Rifle Scopes Cant decide on optics

[lionsden]

Alright I have been thinking about this for some time, banging my head against the wall and searching for everything.

I am down to 2 scopes: USO ST10 and Sightron SIII 6x24x50. I know these are very different and would be hard to recommend one for me but here is what I will be shooting. I have a FN SPR I bought used here and most of my shooting will be at a range and less than 600yds. I will hunt a little but the gun will be mostly range duty. With the options I wanted the USO came in at around $1k and the Sightron a few hundred less. My budget is around $1k so please help.

I am leaning toward the USO but not sure if 10X will be enough. Thanks

 

[NBK-YOTIE]

Re: Cant decide on optics

go with the uso! i just got my first uso in the mail today. omg!! no regrets here.

 

[ORD]

Re: Cant decide on optics

WOW...talk about night and day options!!! This is really a question of individual preference of what would be best for YOU. Here are some random things to think about if you haven't already.

First, while the glass on the Sightrons is okay, it isn't nearly the quality of the USO.

A fixed 10x optic may be too much optic for hunting depending on the conditions you find yourself hunting in and the game you are hutning (heavily wooded areas, brush, short-range shots, etc.). In those conditions, it is always better to have a lower magnification end so that you get a wider FOV for faster target acquisition for those short, quick, moving shots.

On the other hand, 10x is plenty of magnification for 600yds and in for targets/steel or just about any game animals out to that range and beyond (again...depending on the conditions). I have personally used fixed 10x scopes out to 1k and they work very well assuming the glass is quality (again...not prob with the USO).

Now, with the Sightron, you get a little more versatility in terms of magnification range, a 24x top end for getting up close on a target and the ability to zoom in and out as needed depending on your shooting environment/target. However, with the Sightron, you are also getting a much larger/heavier scope to drag around in comparison with the USO (the SIII will be 3-4" longer and IIRC, weights nearly 2lbs).

If it were me and I wanted one optic for a dual role of targets/range use out to 600yds and a hunting optic, I would be looking at something in the realm of a 2.5-10x, 3.5-15x or 4-16x (at most). That gives you an excellent magnification range, a low end for use hunting in a wide variety of environments, a high end to use on targets or at extended ranges on the range or in the field, and generally more flexibility than the fixed 10x or the 6-24x SIII.

That said, between the USO and the SIII...I'd opt for the USO without a doubt if for no other reasons that the quality of the optics, the durability of the scope and the fact that you'll get more out of it on resale if you decide to part with it or upgrade later as compared with the SIII.

 

[lionsden]

Re: Cant decide on optics

Thanks Yotie im leaning towards the USO, the only things holding me back are that its USO's lowest model and wondering if 10x will be enough for the gun.

 

[JRose]

Re: Cant decide on optics

USO.


St10's are grrrrrreat.

 

[lionsden]

Re: Cant decide on optics

ORD,

Thanks for the reply and now you have me thinking for sure but from the sound of it USO seems the favorite on here and the original thought I had so thanks.

I know the two scopes were way different but for some reason with reviews i read and everything else its what i came up with in my price range lol.

Thanks again and I think this will help me make the right choice!

 

[CSTactical]

Re: Cant decide on optics

The USO are outstanding scopes. We have the USO ST10s 10x in stock.

USO ST10s @ CS Tactical.com

Mike @ CST

 

[CSTactical]

Re: Cant decide on optics

Here is a photo of mine.

Mike @ CST

 

[NBK-YOTIE]

Re: Cant decide on optics

steve.. dont worry about the st-10 being there low end model. its still a awsome scope and top end quality. my next build is going to be wearing a st-10. if u choose a uso, u wont need to look back.

 

[LibertyOptics]

Re: Cant decide on optics

According to published specs the SIII will be about 2 ounces lighter than the ST-10. A testament to the USO's stout construction being 3" shorter, but heavier. Glass-wise, the SIII is simply outstanding and even at 24x has a clear and sharp sight picture, not common in a 24x scope under $1000. These two picks are really apples and oranges, but if you add hunting to the equation I'd give the nod to the variable. I prefer a lower end than 6x for hunting, but to each their own.

With good optics and reticle, 10x can take you to 1000 yards if need be.

The SIII won't have the cachet of the ST-10, but is still a fine scope with lots of satsfied users.

Good luck in your decision.

Scott

 

[gszeto99]

Re: Cant decide on optics

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Steve Mathizz</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Alright I have been thinking about this for some time, banging my head against the wall and searching for everything.

I am down to 2 scopes: USO ST10 and Sightron SIII 6x24x50. I know these are very different and would be hard to recommend one for me but here is what I will be shooting. I have a FN SPR I bought used here and most of my shooting will be at a range and less than 600yds. I will hunt a little but the gun will be mostly range duty. With the options I wanted the USO came in at around $1k and the Sightron a few hundred less. My budget is around $1k so please help.

I am leaning toward the USO but not sure if 10X will be enough. Thanks </div></div>

I have owned 3 sightrons (2 SIII 3.5-10x44 and 1 SIII 6-24x50) and still currently own one of them, the 3.5-10x44. I currently own 2 USO ST-10 (both in slightly different configuration from each other).

Let me first ask you what options/spec did you have setup of the USO? Are you planning to do any late evening shooting (shooting in low light conditions)? What is important to you? Matching reticle? Illuminated reticle? Low cost? Side Parallax? Zoom capability (being able to see the really small targets at long range--although once you past 12x you can start to see mirage on hot days and it gets worse when you up the power on your scope)?

I am a big sightron fan but recently I have been shooting with my Nightforce and USO scopes during competition. Yesterday I was shooting my Tikka tactical that has my remaining sightron on it and I can instantly notice the difference in optical quality between the sightron and the USO and Nightforce that I have been shooting recently.

I can tell you unless you are shooting at sparrow sized targets at 600y then a 10x is fine. The question being is 10x too much for those close short distance hunting situations.

 

[CSTactical]

Re: Cant decide on optics

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gszeto99</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
I can tell you unless you are shooting at sparrow sized targets at 600y then a 10x is fine. The question being is 10x too much for those close short distance hunting situations. </div></div>

I agree. If you are doing stalk hunting a 10x will be too much but if you are doing mid range hunt the 10x will work just fine. The ST10s are rock solid scopes.

Mike @ CST

 

[lionsden]

Re: Cant decide on optics

gszeto99,

To answer your questions the setup i was looking at for the USO was M40 knobs. illuminated(just in case), and matching reticle. I dont need a lot of options and my price range is around $1k and i think ill be around that with the military discount they offer.

I think 10x will be fine for me for now and later on if i decide to do serious competitions i will probably get a variable with some more power. By the way thanks for everyones help on this, i am learning quite a bit and i think im getter happier with getting the USO.

 

[gszeto99]

Re: Cant decide on optics

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Steve Mathizz</div><div class="ubbcode-body">gszeto99,

To answer your questions the setup i was looking at for the USO was M40 knobs. illuminated(just in case), and matching reticle. I dont need a lot of options and my price range is around $1k and i think ill be around that with the military discount they offer.

I think 10x will be fine for me for now and later on if i decide to do serious competitions i will probably get a variable with some more power. By the way thanks for everyones help on this, i am learning quite a bit and i think im getter happier with getting the USO. </div></div>

In that case the USO ST-10 would be the perfect choice. Just make sure you get the 44mm version unless you are really trying to keep it small. I have both a 44mm ergo and a 37mm ergo version and low light shooting is not as easy with the 37. Get the 44 they both cost the same.

Good luck with your purchase.

Gene

 

[NBK-YOTIE]

Re: Cant decide on optics

wish u luck steve. show us some pics of ur new scope when u get it. im a optic junky and love them just as much as tactical rifles.

 

[lionsden]

Re: Cant decide on optics

I will definitely post pics when I get everything done however im in the process of transferring out to Washington from Florida so things will be a little slow.

Rest assured though I will post lots of proud pics when its all finished.