for the money, which is where the Arken EP5 excels. If you’re shopping this part of the market and can still find one, it offers a lot for the money.
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*Full specs of the rifle shown:
KIDD two-stage trigger and stainless match barrel