Rifle Scopes SWFA SS 3-9x42 vs Vortex Viper 2.5-10x44 PST?

[enichols]

Hello all,
I'm looking to purchase a scope for my SPS-V .308, and I've more or less narrowed it down to these two scopes. I'm having a hard time deciding between the two... both are $600, both are in the magnification range I want, and both are MIL/MIL scopes. I like the Viper's reticle a little better - I like the hashes better than dots. However, Vortex is SFP while the SS is a FFP scope. Which would you choose? Any reason to get one over the other? What kind of durability can I expect from the Vortex? I have an older SS 10x42 that has been very reliable and durable, so I would expect that the SS 3-9 would be similarly well built.

Thanks for any input you can give me.

-enichols

 

[BCP]

Re: SWFA SS 3-9x42 vs Vortex Viper 2.5-10x44 PST?

PST isn't available yet, at least I don't think it is. They should be readily available in a month or two (hopefully).

Bushnell 3-12 FFP is 600$ bucks with the 4200 midway code.

 

[BigDaddy0381]

Re: SWFA SS 3-9x42 vs Vortex Viper 2.5-10x44 PST?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: enichols</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hello all,
I'm looking to purchase a scope for my SPS-V .308, and I've more or less narrowed it down to these two scopes. I'm having a hard time deciding between the two... both are $600, both are in the magnification range I want, and both are MIL/MIL scopes. I like the Viper's reticle a little better - I like the hashes better than dots. However, <span style="color: #CC0000">the SS is a SFP scope.</span> Which would you choose? Any reason to get one over the other? What kind of durability can I expect from the Vortex? I have an older SS 10x42 that has been very reliable and durable, so I would expect that the SS 3-9 would be similarly well built.

Thanks for any input you can give me.

-enichols </div></div>

SWFA SS 3-9x42 Tactical Riflescope

Stock # - SS39X42
Matte
<span style="color: #FF0000">First Focal Plane</span> Mil-Dot
30mm
OK for .50 cal
0.1 MRAD

I have a SS and love it, I tend to be brutal on all my stuff and it has held up beyond what I would have thought it would have and still trak's perfectly.

 

[enichols]

Re: SWFA SS 3-9x42 vs Vortex Viper 2.5-10x44 PST?

@ bigdaddy - sorry, I knew that about the SS. Meant to say "The Vortex is SFP while the SS is FFP". Just had a brain fart.

Thanks for the input.

 

[Prairie Dog Dundee]

Re: SWFA SS 3-9x42 vs Vortex Viper 2.5-10x44 PST?

Actually the SWFA SS 3-9X42 is a FFP scope. I have two of them mounted on 7.62 semiautos, (LMT and M1A). I shoot steel with them out to 800 yards and have put just over 3000 rounds, (combined), through these rifles. The adjustments are repeatable and precise. I also have owned a SS 10X for eight years and have had no problems with any of these scopes. I think the SS 3-9X42 is a few notches above the original in that the adjustment clicks are more precise, (my 10X is a bit mushy feeling). The newer SWFA HD scopes are very high quality from what I have seen. The SWFA scopes in general are a bargain regarding quality VS price.

I have two Vortex Vipers (not PST). The one I've used the most is a 6.5-20X44. It sets on a RRA 24" .223 Varminter and I have about 400 rounds through the rifle using this scope.

Neither scope has parallax adjustments.

Personally I'd go with the SWFA mostly because I have more experience with it and trust the brand because of a long trouble free history.

 

[Mute]

Re: SWFA SS 3-9x42 vs Vortex Viper 2.5-10x44 PST?

At this point, the SS is a known quantity (and quality). The PST has yet to be tested and still vaporware until they hit the shelves. I don't know about you but I personally don't like to be a beta tester on my shooting equipment.

 

[eleaf]

Re: SWFA SS 3-9x42 vs Vortex Viper 2.5-10x44 PST?

The SS 3-9x is a great piece of kit. But for the same money (essentially), I would go after the Bushnell Elite 4200 3-12x44 ffp. I have both and I do like the Bushy better.

 

[tickled pink]

Re: SWFA SS 3-9x42 vs Vortex Viper 2.5-10x44 PST?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mute</div><div class="ubbcode-body">At this point, the SS is a known quantity (and quality). The PST has yet to be tested and still vaporware until they hit the shelves. I don't know about you but I personally don't like to be a beta tester on my shooting equipment. </div></div>

I am extremely glad I was able to get a Vortex Viper PST FFP MOA Illuminated reticle with their ERB-1 Reticule. I also got the Custom Turret from Vortex.

http://forum.gon.com/showthread.php?t=564977&highlight=

http://forum.gon.com/showthread.php?t=574886&highlight=

40gt

PS: Vortex will start shipping before New Years.

 

[fireEMT5]

Re: SWFA SS 3-9x42 vs Vortex Viper 2.5-10x44 PST?

How soon do you want it? Now = SS, wait = PST

FFP or SFP?

Illumination or not?

I had the same dilemma, with the same 2 scopes. I now have a SS 3x9 mounted and ready to go. I was unsure of the FFP on a 3x9, but am glad I went that route. As others have said, the SS line is proven and I wasn't about to wait another 6 months or a year so that the PST can get shipped and tested, then reviewed.

I really hope the PST turns out to be all that, but like others have said, why be the beta tester? That said, both SWFA and Vortex have some of the industries best warranties and customer service. All kind of comes down to what you want and how long you want to wait.

 

[Prairie Dog Dundee]

Re: SWFA SS 3-9x42 vs Vortex Viper 2.5-10x44 PST?

To me haveing the FFP outweights the illumination. I found that at 3X the big bold outer crosshairs that "Grow" towards the center make centering the target in dim light pretty easy. I learned this watching a herd of Elk well before sunup. I had the SWFA 3-9X42 and an ACOG 3X. I spotted the movement with the ACOG and could center on the front shoulder of what I thought was a Doe. I switched to the SS and saw that it was a cow Elk and I could still center on the shoulder.

 

[enichols]

Re: SWFA SS 3-9x42 vs Vortex Viper 2.5-10x44 PST?

Thanks for all the input, guys. I think that I will probably end up going with the SS. As I said, my SS 10x42 has been a fantastic scope and I have been nothing but happy with it - I imagine the 3x9 will be the same thing.

Merry Christmas to you all!

-enichols

 

[BigDaddy0381]

Re: SWFA SS 3-9x42 vs Vortex Viper 2.5-10x44 PST?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: enichols</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks for all the input, guys. I think that I will probably end up going with the SS. As I said, my SS 10x42 has been a fantastic scope and I have been nothing but happy with it - I imagine the 3x9 will be the same thing.

Merry Christmas to you all!

-enichols </div></div>

Very good!! You will be more than happy.

 

[LAR Dragoon]

Re: SWFA SS 3-9x42 vs Vortex Viper 2.5-10x44 PST?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bigdaddy0381</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: enichols</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks for all the input, guys. I think that I will probably end up going with the SS. As I said, my SS 10x42 has been a fantastic scope and I have been nothing but happy with it - I imagine the 3x9 will be the same thing.

Merry Christmas to you all!

-enichols </div></div>

Very good!! You will be more than happy. </div></div>

+1
I need a 3rd!

 

[Prairie Dog Dundee]

Re: SWFA SS 3-9x42 vs Vortex Viper 2.5-10x44 PST?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LAR Dragoon</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bigdaddy0381</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: enichols</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks for all the input, guys. I think that I will probably end up going with the SS. As I said, my SS 10x42 has been a fantastic scope and I have been nothing but happy with it - I imagine the 3x9 will be the same thing.

Merry Christmas to you all!

-enichols </div></div>

Very good!! You will be more than happy. </div></div>

+1
I need a 3rd! </div></div>

Third

 

[Heltsley]

Re: SWFA SS 3-9x42 vs Vortex Viper 2.5-10x44 PST?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Prairie Dog Dundee</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LAR Dragoon</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bigdaddy0381</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: enichols</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks for all the input, guys. I think that I will probably end up going with the SS. As I said, my SS 10x42 has been a fantastic scope and I have been nothing but happy with it - I imagine the 3x9 will be the same thing.

Merry Christmas to you all!

-enichols </div></div>

Very good!! You will be more than happy. </div></div>

+1
I need a 3rd! </div></div>

Third </div></div>

I will Forth it, great scope!