Rifle Scopes POLL: SWFA 5-20x50 FFP vs Vortex PST 6-24x50 FFP

jamesbern

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Banned !
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Jan 12, 2012
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Alright, with your help i've narrowed it down to these two, but i'm torn with making a possible bad decision. I want the best for my money and don't want to settle. I do not want to spend more so these are the only two i'm looking at. With the info below i'd like you to vote on which you would go with.

-Both are FFP.
-Both are in MRADs
-Vortex is illuminated, SWFA is not.
-Vortex is ~$875 and SWFA is $1,300, both are NIB.
-Both are in stock and ready to ship.
-There are more "turns" available on the SWFA for greater adjustment for long range shooting.
-I will not be shooting out past 600 yards anytime soon.
-First real long range setup for me. I'm a newb.
-These are not to hunt with currently, just target shooting at the range.
-I want a good, clear scope, that is going to hold zero, track well, and provide me with long lasting use.

Mounting on a R700 TT with Burris rings and Leupold 15moa mount.

Please help me decide :)The extra money I would save with the Vortex would go towards ammo, but I don't want to be disappointed in my choice.
 
Re: POLL: SWFA 5-20x50 FFP vs Vortex PST 6-24x50 FFP

I owned both and stayed with the SS. I thought the SS bad better glass and seemed more durable. I also got mine for about 1k on the cyber monday deal. At 1300 it would be a tougher decision but I think I would still go for it.
 
Re: POLL: SWFA 5-20x50 FFP vs Vortex PST 6-24x50 FFP

i was having the same exact debate for the last month and I went with the SWFA. I just felt the reviews were better. I liked that it was beefier and hopefully more durable, better glass, better low light picture, 10mils/rev instead of 5 on the vortex. I got mine used from here last week so if i change my mind i can sell it but a vortex and have not really lost anything.

also there are a few of the SWFA 5-20 illuminated for sale here that are going for $1300. several with a mag lever and sun shade included.
 
Re: POLL: SWFA 5-20x50 FFP vs Vortex PST 6-24x50 FFP

I've owned both. Although I do like the reticle in the PST, they're really not in the same league in my mind. The SS makes the PST feel like a toy. No question, I'd go with the SS.

John
 
Re: POLL: SWFA 5-20x50 FFP vs Vortex PST 6-24x50 FFP

I have a SS 5-20X and really like it. Don't really want for anything else if that tells you anything. Truthfully I think that either will serve you well for your intended purposes. I will say this though, if your max intended range is 600 I don't think that 20x, let alone 24x is needed.

I will add that I really enjoy the reticle on my SS but I not sure what the Vortex has so I cannot say if one is better than the other.

Good luck with your decision.
 
Re: POLL: SWFA 5-20x50 FFP vs Vortex PST 6-24x50 FFP

I don't really thing there is a comparison. The SS is in a different league I feel. Also you can buy the illuminated model pretty much any day for 11-1200.
 
Re: POLL: SWFA 5-20x50 FFP vs Vortex PST 6-24x50 FFP

Good news guys...I found a SWFA SS 5-20x50 Illuminated MRAD locally NIB for $1,300. It was in the Optic for sale section.

I got in touch with the guy and I scooped it up and have it sitting here with me now waiting for my rings/rail to come in.

So far I like it. This thing is beefy!!

Thanks for voting and the info. I think I made the right choice.
 
Re: POLL: SWFA 5-20x50 FFP vs Vortex PST 6-24x50 FFP

I believe the SS is made in Japan and the PST is made in the Philippines. I haven't owned either but I'd like to buy a SWFA in the future. I wouldn't buy a Vortex unless it was a Razor
 
Re: POLL: SWFA 5-20x50 FFP vs Vortex PST 6-24x50 FFP

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jamesbern</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Good news guys...I found a SWFA SS 5-20x50 Illuminated MRAD locally NIB for $1,300. It was in the Optic for sale section.

I got in touch with the guy and I scooped it up and have it sitting here with me now waiting for my rings/rail to come in.

So far I like it. This thing is beefy!!

Thanks for voting and the info. I think I made the right choice. </div></div>

cool....i think you will be happy with your choice.
 
Re: POLL: SWFA 5-20x50 FFP vs Vortex PST 6-24x50 FFP

Had both, sold the Vortex. I actually preferred the illumination dial and mag dial on the Vortex, but with everything else I preferred the SWFA. Fixed the SWFAs issue with the mag dial by slapping on a cat tail.
 
Re: POLL: SWFA 5-20x50 FFP vs Vortex PST 6-24x50 FFP

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hk dave</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Had both, sold the Vortex. I actually preferred the illumination dial and mag dial on the Vortex, but with everything else I preferred the SWFA. Fixed the SWFAs issue with the mag dial by slapping on a cat tail. </div></div>

yeah i recommend the swfa cat-tail as the mag adj ring is a bit tight and not easy to grab. cat-tail fixes that issue.
 
Re: POLL: SWFA 5-20x50 FFP vs Vortex PST 6-24x50 FFP

My 5-20x50 SS fell off a 3 ft bench on concrete!!! The whole rig weights 13.5-14 pounds. Well glad to tell everyone that this damn scope held to falling down and also zero was still perfect!




Aron-