I'm getting into police style marksmanship competition (tactical shooting usually within 300 yards, moving targets, partially concealed, a little faster paced) and I'm trying to decide which scope I should get. I will use the rifle for hunting and long range targets as well so I want the scope to do it all. I have about $1500 to spend and I'm trying to get the most durable optic. Is the 5-20 any more durable than the 3-15? Should I consider the vortex 4-16 as well? Which is the toughest? Which would you choose?
Rifle Scopes SWFA SS 3-15 or 5-20?
- Thread starter sprice
- Start date
I wouldn't put the vortex in the same category, but some will disagree.
Given your stated purpose, I would recommend the 3-15X. The bottom end of 5X is a bit much for "close and fast", in my opinion. Also, I'm not a huge fan of 20X optics expect for guns that really need 20X - and few do.
I'd say buy the 3-15 and spend what remains on ammo, practice, and instruction.
Be aware the 5-20 can be illuminated, the 3-15 is not, and the 5-20 will have better glass, though the 3-15 will be perfectly serviceable.
Both should be plenty durable unless you plan to hammer nails with the scope or dig ditches with the rifle.
Given your stated purpose, I would recommend the 3-15X. The bottom end of 5X is a bit much for "close and fast", in my opinion. Also, I'm not a huge fan of 20X optics expect for guns that really need 20X - and few do.
I'd say buy the 3-15 and spend what remains on ammo, practice, and instruction.
Be aware the 5-20 can be illuminated, the 3-15 is not, and the 5-20 will have better glass, though the 3-15 will be perfectly serviceable.
Both should be plenty durable unless you plan to hammer nails with the scope or dig ditches with the rifle.
like stated above the 5-20 has better glass but the 3-15 will suit your needs, and at only 699 you will have plenty left for ammo, gear, and whatever else you need. throw some angled iron sights off to the side at a 45 degree angle incase you need to do some quick shots under 50 yards. also get the throw lever for your 3-15 it makes changing magnification power super quick.
The 5-20 is probably quite a bit more durable than the 3-15, but the base series that the 3-15 comes from is known for being quite durable anyway.
Haven't had hands on the 3-15x model, but based on the fixed models, the 5-20, and the PST (all of which I've handled in person and looked through at various ranges), I would guess the PST will be a little better than the 3-15x, or maybe not, and the PST is definitely not in the same class as the 5-20.
With your $1500 budget and uses I would take a long, serious look at the Bushnell DMR 3.5-21x50 scope, which runs under $1400 and should cover all your uses, with glass quality and durability more in league with the SS 5-20x than the others mentioned. If it looks good after some reading, call Scott at Liberty Optics to see what the current "Hide" price is, it will probably be well under the advertised price.
Haven't had hands on the 3-15x model, but based on the fixed models, the 5-20, and the PST (all of which I've handled in person and looked through at various ranges), I would guess the PST will be a little better than the 3-15x, or maybe not, and the PST is definitely not in the same class as the 5-20.
With your $1500 budget and uses I would take a long, serious look at the Bushnell DMR 3.5-21x50 scope, which runs under $1400 and should cover all your uses, with glass quality and durability more in league with the SS 5-20x than the others mentioned. If it looks good after some reading, call Scott at Liberty Optics to see what the current "Hide" price is, it will probably be well under the advertised price.
I myself am stuck with the same question which one of these two to buy?
My setup is CZ 7x57 and in .308, and will probably be shooting at 500 to 700 yards max and maybe go beyond that in future. Getting a good scope is extremely hard for me due to many factors so have to make one good choice. Out of ALL the scopes the best reviews I have seen are for SWFA and I have to choose between these two. Secondly I have the option of using a fixed SWFA 12x42 scope when I want which is fixed in another rifle belonging to someone else and he is selling his rifle but not the scope. Darn it...
If i am not wrong then ONE scope good for some time would be 5-20 right?
NB: Getting a good scope is hard for me, cost doesn't matter.
My setup is CZ 7x57 and in .308, and will probably be shooting at 500 to 700 yards max and maybe go beyond that in future. Getting a good scope is extremely hard for me due to many factors so have to make one good choice. Out of ALL the scopes the best reviews I have seen are for SWFA and I have to choose between these two. Secondly I have the option of using a fixed SWFA 12x42 scope when I want which is fixed in another rifle belonging to someone else and he is selling his rifle but not the scope. Darn it...
If i am not wrong then ONE scope good for some time would be 5-20 right?
NB: Getting a good scope is hard for me, cost doesn't matter.
In your budget or any budget it would be hard to beat the Bushnell DMR 3.5-21x50 or the HDMR. I think its to most bang for our buck out there.
snipers qualify at 1,000 yards with a 12x scope so the 3-15 is plenty good enough for out to 1,000 yards. however if you have the money then yeah go for the 5-20. there is never going to be a definitive answer here because everyone has their preference on what they like to shoot and then say that is what you should shoot. will a 15x work at 700? hell yeah it will, but will a 20x with HD glass work even better? damn right! I have both and I like both, the 3-15 is on a semi auto .308 and my 5-20's are on a .260, .308, and a .300wsm. i can see my target clearly at 1500 yards. but i do not need all that size and weight on my semi auto so i have the smaller 3-15. if you have a bolt gun and can afford it then go for the big one and enjoy it!
They are not. I need to send mine in for warranty and they told me I would be better off waiting a month or so to see if they have them back in stock as they would likely just send me a new one. I would like to add they were extremely quick to respond to my request and very courteous on the phone. Thumbs up on their customer service.
3-15 comes with a built in cattail on the magnification ring.
indeed it does, I was also typing about the 1-6 on a different thread and meshed it together in my head! my bad.. haha
