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Rifle Scopes S&B vs USO?

S

Seagrave7

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Nov 27, 2007
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Los Angeles, CA
www.emergencyrigs.net
Need help on deciding which scope to get for my Rem 700 SPS Tactical short action. Considering the following:

1. S&B PMII 4-16x50 P4F Mil/Mil illuminated single turn
2. USO SN-3 3.2-17 Mil/Mil Erek illuminated

Rifle will be used to punch paper and for the occasional class.
 
Re: S&B vs USO?

Honestly I dont believe you cant go wrong with either of those optics. You have a hard choice in front of you. I personally would go with the USO
 
Re: S&B vs USO?

Get a S&B 5-25x. A little longer than the 4-16 but more power for spotting shots or IDing targets. Its nice to have. Prices are similar and you will be using the same height rings with both so even though the 5-25x has a 56mm objective it will still sit at the same for sight picture. P4F is a good choice for reticle. Also look at the H2CMR.

I have owned 5 USOs and 7 S&Bs. I much prefer the S&Bs.

Check with Jay at Sport Optics or Scott at Liberty Optics for the best prices.

Pic of the 5-25x on my .308
P6300187.jpg


Same rifle with USO 3.2-17. As you can see size isn't much different.
P3110022.jpg


Here's a 4-16x S&B on the same rifle
P3130512.jpg
 
Re: S&B vs USO?

+1 for USO, because if your rifle ever fails you, you can remove your USO scope and use it as a club and put back on your rifle when you get it fixed and still function properly.

I have "0" experience with SB scopes but I hear they are the best scopes money can buy along with Hensoldt(Zeiss) I've never heard of a negative complaint with either other than the cost of both those scopes. If you the type of person that has to have the "Best" then go with SB or Hensoldt.

But if you want a very good quality and tough as nails scope that just about everything can be customized to your liking via USO website (which is something SB and Hensoldt do not offer the customer) oh yeah and its "Made in USA" which to me is important. Customer service is also top notch with all three of the scope makes that I've mentioned.
 
Re: S&B vs USO?

Thanks Lucks. Had it for quite a while.

Here you go Seagrave7. A pic of our Tower
wink.gif

Tower15.jpg
 
Re: S&B vs USO?

Just got it about a year ago. Love it!
 
Re: S&B vs USO?

Personally if those were the ONLY options I would go with the USO, however I would take a 3-12 S&B over a 4-16 I really dislike the single turn turret.
The glass on the S&B is better, but the EREK knob on the USO is really nice I'm able to use 18 mils on a flat base.
I find the glass on MY USO to be better to MY eye than NF and PH, but not at the same level as S&B or Zeiss. Take that all with a grain of salt optics look differently to different people.
As far as reliability goes S&B is generally considered the best in the business for good reason, but I have never had an issue with any USO I have seen or handled and I treat my stuff pretty rough. The USO seems to be built just as rugged to me.
As Rob said the 5-25 is a great option if you aren't completely set on one of those two. You should also look at the 3-20 S&B which you can probably get by the end of the year.
FWIW my personal favorite scopes are in order are S&B 5-25 DT CCW MTC with MSR reticle, SN-3 Tpal 3.2-17 EREK with GAP ret, and lastly S&B 3-12 CCW DT with p4 ret.
Hope this helps.
Adam
 
Re: S&B vs USO?

sn3 t-pal 3.2-17<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lucksthename</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Lazy, what model USO is that on your bolt gun?</div></div>
 
Re: S&B vs USO?

No advantage or disadvantage between the two tube sizes. Quality rings and mounts can be had in both.
 
Re: S&B vs USO?

Try and meet up with some folks at a match to see and feel which one you like the best. The few S&Bs I've seen have been great. That said, I prefer USO and I'm VERY happy with my USO. The glass is outstanding IMHO. These things are just great.

Consider the EREK with milestone. Handy feature IMHO. Every 10th click has a harder detent so it's a piece of cake to count if you're dialing.

I like USO and I prefer to buy American when a quality product is available. That's certainly the case with USO.

Looks like you're probably within driving distance of USO. They're in Brea,CA. I don't know for sure, but I imagine that USO would open the door to you and let you fondle their lineup. Give 'em a call!
 
Re: S&B vs USO?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Seagrave7</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Need help on deciding which scope to get for my Rem 700 SPS Tactical short action. Considering the following:

1. S&B PMII 4-16x50 P4F Mil/Mil illuminated single turn
2. USO SN-3 3.2-17 Mil/Mil Erek illuminated

Rifle will be used to punch paper and for the occasional class.

</div></div>
USO makes good scopes and John Williams, III and his crew are great folks, but USO isn't in the same league as S & B. I've owned USO and Premier, and while they are very nice I prefer S & B. Thats' why I sold the USO and Premier and bought another PMII 5-25X.

Take <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Rob01</span></span>'s advice and get a PMII 5-25X and you'll never have to look back wishing for more magnification. Your <span style="font-style: italic">location</span> states you're in Los Angeles - if you like PM me and we'll arrange a time and day for you to play with a PMII 5-25X Gen 2 XR CCW at ASR (<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="color: #FF0000">Angeles Shooting Ranges</span></span></span>). I usually go on Mondays' because the range is pretty much empty, but I plan to go tomorrow (9/23) to re-mount and zero a PMII 5-25X on a Kimber Model 82 .22LR.


Keith
 
Re: S&B vs USO?

Glass = S&B

Everything else = USO

I went with USO because I could have it my way.
 
Re: S&B vs USO?

I own 4 USO now and love each one. I have their 1.8-10x on my SPR AR, 3.2-17 on a 6.5 bolt gun, their spotting scope with matching reticle to my rifle scopes and now the 5-25x for 7mm mag bolt gun. Love each one and the folks are awesome to deal with (you call up Becky and somehow she remembers exactly what scopes you own). Each scope is spec exactly how I wanted it, which is a very nice feature.

With that said, SuB is awesome as well for their products - I'm not as sure on the customer service and warranty front (USO will bail you out FOREVER on nearly any problem with one of their products). All of the SuB I have looked thru are amazing optically and the turrets feel great.

Honestly, I don't think either choice is a NO GO. Its a totally personally choice which only you the user can decide. If you give the Hide some details on what's important to you, you might get some really good detailed info on both scopes.
 
Re: S&B vs USO?

Thank you all for your replies. Very valuable information contained in this thread. It appears that it really comes down personal preference. With that said, I have decided to go with the <span style="font-weight: bold">S&B PMII 4-16x50 P4F Mil/Mil illuminated single turn CM.</span> Now I just need to find a used one in great condition.
 
Re: S&B vs USO?

Check with Jay at Sport Optics or Scott at Liberty Optics for the best prices


these guys ARE the go to guys. both are excellent fellas to deal with. their prices blow the rest outa the water.scott really went above and beyond helping me before. BOTH are top notch
 
Re: S&B vs USO?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Chiller</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Find the options that fit your needs. Both will treat you well. </div></div>

+1
 
Re: S&B vs USO?

Both will last you a life time but I prefer US Optics because of the features/options and the customization.
 
Re: S&B vs USO?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bward</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The S&B is head and shoulders above anything USO has. I've had several of both. </div></div>Yep.
 
Re: S&B vs USO?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: M21guy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Glass = S&B

Everything else = USO

I went with USO because I could have it my way. </div></div>

The S&B also has better turrets (the USO EREK elevation knob is good but their windage turret seriously sucks), a smaller turret box for more mounting options and better record for reliability and tracking.

I have owned USO before and had to send a couple of them back for repairs due to internal problems. This was in 2008 and I have heard that they have gotten a lot better since, but I haven't had any new ones. USO is a good choice if having a US-made product matters to you.
 
Re: S&B vs USO?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Aries64
[/quote</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
USO makes good scopes and John Williams, III and his crew are great folks, but USO isn't in the same league as S & B.
Keith </div></div>

fwiw & imho,
The above is about as correct a statement as you will find. That said the majority of shooters really need to spend their own money, and shoot/live with the scope for several months in order to make a good decision. It may take longer and you may wind up going back and forth on which is your "favorite" before you make a solid decision...

I wish you the best of fortune in your search...

Best Regards, Matt Garrett
757-581-6270
 
Re: S&B vs USO?

What's the old saying about leading a horse to water?
wink.gif


Enjoy the scope. Hopefully it will serve you well.
 
Re: S&B vs USO?

For plinking at paper and the occasional class I would have thought the new SS scope as reviewed by Ilya in High End Tactical 3 would have been the most practical and best value for money.

Nothing wrong with SB or USO obviously but that's hundreds of dollars more for marginal improvement in a use case that isn't competitive or life/death.

Glad the money is helping out a family in need though.
 
Re: S&B vs USO?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sickeness</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: M21guy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Glass = S&B

Everything else = USO

I went with USO because I could have it my way. </div></div>

The S&B also has better turrets (the USO EREK elevation knob is good but their windage turret seriously sucks), a smaller turret box for more mounting options and better record for reliability and tracking.

I have owned USO before and had to send a couple of them back for repairs due to internal problems. This was in 2008 and I have heard that they have gotten a lot better since, but I haven't had any new ones. USO is a good choice if having a US-made product matters to you. </div></div>

Sort of a matter of opinion. I didn't like the S&B controls as much when I was using one. It's really nice, but I just liked the USO better. I just got my USO this year and so far I can't find flaws in tracking. It's right on the money. And US-made did matter to me. S&B gives exceptional clarity, but doesn't offer the options I wanted. It was a bigger compromise if I had gone with S&B, and I hate compromising.

Either way, they both provide excellent optics. It's a win, win owning either.
 
Re: S&B vs USO?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Seagrave7</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Well, I couldn't help but change my mind. I saw this post ( http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2808306&#Post2808306) and was very impressed with USO and Pete from Cor-Bon Ammo. Therefore, going with a USO. </div></div>

Nice. I've just picked up my second USO. They really suit me well.
 
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