Rifle Scopes New to PRS matches, Fixed 10x vs 3-15x

[rockymountainamateur]

Hi, I am new to shooting precision matches. My local range has matches on a regular basis with a max range of 600 yards. I am putting together a rifle to compete with and have settled on the Bergara HMR B14 in 6.5 Creedmore and need a scope to top it. Am I going to be extremely outclassed by using an SWFA fixed 10x for competition or is a 3-15x an absolute must. I really like the SWFA scopes, and have shot numerous and they perform very well overall. However, I would like to know if a variable powered optic is an absolute must?

thank you

 

[Olen_4504]

for 600 yards, i think you'd be just fine with a 10x.

the past two matches i shot when out to 850 and I left my scope on 15x.

but if you ever think you'll shoot a match elsewhere with more distance, you might want to consider a variable power

 

[rockymountainamateur]

Thank you, I am still debating between the fixed 10x SFWA and the 3-15 SWFA. Is it worth me spending the little extra cash?

 

[Olen_4504]

Personally, I'd say yes.

others will be along to give their thoughts.

 

[Rob01]

Get the 3-15x. It's better to have the variable and a little more power to be able to see targets. You can always dial it down to 10x but can't dial the 10x up.

 

[koshkin]

Get the 3-15x. Flexibility matters.

 

[uncoffeed]

+1 on the 3-15x.
The side focus, slightly better glass, alternative magnification options, and better resale value make this a no-brainer compared to the 10x. If it's a possibility for you to get the 3-15x, definitely do it.
This is assuming you're looking to buy one or the other. If you already have the 10x and are asking if the 3-15x is worth spending another $600 on, I'll say no. Spend $600 on ammo and match fees and a Gamechanger, in that order.

 

[Scott_RAP]

I shot my first match a couple months ago. Multiple stages / positions, 8-15 shots per stage, with targets ranging from 300-800 yards, and tight time limits (for me anyway) at each stage. I am a novice rifleman, with a decent rifle and a 4-18x scope. The challenge for me was target acquisition under time pressure. It went by much quicker than my mental clock was estimating. Other guys may be able to do it, but I quickly learned that taking the time to try to dial my scope power up / down was too much of a time killer. I also think it was largely unnecessary. Even at 8x I could see the targets (IPSA standard) well enough to get hits at 800 yards (I didn't always, but that wasn't because of the scope magnification ...). That gave me a much better field of view to transition between targets on the multi-target stages. It was also 108F that day. Couple that with a hot barrel, and the mirage got to be considerable at higher magnification. Once I bailed on the idea of dialing in my scope during the stage, I stayed between 6-8x.

There were a couple guys at the competition that had fixed power scopes, and they did okay, but the vast majority had variable power and made tweaks prior to (but rarely during) each stage. Skill and preference are always factors, but I would recommend a variable power. If you do go variable, I would also suggest a first focal plane reticle, with windage / elevation knobs that adjust in units matching your reticle (MIL/MIL or MOA/MOA) - not implying you didn't already know all of that, just saying in case it's helpful.

This article helped me and may be more useful than my comments: https://neonrain.tv/SNI/scope-buying-advice/

 

[rockymountainamateur]

+1 on the 3-15x.
The side focus, slightly better glass, alternative magnification options, and better resale value make this a no-brainer compared to the 10x. If it's a possibility for you to get the 3-15x, definitely do it.
This is assuming you're looking to buy one or the other. If you already have the 10x and are asking if the 3-15x is worth spending another $600 on, I'll say no. Spend $600 on ammo and match fees and a Gamechanger, in that order.

I do not own either yet, and now I think I am leaning towards the 3-15, you mentioned that it has better glass than the 10x, is that true?

 

[Mr. Trouble]

I do not own either yet, and now I think I am leaning towards the 3-15, you mentioned that it has better glass than the 10x, is that true?

In my opinion, owning both to do a side by side comparison, yes. The 3-15 has slightly better glass. At short range, it is difficult to notice, but much past 350, the 3-15 starts to show better resolution of color.

 

[ken226]

I've used both, but unlike most i ended up preferring fixed power scopes.

Variables are what is in demand, so thats what all the technology is going into and thats what sells. If reselling is in your future, go variable.

Scott_Rap posted his experience, which mirrors mine perfectly. My variables rarely ever left 8x. Never once did i put my eye behind the scope and decide fiddling with the magnification was worth the time spent doing it.

Fixed scopes have fewer lenses and fewer moving parts, so for a given price point, if comparing apples to apples, will be clearer, brighter and more durable.

My 10x is sufficient for steel out to 1700+yds. Its never been the magnification at issue.

Of the very few occasions ive wanted a variable magnification, it was always because 10x was a little too much. At a couple schools, they threw in a few 50-100 yard pop-ups with a short exposure time, while shooting longer range targets.

I experimented, and for that purpose, a Burris fastfire mounted to my scope was alot quicker than dialing down the magnification.

Buy a variable if resale is a possibility.

If your on a budget and are going to keep the scope forever, a fixed 10 gives you alot of performance for the money. They tend to be tougher as well.



If only USO would make me an ST8-TPAL!

 

[rockymountainamateur]

I've used both, but unlike most i ended up preferring fixed power scopes.

Variables are what is in demand, so thats what all the technology is going into and thats what sells. If reselling is in your future, go variable.

Scott_Rap posted his experience, which mirrors mine perfectly. My variables rarely ever left 8x. Never once did i put my eye behind the scope and decide fiddling with the magnification was worth the time spent doing it.

Fixed scopes have fewer lenses and fewer moving parts, so for a given price point, if comparing apples to apples, will be clearer, brighter and more durable.

My 10x is sufficient for steel out to 1700+yds. Its never been the magnification at issue.

Of the very few occasions ive wanted a variable magnification, it was always because 10x was a little too much. At a couple schools, they threw in a few 50-100 yard pop-ups with a short exposure time, while shooting longer range targets.

I experimented, and for that purpose, a Burris fastfire mounted to my scope was alot quicker than dialing down the magnification.

Buy a variable if resale is a possibility.

If your on a budget and are going to keep the scope forever, a fixed 10 gives you alot of performance for the money. They tend to be tougher as well.



If only USO would make me an ST8-TPAL!

Thanks for the advice, what fixed Power are you using? I am still on the fence about what I want, I should be purchasing the rifle here shortly. I have shot a lot of rounds through my Burris xtr II and I never felt like I needed more magnification.

 

[McCrazy]

Get the 3-15x.

I had a 10x fixed scope on one of my rifles and it worked ok for the range (as well as Iraq, but only because it was issued to me) although I routinely wanted a bit more magnification.

However, there were several stages in competitions where the 10x was the bane of my existence. I have shot stages where the targets were only 4 meters away and were timed. The lack of field of view was absolutely a hindrance and I would have loved to be able to zoom out.

There have also been multiple stages where I really desired the ability to zoom in. Small targets on Know Your Limits stages. Even decent sized targets at medium to longer ranges where I couldn't make out the score rings or impacts.

Barring a situation where a variable-power scope would break and a fixed-power scope would not, I can not see any situation where I would prefer to have a fixed-power scope.

 

[patriot07]

3-15

 

[noisewaterphd]

In PRS/NRL matches I am on 12x 99.99% of the time. Just pointing that out so that you know that it can definitely be done with a quality fixed 10x (depending on FOV, etc., etc.).

But even so, you will prefer a variable power optic pretty much guaranteed.

 

[rockymountainamateur]

Thank you all for the help. I think the 3-15 swfa is the way to go it seems like.

 

[Rob01]

It is definitely the way to go between those two optics. You don't want a fixed 10x scope in PRS style matches.

 

[ken226]

Quote by Rockymountainamayuer:
"Thanks for the advice, what fixed Power are you using? I am still on the fence about what I want, I should be purchasing the rifle here shortly. I have shot a lot of rounds through my Burris xtr II and I never felt like I needed more magnification."


im using an ST10 TPAL, 10x US Optics.

 

[NovaHunter]

For most matches, I run between 5x and 12x. My default power I leave my scope on is 8x. Being able to dial down, and have a wide field of view is a feature I heavily use with my match rifle. Weird positions, shooting support side, etc,.... I dial down the power to 5x usually so I have the most forgiving eyebox, and widest field of view.

When I am prone, and shooting beyond 1000 yards, I'll dial up to 15x.

If you plan to shoot PRS matches, the variable power will definitely come in handy.

 

[stello1001]

I would personally think the variable is better. Not so you can dial up, but so you can dial down on magnification. If you have some close up shots, the fixed 10x might not give you enough FOV!

 

[ken226]

I used to dial down my variable for closer targets.

Basically, the fixed 10x sucks at quickly hitting a steel target fast, inside about 150yds.


I had an opportunity to attend a rifle school in Vegas, but all i had at the time was a fixed 10x. 3 times, the first day of training doing dime drills @100 yds, i shot someone elses target. That same evening i went out to different gun stores and bought a fastfire2 and a GG&G 45° ring mount.

I havnt bothered to buy another variable since. So far, ive used the ST-10 and fastfire combo at a Precision Rifle Instructor course hosted by LVMPD, at Tiger Valleys Level 2 rifle course and Greenside Trainings rifle Course in Sierra Vista, AZ.

its rediculous how much faster it is. I just zero the fastfire to coincide with the scopes reticle @100 yds.

For close, fast, center of mass hits on steel i use the fastfire, its lightning fast.

For smaller close-up paper like hostage targets, the 10x gets me by fine.

 

[Rob01]

Ken that's great that it works for you for your needs but he is wanting to shoot matches and the 3-15x is a much better option for that use.

 

[702lineman]

If you already have the 10x run it!!! I have a 12x swfa and it would be more than capable in a match. I'm not gonna say its gonna be great but I will bet money it tracks good. That scope wont be holding you back if it's your first match

 

[ken226]

Ken that's great that it works for you for your needs but he is wanting to shoot matches and the 3-15x is a much better option for that use.

Your likely right. I dont know much about the 2 scopes in question. My USO is different than both of the SWFA scopes in question.

I was just referring to some specific circumstances which others had pointed out as being advantageous to variables in general, and indicating some of the ways a fixed scope with a back-up MRD can mitigate or even best the variable in those same circumstances.

If you specifically point out the various types of stages which may give a variable an advantage, itll also help make an educated choice.

Im not trying to sway his decision towards the fixed scope at all.

I was only pointing out, that under those specific circumstances noted, such as closer targets with timed facings, a backup MRD, regardless of the scope its attached to, is much faster than dialing down a variable magnification scope.

The variable power scope, especially compared to the SWFA fixed, may very well be significantly better.

 

[Raptorman2014]

3x-15 FFP....Its nice to be able to zoom out to search for targets and zoom in for KYL racks. I normally shoot between 10-15x 90% of the time.