Thread: Opinions on a varmint optic (223)

I made an irrational purchase while at gun city and picked up a stainless howa mini in 223 with a heavy barrel. Wasn't even on sale, but once I had them put it into an EXCL chassis I couldn't stop myself.

I've mostly done varminting with rimfires starting at 22, then 17hmr, and recently 17wsm (made a 340 yard shot and a 100ish two hares 1 shot), but I always wanted just that little bit more range and oomph.

I'm in the position now of trying to decide on an optic, with my rimfires sporting Vortex diamondback tactical 6-24s on them. Problem being the lack of illumination for spotlighting and being wound back to low mag for moving targets can be a pain with such a fine reticule without illumination)

Wanted features

Illumination
Zero stop
Locking turrets
Elevation to get me to 600 with 223
Prefer MRAD

Currently looking at with a budget of around 1600

Vortex strike eagle 5-25 (mrad) (ffp) $1359

Burris signature hd 5-25 (moa) (sfp) (Not a fan of the reticule) $1499

Burris xtr II 5-25 (mrad) (ffp) (trademe) $~~~~

Bushnell forge 4.5-27 (moa) (ffp) (Not illuminated) $1399

Have I missed anything currently available in the country? Anyone have hands on time with the listed optics or similar optics with the same feature set?