I used the Athlon Argos BTR Gen2 6-24×50 APLR2 FFP IR MOA on my Ruger Precision Rimfire for an extended period. This review covers its glass, tracking, zero stop, reticle, and long-term durability. Athlon now lists this exact model as discontinued, although new old stock may still be available from some retailers. At the time of the review, it was a popular sub-$500 option for rimfire competition and general long-range shooting.
Description and features
The full name of the scope I reviewed is the Argos BTR GEN2 6-24×50 APLR2 FFP IR MOA. Some of the features are obvious, from the name. It’s got 6x to 24x magnification, with a bright 50mm objective. Argon purging provides thermal stability inside a fog-free, waterproof 30mm matte-finish tube. There’s a first focal plane (FFP) illuminated reticle (IR). Although a MIL reticle is available, I chose the MOA one, since that’s what I’m familiar with. Like most scopes, it’s assembled using 6061-T6 aluminum for a good balance between weight and strength.
Other features include the Precision Zero Stop System, which is one of my favorites. Dial in your adjustment via the audible and tactile clicks, then return to your zero without looking. Multicoated optics allow for a sharper and brighter image, even at higher magnification. Besides being waterproof and fog-proof, it’s also got an etched glass reticle. That and the overall design contribute to it being shockproof as well. So while it may be a favorite of rimfire enthusiasts, it will stand up to heavy centerfire calibers as well. Oh, Athlon includes a pair of flip-up covers, and a battery for the illuminated reticle too.
Specification by the numbers
As mentioned, it’s a 6-24x zoom, with a 50mm objective and 30mm tube diameter. Exit pupil goes from 8.2 to 2.1mm. Eye relief is a close 3.3 inches. And the field of view at 100 yards varies from 16.7 down to 4.5 feet. Now for the good stuff. Exposed turrets offer 0.25 MOA per click, with a total of 15 MOA per rotation, and a range of 60 MOA for both windage and elevation. On the side is a handy parallax adjustment that focuses from infinity down to a very tight 10 yards. It’s actually marked out to 500 yards, as a reminder it’s not just for rimfire. All this is packaged in a 14.1 inch scope weighing 30.3 ounces.
Mounting
During the great “everything shooting-related” shortage of Covid-19, my LGS didn’t have a lot of rings to choose from. Being impatient, we just tried whatever they had that looked close to the right height. In the end, that was a set of UTG heavy duty rings. Following the process in my scope mounting guide, I installed the rings and scope using a Wheeler FAT wrench for accurate torque. There’s a tiny gap between the scope and the handguard, and it’s held zero from day one. That in itself is impressive, as after every shooting session, we usually give the “gun bus” a little workout. That’s high speed runs off-road, and sometimes a little air time. It’s as though I forget there are firearms in the back of my FJ Cruiser, until they make some noise on hard landings. My point is, the rings are fine for being on the budget end.
At the range
With 24x of magnification, and a bright 50mm objective, it was easy to zero this scope on my Ruger Precision Rimfire. The diopter adjustment is damped enough that it doesn’t easily get bumped out of focus. I found the side parallax adjustment to correspond well to actual shooting distances. This also makes compensating for that little .22 bullet drop really easy to calculate. A throw lever on the zoom ring might be appreciated when shooting with gloves, but it was fine in the bare-handed heat of summer. It’s also not the smoothest, but not objectionable. Just a little rough at some spots. From what I have read, the previous version didn’t always get high marks for the turrets either. I’ve never tried the old one. But the Gen 2 turrets are both audible and tactile.
Besides shooting our steel gongs, we’d look for large chunks of clays, empty cans, or even the stray golf balls that lay beyond 100 yards. Determine distance, adjust, and shoot. Repeat as necessary. Again, the zero lock just makes shooting a rimfire so much easier at various distances. I didn’t twist the turrets stop to stop to check tracking, but over something like 15 MOA, it stayed true. Of course, the etched reticle allows for quick adjustment via holdovers as well. For my shooting, speed is rarely an issue. But in competition, where it really matters, I don’t think this scope would let me down. By the time I got to the point where my scope was the weakest link, I’m sure I’d be due to upgrade some other equipment too.
The glass
In my other life as a photographer, I enjoy a lot of Zeiss lenses. Is the Argos BTR GEN2 6-24×50 APLR2 FFP IR MOA going to equal Zeiss glass? Of course not. You’d be kidding yourself to expect that quality at this price point. But just like in photography, manufacturing techniques and glass coatings have come a long way. At the roughly $400 street price when this review was published, I was more than satisfied with the image quality. It diminishes at the longer end of the zoom range, so don’t look for as much edge sharpness there. But remember that a little bit more sharpness is going to cost about double what this lens costs.
Who the Athlon Argos BTR Gen2 Is For
The Argos BTR Gen2 still makes sense for a rimfire competition rifle, an entry-level long-range setup, or a capable recreational rifle. Since this exact configuration is discontinued, the decision now depends heavily on price and condition. Remaining new inventory can be appealing at a discount, while used examples should be compared against newer Athlon scopes before buying.
Is the Athlon Argos BTR Gen2 6-24×50 Still Worth Buying?
The Argos BTR Gen2 delivered a useful combination of a first focal plane illuminated reticle, a true zero stop, positive turrets, and acceptable glass for its original price. Mine held up well during long-term use and remained a good match for the Ruger Precision Rimfire.
The exact APLR2 MOA version reviewed here is now discontinued. It can still be worth buying as new old stock or used, but only when the price reflects its age. Compare it against current Athlon models before paying close to the original retail price.
- Check MidwayUSA for remaining Athlon Argos BTR Gen2 inventory
- Compare current Athlon scope options at Brownells
- View the archived Athlon Argos BTR Gen2 specifications
I’d like to thank Athlon Optics for providing the Argos BTR Gen2 6-24×50 APLR2 FFP IR MOA for my long-term review. It was a great opportunity to try a different brand, and it did not disappoint.