Rifle Scopes SWFA 3-15x42 vs 5-20x50

[CalRon]

Hey,

I have a Savage 10 Precision Carbine w/ 20" barrel. I am brand new to precision rifle shooting. I will probably do most of my shooting between 300-600 yards. I would like to work my way up to 1000 yards. There are a couple ranges our here in Nevada which have 1000 yard matches.

I am trying to decide which scope is best suited for me: SWFA SS 3-15x42 or SS 5-20x50

I have read great reviews on each. Seems like the glass on the 5-20 is much better than the 3-15. I like the price of the 3-15 better, but I dont want to be handicapped when I eventually work my way to 1000 yards.

Which one do you guys think will suit my needs the best as a beginner and allow me to grow into?

Thanks

 

[Bender]

If you can swing it, get a 5-20 HD. I have the 3-15 SWFA and i love it, but I couldn't afford the 5-20 at the time. I LOVE the reticle, and the clicks feel great on the SWFA line. The ONLY down side is no Zero stop on the 5-20 but I think it has hi speed turrets anyway. both are rock solid choices. If on a budget the SWFA line rules the roost.

 

[Rancid Coolaid]

The 5-20 has better glass, better knobs, and is an all-around better scope, in my opinion. If you can swing the extra $$, get the 5-20.

 

[Voltron]

5-20. It's a better scope in all ways except the price compared to the 3-15. Buy one used and it won't hit your wallet as hard. Win win if you do that.

 

[CalRon]

Do you think the 3-15 is plenty capable of 1000 yard shots?
Do you think the 5-20 HD is overkill for a .308 w/ 20" barrel?

I have the money to buy the 5-20, but was hoping to save a few bucks. I'm getting married soon, so I should probably buy what I want now before my fiance gets ahold of my bank account.

 

[Onewolf42]

To put in perspective.... I started with a Bushnell 10X fixed out to 1000 yards and I had no trouble seeing/hitting the 6" and 10" targets at 1000. I moved to an SWFA 12X fixed and I have no trouble seeing and hitting the 10" targets at 1200 yds. I recently bought the SWFA 5-20 HD. Not so much to see better at 1000/1200 yds, but to be able see holes on black paper targets at 100 yds when we do the 'know you limits' game with black targets. That game is a bitch.

 

[Bender]

I am not replacing my 3-15 on my .308 buy it and use it. 10x is shot to 1000 yd all the time. But if you can swing it. 5-20. No such thing as too much glass. Unless on a daisy red rider BB gun.

 

[Bender]

Watch here at the hide for $1000 5-20 HD.

 

[CalRon]

Thanks for everyone's help. I'd like to have the better glass on the 5-20 HD, but I think the 3-15 will suit my needs just fine. Plus making long distance shots will probably be more rewarding if I can do it with less magnification.

With the money saved, I am thinking about getting a targetcam. This will make spotting my shots much easier since I will be shooting by myself in the desert most of the time.

 

[Bender]

Exactly the road I went for the same reason. Bought an XLR chassis with the savings.

 

[valkyries]

I have had the swfa 3x15 for about a week now. I am really impressed with it. I will be putting it on Savage 11 hog hunter, .308, with a 20" barrel this weekend(hopefully). While I havent had the chance shoot with it yet, my initial impressions are that it is a quality scope. The turrets are nice, it feels very durable, nice reticle, the glass is bright and clear. I'm really happy with my purchase so far. I don't think shooting beyond 1000 yards would be a problem with this bad boy. Keep an eye on swfas demo list if you have the time. Got mine there for just over $600. It was listed as demo B which says it may show some cosmetic flaws but I can't find a mark on the one I have.

 

[Bender]

PS. I know guys who shot matches at 12x just to get out of mirage. Great scope, great warranty.

 

[steve123]

Thanks for everyone's help. I'd like to have the better glass on the 5-20 HD, but I think the 3-15 will suit my needs just fine. Plus making long distance shots will probably be more rewarding if I can do it with less magnification.

With the money saved, I am thinking about getting a targetcam. This will make spotting my shots much easier since I will be shooting by myself in the desert most of the time.

Also the 3-15 is a great scope for PCP air rifles and 22 rimfire's. It has 6 meter min parallax so I use mine mounted on a air rifle to practice offhand in the shop in the winter. It is actually on a different air rifle right now. Just yesterday I was showing some new friends how accurate my FX Royale is. We were putting shots through a 3/8" hole at 25Y.

I've used it for 22 tactical matches and won long range center fire matches with it.

VERY VERSATILE SCOPE, one of my favorite!!!

 

[sib1948]

Do you think the 3-15 is plenty capable of 1000 yard shots?
Do you think the 5-20 HD is overkill for a .308 w/ 20" barrel?

I have the money to buy the 5-20, but was hoping to save a few bucks. I'm getting married soon, so I should probably buy what I want now before my fiance gets ahold of my bank account.

If you're getting married soon, it sounds like you should sell the rifle rather than buy a scope! Just saying after 45 years of marriage, unless you're lucky enough to be marrying a woman who loves to shoot, then buy the SS 5-20X HD for her to use and if you save a few bucks, you can get a SS fixed 10X for yourself

 

[Ranger413]

I haven't owned one of the 3-15s, but I have had a few of their fixed power models and a couple 5-20 HDs. The fixed power models, which the 3-15 is based off of, have "good enough" glass, are built like tanks, and have excellent tracking. I just bought a 12x for my son's .223 build (Savage 10FP). You will have no problems getting to the distances your rifle will be capable of topping out at using 15x. That, and due to the scope's smaller objective, you should be able to mount it in low rings and get it closer to the bore.

The 5-20x scope is a great piece of glass. They can be had for about 1000 or slightly less if you look. I sold the two that I had for about that. Nice glass, excellent turrets, and well built. Heavy scope with a large objective. I believe I had to use medium rings with that one.

I've had the fixed power SWFAs and the 5-20x mounted atop a Barrett 50 BMG without fail. I've also had to use SWFA's warranty once. I'm remaining a loyal customer.

 

[VYD]

Hmm...this is exactly what I had. One deadly combo. Add a 10 round Dark Eagle custom mag and you are in business.

 

[CalRon]

Thanks for all your information guys, you have been very helpful. I'm really tempted to pull the trigger on the 3-15, but a part of me is still saying get the 5-20. I will make up my mind by the end of the weekend. Maybe I will luck out and SWFA will have a Labor Day Sale?

 

[tallison]

Can't go wrong on either. I have the 3-15 and love it, but I've never owned or even seen a 5-20 in person.

My 3-15 is on a AAC Rem700 in 308 in a manners chassis stock and I I've never felt like I needed more weight or glass.

 

[fireEMT5]

Here's a photo of my 10PC with a SS 5-20 with Aadland scope caps, in a McRee chassis.

 

[CalRon]

Alright guys, I ended up purchasing an SS 3-15x42. With the money saved I will buy a decent spotting scope or a target cam. I can't wait to go shooting!

Thank you and Happy Labor Day!

 

[CalRon]

Update

I went shooting yesterday for the first time with the SS 3-15. The glass and reticle are very nice. At 100 yards, I can make out holes on 15x, but it would be nice to have a little more power.

A guy next to me happened to have the SS 5-20 HD. He looked at my scope and was really impressed with the glass. He told me to look at his in comparison. Personally, I couldn't tell a difference in the clarity or contrast between the two scopes at 100 yards. The 20x on his scope did make it easier to see the holes at 100 yards. I also noticed that I had a difficult time positioning my head to see through the scope, I kept seeing black. With the 3-15, I have a clear view down my scope as soon as I rest my cheek on my stock. These are the only two scopes I have seen in person at a shooting range, so I really have no experience with anything else.

Overall, I am very happy with the 3-15.

 

[Bender]

SWFA 3-15x42 vs 5-20x50

The higher the power the tighter the eyebox gets. in full sun they would be similar, but at dusk the 3-15 would be dark where the 5-20 HD would still be very useable.

I love my SWFA 3-15, I too was going to buy the 5-20, but got the 3-15 instead and with the savings i bought an XLR Element chassis for my AAC-SD.

 

[the once-ler]

the glass in the HD models are good, not exceptional.. but for the money are a great value