The Burris XTR II 3-15x-50mm Riflescope

My wife is a little annoyed with me. I was dipping chips into an open jar of hot salsa, when something small, flying and green made its way through a window screen and landed inside the open jar. So I thought for a moment, put the top back on, shook it to better distributed the new protein, and went back to dipping chips. I could feel my wife staring a me, so I said, “What?” and she just shook her head and went up to bed. I’ve sat by the side of a jungle road with friends, eating barbequed puppy on a stick and drinking Singha beer. Context is everything.

The Burris XTR II™ Riflescope 3-15x50mm is an excellent scope for its intended purposes, which are competitive and tactical mid to long range shooting. Size, weight, preciseness of adjustment and magnification range make it not so appropriate for blitzing through dense New England woodland, strapped to a Model 94, while anticipating a 50 yard shot at a whitetail deer. In our case the XTR II was mounted on a very accurate Winchester Model 70 Extreme SS, chambered for the 7mm Remington Magnum where it seemed right at home. Yes, I realize this specific Winchester model is not intended for competitive or tactical shooting, however, it is accurate and it has a long reach.

Hey! What happened to the first XTR?

Announced in October of 2013, XTR II Riflescopes replaced original Xtreme Tactical Riflescopes lineup as an enhanced product. The spec box below shows some of the differences, but the changes are actually much more significant and some indices can be misleading. As an example, the earlier scope’s exit pupil appears to be superior to the current model, but that is only because the XTR II has a higher magnification range and exit pupil is the result of the clear objective lens diameter divided by the magnification.

Some of the XTR II design enhancements…

Five Times Zoom System: The XTR II’s top magnification is five times greater than its lowest magnification. The early XTR had a four times system. High grade optical glass is used throughout, providing excellent brightness and clarity. Lenses are refraction index matched Hi-Lume multi-coated for enhanced low light performance and glare elimination.

Zero Click Adjusting Knobs: After sighting in, the scope’s knobs can be reset to index on “0”, permitting easy return when temporary changes are made or when verifying settings. Parallax – Focus adjustments are on the left, along with 11 position illumination brightness adjustments and battery compartment access.

Rear, Dual or Front Focal Plane Reticles: Low power versions are Rear Focal Plane keep the reticle size constant for close shooting, regardless magnification. Works long range, but not with range compensating reticles. Moderate power scopes like the 1.5-8x28mm  have Dual Focal Plane reticles; central aiming point are constant regardless power, however, crosshairs change with magnification to maintain accurate measurement reference. High power scope versions have a Front Focal Plane reticle that remains constant at all magnifications to permit use of range compensating reticles.

The subject scope has a SCR (Special Competition Reticle). As an FFP reticle, it scales with magnification so compensation indexing remains correct. The reticle is MOA-based. While uncluttered it accounts for wind hold-off, range estimation, and impact measurement. Holdover lines are 1 MOA, windage hold-off lines are 1/2-MOA and 1-MOA for precision, ranging brackets on the crosshairs, at the top, left, and right extremes are 1/4 MOA. Extended illumination eases target engagement at long distance even in low light.

The XTR II’s mechanical design is exceptional. The one piece tube size is 34mm and 25% stronger than its 30mm tube predecessor. The controls are large and move smoothly with enough resistance to allow precise placement. A double internal spring tension system, and precision gauged and hand fitted internal assemblies, maintain a consistent point of impact throughout the magnification range. The XTR II will hold zero regardless shock, recoil, and vibrations. The XTR II is waterproof and the nitrogen filled body prevents internal fogging even in the cold and rain. The series of scopes are backed with the Burris Forever Warranty®.

In use….

Mounted on a Winchester Model 70, the Burris XTR II was subjected to lots of heavy 7mm Remington Magnum pounding. As a combination there were many half MOA groups and I could pick a compensating point on the reticle, vertical or horizontal, and place shots on target as I chose.

I did not have the opportunity to shoot beyond 200 yards but at that range, regardless magnification, the reticle was sharply visible. The image is clear, crisp and contrast is very good. No visible glare. At 3x-4x magnification, the detail of indexing isn’t really visible, just what appears to be tapered side and bottom crosshairs. The reticle can be read, at least for me, above 6x and with increasing clarity as magnification is increased.

The Burris XTR II is a mature, refined product that has a good deal to offer. At just over $1,000 at discount retail with flip ups and sunshade, it is a value in relationship to competitor’s products.