First Time S&B Scope

[Quiet1223]

Hi everyone. First time poster here. Lurker for a while!

I’m looking to purchase a Schmidt & Bender scope. I am purchasing my first civilian rifle (only in-depth rifle experience prior to this was with my infantry service M4/trijicon ACOG) and have my eye on an LMT MARS-H 7.62.

I have the means to spend the amount required on an S&B, so I’m certain that will be the brand I purchase, but there are a TON of options on their website. I’m really only looking for ultimate reliability/glass quality, and to be able to accurately engage targets out to 1000ish meters. I will not be using this set up for any competition shooting.


Would someone kindly point me in the right direction as far as a certain S&B that will fit my basic needs?

Thanks in advance!

 

[db2000]

Reticle choice is very personal. Once you look through various scopes in the field and shoot with them, you’ll find your preference. Schmidt is an excellent choice because once you’ve been shooting for a while, if you decide you like a P4FL style better than a tree style, then you can resale it and not lose much if any money. Buy used is my recommendation. There are deals in the PX is you look a lot/frequently.
You’ll probably want first focal plane and Mil reticle as this is most popular with long range shooters, especially using a tree style.
5-25 is perfect for that distance but read up on tunneling so there’s no surprises.
3-27 High Power is one to look at if you want to drop more money for a badass scope.
Do some reading on here with the search feature before you spend the money.
I won’t even begin to discuss all the other great scopes out there for more or less money since you’re set on SB. Also, there’s a lot of people much more knowledgeable than I on here. Good luck.

 

[Choid]

On that rifle I would look at the 3-20 ultra shorts.

 

[mrtoyz]

3-27 Grid or for less money 5-25 Grid.
Ive got 5-25’s and love them. I don’t have issues with tunneling. I do think the 3-27 is better optically.
IMO the 3-27 is a perfect, but heavy,scope for your platform. Little shorter and a little heavier than the 5-25.
If youre willing to spend S&B money, I would recommend at least considering Zero Compromise and Tanget Theta. If you consider S&B to be Tier 1 glass then I’d say ZC and TT are tier 1+

 

[charnicus]

Yup. 3-20 or 5-20 even. (S&B).

 

[db2000]

3-27 Grid or for less money 5-25 Grid.
Ive got 5-25’s and love them. I don’t have issues with tunneling. I do think the 3-27 is better optically.
IMO the 3-27 is a perfect, but heavy,scope for your platform. Little shorter and a little heavier than the 5-25.
If youre willing to spend S&B money, I would recommend at least considering Zero Compromise and Tanget Theta. If you consider S&B to be Tier 1 glass then I’d say ZC and TT are tier 1+

Just curious, by you “don’t have issues with tunneling” do you mean it doesn’t bother you or your 5-25 doesn’t tunnel? Thanks, just curious. I’ve only owned my current one. I agree on ZCO. That would be my pick. I have two M3’s and love everything about them.

 

[Quiet1223]

Thanks for all the guidance!

 

[Quiet1223]

On that rifle I would look at the 3-20 ultra shorts.


Why would you recommend the ultra shorts?

thanks!

 

[Quiet1223]

On that rifle I would look at the 3-20 ultra shorts.

Why would you recommend the ultra shorts?

 

[Choid]

Why would you recommend the ultra shorts?

They leave more room if you want to put NV or thermal in front. And I just like them.

 

[pucker]

Concur w/ 3-20US recommendations.

Smaller and lighter than 3-27 and 5-25 versions, which is ideal for large frame gas gun...where you likely won't miss the zoom past 20x.

3x and shorter footprint is great if you get into NV/thermal world.

The US is my most used scope.

 

[mrtoyz]

Ultra Shorts, good recommendation.

 

[Claluja]

Why would you recommend the ultra shorts?

UltraShort is about 30 oz, whereas 5-25 and 3-27 are much heavier around 40 oz and longer. US (3-20 or 5-20) just fits better on that gun IMHO.

 

[Huskydriver]

Have you ever looked through a sb? For new sb money I would take a zco 10 out of 10 times and I love sb.

I also agree with everything said about the ultra shorts above. If are set on a sb, the new dt2+ turrets are awesome I would use anything else

 

[Quiet1223]

Where do you guys recommend I buy S&B from? Local dealer?

thanks.

 

[Huskydriver]

Where do you guys recommend I buy S&B from? Local dealer?

thanks.

There is only one authorized sb importer anymore....europtic

 

[Quiet1223]

Have you ever looked through a sb? For new sb money I would take a zco 10 out of 10 times and I love sb.

I also agree with everything said about the ultra shorts above. If are set on a sb, the new dt2+ turrets are awesome I would use anything else

I have not. Interested in ZC and Tangent Theta based on multiple posts here; why do you find the ZC better?

thanks.

 

[Huskydriver]

I have not. Interested in ZC and Tangent Theta based on multiple posts here; why do you find the ZC better?

thanks.

Better glass honestly, no tunneling... Amazing low light transmission. Rediculous amount of internal travel... Best eye box I have ever gotten behind period. So easy to get a clear sight picture fast with.


I wouldn't hesitate to Chuck a zco 4-20 on a gasser for a second. As stated above is 12" long too easy to get a clip on up there on an ar.

TT are great too just hate they don't have turret locks.

As always pick your reticle first. I love the msr2 and grid reticle from SB.

 

[Quiet1223]

Better glass honestly, no tunneling... Amazing low light transmission. Rediculous amount of internal travel... Best eye box I have ever gotten behind period. So easy to get a clear sight picture fast with.


I wouldn't hesitate to Chuck a zco 4-20 on a gasser for a second. As stated above is 12" long too easy to get a clip on up there on an ar.

TT are great too just hate they don't have turret locks.

As always pick your reticle first. I love the msr2 and grid reticle from SB.

wow. I checked that one out and the MPCT-1 is my ideal reticle. I may go with that.

thanks.

 

[sleeplz]

Mpct 3 is cool and leupold came out with pr2 reticle as well. Get a zco Unless you can get a used s&b on the hide for 2500. At one point s&bs were going for 2100.

 

[Alpine 338]

The only S&B I'm aware of that tunnels is the 5-25, and it tunnels below about 8X.

Another vote for a 3-20 US on an AR platform.

However, if you prefer the ZCO reticle over anything that S-B offers, then you can't really go wrong with the ZCO.

Check with them (ZCO), or any of their vendors if they offer a Veteran discount. EuroOptics had a killer sale for Vets last year, and they may offer it again? During that sale, they had 3-20 US discounted to between $2500 to $2700+ depending on reticle and turret features. Hope they do it again, as I'd like to pick up another one at that price.

 

[pucker]

ZCO 4-20 would not disappoint, I'm sure.

Something to keep in mind (may or may not matter to you for your uses), is the substantial difference in FOV at min power.

The difference between 3x and 4x min zoom sounds like nothing ("it's 1x difference, right?")...but it's about percentages...

FOV @ 100y
3-20US @ 3x = 39'
4-20 ZCO @ 4x = 28'

This really makes a difference for hunting, NV/Thermal (depending on unit specs), etc.

Aside from that...size, weight, min parallax, available elevation... all very similar. Reticle choice could easily be deciding factor. When talking $3k+ optics, it often is.

Edit: fixed math as S&B uses 100m (vs 100y) FOV in specs sheet.

 

[Kryptonight]

Did similar to your post on an MWS in 7-08 w a SB3-20 standard. It is a pretty large piece. The short is about 3” less. It would be nice if rifle scopes were tested as much as camera lenses corner to corner resolution charts aberrations maybe more difficult w scopes since they don’t have a 50mp sensor sitting right behind them to evaluate with. Very happy w the SB and MSR.

 

[hacabrera071]

If you are interested in an SB with GR2ID reticle, look in the PX section, there was one in there for sale, seemed in excellent condition and the asking price was just 3K... if I would have seen that scope a month ago I would have purchased it instead of going brand new. Cheers!

 

[TheHorta]

On that rifle I would look at the 3-20 ultra shorts.

Came here to say this.

You don’t need/want a monster cannon on your .308.

One of my SB scopes is the SB PMII 3-20x50 Ultra Short with T3 reticle. In my very personal opinion, it’s the best scope out there in its class.

Schmidt Bender 3-20x50 PM II Ultra Short FFP Tremor3 DT35 MTC LT / ST ZC CT 0.1 mrad ccw RAL8000 Riflescope 667-945-532-F1-E8

Schmidt Bender 3-20x50 PM II Ultra Short 34mm TreMoR3 667-945-532-F1-E8 | Only at EuroOptic.com!

www.eurooptic.com

 

[Wyfox]

I prefer the 5-20 US on a gas gun.

 

[CSTactical]

I have not. Interested in ZC and Tangent Theta based on multiple posts here; why do you find the ZC better?

thanks.

PM me your information and one of us can give you a call and answer your questions

 

[TheHorta]

I prefer the 5-20 US on a gas gun.
View attachment 7550097

I also have the same 5-20 T3 RAL8000 as well, but my thermal clip-ons start at 3x and I can’t seen the menus at 5x on the TigIR-6M.

So... 3-20 it is!

 

[RayDBonz]

The new March 4.5-28x52 with FML-TR1 reticle might be worth a look too.
Although hard to beat the S&B US.

 

[Rhed]

Does it have to be a S&B?

 

[Night Vision Viking]

The Canadians went with a S&B 3-20 PMII Ultra Short for their C20.
The 5-20 Ultra Short is a great choice also, I kind of love it. Great choice on an LMT. It seems the Germans bought that for their future "short range sniper rifle".

5-25 PMII classic choice, but 3-27 works also. The LMT has a full mono rail right?
Then you can get a traditional mount and no need for a cantilever.

TFB Review: Schmidt & Bender 3-2756 PMII High Power Riflescope + Aimpoint ACRO C-1

The Firearm Blog continues our mission to review as many of the Schmidt & Bender PM II Riflescopes as we can. In this review, we're going to take a closer look at the 3-2756 PMII, a High Power version with an impressive 9 power magnification range. The Aimpoint C-1 red dot is also included.

www.thefirearmblog.com

Reticles: GR2ID, MSR2, LRR-MIL


If it was me, probably a 5-20 Ultra Short with MSR2. Here's a picture of mine with the morning sun just coming in. Distance: 1235 meters. MSR2.

 

[Night Vision Viking]

Here's more about Canada and their choice. I guess your LMT is pretty similar.

IMO the 3-20 US may build more backwards than the 5-20US, and do you use 3x much or at all?
It's about 5 cm longer than the 5-20US, so about the same as ZCO420.

Having said that I've tried more or less all S&B (and own many) but never the 3-20 US so have no personal reference.
I have the 3-21 EXOS SFP.

Canada's C20s get Schmidt & Bender 3-20×50 Ultra Short Scopes in Coyote M17 TAN

Schmidt & Bender are now supplying the Canadian Department of National Defence with their 3-20x50 Ultra Short riflescope. This is a great riflescope for any type of AR-based rifles, where space is tight but you still want to be able to have a riflescope to be able to use the C20 to its full extent.

www.thefirearmblog.com