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Help with scope choices

Printed From: OpticsTalk by SWFA, Inc.
Category: Scopes
Forum Name: Tactical Scopes
Forum Description: Police and military tools of the trade
URL: http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=21158
Printed Date: March/29/2024 at 10:38
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: Help with scope choices
Posted By: shoff14
Subject: Help with scope choices
Date Posted: January/01/2010 at 21:10
Hi Howdy, first post and I am looking for a little help. I need some help with selecting a scope.  Scope will be for an AR15 with WOA 24" upper.  Upper should arrive in March, I will don't know if I should wait till after or before Shot Show to buy something.   This AR will be used to kill some paper and varmints.  Ranges will be mainly 1-300 yards and hopefully 600 yards at times.  Bullet drop should be between 50 and 60 inches whenever I get the loads set up.

What features I want:

Mildot
Side focus
Larger knobs
Good glass

Features that would be nice to have

30mm tube
Enough MOA adjustment to get to 600 yards, these two things probably go hand in hand
tactical style knobs, really just ones that are fatter.

I have 4 scopes that I like, but I am not familiar enough with them to judge glass quality and would likes some comments on what experience you guys have with them in comparison to each other.


SWFA 3x9 42mm
I like the kits that you can get whenever the SALT is back in stock.  I like the large turrets.  Doesn't have side focus, but the back focus is ok with me.  Has plenty of adjustment for my needs. I don't like the lower power max. Glass??

Bushnell Elite 6500 2.5-16x 42mm  model number 652164T
Same as the SWFA with larger turrets, plenty of adjustments everything I want.  Would end up quite a bit more expensive when I have to purchase another mount in comparison to the SWFA.  Glass quality?

Sightron Big Sky 4.5-14 x 44 MD
Lacking the larger turrets of the other two on the list.  1" tube, but should still have enough adjustment.  Glass quality??  Would be nice to move up to the SIII, but money wise I don't think that will be possible.

Nikon Monarch 4-16 x 42 SF
with mildot
Price wise, these are nicely priced. Most likely doesn't have enough adjustment.  I can get the larger turrets installed.  Glass in comparison to the rest??  A used older Monarch tactical would be nice, but they are hard to find.


As you can see all but the nikon are in the same price range.  The nikon seems to be my favorite right now due to the price.  I know you guys will say, spend more Whacko .

Any help on glass quality would be Yippee

Thanks



Replies:
Posted By: 3_tens
Date Posted: January/01/2010 at 21:30
The SS will be the best to get you to 600 Yds. The 1"tubes may not have enough adjustment.

-------------
Folks ain't got a sense of humor no more. They don't laugh they just get sore.

Need to follow the rules. Just hard to determine which set of rules to follow
Now the rules have changed again.


Posted By: Rancid Coolaid
Date Posted: January/02/2010 at 11:27
Of those listed, the 3-9 SS would be my choice.  I've owned Monarch and Bushnell and the SS glass is better.  I've used Sightron S3 (6-24X) and the glass was comparable, but the durability of the SS would be better, I'd bet.

Since the SS doesn't go above 10X, it has no parallax adjustment (what you are calling focus.)  Be advised that "focus" and parallax adjustment do 2 different things

Since "most" shots will be 1-300, I highly recommend the 3-9SS; if most shots were at 600, I'd recommend something else.

As I've said before here, set up the gun to do best what you do most.  The SS will get you to 600 yards and it will do the job well, but it will shine at 1-300 like nothing else on your list.


-------------
Freedom is something you take.
Respect is something you earn.
Equality is something you whine about not being given.


Posted By: kesi
Date Posted: January/02/2010 at 12:28
Really has SS 3-9x42 noticeably better glass than Bushnell Elite 6500 2.5-16x42??? Roll Eyes
I am interested in comparison in the day, therefore, under clear conditions. Thank you.


Posted By: Urimaginaryfrnd
Date Posted: January/02/2010 at 18:16
http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-3-9x42-Tactical-Riflescope-P41044.aspx">SWFA SS 3-9x42 Tactical Riflescope http://swfa.com/images/ss_mildot.jpg">Mil-Dot http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-3-9x42-Tactical-Riflescope-P41044.aspx - SWFA SS 3-9x42 Tactical Riflescope
Stock # - SS39X42
  • Matte
  • First Focal Plane Mil-Dot
  • 30mm
  • OK for .50 cal
  • 0.1 MRAD
$599.95    
javascript:__doPostBack%28ctl00$wpm$CategoryGrid$ctl05$ProductList$ctl06$Add2Wishlist$AW,%29 - Add to Wishlist  
javascript:__doPostBack%28ctl00$wpm$CategoryGrid$ctl05$ProductList$ctl06$Add2Cart$AC,%29">Add SWFA SS 3-9x42 Tactical Riflescope to Cart
One of the Sightron S III scopes they tend to have a lot of internal adjustment.
http://swfa.com/Sightron-6-24x50-SIII-30mm-Riflescope-P9151.aspx">Sightron 6-24x50 SIII 30mm Riflescope http://swfa.com/images/sightron_mildot.jpg">Mil-Dot http://swfa.com/Sightron-6-24x50-SIII-30mm-Riflescope-P9151.aspx - Sightron 6-24x50 SIII 30mm Riflescope
Stock # - SIIISS624X50LRMD
  • Matte
  • Mil-Dot
  • 30mm
  • Side Focus
  • Target Knobs
  • 100 moa of adjustment
$749.95 
 
javascript:__doPostBack%28ctl00$wpm$CategoryGrid$ctl05$ProductList$ctl04$Add2Cart$AC,%29">Add Sightron 6-24x50 SIII 30mm Riflescope to Cart
http://swfa.com/Sightron-35-10x56-SIII-30mm-Riflescope-P11081.aspx">Sightron 3.5-10x56 SIII 30mm Riflescope http://swfa.com/images/sightron_4a.jpg">Illuminated 4A http://swfa.com/Sightron-35-10x56-SIII-30mm-Riflescope-P11081.aspx - Sightron 3.5-10x56 SIII 30mm Riflescope
Stock # - SIIISS3510X56LRIR4A
  • Satin Black
  • Illuminated 4A
  • 30mm
  • Side Focus
  • Target Knobs
  • 120 moa of adjustment
$812.95 
javascript:__doPostBack%28ctl00$wpm$CategoryGrid$ctl05$ProductList$ctl02$Add2Wishlist$AW,%29 - Add to Wishlist
javascript:__doPostBack%28ctl00$wpm$CategoryGrid$ctl05$ProductList$ctl02$Add2Cart$AC,%29">Add Sightron 3.5-10x56 SIII 30mm Riflescope to Cart
http://swfa.com/Leupold-45-14x40-Mark-4-LRT-30mm-Riflescope-P2550.aspx">Leupold 4.5-14x40 Mark 4 LR/T 30mm Riflescope http://swfa.com/images/leupold_duplex.jpg">Duplex http://swfa.com/Leupold-45-14x40-Mark-4-LRT-30mm-Riflescope-P2550.aspx - Leupold 4.5-14x40 Mark 4 LR/T 30mm Riflescope
Stock # - LEU56140
  • Matte
  • Duplex
  • 30mm
  • Long Range
  • Side Focus
  • Target Knobs
  • 100 moa of adjustment
$724.95 
javascript:__doPostBack%28ctl00$wpm$CategoryGrid$ctl05$ProductList$ctl08$Add2Wishlist$AW,%29 - Add to Wishlist
javascript:__doPostBack%28ctl00$wpm$CategoryGrid$ctl05$ProductList$ctl08$Add2Cart$AC,%29">Add Leupold 4.5-14x40 Mark 4 LR/T 30mm Riflescope to Cart
The Leupold  can be had with a mil dot reticle also.  These should all have enough internal adjustment where the other ones on your list dont. The SS has a lot of internal adjustment probably more than any of these others.   The other scopes you might consider would be more expensive tactical type scopes so let us know if your budget will allow that and we will try to suggest something.  I really like the Trijicon 5-20x50 but it only has 50 moa of adjustment so half up half down and if one used a badger plus 22moa rail then added rings it might work for you.  I would go with a La Rue mount and if you have not specified this in your build you should tell John Hollinger to put the quad rail gas block on it not a front sight since you are using the flat top to mount a scope and you dont want that front sight in the way.  The front sight is more obvious at lower powers than at higher powers.  The rail allows you to add a flip up front sight if desired.

-------------

"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do".
Bobby Paul Doherty
Texas Ranger


Posted By: Urimaginaryfrnd
Date Posted: January/02/2010 at 18:56
Nikon Monarch 4-16 x 42 SF with mildot   40 moa of adjustment
Sightron Big Sky 4.5-14 x 44 MD      60 moa of adjustment
Bushnell Elite 6500 2.5-16x 42mm  model number 652164T   78 moa of adjustment


-------------

"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do".
Bobby Paul Doherty
Texas Ranger


Posted By: Rancid Coolaid
Date Posted: January/04/2010 at 10:04
I have not run an SS and a 6500 side-by-side; however, I have owned/used 4200s (same glass, as I understand it) and the SS was sharper at similar powers.

If someone has a 6500 and an SS, can you do an informal side-by-side?


-------------
Freedom is something you take.
Respect is something you earn.
Equality is something you whine about not being given.


Posted By: shoff14
Date Posted: January/04/2010 at 10:41
Originally posted by Rancid Coolaid Rancid Coolaid wrote:



If someone has a 6500 and an SS, can you do an informal side-by-side?


This is what I am looking for.



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