I've got a Savage Model 10 hunting rifle that while not super light, isn't exactly heavy either. I've currently got a SWFA 3-9x42 mounted on it, and it did make a noticeable difference in weight over the Nikon Monarch that was previously on it, but I'm okay with how it is right now. What I love about this scope is, the durability of it, the accuracy of the turrets, and the reticle. For some reason I just prefer the mil dot's over the newer reticle. The power range is also near perfect for a hunting rifle. I don't ever take it below 4x, but I use 4x, 90% of the time, and find myself rarely cranking it up to 9x although it does happen.
Now, I also find myself shooting this rifle quite often in the off season at ranges up to 600 yards, and I'd like to step out closer to 1000 later this summer. So it's kind of a dual purpose rifle. This is where I really find 9x lacking, and would like something more. The other problem I have with the 3-9, is the glass. It's got decent glass, but decent is all it is. To me I see a lot of chromatic aberration, and I see distortion around the edges, which gives me a headache looking through it for long periods of time on bright days. However, for hunting situations where I'm not constantly on the scope for long periods of time, it's more than fine.
Well, I ended up ordering the SWFA Tax Day special with the 5-20 and the 1-6, but my plans at the time of ordering it were to sell the 5-20, and keep the 1-6. However, the more I think about it, I'm wondering if I should just keep the 5-20 and sell my 3-9. I just hate to open the 5-20 and play with it, thus no longer being able to sell it as NIB. I'm aware the 5-20 has better glass which I think I will like. I also think during the off season I will love having the higher powers, but I'm a little worried that the limited field of view on 5x will not be enough for hunting. We do a lot of hunting with dogs, where we are constantly having to take super quick shots on running game, but since I've not looked through the 5-20, I'm not sure if it will work well for this or not. I know my 3-9 on 4x is about perfect for it. My other issue is the weight. I'm not crazy about the extra weight of the 5-20 over the 3-9, but I could probably live with it.
So I guess I just wanted to get responses from people who had used both. It seems like they each have their pro's and con's, and since I shoot this rifle a lot in the off season I'm thinking I will enjoy the extra power quite a bit, but I don't want to make the rifle useless as my hunting rifle either, but not having the lower powers for that. What do you all think would be the way to go? I've also debated keeping both and switching them for both times of the year, but I just don't have enough extra cash for toys at the moment that I really want to do that, so I'd like to sell one of the two.
Now, I also find myself shooting this rifle quite often in the off season at ranges up to 600 yards, and I'd like to step out closer to 1000 later this summer. So it's kind of a dual purpose rifle. This is where I really find 9x lacking, and would like something more. The other problem I have with the 3-9, is the glass. It's got decent glass, but decent is all it is. To me I see a lot of chromatic aberration, and I see distortion around the edges, which gives me a headache looking through it for long periods of time on bright days. However, for hunting situations where I'm not constantly on the scope for long periods of time, it's more than fine.
Well, I ended up ordering the SWFA Tax Day special with the 5-20 and the 1-6, but my plans at the time of ordering it were to sell the 5-20, and keep the 1-6. However, the more I think about it, I'm wondering if I should just keep the 5-20 and sell my 3-9. I just hate to open the 5-20 and play with it, thus no longer being able to sell it as NIB. I'm aware the 5-20 has better glass which I think I will like. I also think during the off season I will love having the higher powers, but I'm a little worried that the limited field of view on 5x will not be enough for hunting. We do a lot of hunting with dogs, where we are constantly having to take super quick shots on running game, but since I've not looked through the 5-20, I'm not sure if it will work well for this or not. I know my 3-9 on 4x is about perfect for it. My other issue is the weight. I'm not crazy about the extra weight of the 5-20 over the 3-9, but I could probably live with it.
So I guess I just wanted to get responses from people who had used both. It seems like they each have their pro's and con's, and since I shoot this rifle a lot in the off season I'm thinking I will enjoy the extra power quite a bit, but I don't want to make the rifle useless as my hunting rifle either, but not having the lower powers for that. What do you all think would be the way to go? I've also debated keeping both and switching them for both times of the year, but I just don't have enough extra cash for toys at the moment that I really want to do that, so I'd like to sell one of the two.
