Rifle Scopes Help me choose budget ffp for new rifle...

[Little Z28]

I'm having a .260 built as we speak, so I'll be needing glass for it sometime this spring. I've been looking through as many pieces as I can find locally and trying to retain the info I read about the various ffp scopes available.

The only criteria I have is it cannot break the bank ($800-1300 preferably), ffp, and the turrets must match the reticle. I'm looking for something in the 24-32x range tops.

Here are some options I've found:

1. Bushnell Tactical Elite 6-24x50 ffp, mildots, milradian turrets. I already have a 4.5-30x50 on a 5R and like the newer ffp and matching turrets that my existing piece lacks. However, I think the glass is awesome for the price of $840 locally.

2. Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50 for around a grand. Haven't looked through one yet, but will soon.

3. SWFA 5-20x50. Not quite as powerfull on top as I'd like, but sounds like lots of folks like this scope for just over a grand. I also won't buy a scope that I cannot look through prior to purchasing, so this one is at the bottom of the list unless I find someone local with one.

4. Leupold Mark 4 ER/T, 8.5-25x50 with M5 turrets, TMR reticle. I know it's a little more pricey than the others, but I like the TMR reticle alot better than mildots. I'm also skeptical about the 8.5x minimum power incase I wish to hunt deer with this rifle in the future. Seems a bit much in the woods of PA.

Any other suggestions or pieces that you'd consider at this point? Like I said, a big factor is the ability for me to look through the glass prior to the purchase. I've found a few locally and have some friends with the others that I wish to check out.

I like the Nightforces that I've checked out too, but I'm not shelling out a fortune for a ffp F1, so that ones out.

Thanks for the help folks!!

 

[Trevor300wsm]

Re: Help me choose budget ffp for new rifle...

Prepare yourself for the onslaught of SSHD 5-20x50 comments.

Your other 3 options won't even be noticed.

 

[Little Z28]

Re: Help me choose budget ffp for new rifle...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: trevor300wsm</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Prepare yourself for the onslaught of SSHD 5-20x50 comments.

Your other 3 options won't even be noticed. </div></div>

Like I said, I'll entertain the idea and acknowledge their existence, but unless I get some first hand glances through one, I'm not dropping that amount of money on something sight unseen.

 

[snipedogg]

Re: Help me choose budget ffp for new rifle...

Consider this as well, the PST and Bushnell are around the same price. PST is only $900 not $1000. On the other hand, the SSHD is around $1250 here on the hide, and the ER/T is around $1700 depending where you find it. Your not really comparing scopes that are in the same league. Personally, I'd take the Leupold and never think twice but like Trevor said, youll have a bunch of guys here swearing by the SSHD. Not that it isn't a good scope, it's just not the end all be all.

 

[Trevor300wsm]

Re: Help me choose budget ffp for new rifle...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Little Z28</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: trevor300wsm</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Prepare yourself for the onslaught of SSHD 5-20x50 comments.

Your other 3 options won't even be noticed. </div></div>

Like I said, I'll entertain the idea and acknowledge their existence, but unless I get some first hand glances through one, I'm not dropping that amount of money on something sight unseen.</div></div>

I will tell you this and take it with a grain of salt.....

I have 3 NighForce scopes, 1 SSHD 5-20, 1 Leupold MK4 FFP with MLR/M5 setup, 1 Bushnell Elite 6500, and a Bushnell Elite Tactical. Of all those scopes, I love my NF's the best, they are just hard to beat. Now, of all those scopes, the one Ive been most impressed with overall is the Leupold MK4 M5. Leupold usually takes a beating on this site, so i was skeptical when I bought it. It has been flawless in every way. The glass is superb, the turrets are great, it's FFP, BUT the recticle is not too thick (a huge plus to me). Depending on what the best deal is i can find with the Black Friday shit, I'll most likely be buying another one tonight or tomorrow. It retains all the tactical features i want/like, but it's only 21oz so it's a nice addition on my hunting rifle that i put it on. No, it's not illuminated and does not have a zero stop.....BUT, I have illuminated scopes and I've never ever once used the feature (as of yet). The 6.5mm rifles ill have them on only take ~7 to 7.5 Mils to shoot to 1000yds, so I don't see where i need a zero stop and the 5 Mils per revelation is a non issue also due to the same reason.

Like i said, take it with a grain of salt, but Im not really on a budget and I can pretty much buy what I want within reason and this is the scope I bought and will most likely be buying another one in the next 24hrs.

***Also, there isn't anything wrong with the glass in the SSHD. I doubt you'd be dissapoited with it, but it's not the reinvented wheel like its being played out to be. It's a good scope and offers alot of features. The recticle is very thick, as with alot of FFP scopes. It does have a generous eye relief at max magnification. The parallax/illumination setup is totally backwards and the illumination is an abortion with the multiple on/off settings with an "off" in between each "on". The parallax should be on the outside and the illumination on the inside of the double stacked knob. The power ring is very very stiff and not easily gripped with the design of the ring, ecspecially when behind the rifle. However, they quickly came out with a solution to the with a handy lil $60 "cat tail". I have my own views on this, but I'll keep quite. The turrets are turrets....they are nice, but certainly not NF turrets, but hey it's not NF prices either. On the glass, I've been satisfied with it except in lower light conditions. When it was cloudy/foggy the other morning hunting, the NF was clearly brighter. Again, the NF took the win the next evening when I hunted till total darkness, looking thru both scopes (up a clear-cut) I could see more with less light with the NF. Again, not NF prices so.....

Anyway the SSHD isn't a bad scope and like I said I doubt you'd be totally dissapointed with it, but just don't get sucked into the Fan Boy bandwagon. Alot, but not all, of the people trumping the scope up are people that don't even currently own a optic or this is their first optic to ever use......so ofcourse it's awesome to them.

 

[Little Z28]

Re: Help me choose budget ffp for new rifle...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Snipedogg</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Consider this as well, the PST and Bushnell are around the same price. PST is only $900 not $1000. On the other hand, the SSHD is around $1250 here on the hide, and the ER/T is around $1700 depending where you find it. Your not really comparing scopes that are in the same league. Personally, I'd take the Leupold and never think twice but like Trevor said, youll have a bunch of guys here swearing by the SSHD. Not that it isn't a good scope, it's just not the end all be all. </div></div>

I threw the Leupold in there because I can get one for alot less than $1700, therefore putting it in nearly the same price range as the others I mentioned. Like I said, I have one Bushnell, so this weekend I'm gonna put it next to a PST and a Mark 4. Hopefully that helps me make a decision on those models. I want to make sure I'm not leaving any other good scopes out of the equation.

 

[Little Z28]

Re: Help me choose budget ffp for new rifle...

Trevor,

Like I said, I've peered through a few Nightforces and I really do like their scopes. However, I absolutely have to have a ffp, and the ffp Nightforce is out of my league. This rifle will be used as a paper puncher, groundhog hunter and potentially deer hunter. 20 yards to 1000 yards is where it'll be used. 20 to 400 most often.

 

[Trevor300wsm]

Re: Help me choose budget ffp for new rifle...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Little Z28</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Trevor,

Like I said, I've peered through a few Nightforces and I really do like their scopes. However, I absolutely have to have a ffp, and the ffp Nightforce is out of my league. This rifle will be used as a paper puncher, groundhog hunter and potentially deer hunter. 20 yards to 1000 yards is where it'll be used. 20 to 400 most often.</div></div>

Please understand I'm not arguing with you or trying to tell you your business, but I'm curious as to your reason why you "have to have" a FFP scope. I'd just like to hear your reasoning. I have both and like them both, but I don't think my shooting (match or hunting) would suffer if I didn't have FFP. Until just recently, within the past 2rys, very very few people used FFP as it wasn't offered on many scopes and certainly not any lower priced scopes.

Again, I'm not trying to be a dick, I am truly interested to hear your thoughts on why you feel you have to have FFP for paper shooting and hunting.

 

[Little Z28]

Re: Help me choose budget ffp for new rifle...

Trevor, I never once thought you were arguing with me or being a dick. If I didn't want to hear some other options and opinions, I would have never posted the question in the first place.

The main reason for the ffp for me is simply ease of estimating range. I'm new to the idea of long range over 500 yds. In my past semi-long range hunting it was take a guess and hold over slightly. With better tools on the market than I owned in the past, I'd like to utilize them better. I just think that my style of hunting/shooting would benefit from the ffp in that I don't have to pay attention to magnification to estimate range.

Other than that, I have no reason to have a ffp scope. I'm just trying to dumb it down the most I can so that I can be most effective in the limited shooting that I'll do. I don't shoot matches, comps or anything of the sort, so I don't really have the need for super high end optics. I know for a fact that I own several rifles that are far more capable than myself. Like I said, just trying to take some "me" factor out of the equation.

 

[snipedogg]

Re: Help me choose budget ffp for new rifle...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Little Z28</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Snipedogg</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Consider this as well, the PST and Bushnell are around the same price. PST is only $900 not $1000. On the other hand, the SSHD is around $1250 here on the hide, and the ER/T is around $1700 depending where you find it. Your not really comparing scopes that are in the same league. Personally, I'd take the Leupold and never think twice but like Trevor said, youll have a bunch of guys here swearing by the SSHD. Not that it isn't a good scope, it's just not the end all be all. </div></div>

I threw the Leupold in there because I can get one for alot less than $1700, therefore putting it in nearly the same price range as the others I mentioned. Like I said, I have one Bushnell, so this weekend I'm gonna put it next to a PST and a Mark 4. Hopefully that helps me make a decision on those models. I want to make sure I'm not leaving any other good scopes out of the equation. </div></div>

If you can get one for a lot less than $1700 then I say do it. I would take it at retail over the others, let alone a lot cheaper than it's retail. It still has my vote.

 

[Little Z28]

Re: Help me choose budget ffp for new rifle...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Snipedogg</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you can get one for a lot less than $1700 then I say do it. I would take it at retail over the others, let alone a lot cheaper than it's retail. It still has my vote. </div></div>

Gonna check one out this weekend, so maybe it'll really please me and be what I go with. I like the idea of the TMR reticle better than the mildots. Just a preference thing I guess. Hopefully I'll have a favorable opinion of it on Saturday. I'll keep you posted.

 

[tipper]

Re: Help me choose budget ffp for new rifle...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Little Z28</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Trevor,

Like I said, I've peered through a few Nightforces and I really do like their scopes. However, I absolutely have to have a ffp, and the ffp Nightforce is out of my league. This rifle will be used as a paper puncher, groundhog hunter and potentially deer hunter. 20 yards to 1000 yards is where it'll be used. 20 to 400 most often. </div></div>

There is no scope that will fit all of these needs, well maybe 3-21 HD. Walk around 30-06 3-9x40 with see-through mounts for open sights 20-50 yds most of the time deer hunting, point bank to 150 yds.

 

[BCP]

Re: Help me choose budget ffp for new rifle...

I would take the super sniper based on what trevorwxm and other reviewers have said. Too many features for the money to pass up (they are going on sale tomorrow a non-illuminated version).

Would not get the leupold have had too many bad experiences with them.

 

[JelloStorm]

Re: Help me choose budget ffp for new rifle...

I hoping to find a Nightforce NXS 3.5-15 mil/mil MLR.

I'm just not sold on FFP yet and all I would do is shoot paper targets, so FFP, ZS and HS turrets are not really a necessity for me.

I'd rather be able to afford a badass SFP Nightforce than most other FFP's.

I just haven't seen any in that configuration for sale here on the hide in a while, so I may have to shell out the extra $ for ZS / HS turrets.

 

[dieselgeek]

Re: Help me choose budget ffp for new rifle...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JelloStorm</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I hoping to find a Nightforce NXS 3.5-15 mil/mil MLR.

I'm just not sold on FFP yet and all I would do is shoot paper targets, so FFP, ZS and HS turrets are not really a necessity for me.

I'd rather be able to afford a badass SFP Nightforce than most other FFP's.

I just haven't seen any in that configuration for sale here on the hide in a while, so I may have to shell out the extra $ for ZS / HS turrets.
</div></div>

Sounds like the bench rest model would work better for you.

 

[calling4life]

Re: Help me choose budget ffp for new rifle...

What about the Bushnell 3.5-21x50 HDMR ??
Here is one on here for a good price
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2926094

Perhaps something to check out anyways...

 

[Jon A]

Re: Help me choose budget ffp for new rifle...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: trevor300wsm</div><div class="ubbcode-body">the illumination is an abortion with the multiple on/off settings with an "off" in between each "on". </div></div>
Most of what you say (especially concerning this particular scope) is your personal opinion to which you're completely entitled. But this makes absolutely no sense. Many of the best scopes in the world have "off" settings between each intensity setting of the illumination because this is what users want--because it works really well in the field.

I'm afraid the reasoning behind your opinion has much to do with the statement below:

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have illuminated scopes and I've never ever once used the feature (as of yet). </div></div>

While I can understand some users not liking the location of the switch (again, purely a matter of opinion) for those of us who have used the illumination system of many scopes in the field as well as that of the 5-20 SS, we have found under actual use it works exceedingly well.

As for calling features you've never actually used on any scope an "abortion" on one particular scope, I'll leave that to the peanut gallery decide whether or not you might be just a bit quick judge.

 

[mike-c]

Re: Help me choose budget ffp for new rifle...

swfa's cyber monday 5-20-50 non illum. 20% off ,might be the deal

 

[Little Z28]

Re: Help me choose budget ffp for new rifle...

Well, got a chance to checkout my Bushnell, a PST, a Mark 4 and a few Nightforces side by side yesterday. My initial impression was that there isn't a whole lot of difference in optical quality like I was expecting. I really think that I'd be satisfied with any of the se pieces.

One thing to note is that the ffp reticles get tiny at low power, even at 100 yds. I'm also concerned that the leupold at 8.5x minimum is too much for close shots. I've also learned that the sfp NXS has a to scale reticle at max power, which I can live with since anything requiring ranging is gonna be longer than 400 yds, and I'll more than likely be at full power. Thats alot better than the Bushnell being to scale at half power with the sfp line.

 

[Little Z28]

Re: Help me choose budget ffp for new rifle...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: c-3</div><div class="ubbcode-body">swfa's cyber monday 5-20-50 non illum. 20% off ,might be the deal </div></div>

Like I said above, swfa seems to be a reputable company. However, I'm not dropping a grand on anything I can't see in person. No disrespect to swfa or amyone else, just the way I am.

I'm gonna continue to check out all the scopes I can, and make a decision in the spring since I won't have my rifle until April or May. That way I can also make sure nothing new pops up.

 

[AustinN4]

Re: Help me choose budget ffp for new rifle...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Little Z28</div><div class="ubbcode-body">2. Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50 for around a grand.</div></div>
More like $810 at Liberty Optics when you use order code HIDE10.

 

[Trevor300wsm]

Re: Help me choose budget ffp for new rifle...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jon A</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: trevor300wsm</div><div class="ubbcode-body">the illumination is an abortion with the multiple on/off settings with an "off" in between each "on". </div></div>
Most of what you say (especially concerning this particular scope) is your personal opinion to which you're completely entitled. But this makes absolutely no sense. Many of the best scopes in the world have "off" settings between each intensity setting of the illumination because this is what users want--because it works really well in the field.

I'm afraid the reasoning behind your opinion has much to do with the statement below:

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have illuminated scopes and I've never ever once used the feature (as of yet). </div></div>

While I can understand some users not liking the location of the switch (again, purely a matter of opinion) for those of us who have used the illumination system of many scopes in the field as well as that of the 5-20 SS, we have found under actual use it works exceedingly well.

As for calling features you've never actually used on any scope an "abortion" on one particular scope, I'll leave that to the peanut gallery decide whether or not you might be just a bit quick judge.

</div></div>

Let me put this another way to maybe better suite your needs. I said the illumination is a feature I've never used on my other optics. I mean that in regards to its not a feature I've ever truly "needed" under field conditons, even in total darkness of night using artificial light to see targets/game. I've played with/used illumination on my optics at home enough to know if the knob is in a good place for ME. With this scope, the SSHD, it is certainly not. Call it an opinion if you want, but it's also the opinion of others as well. I'm not a fan of illumination controls on the occular either, but I'd rather have that than than have it stacked over a already slim & stiff parallax knob.

Isn't 85%-90% of comments in regards to scopes merely an opinion? With the exception of tracking tests and a few other things, it's all opinion based from one user to the next?

 

[DOA]

Re: Help me choose budget ffp for new rifle...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: AustinN4</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Little Z28</div><div class="ubbcode-body">2. Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50 for around a grand.</div></div>
More like $810 at Liberty Optics when you use order code HIDE10. </div></div>


Thanx. That will come in handy...