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Rifle Scopes Nightforce, Premier, USO, S&B, ?????

High_Side16

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Nov 9, 2009
28
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58
Bay Area, California
Too many choices...

I am looking to purchase a scope for my new 308 LWRC REPR 20" rifle. Although I am new to LR shooting, I've been training with pistols and carbines for some time. Thus, I am a firm believer in purchasing good equipment. That being said, deciding on the right scope is a little daunting considering all of the good choices. I know that I probably can't go wrong with the short list of scopes listed in the subject title, but I was wondering if one was suited better than the others for my application. I am planning in using this rifle for some tactical shooting/training for ranges out to 1000 yards.

My price range is $2000-$2600 give or take. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

1) Is 15-17 power sufficient for a 308 out to 1000 yards?
2) Is 1 turn elevation adj. preferable over multiple turns?
3) Which of the following is best suited for me?

* Nightforce F1 3x15 ($2290)
* Premier Heritage 3x15 ($2150)
* USO 3.2x17 EREK (Off the shelf)($2400-$2650)
* S&B PMII 4x16 ($2650)

Prices that I have listed are either quoted and/or internet pricing with mounting rings.

4) Not to confuse myself any further, but are there any others that I should consider in my price range?
 
Re: Nightforce, Premier, USO, S&B, ?????

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Re: Nightforce, Premier, USO, S&B, ?????

I suggest you read through the optics forum before posting such a redundant question.

Opinions are like assholes, and there's a lot of assholes here.

I'll whip out my crystal ball and predict the future of this thread...

Scope X is the shit, get it.

No, Scope Y is the shit, I've been blown away by it's superiority over scope X, therefore coming to the only reasonable conclusion that it is the ONLY scope you shoud buy.

No, Scope Z is the shit, look at all the cool people that use it, it's PROVEN. Scope X and Y are junk.

Etc, etc, etc.......
 
Re: Nightforce, Premier, USO, S&B, ?????

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: High Side16</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Too many choices...



My price range is $2000-$2600 give or take. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

1) Is 15-17 power sufficient for a 308 out to 1000 yards?<span style="color: #CC0000"> Yes; except when it is not sufficient, which is rare</span>
2) Is 1 turn elevation adj. preferable over multiple turns?<span style="color: #CC0000"> Yes, except if you like twisting your turrets and getting lost in the process</span>
3) Which of the following is best suited for me?<span style="color: #CC0000"> Any of them, you pick....</span>

* Nightforce F1 3x15 ($2290)
* Premier Heritage 3x15 ($2150)
* USO 3.2x17 EREK (Off the shelf)($2400-$2650)
* S&B PMII 4x16 ($2650)

Prices that I have listed are either quoted and/or internet pricing with mounting rings.

4) Not to confuse myself any further, but are there any others that I should consider in my price range?<span style="color: #CC0000"> No, you have the high end pretty well covered, except for the newish Vortex Razor 5-20x50mm, around $1999.99 without rings. You should look at that one also.</span>
</div></div>
 
Re: Nightforce, Premier, USO, S&B, ?????

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: USMCj</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
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</div></div>

this has been gone though 100s of times. Take a bit of time to do your research. Find somebody who has them and try them. All of the ones you have mentioned are good kit.

They all have their proponents, and they all have their detractors.
 
Re: Nightforce, Premier, USO, S&B, ?????

I just bought a PR 3-15 for my 20" Repr. (2K even from Liberty Optics). The S&B 4-16 at $2500 is a sweet deal also, a bit lighter. Scott at LO advised me that single turn is fine for up to 1K yrds. Hopefully these guns are going to be sweet. Do you have yours yet?
 
Re: Nightforce, Premier, USO, S&B, ?????

I went with the premier. All are good choices, but I liked the features of the heritage the best. If you take this route I'd reccomend the 15mil single turn and gen 2 reticle.

If I had to do it over it would be a toss up between the razor or the 4-16 S&B. I didn't care for unknowingly being a beta tester of the heritage.

I would HIGHLY reccomend Scott at Liberty with whatever you choose.
 
Re: Nightforce, Premier, USO, S&B, ?????

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: USMCj</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
tumblr_ks2efvgh571qanttao1_400.jpg
</div></div>
Thats a pretty funny picture!

This question seems to pop up every week or so and its usually by someone with a low post count. Every time it does some of the seasoned veterans of the Hide flex their manhood by expressing their disapproval of a redundant question. Why?

I actually enjoy reading fresh perspectives on the same question whether it is on this subject or another.

Wouldn't it be easier to NOT click on the thread than to take time expressing your disapproval. There are many subjects that I skip over because I can tell by the name of the thread that it won't interest me.

Instead of discouraging people that are new to the Hide I would suggest to give them a link to some of the other threads that answer the question or just stay out of the thread altogether.
 
Re: Nightforce, Premier, USO, S&B, ?????

And what about new models being introduced? Either someone asks regularly or no one ever asks and we're stuck with some stale choices from 2003. Even if someone uses the search function, the OP listed these specific scopes, inviting comparison. So what if someone argues that Scope X is better than Scope Y? He can evaluate the responses and, to a degree, the attitude and likely intelligence of the responder.
 
Re: Nightforce, Premier, USO, S&B, ?????

azimutha while in theory you are correct...a little search would have been helpful as this topic,these exact scopes gets asked AT LEAST once a week
 
Re: Nightforce, Premier, USO, S&B, ?????

LOL - UCMCj, thanks for the laugh. I have to say that I expected some backlash for the post. Yes, I am well aware that this subject gets plenty of press, and I have spent hours doing my research on this subject, including reading many threads on this forum. Unfortunately for me, without actually getting the opportunity to look through the glass or twist turrets for these scopes, I find myself still struggling to make a decision. Thus, in a final effort to educate myself on the subject, I made the post.

Dtac, thanks for your feedback. Yes, I've already received my rifle and I expect to purchase a scope this week. Can't wait to get out there see what it can do.
 
Re: Nightforce, Premier, USO, S&B, ?????

It comes down to this, If you need something off the shelf right away, then USO is out, take your pick with one of the other 3 if they have the features you want. But if you want something custom fit to your needs (if you even know what that is) then USO is the only way to go and let the waiting begin!

I for one keep going to USO because, well.....Im a EREK whore I guess.
 
Re: Nightforce, Premier, USO, S&B, ?????

All the scopes listed are good, the only difference is the feature set.

You need to learn what features work best for you. The only way to do this is to run a few different scopes and find out what you like and what you think you want.

This can get expencive. You guys have an advantage in that you have a group, all at the same level, all buying gear.

I would recomend that you all get together and make sure you all buy a different scope. That way you can play with different stuff and not have to buy them all yourself.
 
Re: Nightforce, Premier, USO, S&B, ?????

I went thru all of this a few times, I have tried them and sold them I do not care for the USO I had the second focal plane . I only prefer first focal plane scopes due to the consistant ranging ability with a mildot reticle.
take your time I like the Premiers due to they are guarenteed for life to the owner
USO's are very good but the optics are not as good in my opinion .
I would love to try a S&B but repairs are now in Germany??
 
Re: Nightforce, Premier, USO, S&B, ?????

Saw the other day that S&B is supposedly setting up a U.S. repair center.

I like the advice on getting everybody to buy a different scope. Then you'd all get to try them firsthand and maybe even swap them.
 
Re: Nightforce, Premier, USO, S&B, ?????

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: azimutha</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Saw the other day that S&B is supposedly setting up a U.S. repair center.

I like the advice on getting everybody to buy a different scope. Then you'd all get to try them firsthand and maybe even swap them. </div></div>

Yup, supposed to be up and running Q1 2010 last I heard.
 
Re: Nightforce, Premier, USO, S&B, ?????

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Luvman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I went with the premier. All are good choices, but I liked the features of the heritage the best. If you take this route I'd reccomend the 15mil single turn and gen 2 reticle.

If I had to do it over it would be a toss up between the razor or the 4-16 S&B. I didn't care for unknowingly being a beta tester of the heritage.

I would HIGHLY reccomend Scott at Liberty with whatever you choose. </div></div>


Luvman,
Did you have any issues with your Premier?
 
Re: Nightforce, Premier, USO, S&B, ?????

I ended up purchasing a Schmidt and Bender. Thank you to everyone who responded.

2 thumbs up to Adam at Bauer Arms. He gave me a great deal and he is also wealth of knowledge. Anyone looking for a Nightforce or Schmidt & Bender, make sure you give him a call before purchasing.
 
Re: Nightforce, Premier, USO, S&B, ?????

HS my heritage went back to the factory 3 times to fix mushy clicks. I'm sure the click issue has been resolved. And I'm happy with my heritage.

HTH,
LM