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3x15 FFP Scope Recommendations

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cpwomack View Drop Down
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    Posted: February/26/2016 at 08:40

I currently have a Vortex Viper PST 2.5-10x32 mounted on a Savage 10FP-SR in 223 and would like to have a little more magnification.  This rifle is used at the range (300 yards max), coyote hunting, and has been used to take a few deer.  My budget is $700 plus whatever SWFA will give me for the Vortex scope.  Currently looking at the SS 3-15, XTR II 3-15, and the Weaver Tactical 3-15.  Has anyone looked at all three scopes and can comment on the glass quality and eye box? 

I am leaning towards the SS since I really don't need illumination or zero-stops.  I would like to have FFP and Mil/Mil.


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/26/2016 at 08:44
Sup, Caleb? 


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cpwomack View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cpwomack Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/26/2016 at 08:49
Getting old, my eyes aren't as keen as they used to be.  As RC states, "glass quality trumps magnification," and I just wanted to make sure that the SS glass was equal to or better than the PST.  I have read lots of reviews on the XTR II and they were some what mixed, the scope has a lot of features for the price, but I have also read that the Weaver Tactical line has better glass than the XTR II.  There is no stores around me that carry the XTR II, so I cannot view it in person. 

Edited by cpwomack - February/26/2016 at 09:25
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Marine24 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/26/2016 at 11:49
I have both the SWFA and Weaver scopes and give the nod to the SWFA.  Difference isn't significant, but contrast and clarity is better in the SWFA.  My testing was done in the middle of the day.  Weaver seemed to have a slight haze to it, but that could have been the cataracts too.

I prefer the Mil-Quad reticle over the standard mil-dot that is in the Weaver

One thing I like about the Weaver is the turrets.  Some folks don't like the pop up design, but I found it useful.  Setting the turrets to zero is also very easy without having to deal with small screws.

Getting behind either scope is easy with very generous eye relief on both.

I've never had a 2.5-10X PST but did own their 4-16X version.  Wasn't a fan of that scope, although have heard good things on the 2-5-10X version.


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jonoMT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/26/2016 at 12:47
The glass on the SS 3-15 is really pretty good and more than adequate for distances beyond 300. I wish the turrets were a bit more compact like the SS 3-9 but that's all. Another thing I like is you can dial parallax down to 20 ft, which makes it easy to dry-fire practice in the house or even just to mount and boresight the scope.
Reaction time is a factor...
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cpwomack View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cpwomack Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/26/2016 at 13:08
Thanks for the feedback, the PST is a good scope but I have been spoiled by my SS 5-20 and would like a little more magnification.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Marine24 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/26/2016 at 13:17
Know the feeling.  Significant jump in optical quality between the Classic and HD line.  Once you experience better glass, it is hard to go back.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cpwomack Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/26/2016 at 13:20
Would be nice if they built a 3-15 HD model.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/26/2016 at 13:39
Caleb, do you have an SS 3-9x? I can't remember. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cpwomack Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/26/2016 at 18:49
I did Mark, but don't anymore. Had to sell it and just never got around to getting another one.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote trigger06 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/26/2016 at 21:17
I have the same Vortex 2.5-10x32 and the SWFA 3-15. I have not used the others you mentioned. I am far from an optics expert, but I tend to find that they both have very good glass for the money. I would probably give a slight advantage to the Vortex as far as clarity is concerned. I'll spend a little time tomorrow looking through each to see if I can give you a little more information.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/27/2016 at 07:50
I bought my Marine son-in-law a PST 2.5-10 based upon recommendations.  Was not highly impressed with it.  I set it up for him and boresighted it.  Glass is good, not great, adjustments were a bit disappointing.. not as crisp as I had been led to believe.  It is an OK scope, but does not live up to the hype… a thing I've found with several Vortex scopes.  
I would definitely choose SS3-15 over 2.5-10 PST. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote trigger06 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/27/2016 at 14:05
I took a look through both of these today side by side. It is bright and clear today here in West Texas. Both were set at 10x to get as apples to apples as I could. The Vortex has a very slight advantage in clarity and brightness. This is under excellent viewing conditions. I suspect that as darkness falls, the SWFA's larger objective would close the gap and very likely overtake the Vortex. The Vortex has just a hair better FOV at 10x. The eye box on the SWFA is narrower but longer than the Vortex.

All of the differences I saw were very minor. If you need that additional 5x of magnification, you are not giving up much in terms of optical quality if you go with the SWFA. Like I said earlier, I've not looked through the others you mentioned. Good luck in your search!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote trigger06 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/27/2016 at 14:20
After reading Kickboxer's post where he says that the adjustments are disappointing, I went to compare the turrets as I did not do so previously. The Vortex turrets have a more solid click (both feel and sound) than the SWFA.


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cpwomack Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/27/2016 at 17:58
Thanks for doing the comparison, I appreciate your time. Spent the day with a mess of fourth grade boys so no time for the range.
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