Rifle Scopes ** Need some help from the Pro's on glass selection for new 338 NM build **

[CrossHare]

I am needing to procure some glass for my new 338 Norma Mag build which is only a few months away from completion. I have a couple of scopes in mind. I have always been a NF Ho but the "shamitty and beendaah" has caught my eye too. I'll post the 2 scopes I have thus far and would very much appreciate any advice and or feedback you guys could give meh. Thanks Guys!

1) Nightforce Nightforce ATACR Rifle Scope 34mm Tube 5-25x 56mm Hi-Speed Zero Stop Illuminated MOAR Reticle Matte

2) Schmidt & Bender Police Marksman II Rifle Scope 34mm Tube 5-25x 56mm Side Focus 1/10 Mil Adjustments First Focal Illuminated P-4 Fine Reticle Matte

 

[OptedOut]

We have the IOR 4-28X50 Recon on a 338 Lapua and a 50. They have both worked great for 2 years thus far...they were one of the reasons I ended up getting an IOR for my personal rifle here at home.

 

[E. Bryant]

I put a S-B PMII 5-25x56mm on my latest .338LM. There have not yet been any disappointments - the glass and mechanical quality are second to none - but I also don't think it does anything that couldn't be done at half the cost.

 

[CrossHare]

I also stumbled upon something that was coined the BEAST from NF. WoW, the $$...Yikes! I wonder if the new NF's have comparable glass to the S&B's?

 

[BillyGoatMachine]

I also stumbled upon something that was coined the BEAST from NF. WoW, the $$...Yikes! I wonder if the new NF's have comparable glass to the S&B's?

From what I've read they are indeed supposed to be on par with S&B. I personally have a Premier Heritage on my 338LM and it has better glass than my S&B. But I haven't looked through a Beast or ATACR yet to compare them to my Premier and S&B. YMMV



Disclaimer: I am no Pro, far from it

 

[E. Bryant]

I also stumbled upon something that was coined the BEAST from NF. WoW, the $$...Yikes! I wonder if the new NF's have comparable glass to the S&B's?

If the BEAST was available when I bought my S&B, I probably would have purchased it instead. But it wasn't, and so I didn't.

 

[cramey74]

I would buy the S&B. The Nightforce might be a great unit but it is not proven yet.

 

[pc3]

I would also throw the Vortex Razor 5-20x50 into the mix.

 

[CrossHare]

Man, this is tough! I wish I had the aforementioned scopes in hand to compare. I am leaning towards the NF for the simple reason if I ever had a problem with any of my NF scopes in the past they jumped all over with lighting fast speed. Ahh, decisions decisions.

 

[SFree]

I put a S-B PMII 5-25x56mm on my latest .338LM. There have not yet been any disappointments - the glass and mechanical quality are second to none - but I also don't think it does anything that couldn't be done at half the cost.

Please elaborate on the "half cost" and with which optic would you choose?

 

[E. Bryant]

Please elaborate on the "half cost" and with which optic would you choose?

Simple - if I only had half the cash, I'd go buy a Vortex Razor HD 5-20x or SWFA SS 5-20x and call it good enough. Yeah, both of those scopes give up a little magnification on the top end, but one should ask themselves if that is really worth an extra $2000+ before shelling out used-car sums of money.

Please don't get me wrong, as I really like the PMII, but no one should feel peer-pressured into thinking that no other optic can do the same job.

 

[SFree]

Mr. Bryant,
I've ranted about a $2000 increase in optics before, where my first S&B was $1900 and for what improvements?

OP; sorry for the derailment...

 

[Shoottothrill]

Just get the S&B with the reticle of your choice, I prefer the MSR, and know that you have the best scope made. Great glass and everything else about the PM11's is rock solid. That's why everyone always say's, "how does it compare to the S&B?" It's still the gold standard.

 

[CrossHare]

Where is the best price located that a S&B can be had I wonder?

Just get the S&B with the reticle of your choice, I prefer the MSR, and know that you have the best scope made. Great glass and everything else about the PM11's is rock solid. That's why everyone always say's, "how does it compare to the S&B?" It's still the gold standard.

 

[CrossHare]

Another thing I noticed is the S&B doesn't have zero stop which is a pretty nice to have option.

 

[E. Bryant]

Another thing I noticed is the S&B doesn't have zero stop which is a pretty nice to have option.

The S&B double-turn knobs do indeed provide a zero stop.

 

[Mike]

You need to seriously look at Kahles. On par with the best out there and superior in some aspects. Make sure you look at the big picture. No one can compare to the German/Austrian scopes despite shat they want to believe. Are these scopes "needed"? Absolutely not but you should make sure the scope you decide is truly worthy of comparison

 

[Shoottothrill]

You can find good prices on S&B scopes in the for sale section right here on the Hide. I see the PM11's with P4 fine reticle all the time. Save ya hundreds over new. I bought mine on here as well, I have the MSR reticle and really like it. Sometimes I wish the reticle was thinner, but this is a tactical scope and not made for benchrest shooting. I have heard that the thinner reticles can sometimes be hard to see if looking into dark brush or tree's. The P4 fine will serve you well if thats what you want I'm sure. The H2cmr seems to be a favorite as well.

 

[CrossHare]

How so, under the specs the S&B say's no to zero stop. What am I missing here?

The S&B double-turn knobs do indeed provide a zero stop.

 

[NevadaZielmeister]

How so, under the specs the S&B say's no to zero stop. What am I missing here?

Well, I can tell you from personal experience that my Schmidt and Bender does. Meanwhile, if you think that Schmidt and Bender is slow to respond to warranty issues, please read my post: http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...xcellent-customer-service-schmidt-bender.html

In a nutshell, they fixed my scope even though it was my own negligence. I even got a great deal on the parts. I did have a Nightforce but never had to use their customer service. So I cannot comment on their speed.

I have tons of other positive feedback about my PMII, just ask.

 

[Glacier 10x]

Your list of two scopes brands in the OP are both a SFP and FFP scope. In my opinion, you should decide which type you want first then you can narrow it down by brand. In my case I decided that a SFP scope was adequate for casual long range shooting with my 338 Lapua. Bought an ATACR from one of the best Hide Vendors here at a great deal. Great scope for the money if you can live with SFP. If you wait for the NF Beast, I think they are going to be hard to find for the next 6 months and if you do find one, will not likely be discounted much if at all.

 

[CrossHare]

OK guys, made my mind up and thanks to all who chipped in for a 1st class ticket to the poor house for me. As soon as I get a chance today she's going on order. Schmidt Bender PMII 5-25x56 TReMoR2 LT MTC