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Bush 3.5-21 or SS 5-20

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=31538
Printed Date: March/28/2024 at 12:18
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Topic: Bush 3.5-21 or SS 5-20
Posted By: Crotchity
Subject: Bush 3.5-21 or SS 5-20
Date Posted: January/04/2012 at 11:44
I am in the process of putting together a M1A Standard Loaded with a Troy MCS with a Magpul PRS. I was going to get the SS 5-20 but came across the Bush 3.5-21 and now I am undecided. I have looked for comparisons but haven't seen anything. I could use some help here as I will be buying sight unseen.

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Solving today's problems tomorrow, creating tomorrow's problems today



Replies:
Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: January/04/2012 at 11:49
I wrote an article with those two scopes in it recently:
http://opticsthoughts.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=98:high-end-tactical-scopes-part-3&catid=4:rifle-scope-reviews&Itemid=4 - http://opticsthoughts.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=98:high-end-tactical-scopes-part-3&catid=4:rifle-scope-reviews&Itemid=4

ILya


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http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com
https://rumble.com/c/DLO - Rumble Video Channel


Posted By: SVT_Tactical
Date Posted: January/04/2012 at 12:15
SS hands down


Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: January/04/2012 at 12:18
Originally posted by SVT_Tactical SVT_Tactical wrote:

SS hands down

Are you sure?  Have you had a chance to play with both of them?  I can think of applications and situations where it could really go either way.

ILya


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http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com
https://rumble.com/c/DLO - Rumble Video Channel


Posted By: SVT_Tactical
Date Posted: January/04/2012 at 12:38
No I haven't used both but one company has a better reputation and history of standing behind their products than the other. 
 
You get more respect in the optical world than most others ILya,  I imagine if you had an issue with a scope at bushnell you'd have someone to contact that could take care of you pronto.  They haven't treated me well at all in my dealings with them threfore I steer clear of them.  SWFA has a reputation and history of dealing with their products warranty/issues 110%. 


Posted By: Crotchity
Date Posted: January/04/2012 at 12:45
Koshkin

Now that I read your comparison I have more choices the Vortex and am more confused then ever. But that's the way it goes when all three are so close. Thanks for the replies


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Solving today's problems tomorrow, creating tomorrow's problems today


Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: January/04/2012 at 12:50
Originally posted by SVT_Tactical SVT_Tactical wrote:

No I haven't used both but one company has a better reputation and history of standing behind their products than the other. 
 
You get more respect in the optical world than most others ILya,  I imagine if you had an issue with a scope at bushnell you'd have someone to contact that could take care of you pronto.  They haven't treated me well at all in my dealings with them threfore I steer clear of them.  SWFA has a reputation and history of dealing with their products warranty/issues 110%. 

Well, if you are making this determination based purely on customer service, than identify it as such.

Simply saying that one is the hands down winner is a bit simplistic and also misleading depending on what the guy wants.   What if he likes the Horus reticle?  Would you still say that he should go with the SS hands down?

As you may recall, I also liked the SS a little more overall and have it on my 338LM.  However, I am very cautious with blanket statements since quite a bit goes into making a decision on a a $1500 scope.

ILya


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http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com
https://rumble.com/c/DLO - Rumble Video Channel


Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: January/04/2012 at 12:53
Originally posted by Crotchity Crotchity wrote:

Koshkin

Now that I read your comparison I have more choices the Vortex and am more confused then ever. But that's the way it goes when all three are so close. Thanks for the replies

And if you feel like being even more confused, I can add even more options for you.

What is your application and typical use?

ILya


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http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com
https://rumble.com/c/DLO - Rumble Video Channel


Posted By: Crotchity
Date Posted: January/04/2012 at 12:55
Lets just leave at these three.

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Solving today's problems tomorrow, creating tomorrow's problems today


Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: January/04/2012 at 16:34
Originally posted by Crotchity Crotchity wrote:

Lets just leave at these three.

Can you offer some more details on what kind of shooting you plan to do with this? range? conditions? targets?

ILya


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http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com
https://rumble.com/c/DLO - Rumble Video Channel


Posted By: Crotchity
Date Posted: January/04/2012 at 23:33
The rifle will be used for steel targets from 100 to hopefully 1000yds., Hunting, Paper punching to 300yds and just about anything else that I can think of. I love to shoot but hadn't had the time or the money until now. And if necessary long range home defense. For in home defense I have a Winchester 1300.

Big Grin


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Solving today's problems tomorrow, creating tomorrow's problems today


Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: January/05/2012 at 00:03
Honestly, I think the scopes you are looking at are too big for what you are looking to do.

They are big, heavy and have too much magnification for your purposes.

Ideally, you would be best served with a quality 3-15x42 scope, but none exists that would fit you well.

I would be looking at SWFA SS 3-9x42 with Mil-Quad reticle and Bushnell Elite 3-12x44FFP.  These are probably your best FFP options.  Weaver Tactical 3-15x50 is a nice scope too, but it is notably bigger and heavier.

ILya





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http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com
https://rumble.com/c/DLO - Rumble Video Channel


Posted By: Crotchity
Date Posted: January/05/2012 at 01:34
Koshkin,

I will look at them also thanks for the advice. One question: Do you ever sleep?


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Solving today's problems tomorrow, creating tomorrow's problems today


Posted By: shooter07
Date Posted: January/05/2012 at 08:56
He's the dark lord. He doesn't HAVE to sleep. Big Grin

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Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum

"Issac Newton invented gravity because some asshole hit him with an apple"
-Chris Moltisanti


Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: January/05/2012 at 10:22
Originally posted by Crotchity Crotchity wrote:

Koshkin,

I will look at them also thanks for the advice. One question: Do you ever sleep?

I do sleep occasionally, but try not to make a habit of it  Big Smile.

On a more serious note: on an M1A, the scope ends up mounted pretty high up, so a large and heavy scope has a significant effect on the overall balance of the rifle.  Since you are planning to be on the move with this rifle in addition to target shooting, you should be looking at something that is not overly huge.

For target shooting even as far as a 1000yards, you do not really need all that much magnification.  It does not hurt, by itself, but it does often come with bulky scopes.  I have one rifle that I tried to keep as light as possible while giving me a lot of magnification in a compact package, so I have that one set up with march 3-24x42FFP scope, but it is rather expensive at around $2800 or so.  In all honesty though, I only use the highest magnification to look at bullet holes or to spot for other people.  When actually shooting at distance I tend to stick to magnifications between 7x and 12x.  

I also have a couple of SWFA SS scopes: one is an early piece with a Mil-Dot reticle and the other is a more recent one with a Mil-Quad.  If push comes to shove, I can probably sell my March and put on of the SS scopes on this rifle.  I do not think the quality of my shooting will change much, but I will have to drag a spotting scope with me to the range.

Now, if SWFA were to come up with a 3-15x42 version of this scope and price it around $1k, I think they would make a killing.

Lastly, one other option for you that is more expensive than the SS scopes, but cheaper than the March is one of Premier's 3-15x50 Light Tactical scopes.  At a bit over $2k, they are not cheap, but they are optically spectacular and mechanically excellent while not being overly heavy.  Still a bit bigger than I would put on an M1A, but a viable option.

ILya


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http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com
https://rumble.com/c/DLO - Rumble Video Channel


Posted By: Rancid Coolaid
Date Posted: January/05/2012 at 11:01
I'll add a few thoughts to Koshkin's well-made points.

I own the Premier LT (as well as the older heritage) and have owned 2 of the SS5-20s.  I have played with the Razor but not owned or tortured.  I have no experience with the Bushnell.

First, the M1A is notoriously tough to scope (I have owned an M1A, scoped it, wasn't entirely happy with the setup, and decided to go the AR10 route instead.)  As ILya said, heavy scope mounted way over the rifle does change field handling quite a bit,  be ready for that.  Also, you'll need to add some manner of cheek piece.  I finally abandoned the scoped M1A because I couldn't get comfortable with the cheek weld and field handling.

Next, at this level - pertaining to scopes - you are looking at very specific circumstances of use or very specific personal preferences.  It will be very tough for anyone here to tell you what will work best without some measure of insight into what you like/dislike and why.

I would agree that "bang for buck", in most general terms, goes to the SS.  For a little more, the Premier LT is the best all-around choice (in my opinion) as it does most things very well and a few things exceptionally well.  Having now hunted the LT and spent a significant amount of range time with it, I am very, very pleased with the scope.

I owned one of the first 6-24 Bushnell tacticals and was not pleased with it, thus have not ventured into the Bushnell camp again.   I do like Vortex, I own binos and spotters from them but no rifle scopes at the moment.

Finally, I have a general aversion to 20X optics, too much magnification actually hurts  my shooting.  Of the 20X optics I have owned/used, I like the SS more than most of the others.

Good luck.  My guess is that you wouldn't regret any of the 3.

Let us know how it goes.


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


Posted By: Crotchity
Date Posted: January/05/2012 at 13:17
I thank you all for the replies.

I do not believe that the check piece will not be necessary as the M1A Standard Loaded is going to be in a Troy MCS and I will be utilizing a PRS stock.

As for the scope being way over the rifle again the Troy MCS.

I am worried about how the M1 will be tough on the optics. Not alot can be known whether a scope will hold up to the M1 with out having it mounted and doing some shooting. Maybe one of the SWFA gurus will be able to answer that.

This may all be a mute point as I may just get the M1A Scout/Squad and put a SS 1-4 on it

This project is in the works and I have not made any decisions as of yet. I am also putting together a 6.5 Grendel and have a 243 WSSM and both need some glass, but that is another topic. I do have a NF 12-42 that I may use for one of them.

When I get everything done I will try and post some pictures.

Again thanks for the input.


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Solving today's problems tomorrow, creating tomorrow's problems today


Posted By: Rancid Coolaid
Date Posted: January/05/2012 at 13:22
Sorry, I missed the part about the Troy, good chassis, not lightweight.
You are correct: if you do the Troy, cheek weld won't be an issue.  If you do a scout with a 1-4X, it will.


Good luck.


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


Posted By: Crotchity
Date Posted: January/23/2012 at 09:26
Okay after some further research and thoughts on how I will be using the M1A I am leaning towards the US Optics ST10. Yes it is more expensive but I feel the durability and with the USO warranty this is the way I should go.

http://www.usoptics.com/st-10.html" rel="nofollow">ST-10

http://www.usoptics.com/st-10.html" rel="nofollow - ST-10

Color
1 x Matte Black Type III Hard Anodizing $0.00
Objective
1 x 44mm $0.00
Knob Elevation
1 x EREK 1/10 MIL $175.00
Knob Windage
1 x US#3 M40 Style 1/10 MIL $65.00
Tube
1 x 30mm Standard $0.00
Parallax Control
1 x ERGO Upgrade $200.00
Reticle Lighting
1 x Digital Push Button (Blue) $195.00
Reticle
1 x Mil-Scale GAP $86.00
Eyepiece Housing
1 x Lo Profile - Rapid Focus $0.00
Eyepiece
1 x Rapid Focus $0.00

Please let me know your thoughts on this.


Thanks




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Solving today's problems tomorrow, creating tomorrow's problems today



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