Rifle Scopes Scope Advice 2.0

[RiverRatMatt]

I've zoomed in more precisely on what I want in a scope and am looking for some more advice. (sorry for the bad pun )

Here are the things I want:

FFP
Mil-Dot (or reticle similar to the CMR-W 7.62 with the dot+horseshoe, not the drop/windage stuff)
Light weight preferred
~$2000 or less

I've been looking at NightForce scopes, but it looks like they don't get FFP until the $3000 mark. Leupold seems to offer what I want, and in fact they have some good deals on Mark 4 scopes now that Mark 6 are out. I shot a buddy's Mk6 Leupold with the CMR-W 7.62 reticle and I definitely liked the glass.

The other bit I'm wondering about is magnification. 2.5x or 3.5x - 10x is nice for the size and weight, but I'm not sure 10x magnification is enough for the longer range shooting I want to do (up to 1km for now). I will also be using it for hunting (big game and some varmints), and don't want a scope that is too heavy and with a bottom end magnification that is unusable at closer range. I'd likely switch to my pistol for stalking but the more use I can get out of the scope/rifle the better.

What are your thoughts?

 

[42769vette]

Its not light weight, but the Vortex razor might be worth adding to your research list

 

[RiverRatMatt]

I'm hesitant to go with Vortex because most of their stuff if overpriced "Made In China" gear from what I've seen :/

 

[bjay]

What about swfa hd ir weaver?

 

[Rob01]

I'm hesitant to go with Vortex because most of their stuff if overpriced "Made In China" gear from what I've seen :/

You must have looked at their very cheapest models as they are the only ones made in China. The PSTs are made in Philippines and the Razors in Japan and are excellent scopes.

 

[sawman556]

NF has the new 2.5-10x32mm out, however it's not FFP. The new Vortex PST 2.5-10x32mm(I'd really like to see someone review the two of these side by side) is pretty outstanding considering the price. The Vortex Razor HD is excellent but it's quite large.

When I first started using optics I figured the higher the power the better, which left me thinking 20x-24x was the only way to go. I've kinda changed my thoughts on the matter and believe 15x/16x is pretty much as high as I'll ever need. The scope I use the most is 6x and I can make hits out to 600yds fairly easily with a AR-15.

If you can come up with a little more cash the NF 3.5-15x50mm F1 with MLR2.0 would probably work really well for you. You could always piggyback a RMR, after you make some more cash, in case you run into any issues up close.

There's a good amount of options available but you'll need to narrow down the power range for more help.

And don't listen to the bullshit about Vortex PST's not being any good. I'll take a PST over the Mark 4's any day.

 

[Crosshair]

Its a pretty tall order to get a light weight scope with broad mag range and alpha glass for $2000. The closest scopes I can think of come in around $2200:
Leupold Mark 6 3-18x42 23.6 oz.
March Tactical 3-24x42 22.6 oz
Premier LT 3-15x50 25.7 oz.

The Nightforce F1 is 30 oz. and starts at about $2450.
IOR 3-18x42 FFP 28 oz. ~$1700
Not a whole lot of lightweights til you move to a smaller mag range.

Beyond those, I'd jump down a bracket to:
Vortex PST 2.5-10x32 FFP ~$750,
SWFA SS 3-15x42 $700
Weaver Tac 3-15x50 $700

 

[OldGuardShooter]

The new NF out soon is a 2.5-10x42 i think . The pst 2.5-10x32 is a Great optic for the money. I wish they would have done a Razor with those specs the PST have good glass but the razor's glass just pops more . I put the Razor 5-20 next to the NF F1 3.5-14 that you are talking about and i ended up going with the NF F1 with the MLR 2.0 . for almost half the price if a budget is important go with the PST 2.5-10x32 If you want more of a solid scope with a bit better glass go with the NF if you are willing to spend 3 times the PST amount go with the NF F1 .

 

[RiverRatMatt]

Thank you all for the feedback, I have a few changes in priority. I've decided I want at least 15x on the high end, and am willing to sacrifice weight to get there.

Initially the scope will be mounted on my .243, but I have a .300 win mag it will likely go on in the future.

Also I buggered up my spotting scope last night so I need something to help fill that role for now -.-

 

[optimist]

Have you considered Sightron? This might work... or maybe it's too big. Sightron Riflescopes SIII Series SIIISS624X50LRFFPMOA

Nice scopes, great company to deal with, prices are reasonable for quality product, glass is excellent. I like the MOA reticle from Sightron, I find the Mil Dot reticle lines too be a little thick, and at long range it's tougher to get a fine hold sight picture, as the target (v-bull) on a figure 14 target is a little obscured. Sightron also offers custom reticle changes if needed.

I use one on my .260 Remington, with a 20 MOA rail , and I get out to 1000 yards with lots of elevation to spare.

 

[Quickdraw40]

Steiner 4-16x50, $2,300 MAP

 

[RiverRatMatt]

So far the frontrunner is the SWFA SS HD 5-20. So far I've only read great reviews, how does the glass compare to Leupold's new 3.5-18 Mk6?

Also, I read something about a discount from SWFA for SH members, is that still valid?

 

[tylerw02]

The NF F1 fits your needs.

 

[RiverRatMatt]

The NF F1 fits your needs.

Ah, so it does.

Next question is: what do I get for an extra $1000 over the SWFA?

 

[MrSunday]

Ah, so it does.

Next question is: what do I get for an extra $1000 over the SWFA?

One difference is the NF has zero stop while the SS does not

 

[RiverRatMatt]

What else? I can live without zero stop.

 

[sawman556]

SWFA has better illumination. You have to take the NF apart to change the brightness. Zero-stops are nice but not always needed, I have to dial under on my AR's. I really wish SWFA would make the 3-15x in the HD model. That would be awesome.

 

[sawman556]

You also get some stickers with the NF.

 

[Bruno]

For the price of the F1, I would get something else. They are great scopes, but your getting into Steiner, Premier, S&B, and even Henny price range. At $2000, I would save a bit more and get a nice used model of the other scopes mentioned. My opinion only, but the glass steps up a level for just a few hundred more.

 

[FALex]

I really wish SWFA would make the 3-15x in the HD model. That would be awesome.

Amen to that!

The glass is so damn good on those HD's, I am curious to know what a higher end magnification would look like on one, say a 25x?

Bushnell has that new 4.5-30. I haven't yet looked through one, but 30x is quite a bit. Especially when it is as warm out as it was today!

 

[sawman556]

Amen to that!

The glass is so damn good on those HD's, I am curious to know what a higher end magnification would look like on one, say a 25x?

Bushnell has that new 4.5-30. I haven't yet looked through one, but 30x is quite a bit. Especially when it is as warm out as it was today!

I've been up in the twentysomething power range. 15x/16x is high as I need. I've been thinking about the SS HD 5-20x but really don't need that extra power. IDK.

 

[RiverRatMatt]

Any opinions on the Leupold Mk4 4.5-14x50 ER/T?

 

[cramey74]

For 2000.00 I would look at the for sale section and buy a used USO, Nightforce, Vortex Razor ETC.. I just sold a SN-3 3.2-17 T-Pal EREK that looked new for under 2,000. Also Rangerwalker71 would hook you up on a Vortex Razor new they are a fantastic scope. Chris R.

 

[Strykervet]

USO and S&B both make DFP reticles (dual focal plane --the SFP is a steady no-change dot or cross hair, the FFP a mil or other type reticle). I think the USO model is 1-8x, not sure about the S&B, but considering that's the Short Dot model, it may be too pricey. I think the USO is about $1995 MSRP? So for less if you look around.

I have a Mk4, SFP with mil reticle and MOA knobs. 2.5-8x. It's okay for what I use it for, but there are better. I hate the mismatched MOA knobs and mil reticle.

I have an SN3 3.2-17, TPAL, EREK, GAP reticle, push button illum. etc., obviously FFP, and it truly is the tits. If you don't mind the weight or bulk of it, it's a hard one to beat. You have 17x if you need it, down to 3.2x if not. I love mine, it's my favorite scope I own currently. You can find great ones on here for decent prices, some may be just a tiny bit more than you budgeted, but worth it I think.

 

[RiverRatMatt]

I'm wondering how much I need FFP. If SFP is accurate when fully zoomed and I get a scope that tops out at 10x or 15x (assuming that is enough), would I really be using the mil-dot at shorter magnifications?

What about fixed focal length scopes?