Rifle Scopes Schmidt 3-20 X 50 vs USO B-17

[Jeremy45]

Good morning Snipershide,

I am looking at these two scopes for a new rifle.

The rifle I am putting together is going to be all around (man with one gun) type rifle. The primary purpose of this rifle will be to shoot field type matches (competition dynamics, SAC etc.) the secondary purpose is an all around rifle, paper punching, hunting etc. I like the new feature on the B-17 on paper but I know that the S&B products are considered to be second to none. If you have the Lr-17 that would be a close approximation of the B-17 for this discussion.

I do live in an area where I can shoot out to 600m regularly and have the opportunity to go out to 1k a couple times a year. I am looking at the MGR reticle for the USO and either P4f or MSR from Schmidt.

Given these parameters which optic do you think is a better fit? Given the price difference and the small difference in magnification is the S&B past the point of diminishing returns?

Thanks,
Jeremy

 

[Nik H]

I don't have a 3-20 but I do have a 5-25 PMII and and an LR-17 3.2-17x. There is really no comparison between the two. I have owned my USO for a long time and really like it but it isn't an S&B. The S&B tracks more accurately, has a much better image quality and more features; however, it all comes at a price as well. When I bought the USO, there wasn't a lot out there besides Brand L so I went with USO. I think the new design contains new features to USO but features that are commonplace everywhere else.

I would opt for the S&B if you have the coin...

 

[Lowlight]

I have all the S&B Scopes here right now for reviews, I will say, consistency wise, and glass wise for sure, the S&Bs are better than the USO, they had their ups and downs and I think they are moving forward very well. But in the past they had some consistency issues.

I am especially a fan of the S&B Ultra Short series ... both the 5-20x and 3-20x versions are excellent

 

[Jeremy45]

Thank you for the input and quick responses, that really helps!! Looks like I will be going the S&B route. Not sure I have the coin for the Ultra Short series, I am looking at the standard version of the 3-20 but from Frank's review a year or so back it looks like it's still a solid choice?

Lowlight, I look forward to your reviews, it's good the hear S&B is moving in the right direction after a bumpy couple of years.

 

[lancetkenyon]

I have a 3-20 on a 7RM hunting rifle. It is an amazing scope. My only complaints would be the MTC is sometimes tricky to get .1MIL past an MTC detent, seems like I usually go .2 past, then back .1. The other is my reticle choice. I opted for the H2CMR, and on 3x & 4x, it is very fine and hard to pick up in dark backgrounds. 5X and above is great. But turn on the daytime bright illumination, and the center of the reticle becomes a red floating crosshair below 5X and is plenty visible.

 

[Falar]

I have all the S&B Scopes here right now for reviews, I will say, consistency wise, and glass wise for sure, the S&Bs are better than the USO, they had their ups and downs and I think they are moving forward very well. But in the past they had some consistency issues.

I am especially a fan of the S&B Ultra Short series ... both the 5-20x and 3-20x versions are excellent

I'm loving my 3-20 US so far. Just the right size and weight for my SR-25. Great turret, great glass.

 

[Cold_Bore_88]

I have the 3-20 S&B on my gas gun. Love it. I am changing out all of my glass to S&B. Only 1 scope left.

Everything Frank said, ditto.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Glassaholic]

Jeremy, I had the USO 3.8-22x44 which was an amazing scope for what it was, I've also had the S&B 3-20x50 (not the ultra short) and while I prefer the reticles from USO I prefer the overall scope from S&B, the 3-20x50 is an optic marvel, absolutely amazing to get behind, glass is beautiful, depth of field, contrast and resolution are superb. Also, FOV on the USO is really bad while the Schmidt is amazing, you're going to have much more in your sight picture with the Schmidt. My only recommendation is to look for another reticle besides the H2CMR (for the 3-20; however, I hear it is quite nice in the 5-25), I found it to be too thick for my preference. I had the P4F (or P4L Fine) reticle in my 5-20 Ultra Short and that was just right in that scope. Maybe the P4F or MSR might be the way to go. I just posted my review of the above mentioned scopes with pics of reticles and such here - http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...t-low-light-tactical-scope-evaluation-part-ii

 

[Jeremy45]

Wmj308 thanks for the heads up. I read your review it was very well written and helpful. Looks like the 3-20 is a very good fit for what I am wanting.

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[jb313]

Hello Jeremy,
You may want to take a hard look at just the 5-20 US, I believe it's a much better value then the 3-20.
It should be about 400 less.
Reticle is a little more user-friendly at low power.
The only cons,
Little bit trickier to mount
Reticles options are a little stale
Other than that I think it's one of the best Scopes out there.
The new IGR and MGR ret look pretty awesome from US Optics but only time will tell how the rest of their refinements stack Up.

 

[Glassaholic]

I have all the S&B Scopes here right now for reviews, I will say, consistency wise, and glass wise for sure, the S&Bs are better than the USO, they had their ups and downs and I think they are moving forward very well. But in the past they had some consistency issues.

I am especially a fan of the S&B Ultra Short series ... both the 5-20x and 3-20x versions are excellent

Would you mind sending all the Schmidt & Bender scopes to me after you review them

 

[steve123]

I had a 3.2-17 USO, it was a older scope. There were quite a few things I didn't like about it, mostly the glass poor in it even after sending it back for inspection. But I bet the new USO scopes are much better.

I've always loved my S&B 3-20x50 MTC-LT/H59. I think I'd love a US even more, wanted one since they came out.

 

[Jeremy45]

I have all the S&B Scopes here right now for reviews, I will say, consistency wise, and glass wise for sure, the S&Bs are better than the USO, they had their ups and downs and I think they are moving forward very well. But in the past they had some consistency issues.

I am especially a fan of the S&B Ultra Short series ... both the 5-20x and 3-20x versions are excellent

Frank, what reticle do you like in the ultra shorts, specifically the 3-20?