Rifle Scopes Scope choices

[Flatland308]

I am looking at a quality scope to take me farther down the range. I am looking at the IOR 4-14x50 30mm SF Tactical Scope Standard MP-8 Dot Reticule and the SWFA SS 5-20X50. Both scopes look great and I know there is a difference in magnification but I am looking for insight from shooters who have worked with both....

 

[jasonk]

Re: Scope choices

Hands down I would recommend the SWFA SS 5-20x50 over the IOR. The extra magnification alone makes it a better choice.

 

[Kiba]

Re: Scope choices

While not your exact examples, I have 4 IOR's (1x 3.5-18 x 50 & 3x 3-18 x 42) that have the same modified MP8 dot reticle and general feature set as the 4-14 IOR. I also have a couple of 5-20HDs to make a comparison with.

The IOR scopes have very nice glass with a slight "yellowish" tint because of the coating. The slight yellow tint seems to offer your eye more contrast in the image. Overall they're very clear and bright. The modified MP8 dot reticle is very useful with lots of subtensions for ranging & holdovers. Knobs feel great and are easy to read, especially IOR's typical "giant" elevation knobs. Never had a tracking issue with any of them. If I had anything to complain about the IOR's is they are still dogged by the perception of reliability issues because of the older models (my 3-18 x 42s were not immune as I had one fail.) The newer models have had an excellent record though. I would like to see the MP8 dot reticle "thinned" as in some situations the 0.1 mil lines get pretty thick IMO. It all depends on the target though-- if you're using the MP8 for steel, paper, and match type stuff the 0.1 mil lines aren't an issue but if you're trying to hold windage on a ground squirrel poking the front of his body out of the grass at 350 yards the little furry buggers can hide under those thicker stadia lines.

I've had a SWFA 5-20 in hand for over a month now with more on the way. So far so good. The glass is just as clear and bright as IOR (brighter than the 42mm IORs) with a more neutral tint than the IOR coatings. Very clear. The reticle is very good-- plenty of ranging options and at 0.05 mils it's half the thickness of the IOR so it's far less "chunky" on higher powers but still useable down at the low end of the magnification range. While the thinner lines in the reticle are a plus IMO for small targets I miss the floating center dot of the modified MP8. So far tracking has been perfect and reliable. While the turrets have good tactile & audible feedback I do find that I miss the "giant" elevation knob on the IORs as it's much easier to read at a glance. The smaller diameter elevation knob on the SWFA crowds all the 0.1 mil hash marks somewhat close together and requires a more deliberate look to verify the reading. The SWFA also has the edge in overall adjustment range; while they advertise 30mils elevation both the 5-20HD's I have in hand right now have about 33 mils. The 4-14 IOR is listed at about 19.5 mils of elevation travel.

As I haven't sat behind a 4-14 IOR I can't comment on the eyebox but I can say the eyebox on the SWFA 5-20 is very forgiving. The IOR 3.5-18 x 50 is nearly as good as the SWFA IMO and the IOR 3-18 x 42's get pretty touchy from 14-18x-- they're not even a good comparison.

Without having sat behind a 4-14 IOR I'm reluctant to make a hard recommendation but I'm strongly inclined to lead towards the SWFA simply because of the combination of magnification range, glass, elevation travel, and very forgiving eyebox. Now if you want to alter your criteria to choose between the 3.5-18 x 50 IOR and the SWFA 5-20 that's a much tougher choice IMO-- during the group buy I purchased enough 5-20HD's to replace all my scopes with the exception of the 3.5-18 x 50 IOR-- I *really* like that IOR. However, with the SWFA being less expensive I would probably give the nod to the SWFA.

 

[Flatland308]

Re: Scope choices

I currently have a SWFA SS 3-9 and would love to pick up the 5-20 but after speaking with SWFA they could not tell me when they will have any 5-20's availible due to the massive backorder that was created. This is also causing me to lean towards the IOR....