Athlon Optics Cronus BTR GEN2 UHD 4.5-29x56 APRS6 FFP IR MIL

On a timed PRS stage with steel at several distances, holding for elevation and wind saves dialing between targets. That is the job of the reticle in the Athlon Cronus BTR GEN2 UHD 4.5-29x56 APRS6 FFP IR MIL. The APRS6 runs fine 0.2 mil hash marks from the center in all four directions, with a dot tree below center for wind holds, in the first focal plane of a 34 mm scope with UHD extra-low dispersion glass. Athlon designed the APRS6 "for precision rifle series competition" and calls the Cronus BTR GEN2 "an ideal competition scope for your PRS rifle or PRS trainer rifle".

Key Features

• APRS6 or APRS1? The two MIL versions' spec sheets match line for line apart from the reticle and SKU. The APRS6's fine marks run "from center to four directions" for "a quick elevation or windage holdover position". The APRS1 runs them "to 6 mils to both left and right", for a wind hold "after he or she dialed in elevation". Both manuals describe the same dot tree below center, widening from 1 mil each way at the 1 mil drop line to 4 mils each way at 10 mils. If you dial elevation and hold wind, the APRS1 fits; if you hold both, the APRS6 does. For MOA there is the APLR5 version.
• First focal plane, 0.04 mil dot. The reticle grows and shrinks with the image, so Athlon's manual says it gives "ranging capability and valid holdover points at all power settings". A floating 0.04 mil dot marks the center.
• Illumination. Numbers on the knob set the brightness, the dots between them are off positions, and one CR2032 battery powers it.
• UHD glass and coatings. Athlon's sheet credits the extra-low dispersion glass with "an image that has little or no chromatic fringe". The lenses are advanced fully multi-coated, and the XPL coating guards the outer lenses against "dirt, oil, and potential scratches".
• Turrets and zero stop. Clicks are 0.1 MIL, 10 MIL a turn, with 32 MIL of elevation and 18 MIL of windage, and Athlon describes an "internal stainless-steel component turret design producing sharp, loud, tactile clicks". The zero stop sits under the elevation knob: after shooting, turn the knob down until it stops at your zero.
• Parallax and build. Side focus works from 25 yards to infinity. The one-piece aircraft-grade aluminum tube is argon purged, and Athlon rates it waterproof, fog proof and shockproof.

Who It's For

• PRS competitors and PRS trainer rifles, the uses Athlon names.
• Long-range hunters. Athlon's sheet lists hunting as the alternative application, and its page says the scope is up to "the most demanding hunt".
• The APRS6 on a smaller budget. The Helos BTR GEN2 6-24x56 APRS6 carries the same reticle on a 34 mm tube for less, with locking turrets, 25 MIL of windage, parallax from 10 yards and 34.5 oz. The Cronus answers with UHD glass, a wider 4.5x to 29x range and 32 MIL of elevation against 29.

Accessories & Compatibility

• Rings. The 34 mm tube takes 34 mm scope rings or a 34 mm one-piece mount.
• Elevation and bases. Athlon's manual says the reticle comes centered from the factory, so on a flat base about half of the 32 MIL lies above your zero. For more, the manual points to "an offset 20+ MOA scope rail".
• Sunshade. The box holds the scope, a lens cloth and the manual. Athlon's Cronus BTR 56mm Sunshade is sold separately, and its page lists SKU 210115 among the scopes it fits.