Rifle Scopes SS 3-9 or new leupold VX-R 3-9

[jackh]

what do yall think? looking for something primarily for hunting, but also some long range target shooting. i dont necessarily need illumination. ive read so many good things about the SS, its hard for me to chose the Leupold over it.

thanks

 

[KE5MUJ]

Re: SS 3-9 or new leupold VX-R 3-9

Go with the SS, especially for long range use. Gonna be a better scope, the glass might be a touch better in the leupold, but thats the only department I see the leupy winning at. Hard to go wrong with SS.

 

[slowr1der]

Re: SS 3-9 or new leupold VX-R 3-9

Yup the SS gets my vote.

 

[jackh]

Re: SS 3-9 or new leupold VX-R 3-9

anyone else?

 

[The Gump]

Re: SS 3-9 or new leupold VX-R 3-9

Super Sniper. There are a few used ones for sale in the optics section.

Links:
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2783717&gonew=1#UNREAD

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2805114#Post2805114

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2769207#Post2769207

 

[blackblue]

Re: SS 3-9 or new leupold VX-R 3-9

Primarily for hunting the VX-R would get my vote.

 

[jackh]

Re: SS 3-9 or new leupold VX-R 3-9

those that are f/s on here are great buys but i want the mil quad reticle instead of the std mil dot

blackblue- whats your reasoning?

 

[cooper_257]

Re: SS 3-9 or new leupold VX-R 3-9

I would go with the SS 3-9. I got one a while back with the mill quad ret and I have been really impressed with it. the glass in my SS 3-9 isint quite as good as the glass in my SS HD 5-20X50 but it is better than the glass in my Leupold VXIII 2.5-8 . in daylight they are really close in glass quality but the edge goes to the SS. At dusk the SS gathers light a bit better.

 

[The Gump]

Re: SS 3-9 or new leupold VX-R 3-9

those that are f/s on here are great buys but i want the mil quad reticle instead of the std mil dot

I totally agree with you. The mil-quad is the shiz-nit. I say spend the extra money and get the SS mil-quad if that is what you want. I see no advantage in buying the Leupold when you can get externally adjustable turrets, a ranging reticle and at least the same level of quality for ~$120 more. I say at least because I have not personally handled the VX-R but I have handled the VX-I. I decided to spend a little more and got the SS. The SS 3-9 is a fine scope for its price range.

 

[jroberts]

Re: SS 3-9 or new leupold VX-R 3-9

SS ALL THE WAY

 

[RyeDaddy]

Re: SS 3-9 or new leupold VX-R 3-9

I'm going to dissent from the masses of SWFA fans here and say that for hunting as a primary purpose, I would buy the Leupold.

Here's why:

1. The Leupold has better glass, not by a ton, but better.
2. The Leupold is 4oz. lighter, every ounce counts when you're carrying it all day.
3. The Leupold has smaller turrets that are less likely to snag, and obviously gives a hunting rifle a lower profile.
4. The Leupold has a lit reticle. Some don't care, but I've been varminting or hunting at night and not been able to see an unlit reticle well enough to take a shot.
5. The second focal plane reticle of the Leupold is an asset I feel in a hunting application. The reticle can get thick on FFP's when at full zoom, and super small when zoomed out. I'll be honest and say I can't remember how thick the reticle actually got on 9x on the SS 3-9X I looked at last week down at SWFA.

I've seen and messed with both. If I were looking to do tactical type shooting I might choose differently as I like FFP scopes for that, I own a Weaver Tactical 3-15 FFP (couldn't afford the SS 5-20x at the time I needed a scope or I would have bought one, it's awesome) and I like having the same holdovers with the reticle no matter what power I'm on. SWFA Super Sniper scopes are quality for sure, and you wouldn't go wrong with one, but for a hunting application I would go Leupold.

No slight intended to SWFA here, they put out great products, they take care of us in the sport and are a sponsor of the Hide. They have great service, and because of that you could buy a Leupold from them if that's the one you choose. However, because their scopes are geared for tacticcal type shooting I think the Leupold is a more natural choice here.

 

[cdopson]

Re: SS 3-9 or new leupold VX-R 3-9

Sounds like we're talking about the standard VXR. Look at the VXR Patrol.
-mil reticle
-illuminated
-externally adjustable turrets
-same price as the SS
-swfa stocks it

I'm not saying "go that route", but rather compare apples to apples.

 

[jackh]

Re: SS 3-9 or new leupold VX-R 3-9

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Greedy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sounds like we're talking about the standard VXR. Look at the VXR Patrol.
-mil reticle
-illuminated
-externally adjustable turrets
-same price as the SS
-swfa stocks it

I'm not saying "go that route", but rather compare apples to apples. </div></div>

yes, that is the scope i am talking about, not the hunting VX-R.

the illumination would be nice, but this is not going on a gun im gonna carry calling. i think i am leaning towards the SS. this build was more for long range shooting and not hunting anyways, i will buy a more traditional hunting rifle/scope soon when funds allow

 

[WYcoyote]

Re: SS 3-9 or new leupold VX-R 3-9

I bought the VX-R 3-9x40 with CDS turrets for a hunting scope.
No mil reticle as on the Patrol.
It's working out well, I like the low profile turrets.
The lit reticle was a feature I wanted and this made me choose it over the SS.

 

[DannySeesUSMC]

Re: SS 3-9 or new leupold VX-R 3-9

I think it's a great excuse for a road-trip. Check both of them out in person at SWFA and you will know that you really got what you wanted.

I've had several things that were hyped up on the internet turn out not to be so great when I actually got to check out samples in person at local stores or had them shipped to me. The people who talk like they know about stuff always out number the people who actually do.

 

[speedracer]

Re: SS 3-9 or new leupold VX-R 3-9

I gotta agree with Danny. Cruse on out to Red Oak TX and put your hands on them in person. I did just that and walked away with the SS 3-9.

 

[MWDG3]

Re: SS 3-9 or new leupold VX-R 3-9

SS Mil-Quad 10 mils of holdover.

 

[jackh]

Re: SS 3-9 or new leupold VX-R 3-9

im actually going up to arlington today for the game. theres no way i can leave college station in time to get to swfa by 5 though.

 

[RyeDaddy]

Re: SS 3-9 or new leupold VX-R 3-9

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jackh</div><div class="ubbcode-body">im actually going up to arlington today for the game. theres no way i can leave college station in time to get to swfa by 5 though.</div></div>

Nonsense. Do it!!!

In my above post I hadn't looked at your profile to see you were in TX. Before you buy either you definitely ought to get up here and check them out side by side. GO RANGERS!!!

 

[JAAM12]

Re: SS 3-9 or new leupold VX-R 3-9

I just pickup the 3-9 patrol. I am not sure the FFP is all that important on any thing below 10x. I like both scopes. The patrol is going on top of a 6.8 AR. Get what you like. I do own several swfa 10X scopes. I like to buy from US companys to. Doing my part to support the ecom.

John

 

[Northland]

Re: SS 3-9 or new leupold VX-R 3-9

A little different but still in the same category.

http://swfa.com/Vortex-25-10x44-Viper-PST-30mm-Rifle-Scope-P44567.aspx

 

[jackh]

Re: SS 3-9 or new leupold VX-R 3-9

i went with the SS 3-9 with mil quad reticle, BC caps and a mil dot master.

 

[-=boone=-]

Re: SS 3-9 or new leupold VX-R 3-9

This is my opinion.

SS 3-9 is a nice little package. In a 3-9 I'm not sure about the FFP. I found I could only break the reticle down from 5-9. Then again I had the standard mildot. Glass was pretty clear. Walked a .223 out to 1200 yards with something like 19.8 mils up.

2.5-10 PST blew the ss 3-9 out of the water for me. If you're willing to run SFP. I found the PST to have a brighter clearer image with a generous eye relief. The turrets are much more positive in feel and much more audible. Illuminated reticle is standard, and the magnification adjustment ring is smoother in feel. 25 Mil internal adjustment.

I have no experience with the new Leupold VX-R Patrol and I'm not sure I ever will. I thought about purchasing one until I saw that it only has 17.5 mil of internal adjustment.

 

[DannySeesUSMC]

Re: SS 3-9 or new leupold VX-R 3-9

Since he already picked the SS 3-9x - it's the best scope in the world

On a side note - I was disappointed when I saw the reticle chosen for the PST 2.5-10x - having the thick bar portion end more than 30 MOA or 8 MIL from center, depending on the version, is a bad choice. Especially when the stadia lines are so thin. In poor, dark conditions and/or with dark/busy background you'll depend too much on the illumination. A day or two ago people in another thread found out they had PST's eating batteries in the off position, it's not a good idea.

I love Vortex but some of their reticle choices are plain dumb. Hard to pick up reticles and "tactical" don't go together.

 

[jackh]

Re: SS 3-9 or new leupold VX-R 3-9

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DannySeesUSMC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Since he already picked the SS 3-9x - it's the best scope in the world

</div></div>

ya seriously

i had been set on a viper pst for a while but read some iffy reports on the glass and quality of the product, so i turned towards the SS

 

[-=boone=-]

Re: SS 3-9 or new leupold VX-R 3-9

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DannySeesUSMC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Since he already picked the SS 3-9x - it's the best scope in the world

On a side note - I was disappointed when I saw the reticle chosen for the PST 2.5-10x - having the thick bar portion end more than 30 MOA or 8 MIL from center, depending on the version, is a bad choice. Especially when the stadia lines are so thin. <span style="color: #FF0000">In poor, dark conditions and/or with dark/busy background you'll depend too much on the illumination.</span> A day or two ago people in another thread found out they had PST's eating batteries in the off position, it's not a good idea.

I love Vortex but some of their reticle choices are plain dumb. Hard to pick up reticles and "tactical" don't go together. </div></div>

If you think that's the case good luck hunting in heavy timber with the SS. I've yet to have a problem with the Vortex reticle so that's a new one on me. I'm not sure what's hard to pick up on? I'm not a band wagon type of guy so I'm not choosing side here, just pointing out what I've noticed from actual use on the line and in the field.

After using a SS and a Vortex I guess I'm going to have to run the Leupold.

 

[ctressler]

Re: SS 3-9 or new leupold VX-R 3-9

I vote for the Leupold, if it is still made in America. I know the SS is not.

 

[The Gump]

Re: SS 3-9 or new leupold VX-R 3-9

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: boone</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
If you think that's the case good luck hunting in heavy timber with the SS.
</div></div>

Good point. At 3 power the crosshairs are a bit on the thin side.

 

[SWFA]

Re: SS 3-9 or new leupold VX-R 3-9

The Mil-Quad is not on the thin side and actually does well in heavy brush.