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Weaver 3-15x50 Tactical 30mm Rifle Scope
Stock # - WEA800363
- Matte
- Illuminated EMDR
- 30mm
- Side Focus
- First Focal Plane Reticle
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$699.95
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Idaho Scot
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Posted: February/15/2012 at 14:41 |
Your list screams Weaver Tactical 3-15x50! I would take a strong look at this scope if I were you. It is solid in every category.
I also have the SS 3-9x42 and if you think can get by with 9x it is a really nice scope.
HTH,
Scot
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Urimaginaryfrnd
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Posted: February/15/2012 at 17:12 |
I was really thinking this up until I saw the price limit.
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US Optics 1.8-10x44
SN-3 30mm Riflescope
Stock # - USOSN3I
- Matte Black Type III hard Anodizing
- Illuminated Mil-Scale GAP Reticle
- 30mm
- Low Profile - Rapid Focus Eyepiece
- 11 Pos Rheostat (Red) Illumination
- EREK 1/10 MIL Elevation Knob
- US#3 M40 Style 1/10 MIL Windage Knob
- ERGO Upgrade Parallax Control
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$2,274.95 |
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"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do". Bobby Paul Doherty Texas Ranger
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Urimaginaryfrnd
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Posted: February/15/2012 at 17:18 |
Well the OBR is an awesome rifle congratulations on your rifle. I guess one of my concerns with the scope choice is size when we start talking higher magnification 50mm + objectives they start to get large. Depending on how you will really use this rifle I tend to think that you could initially get away with using something like the 3-9x42 Super Sniper at least for a while and it is a great scope to switch of to another rifle or it could be traded in to SWFA toward another optic at a later time as could other scopes but these hold their value well. If you are running an A2 or PRS type stock its already a big set up so by all means consider the 5-20x50 SS. The Leupolds are also a valid consideration at police price and really I dont think you would be going wrong with either but my first choice would be that U.S. Optics scope above.
Edited by Urimaginaryfrnd - February/15/2012 at 17:34
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"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do". Bobby Paul Doherty Texas Ranger
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Sparky
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Posted: February/15/2012 at 18:09 |
Now that I have more experience I would go with lower magnifications. I used to way over scope my rifles and that just caused me problems. Also lower mag scopes generally have a wider FOV making it easier to find your target at closer ranges. The SS 3-9 would be my choice. And if you are worried about 1000yd shots, a 9x is similar to no magnification at 111yds. How do you feel about looking at a target at 111yds with just your eyes?
Also if you are intending to shoot at 1000yds make sure your scope has enough internal adjustment to get you there. I know the SS scopes do, but I am not sure about the Weaver or the Vortex.
Since you are a LEO I would also consider the Leupold VXR 3-9.
http://swfa.com/Leupold-3-9x40-VX-R-Patrol-Tactical-30mm-Riflescope-P49445.aspx
I have been thinking about one myself and several here have reviewed this scope with favorable impressions of it.
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33shooter
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Posted: February/15/2012 at 21:18 |
Maybe I'm over thinking it. But I feel that if I go with a lower power scope, that I would prefer a 2.5-10x. Not any real difference I'm sure, but maybe it just sounds better.
I don't want too much scope, but I would prefer more than a 3-9. Though I think the SS and VX-R scopes are the best on the market in their class. Just not sold on that yet. But I have not considered them either. Guess I need to look into those as well.
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Sapper524
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Posted: February/16/2012 at 00:57 |
My USO 1.8-10x37 Review http://sapper-dz.blogspot.com/2012/02/us-optics-18-10x37-ergo-sn3-slimline.html I has settled on my 16 inch LR-308 and will stay there until USO releases the 1-8 models. If you can find a used one you won't be dissappointed. They can be found for 2k. If thats out of your price range I would say go with the SS 3-9x42 FFP. I have a few and have shot steel out to 750 many times. Thats the limit of that scope though due to the fixed parallax ... everything is blured past that. Yah the 5-20 is a great scope and Im very happy with mine. Its a BIG scope though and not one I would use on a THunder Beast challenge.
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33shooter
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Posted: February/16/2012 at 02:23 |
If the 3-9 is limited to 750ish then it won't work. I WILL shoot at a grand. Might not be very often, but it will happen. I will also get some time at 880 every few months. And I need reliable hits to those ranges.
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penguin6
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Posted: February/16/2012 at 05:54 |
I'm looking at trying to get to a long-range shooting school myself if I ever run out of expensive kids, so I called Rifles Only to get their recommendation on some things, scopes among them. The short list was S&B, Vortex Rzr, Nightforce, and the one that was specifically recommended at the top of the list was the Bushnell 3.5-21x50, mildot being good, GAP reticle being even better. I was told this was a great all-around scope; "phenomenal" was a word that was used by them in the discussion. They're not big on illum or high mag, saying they never use illum and liking 14-16x on the top end as giving enough fov to see bullet strikes and make corrections. I have other uses for my scopes than they do, so I didn't follow their recommendations exactly, but at least I got some insight into some models they've had good experience with. They don't seem to put nearly as much emphasis on glass as some, seeming to shrug when they talk about "the glass thing" as though it won't hurt anything but isn't high on the list of priorities. While they didn't mention the SS specifically on the phone, it reviewed well on their site IIRC.
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33shooter
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Posted: February/16/2012 at 08:43 |
Does anyone have any links to more information on that Weaver? That scope looks awesome the more I look at it. I've seen reviews where it was compared favorably to the SS and beat the Vortex PST 4.5-16 handedly in glass quality. I just want to see how their warranty is, and how their mechanical ability is. If it's good, that's the scope for me. That would leave me enough left that I would be well on my way to a good 1-4x 3-gun scope. And allow me to figure out what I really want in high end glass later on.
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Rancid Coolaid
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Posted: February/16/2012 at 09:26 |
A few thoughts from an owner/previous owner of every scope mentioned on the thread (except the weaver):
1. Non-illuminated FFP scopes can be tricky, especially at the low end of the mag range where reticles can be difficult to see and use. 2. Many coming into tactical shooting are buying too much magnification. In my humblest of opinions, unless shooting from very stable, fixed positions - and at targets further than 1k out, I wouldn't go to or above 20X on the top end. Lots of magnification presents challenges. I have owned a few 20X or great and have never found one I enjoyed using. Personal preference. 3. In your budget and with you stated intentions, a 3-9 would be a good start. If you are learning long range shooting, 800+ shots are much tougher than most will admit (because most haven't actually taken an 800+ yard shot, it is the internet, after all.) 4. Personally, I would avoid Leupold. 20 years ago their stuff was good in an industry that had few players. Now, everyone has stepped up their game, but Leupold hasn't kept pace. They are decent scopes, but there are far better scopes for the same or less money. 5 I have owned a few of the SS5-20s and liked them. I sold them because A. I sold the rifles they were on, and B. I shoot better with 15X scopes than I do 20X. It is a very good scope. It has the same challenges every other 20X has, but it does have a nice magnification range. 6. I think 5X is a little high for an optic that might be used to hunt. Higher mag usually means more narrow field of view.
Lastly, if the $600 SS3-9 means more range time, do it, without question or hesitation. The key to marksmanship is good basics (trigger control, breath control, natural point of aim, sight picture, bone-on-bone support) and practice, lots and lots of practice. If saving on the scope means more time on the range, save on the scope.
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Rancid Coolaid
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Posted: February/16/2012 at 09:28 |
On the Weaver, I haven't used one or shot one, but I hear good things. The mag range is my favorite : 3-15X.
Every other scope mentioned thus far, I own/have owned and have used extensively, happy to help however I can.
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Idaho Scot
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Posted: February/16/2012 at 09:31 |
You are on the right track. It has been highly rated by every legitimate reviewer I have confidence in and also by a number of users as well.
I have owned a lot of Weavers over the years and they have all been well built with very repeatable turrets. There have been a lot of changes with Weaver over the last few years but I haven't read anything to make me think that their turret assembly and durability has changed. I owned a classic extreme, which is a newer scope line, and it was very well made.
Some reading that may help:
http://www.opticstalk.com/_topic29642.html
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2939518&page=1
http://www.snipercentral.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=31769
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Bitterroot Bulls
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Posted: February/16/2012 at 09:44 |
Here are a few thoughts I have for your situation:
First, the Viper PSTs seem to have undergone some optical improvements recently, and the newest models perform very well optically.
They are a good option, especially with their growing tracking reputation.
Second, I haven't seen the 3-9 SS, but the feature list does seem to fit your needs well.
Third, the Sightron S3 listed above seems to hit all of your requirements, except ffp. Tracking of S3 scopes has been tested and retested. They are reliable. Glass is excellent. It has side focus. The MOA reticle is clean and usefull, and the subtensions can be used easily at 10x and doubled at 5x.
I will be scoping my 300 RUM soon and the S3, PST, and SS 5-20 were my finalists. I decided on the SS, but I think I would take the S3 for a rifle like yours.
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-Matt
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33shooter
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Posted: February/16/2012 at 12:16 |
Rancid Coolaid wrote:
On the Weaver, I haven't used one or shot one, but I hear good things. The mag range is my favorite : 3-15X.
Every other scope mentioned thus far, I own/have owned and have used extensively, happy to help however I can. |
After reading about all of the scopes mentioned so far, the one stand out that fits everything I asked for is the Weaver. The best thing is it's half the budget that I put out there. All of the reviews are nice, though I can't find one in stock save for a major online retailer that is almost $100 more. I'd buy from SWFA, but they are backordered and I need a optic by March 1st. I have one other place to call, then I'm just going to order from the major online catalog. I think this gives me the right amount of scope for what my needs are, both on the top and on the bottom. I've been shooting with a 3-9 most of my life, and a 4-12 too. I don't have a problem with the power range of the 3-9, I just want to hit smaller targets farther away and would like a little more on the top. I think the 15x the Weaver provides, at close to the SS 3-9 price, makes it worth the extra. Lots of good advise here. I like this forum.
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33shooter
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Posted: February/16/2012 at 12:20 |
Rancid Coolaid wrote:
A few thoughts from an owner/previous owner of every scope mentioned on the thread (except the weaver):
1. Non-illuminated FFP scopes can be tricky, especially at the low end of the mag range where reticles can be difficult to see and use. 2. Many coming into tactical shooting are buying too much magnification. In my humblest of opinions, unless shooting from very stable, fixed positions - and at targets further than 1k out, I wouldn't go to or above 20X on the top end. Lots of magnification presents challenges. I have owned a few 20X or great and have never found one I enjoyed using. Personal preference. 3. In your budget and with you stated intentions, a 3-9 would be a good start. If you are learning long range shooting, 800+ shots are much tougher than most will admit (because most haven't actually taken an 800+ yard shot, it is the internet, after all.) 4. Personally, I would avoid Leupold. 20 years ago their stuff was good in an industry that had few players. Now, everyone has stepped up their game, but Leupold hasn't kept pace. They are decent scopes, but there are far better scopes for the same or less money. 5 I have owned a few of the SS5-20s and liked them. I sold them because A. I sold the rifles they were on, and B. I shoot better with 15X scopes than I do 20X. It is a very good scope. It has the same challenges every other 20X has, but it does have a nice magnification range. 6. I think 5X is a little high for an optic that might be used to hunt. Higher mag usually means more narrow field of view.
Lastly, if the $600 SS3-9 means more range time, do it, without question or hesitation. The key to marksmanship is good basics (trigger control, breath control, natural point of aim, sight picture, bone-on-bone support) and practice, lots and lots of practice. If saving on the scope means more time on the range, save on the scope. |
This is the best advise I've seen on the net for new shooters and scopes. I have a basic understanding of what I want, but you hit all the big points. But the dollar amount on the scope doesn't change range time in this case. But it will allow me to get a 3-gun scope. I'm sold on the SS 1-4 for 3-gun, maybe the new 1-6 when it hits the shelves.
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Rancid Coolaid
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Posted: February/16/2012 at 12:45 |
I have the 1-4SS on an SBR and couldn't be happier. I have yet to try a 1-6SS.
Edited because an iPhone on the AT&T network is only slightly better than 2 deaf mutes holding a can on opposite ends of a very long string.
Edited by Rancid Coolaid - February/16/2012 at 15:18
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