Rifle Scopes First time scope purchase

[Saiga76]

Well, after reading several hundred comments and opinions on this site and reading up on technical data, I have narrowed my decision between these scopes. All I have to do now is pull the trigger and buy one

http://www.opticsplanet.net/bushnell-elite-6500-2-5-16x50-riflescope.html

http://www.opticsplanet.net/vortex-viper-pst-6-24x50-ffp-riflescope.html

http://swfa.com/Bushnell-45-30x50-Elite-Tactical-30mm-Rifle-Scope-P48269.aspx

All of these are within my price range. I also have plans on using this scope for range shooting and hunting. The x30 may be a little much for me but I like having the option to have that much magnification if I need it!

 

[fastbs]

Re: First time scope purchase

of those three..."B" the pst. Mainly just for being able to have matching reticle and turret adjustment.

 

[Saiga76]

Re: First time scope purchase

I am leaning towards the Vortex, nothing but great feedback on them so far!

 

[prplhaz72]

Re: First time scope purchase

Spend a bit more and get the SWFA SS 5-20x. It is a better scope than any of those you have listed. For the $1000 price right now with teh hide deal, it is a steal.

 

[MDM]

Re: First time scope purchase

Just to let you know - I have a friend that has had the Viper PST 6x24 MOA on order with Optics Planet since early January and he is still waiting on it. Just letting you know what kind of wait you are looking at with Optics Planet anyway.

My vote is for the SS too for only $100 more.

 

[pyplynr]

Re: First time scope purchase

Give BJ at Third Generation Shooting Supply a call on the PST. I'm pretty sure he has them in stock right now. He goes by 3rdgss here on the Hide.

 

[Saiga76]

Re: First time scope purchase

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pyplynr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Give BJ at Third Generation Shooting Supply a call on the PST. I'm pretty sure he has them in stock right now. He goes by 3rdgss here on the Hide. </div></div>

I will do that, thanks for the info

 

[Saiga76]

Re: First time scope purchase

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TheOneTwo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Spend a bit more and get the SWFA SS 5-20x. It is a better scope than any of those you have listed. For the $1000 price right now with teh hide deal, it is a steal. </div></div>

I would like to but I have to save for another six weeks or so before I buy

 

[MarcusT_700ss]

Re: First time scope purchase

I had a 6-24x50 PST on backorder with optics planet for about a month then saw 3GSS had them in stock so I ordered one from them and cancelled my order with optics planet. They have 5 MOA and MRAD in stock right now. http://store.thirdgenerationshootingsupply.com/browse.cfm/2,5221.html

Mine just came in a couple hours ago.

 

[MDM]

Re: First time scope purchase

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jea1976</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TheOneTwo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Spend a bit more and get the SWFA SS 5-20x. It is a better scope than any of those you have listed. For the $1000 price right now with teh hide deal, it is a steal. </div></div>

I would like to but I have to save for another six weeks or so before I buy

</div></div>

SWFA will not charge you until it ships. You might be looking at a 6 week wait or longer anyway. Just sayin...

 

[CSTactical]

Re: First time scope purchase

The PST are really nice for the dollar. I use a Bushnell Elite Tactical it is OK for a 22 but I'm not a big fan of it.

We have the 6-24x50mm FFP MRAD and the 4-16x50mm SFP MOA in stock.

Vortex PST @ CS Tactical.com


Mike @ CST

 

[Saiga76]

Re: First time scope purchase

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CSTACTICAL</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The PST are really nice for the dollar. I use a Bushnell Elite Tactical it is OK for a 22 but I'm not a big fan of it.

We have the 6-24x50mm FFP MRAD and the 4-16x50mm SFP MOA in stock.

Vortex PST @ CS Tactical.com

I may be purchasing a 6x24 ffp from you in a few weeks. Thank you sir

Mike @ CST </div></div>

 

[fdkay]

Re: First time scope purchase

You have a mix of FFP and SFP scopes, matching and miss matched reticles/turrets.

I recommend that first you decide on FFP or SFP.
Whichever you want, I HIGHLY recommend matching turrets/reticle. It make life so much easier.

Mil Dots are nice, but the Vortex has far superior reticles available.

Next define "hunting". Are you talking PDog shooting or white tail/muley hunting. Are all of your shots going to be at distance or can you expect a shot 30 yards away in the woods?
If the later is true, the low end of 6 power is too high,
I like a low end of about 3 power, but 4 is serviceable.

Define "range shooting" if you are talking about shooting for groups out to a consideragble distance and ringing steel at 1000, a 4-16 will fill this role just fine.

If you are talking 1000 yard F class shooting, then a high magnification, SFP scope with a fine crosshair is what you are after, which is not suitable for hunting much of anything except varmints on the plains.

On most hunting rifles. I like a 3-10. Plenty of magnification for shots out to any ethical distance and no need for adjustable paralax.

I have a 3-18 FFP on my duty rifle because it offers the best of both worlds. But a 3-15 or 4-16 would fill those needs just as well.

 

[Saiga76]

Re: First time scope purchase

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fdkay</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You have a mix of FFP and SFP scopes, matching and miss matched reticles/turrets.

I recommend that first you decide on FFP or SFP.
Whichever you want, I HIGHLY recommend matching turrets/reticle. It make life so much easier.

Mil Dots are nice, but the Vortex has far superior reticles available.

Next define "hunting". Are you talking PDog shooting or white tail/muley hunting. Are all of your shots going to be at distance or can you expect a shot 30 yards away in the woods?
If the later is true, the low end of 6 power is too high,
I like a low end of about 3 power, but 4 is serviceable.

Define "range shooting" if you are talking about shooting for groups out to a consideragble distance and ringing steel at 1000, a 4-16 will fill this role just fine.

If you are talking 1000 yard F class shooting, then a high magnification, SFP scope with a fine crosshair is what you are after, which is not suitable for hunting much of anything except varmints on the plains.

On most hunting rifles. I like a 3-10. Plenty of magnification for shots out to any ethical distance and no need for adjustable paralax.

I have a 3-18 FFP on my duty rifle because it offers the best of both worlds. But a 3-15 or 4-16 would fill those needs just as well. </div></div>

This is the one I would really like, but it costs way too much for my budget right now.

http://www.opticsplanet.net/night-force-nxs-f1-model-riflescope-zero-stop-feature-nxs1550f1.html
If I could find something close to this, that would be ideal. I know the 6x is too strong for hunting Big Horn Sheep and Whitetail, but I do own a Bushnell 3x9 that I could use for that if needed. Range shooting for mee will be between 200 and 1000 yards, just for fun. I have no time or the money for competition shooting at this point.

 

[fdkay]

Re: First time scope purchase

Then I would recommend either the PST 4-16 or the Weaver 3-15 tactical.

The magnification range most closely agrees with a multi-use rifle. and both offer an illuminated reticle.

Your options open considerably if you want a SFP scope.