Rifle Scopes Help me finalize my multi-purpose choice..

EscapeVelocity

EscapeVelocity

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Jan 24, 2010
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#1
I always seem to talk myself out of a decision, especially when it comes to optics. I do much, much more reading than I do asking questions that have been asked a million times, but I wanted some feedback before I purchase because this site is excellent at doing so.

I want a versatile optic (as budget is very tight and may be the last purchase for a while since a baby is on the way). Criteria that I have narrowed on;
- $700 or less
-mostly for a .22lr trainer but eventually move to centerfire
-mil/mil
-target ranges mostly from 50-350 yards (trainer) but can stretch out to 650 when I mount on a centerfire
-punch paper (100 yds or less)
-hunt (small game to deer)
-huge debate on SFP or FFP
-prefer variable but realize fixed may be more realistic
-also prefer a finer reticle for paper punching, which leans toward a SFP

The huge debate in my mind is whether I should just by a fixed (such as a SWFA 16x MIRAD) or a variable (like Midway's Viper HS 5-15 mil/mil). I thought fixed would be ok but that would almost certainly take away hunting. I love the idea of FFP but I usually stay at max magnification anyway, which makes SFP suitable. Another thought with SFP is that I could use the Viper HS 5-15 at 7.5 magnification to give me more FOV if need be and relatively simple math to adjust or range shots (2 mil dots = 1 mil if im correct). With that said I think I will be ok with the SFP and be within budget.

All this said, is the Viper HS 5-15 mil/mil through Midway a good choice?

I know I could go to the Weaver 3.5-10 or a fixed 10 but I love any extra magnification (but probably could get realistic and go with less).
 
#2
Re: Help me finalize my multi-purpose choice..

You're going to get responses across the spectrum based on your input...or just mine.

I'd go with the SWFA 16x. At $300 you can put the remaining funds towards ammo, targets and fuel to the range. They sale used like hot cakes here and if you threw it up on the PX for $270 at a later time it probably wouldn't last 72 hours.

The SWFAs will also parallax down to 10 or 20 meters which is nice for the .22LR. They are rock solid and the warranty is as well.

The HS is nice for the $$$ but I'd save your pennies until you're north of a grand and get into something else (Leupold Mk4) and up.
 
#4
Re: Help me finalize my multi-purpose choice..

Take a look at this one Sightron 4-16x42 SII that's on the sample list over at SWFA. Adjustable objective down to 10 yards and a fine cross hair w/dot so it will work well for paper punching. Regular list is $640 but the sample list price is $459. I've bought two scopes off the sample list (Nikon Monarch and Zeiss Conquest) for about 60% off retail and have been very happy with them. The Nikon had a scratch on the barrel that was covered by the ring when mounted and the scratch on the Zeiss was on the bottom and I'd have to point it out for someone to find it.
 
#6
Re: Help me finalize my multi-purpose choice..

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BravoSector1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

I'd go with the SWFA 16x. At $300 you can put the remaining funds towards ammo, targets and fuel to the range. They sale used like hot cakes here and if you threw it up on the PX for $270 at a later time it probably wouldn't last 72 hours.</div></div>

This
 
#8
Re: Help me finalize my multi-purpose choice..

I keep coming back to the SS 16x. Do you have one and use in similar applications? I used to have a very cheap variable on a 22 just to plink and shoot targets, and never really recall using anything but the 16x. I'm worried about a picky eyebox if im hunting.
 
#9
Re: Help me finalize my multi-purpose choice..

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Chiller</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Eat a bit more Ramen and go to a Vortex PST</div></div>

Believe me, I have considered this. I love the PST line.
 
#10
Re: Help me finalize my multi-purpose choice..

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BravoSector1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You're going to get responses across the spectrum based on your input...or just mine.

I'd go with the SWFA 16x. At $300 you can put the remaining funds towards ammo, targets and fuel to the range. They sale used like hot cakes here and if you threw it up on the PX for $270 at a later time it probably wouldn't last 72 hours.

The SWFAs will also parallax down to 10 or 20 meters which is nice for the .22LR. They are rock solid and the warranty is as well.

The HS is nice for the $$$ but I'd save your pennies until you're north of a grand and get into something else (Leupold Mk4) and up.
</div></div>

I keep coming back to the SS 16x. I love the reticle. Do you have one and use in similar applications? I used to have a very cheap variable on a 22 just to plink and shoot targets, and never really recall using anything but the 16x. I'm worried about a picky eyebox if im hunting, and its multi-purpose capabilities. I do realize that this is asking a lot for a sub $1000 optic.
 
#11
Re: Help me finalize my multi-purpose choice..

What's not to like about the vortex 5-15?

Granted, it is a standard mil-dot, but it is variable power with a good top end of 15x and a very nicely designed scope.

If you are going to hunt with it, you'll need a variable, a fixed power scope, even of 10X is too high for hunting. Even 5x is a bit high for the low end, as I prefer something around 3x.

Another excellent option is the Midway Weaver grand slam tactical 3-10x. They are truly awesome little scopes, excellent for hunting and will hold you over till you have the money to upgrade.
 
#13
Re: Help me finalize my multi-purpose choice..

The FFP/mil/mil Midway BSA 4-14 tactical might be a solution for you. I love FFP scopes and have sold almost all my SFP scopes.

I'm used to expensive scopes on my mainstay rifles but I can't afford one on all my rifles so I bought the BSA thinking it would be a total POS and if I didn't like it I was going to send it back but...

Now I have 2 of them and a friend bought one after using mine for one shooting session. One is on a 22mag and the other one on a air rifle.

Ok it's a $250 scope and everything about the scope reflects that price, that's the negative. The positive is it works well for my needs being FFP, it tracks right with plenty of travel and has 6 mil knobs, has a nice modern mil reticle that I can holdover with up to 9 mils and it has a 10Y minimum parallax! In other words it's very versatile! Lets just say I plan on buying a few more as the need arises.

So far I've used them to hit steel at 155Y with the air rifle using holdovers/holdoffs and dialing on different magnifications and out to 400Y with the 22 mag both dialing and holding over/off.
 
#14
Re: Help me finalize my multi-purpose choice..

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fdkay</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What's not to like about the vortex 5-15?

Granted, it is a standard mil-dot, but it is variable power with a good top end of 15x and a very nicely designed scope.

If you are going to hunt with it, you'll need a variable, a fixed power scope, even of 10X is too high for hunting. Even 5x is a bit high for the low end, as I prefer something around 3x.

Another excellent option is the Midway Weaver grand slam tactical 3-10x. They are truly awesome little scopes, excellent for hunting and will hold you over till you have the money to upgrade.</div></div>
Yes, both look like a good fit for my needs,and both are serious contenders for purchase. I'm strongly leaning toward the Viper for a few reasons but mostly for the extra mag of 15x. A huge reason for this is for punching paper st 100yds, because I feel like 10x wouldn't allow me to see the holes, especially if they're .22 lr holes. Correct me if I would be ok with the 10x as the top mag for this reason?
 
#15
Re: Help me finalize my multi-purpose choice..

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: steve123</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The FFP/mil/mil Midway BSA 4-14 tactical might be a solution for you. I love FFP scopes and have sold almost all my SFP scopes.

I'm used to expensive scopes on my mainstay rifles but I can't afford one on all my rifles so I bought the BSA thinking it would be a total POS and if I didn't like it I was going to send it back but...

Now I have 2 of them and a friend bought one after using mine for one shooting session. One is on a 22mag and the other one on a air rifle.

Ok it's a $250 scope and everything about the scope reflects that price, that's the negative. The positive is it works well for my needs being FFP, it tracks right with plenty of travel and has 6 mil knobs, has a nice modern mil reticle that I can holdover with up to 9 mils and it has a 10Y minimum parallax! In other words it's very versatile! Lets just say I plan on buying a few more as the need arises.

So far I've used them to hit steel at 155Y with the air rifle using holdovers/holdoffs and dialing on different magnifications and out to 400Y with the 22 mag both dialing and holding over/off.
</div></div>
I have saw these, but not wanting to risk it as a long term investment and especially for holding it's value if I choose to upgrade.
 
#16
Re: Help me finalize my multi-purpose choice..

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: escapeVelocity</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: steve123</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The FFP/mil/mil Midway BSA 4-14 tactical might be a solution for you. I love FFP scopes and have sold almost all my SFP scopes.

I'm used to expensive scopes on my mainstay rifles but I can't afford one on all my rifles so I bought the BSA thinking it would be a total POS and if I didn't like it I was going to send it back but...

Now I have 2 of them and a friend bought one after using mine for one shooting session. One is on a 22mag and the other one on a air rifle.

Ok it's a $250 scope and everything about the scope reflects that price, that's the negative. The positive is it works well for my needs being FFP, it tracks right with plenty of travel and has 6 mil knobs, has a nice modern mil reticle that I can holdover with up to 9 mils and it has a 10Y minimum parallax! In other words it's very versatile! Lets just say I plan on buying a few more as the need arises.

So far I've used them to hit steel at 155Y with the air rifle using holdovers/holdoffs and dialing on different magnifications and out to 400Y with the 22 mag both dialing and holding over/off.
</div></div>
I have saw these, but not wanting to risk it as a long term investment and especially for holding it's value if I choose to upgrade. </div></div>

What you do is leave it on the 22 and get a better scope for the centerfire later on, you'll already have $450 saved up for it. This way you can learn the virtues of FFP/mil/mil.

I've been shooting the air rifle for the last hour. I'm still surprised how fun and useful that scope is! The glass isn't bad either, I've seen worse on more expensive scopes. It's the best bargain going for the money.
 
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