Rifle Scopes Bushnell 3-12X44 vs SS 3-15X42 vs Vortex PST 4-16X50?

[ponderosa]

Guys, I've been lurking your forums for quite some time and I would like to thank you for all the help you've already given me. Thanks, seriously.

I have a question, I'm looking to invest in (somewhat) budget build and I need help purchasing a scope. The three scopes I'm looking at I see various looks at but I haven't seen much for the Bushnell in particular and haven't found anywhere the have been compared. I originally wanted to go with a smaller objective to save weight but at least when looking across the three the weight is negligible.

I will be putting the scope on a Savage 10 Varmint Hunter in .260 Remington. I plan on target shooting at any distance it can handle and carrying it hunting for Mule Deer and Antelope.

The three scopes that I think that are getting the most love are:

Bushnell Elite Tactical 3-12 X 44MM with G2DMR reticle.
Pros: I like a busy reticle.
Bushnell is getting a ton of love for it's price / performance ratio.
Cons: Not illuminated - not sure it really matters to me.
Smallest magnification.

SS 3-15 X 42
Pros: Cheapest - Save 200 bucks over the Bushnell
SS Gets as much love (maybe more) as Bushnell.
Supporting the smaller guy.
Cons: ?

Vortex PST 4-15 X 50
Pros: Save 200 over Bushnell if I go SFP
Largest objective
Largest magnification
Cons: Lower quality glass?

Should I be looking at other options? My budget extends to 1500 on the extreme end including rings.

Thanks again.

 

[UIUCPPQ]

For 1500 you could get a Bushnell Elite tactical G2DMR and some nice rings if you find one at a good price. I'd go with that if I were you.

However I do really like my PST, if you're wanting to get something less expensive.

 

[ponderosa]

I was looking at the G2DMR in the 3-12, are you referring to the 6-24?

 

[SomeOtherGuy]

I was looking at the G2DMR in the 3-12, are you referring to the 6-24?

He's probably referring to the DMR model with 3.5-21x50mm optics. It's also in a 34mm tube, and starts around $1400. At least a half class above the models you're looking at.

 

[SomeOtherGuy]

I will be putting the scope on a Savage 10 Varmint Hunter in .260 Remington. I plan on target shooting at any distance it can handle and carrying it hunting for Mule Deer and Antelope.
***
Should I be looking at other options? My budget extends to 1500 on the extreme end including rings.

Thanks again.

What are your typical hunting distances? I ask because a Sightron SIII 6-24x50mm is around $900 and has absolutely fantastic glass, truly usable at 24x. But if you're hunting in woods the 6x low end might be a bit much.

I've spent a bit of time with the Bushnell 3-12x44 G2 and the Viper PST 4-16x50 (both SFP and FFP models). The Bushnell has excellent glass and feels like a high quality piece all around. Its limits are the 12x top end and the feature set. The Viper PST has a ton of features and is also very good, but the two I've looked through (for probably a couple hours each) didn't have good clarity above 12-14x or so. That's more of an issue for the SFP model than the FFP model, but it would be a downer to spend $900 on glass (FFP) and have it not be useful at top magnification. I'll note that many people love the Viper glass, so it could be that I randomly saw two bad examples, or that I'm extra picky or have weird eyes or something. The Viper does offer excellent illumination, vs. none in the Bushnell.

I haven't seen the SS 3-15x yet.

I think any of these would probably serve you well. But if you're doing mostly high plains type hunting and are OK with SFP and no illumination, I would take a look at the Sightron as well.

 

[ponderosa]

I hadn't considered the 3.5-21 because it is going for around 2k on SWFA. Trying to stay away from as much wife aggro as I can.

 

[ponderosa]

Hunting probably won't see too much timber (I'd use one of my Elk rifles for that), I like a fairly low range just for pure speed of handling but a 6x probably isn't out of the question.

 

[Scot_E]

I would suggest first deciding if you want FFP or SFP. Mixing the 2 when looking to purchase a scope is fruitless IMO as the way they are used is drastically different. They have much different uses and positives and negatives.

This will help clarify you needs and should help make your decision easier.

Scot E.

 

[BoilerUP]

Call Liberty Optics and ask Scott what his Hide price is on the 3-12 G2DMR...you might be surprised relative to the SWFA SS.

I'd bet the Bushnell has slightly better glass than the SWFA 3-15x, though the extra zoom of the SWFA would be beneficial to me.

 

[SomeOtherGuy]

I hadn't considered the 3.5-21 because it is going for around 2k on SWFA. Trying to stay away from as much wife aggro as I can.

There are two different Bushnell 3.5-21x50 scopes, the original DMR (or HDMR when it has a Horus reticle), which can be had today for $1400 or so, and the new ERS, which appears to be just a product improved version of the same scope - 10 mil turrets and zero stop - which runs around $2000. The $1400 DMR isn't the latest new thing but is still an excellent scope.

Another scope you could consider is the SWFA SS 5-20x50mm. It has a lot of great things going for it, but the one I got to handle had a VERY stiff parallax knob. They are $1300 new from SWFA, or somewhat less used on the classifieds here.

 

[Captramrod01]

If your limit is 1500 then absolutely go for the dmr 3.5-21x. If you call liberty optics and do the snipershide discount you will get the scope and a good set of rings for well below your max limit.

 

[steve123]

I didn't like the tight eyebox on my B 3-12 tactical, other than that it had good glass, tracked well and the parallax went down to 10Y.

HDMR's rock! No illume and are on the heavy side though. In a higher league than the other scopes mentioned.

SFP sucks, just kidding, LOL.

If the SWFA 3-15 is anything like their fixed Super Snipers it'll be a good scope. I would have expected it's price to be in the less than $600 range??? It has the 6M parallax which was a smart move by SWFA and is why I will probably get one.

 

[ponderosa]

I would suggest first deciding if you want FFP or SFP. Mixing the 2 when looking to purchase a scope is fruitless IMO as the way they are used is drastically different. They have much different uses and positives and negatives.
Scot E.

I haven't shot with anything but SFP cheap stuff, and I'm looking to learn precision shooting so I prefer and FFP but honestly bang for the buck is going to trump pretty much else. I want something that I can count on for a while and not regret missing something else.

 

[ponderosa]

If your limit is 1500 then absolutely go for the dmr 3.5-21x. If you call liberty optics and do the snipershide discount you will get the scope and a good set of rings for well below your max limit.

1500 is the extreme end, I would prefer not to really go over 1k but I'm on the "buy once, cry once" mindset. (Ultra high end is too much, I don't need a divorce.)

 

[22dasher]

Weaver 3x15?

 

[ponderosa]

Weaver 3x15?

Better than the alternatives?

 

[22dasher]

Certainly a top pick for the money...