Rifle Scopes Q's regarding USO or S&B for SRS

[dreamlander]

Well I know this subject has been beat to death and I have read A LOT, but I have specific questions and this is a very big decision for me so I will say thanks in advance for any useful opinions.
I am buying a DTA SRS chassis that I will shoot at least 3 calibers on (.308, 338 Lapua, and hopefully 6.5x47). I am basically going for my ultimate set up, which leads me to finding the best glass.
I pretty much narrowed it down to USO or S&B. I have never looked through either. I don't know anyone who has one and there are no vendors in my area.
If I go with USO it will be a SN3 Tpal 5-25x58 35mm tube with Mil MPR reticle. The S&B would be a 5-25x56 PM II with a P4 or P4 fine. Does anyone think the large objectives will give problems mounting low enough on the SRS for a good cheek weld? Since both of these scopes are way expensive price really makes no difference. From what I have read USO seems to be as durable as they come, while problems with the S&B have popped up more frequently. I have also seen talk that S&B glass is better than USO's. I know this is subjective but would appreciate the opinions of people who have experience with these specific scopes. I know the people who own 4 S&B and looked through their buddies USO one time are going to say that the S&B's are much better so I would like to hear from people who have extensive time looking through both in multiple conditions(still want to hear from others as well). I know which ever I decide to buy will be great, but I want as many reviews and stories before making this investment.
Also what would be good 30 moa base/rings to go with these scopes and the SRS?
thanks for info

 

[IsleofGough]

Re: Q's regarding USO or S&B for SRS

Durability is debatable. I've seen more USO's have initial problems than S&B and some say the S&B have a better track record for use. But having had both, I would expect the USO could take a hard knock on the turrets better than the S&B. Optically, I don't think USO's are up to S&B. Whether that actually affects accuracy is questionable. S&B are more fun to look through in my opinion, though. They are both very good scopes and you are unlikely to go wrong with either.

 

[Rob01]

Re: Q's regarding USO or S&B for SRS

S&B without a doubt.

 

[robdes]

Re: Q's regarding USO or S&B for SRS

Hard choice. The base choice is easy though- get the one from DTA. It is designed to give you the proper weld and is super well made. I've had some probs with bases scratching the crap out of my scopes- the DTA base hasn't left a mark on my PRH.

You should give premier a look as well. I love both of mine.
The prob w/ USO is the wait. I haven't had the patience yet to buy one.

 

[beenjammin]

Re: Q's regarding USO or S&B for SRS

Premier +1

 

[poison123]

Re: Q's regarding USO or S&B for SRS

You want to buy the DTA made scope mount, trust me. You will get perfect alignment with what ever scope you end up with in the end.

I've got the 20moa DTA mount with a 5-25 Premier on mine and its like it was made for me.

 

[sickeness]

Re: Q's regarding USO or S&B for SRS

I would pick S&B simply for the fact that the glass is much better than USO and the clicks on the turrets are way more positive than on a USO. Durability is debatable but the USO is definitely heavier.

 

[Tucsondave]

Re: Q's regarding USO or S&B for SRS

I have a S&B 5x25x56 on the DTA 40 moa mount. PERFECT!

 

[gunderwood]

Re: Q's regarding USO or S&B for SRS

Similar question, would appreciate some help/insight. I use my stuff pretty hard (once I get it well tuned). Looking for the best field/tactical optic for unknown range shooting.

Having the same SRS setup (.338LM/300gr Lapua Scenars, .308Win/175gr SMK, .243Win/115gr DTAC) with a NXS 5.5-22x56mm (moving it to another gun), I was looking at a FFP Hensoldt 4-16x56mm or a S&B 5-25x56mm P4L. Nightforce NXS is as high as I have experience with to date. Having a hard time deciding.

I need a scope for another gun, so I was looking for something more tactical than the NXS. I dislike having many turns on the knobs, too easy to get lost when switching targets. Also, I dislike the inability to adjust the illuminated reticle without disassembling the turret. Both the Hensoldt and the S&B fix these two issues.

Hensoldt to my knowledge doesn't make the 6-24x56mm in FFP and the 72mm is just to big for this rifle IMO. Thus, my interest in the 4-16x56mm.

Pros:
Wider FOV-faster close target engagement
Lights the whole reticle (like the NXS) so ranging is possible in low light
Fluorite glass-I'm very impressed with my Zeiss Victory RF binoculars, but is it really that much better in this scope?
Easier sight picture

Cons:
Basic mil-dot reticle
16x may be limiting for .338LM ranges (thoughts?)
No zero stop
Durability? (heard rumors from Europe that Hensoldts break more often than S&B, but no real data to back it up)


S&B 5-25x56mm

Pros:
High magnification
Zero stop
P4L Fine reticle

Cons:
Only illuminates the central cross hair
Harder sight picture? (guessing from my research)
Potentially inferior glass? (how much?)
Length

Thoughts?

Edit: For those who have used both, which is easier to pick out camouflaged or at least not high contrast white targets with? The 25x of the S&B or the 16x with Fluorite lens?

 

[HuDisCo]

Re: Q's regarding USO or S&B for SRS

If it helps, after a year of doing business as the importer for hensoldt, we have never had an optic returned because of a mechanical failure.

It just doesn't happen...

 

[gunderwood]

Re: Q's regarding USO or S&B for SRS

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HuDisCo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If it helps, after a year of doing business as the importer for hensoldt, we have never had an optic returned because of a mechanical failure.

It just doesn't happen... </div></div>

How hard is it to get a different reticle (something like the P4L Fine)? Additional cost? Time?

 

[gunderwood]

Re: Q's regarding USO or S&B for SRS

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dreamlander</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Well I know this subject has been beat to death and I have read A LOT, but I have specific questions and this is a very big decision for me so I will say thanks in advance for any useful opinions.
I am buying a DTA SRS chassis that I will shoot at least 3 calibers on (.308, 338 Lapua, and hopefully 6.5x47). I am basically going for my ultimate set up, which leads me to finding the best glass.
I pretty much narrowed it down to USO or S&B. I have never looked through either. I don't know anyone who has one and there are no vendors in my area.
If I go with USO it will be a SN3 Tpal 5-25x58 35mm tube with Mil MPR reticle. The S&B would be a 5-25x56 PM II with a P4 or P4 fine. Does anyone think the large objectives will give problems mounting low enough on the SRS for a good cheek weld? Since both of these scopes are way expensive price really makes no difference. From what I have read USO seems to be as durable as they come, while problems with the S&B have popped up more frequently. I have also seen talk that S&B glass is better than USO's. I know this is subjective but would appreciate the opinions of people who have experience with these specific scopes. I know the people who own 4 S&B and looked through their buddies USO one time are going to say that the S&B's are much better so I would like to hear from people who have extensive time looking through both in multiple conditions(still want to hear from others as well). I know which ever I decide to buy will be great, but I want as many reviews and stories before making this investment.
Also what would be good 30 moa base/rings to go with these scopes and the SRS?
thanks for info </div></div>

I have let even complete noobies shoot my rifle and no one has had difficulty getting a good check weld with my 56mm NF/Barrett EX rings set at 40MOA. I am planning on getting the DTA mount, which I believe sits slightly lower than my current setup. I called DTA the other day about their mount and they claim the bar that connects the rings is sloped just like the rings, so feeler gauges will be square when installing the scope. That should make life a little easier. I just wish they made a wider ring set up as I prefer the massive 1.2" Barrett rings or Badgers MAX50s.