Rifle Scopes Stick with S&B?

[CallmeMrT]

I'm currently shopping for a 338 lapua setup (thinking Savage 110 HS Precision to start, but still undecided) and I am wondering if there is a better deal than the S&B 5-25, optioned how I want (P4F Mil Dt CW) has a price tag of only $2550, is there a better scope for this kinda money? Also there is a sale on the 3-27 same options for $2999, would it be worth the extra $450? I currently have a 4-16 on my 308 which is why I would like to stick with S&B. I feel like this S&B scopes have a great price point right now and Im having a hard time finding anything better for me, just curious what you experts think . . . Thanks

 

[Dthomas3523]

I'm currently shopping for a 338 lapua setup (thinking Savage 110 HS Precision to start, but still undecided) and I am wondering if there is a better deal than the S&B 5-25, optioned how I want (P4F Mil Dt CW) has a price tag of only $2550, is there a better scope for this kinda money? Also there is a sale on the 3-27 same options for $2999, would it be worth the extra $450? I currently have a 4-16 on my 308 which is why I would like to stick with S&B. I feel like this S&B scopes have a great price point right now and Im having a hard time finding anything better for me, just curious what you experts think . . . Thanks

Do they have a reticle you prefer? At this tier if optic, that’s typically the most important distinction.

 

[W54/XM-388]

At the prices you can currently get a S&B 5-25x56 for (probably $2500 new or less used), it's hard to recommend another brand that gives you as much for the money in that same price bracket unless you specifically want a different control layout, or different reticle or something the old standby doesn't give you.

If you can get a 3-27 for $3k, it's not a bad idea, for the extra $500, it would make a sound investment & be worth a bit more in the long run. I don't think for the .338 that you'll notice much going from a low of 5x to a low of 3x and there in not a huge difference between 25x and 27x, but a bit more magnification is always nice and the investment value is worth it for resale as the 3-27 will be worth at least $500 more in resale value later on.

As far as what would make a huge difference, the 5-45x56 is a huge step up and very interesting if you have a range that you can use it at, however at the $4800 range it's a big jump up in cost.

 

[Glassaholic]

I'm currently shopping for a 338 lapua setup (thinking Savage 110 HS Precision to start, but still undecided) and I am wondering if there is a better deal than the S&B 5-25, optioned how I want (P4F Mil Dt CW) has a price tag of only $2550, is there a better scope for this kinda money? Also there is a sale on the 3-27 same options for $2999, would it be worth the extra $450? I currently have a 4-16 on my 308 which is why I would like to stick with S&B. I feel like this S&B scopes have a great price point right now and Im having a hard time finding anything better for me, just curious what you experts think . . . Thanks

I've never seen a new S&B 3-27 for under $3k, that is a crazy good price for that scope. The 5-25 has an issue with tunneling that I don't believe the 3-27 exhibits, not sure if that makes a difference as W54 mentioned, but it might help with resale value down the road. If you like the P4F reticle then there is not much better than Schmidt, most choose other alpha class scopes for their reticle, not because they have better glass than Schmidt.

 

[Wildfire1550]

I have the S&B 5-25 with p4f and like it a lot. Inertia lay would mind the 5-45

 

[Wyfox]

I picked up the 3-27 on sale at EO and put it on my 338 Norma, I like it much more than my 5-25. I have a 30moa rail and zeroed at 100yds, I have the full 26 mils of elevation available.

 

[Nik H]

A 3-27 for < $3K????

Where would that be???

 

[Wyfox]

A 3-27 for < $3K????

Where would that be???

https://www.eurooptic.com/schmidt-bender-pmii-3-27x56-l-p-lt-p4fine-ffp-1-mrad-cw-black.aspx

 

[CallmeMrT]

I guess I'm still unsure of the 5-25 v 3-27, im still leaning towards the 5-25. I dont see the exta 2x below and above being worth the $450 seeing as I would rarely ever use it that low or high, unless the 3-27 is a better scope overall?

 

[Wyfox]

On a 5-25 you have a total of 26 mils of adjustment in the scope, after you zero it at 100 you'll most likely have 22 mils to work with if you're using a 30-40 MOA rail. The 3-27 has a total of 38 mils of internal adjustment so once you zero at 100 you have the full 26 mils available to you in your turret. When put on a 338 the extra elevation allows you to dial out to 2500+ yards with a 100 zero, which make the 3-27 a better choice for ELR.

 

[CallmeMrT]

I believe the 3-27 that is on sale is only the 26 mil version, the 34 mil is mo $$$

 

[Wyfox]

I believe the 3-27 that is on sale is only the 26 mil version, the 34 mil is mo $$$

It still has 38 mils of internal adjustment, you can only dial 26 of them though. You cant do that with the 5-25 FYI. I have one mounted on my 338 pictured on the left.

 

[Dthomas3523]

Someone correct me if I’m wrong here, the 5-25 tunnels and the 3-27 does not. So it’s really a 7-25 vs a 3-27.

 

[CallmeMrT]

Well it's still a 5-25, there is just no increase in fov going down below 7x

 

[Dthomas3523]

Well it's still a 5-25, there is just no increase in fov going down below 7x

Right, which for me, FOV is the reason I’d want low end magnification. Do you require an FOV less than provided by the 5-25?