Rifle Scopes Help me scope an M1a

[garand101]

I'm pretty new to the precision rifle game, but have been shooting and hunting for 35+ years. In addition to 3 heavy bolt rifles, I just bought my first Springfield M1A. It came with a McMillan stock and a Smith scope mount. I'm not going to spend thousands of dollars on a scope for this rifle, so would like to stay right around $600, which brings me to my 2 choices....SWFA 3-9 or the Leupold VX-R 3-9. Which would you choose, and why?

Thanks,
Rob

 

[Bigchaza]

Re: Help me scope an M1a

I personally like the look of the leupold dont own that model but my 2 favourite mid range scopes are leupold. very clear glass and with the addition of the firelfly recticle would be very handy especially for lowlight shooting.

 

[NoExpert]

Re: Help me scope an M1a

Nice sounding rifle. Check out the for sale section here, if you don't mind preowned you can find some smoking deals on good optics.

Of your choices, I'd lean towards the Leupold. You may also want to look at Vortex scopes. Just an idea.

 

[Redmanss]

Re: Help me scope an M1a

Precision shooting requires a precision adjustable scope for the variety of distances within your effective range. Something that particular model Leupold is not. Limited travel, non-precision reticle with no hold-off hash marks, no target turrets.

The SWFA is what I'd be looking at. I traded up from the one I had, but it was an outstanding scope while it was riding my MK12. Get the Mil-Quad reticle unless you find a great deal on the mil-dot version. I would not hesitate at all to pick up a used one off Samplelist.com either.

 

[BCP]

Re: Help me scope an M1a

I have both the vx-r and ss 3-9 with the mp-8 copy reticule.

Both scopes have some parallax issues @ 100 so if you aren't top of your game you may end up with lots of targets that have 2 very good groups 1-1.5" apart but they seem to do better at 200+. TBH I feel stupid shooting groups with a 3-9 @ 100-200+ yards anyways I use an old bushnell 6-24 japanese with quick release rings for load devel.

I would not use either past 600 for anything other than plinking. Not enough mag and no parallax adj.

Glass is better in the super sniper and the mp-8 reticule is better than the TMR for use on a semi-auto 308 as it is finer and has more holds.

Knobs I like the leupold better, I also like the sleek look of the leupold and the illumination is very good. Like I said the reticule is thick though due to the filament running to the center to light the reticule (what I was told anyways, makes sense).

To recap the super sniper is the better scope and that is what I would pick. I would also get the lowest rings possible for whatever mounting system you have as cheekwelds on m1a are really really high.

Finally I would think about the fixed 10X super sniper HD or maybe a deal on a leupold m3. Both of those would fit your rifle very well.

Good luck whatever you do and make sure to get a good mount sadlak or smith enterprises I think are best.

 

[tman300wm]

Re: Help me scope an M1a

3-9 SS, or 10X HD SS. You might keep an eye out for a 3-15 Weaver Tactical Mil/Mil, or a Vortex 4-16 Mil/Mil FFP. The 10X HD model Super Sniper has some very fine glass, and it's built like a brick $hit house. Vortex is also well made and has pretty good glass for the money, they also have outstanding service and warranty.

 

[kvwpwr]

Re: Help me scope an M1a

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tman300wm</div><div class="ubbcode-body">3-9 SS, or 10X HD SS. You might keep an eye out for a 3-15 Weaver Tactical Mil/Mil, or a Vortex 4-16 Mil/Mil FFP. The 10X HD model Super Sniper has some very fine glass, and it's built like a brick $hit house. Vortex is also well made and has pretty good glass for the money, they also have outstanding service and warranty.

</div></div>

This. The weaver is worth a look. It's what I was thinking of putting on my m1a.