Rifle Scopes S&B 3-20x & 3-27x PMII Competitors?

[YammyMonkey]

Looking into a scope for a LE sniper role on a .308 bolt gun. I need the low end with most of our engagements being relatively close, but I also work in an area where rural/longer standoff distances are also a reality. Likewise, the top end can definitely help for target ID & seeing into vehicles, structures, etc. I've been looking around and the S&B 3-20x & 3-27x seem to have the widest magnification range.

With that in mind, is there anything of similar quality & magnification range out there?

Are the simpler P4L, H2CMR, Police & MSR reticles actually useable throughout the mag range for precision shooting?

Scope has to be useable in daylight and at night, and eventually with a clip-on NVD.

What am I giving up by going to the wider mag range, other than the increased cost?

 

[dms416]

I used a 3-20US for this role for the last 3+ years. It was my own scope.

I'm rural and rarely needed magnification past 12x. I spent more time on bino's if I needed better image. It's nice to have 20x but the big, expensive 3-27x is overkill for you...and you have added length and bulk along with the money (of which your dept. must be loaded).

I had the MSR and I like it a lot (updated to MSR2) it's a little thin and I would not go thinner (P4F, H2CMR, Gen 2 XR).
You're not a Mil sniper; you're not a PRS competitor.

 

[Dthomas3523]

Zco 420

 

[CSTactical]

Zco 420

ZCO 4-20x50 ZC420 Riflescope

Zero Compromise Optic ZC420 4-20x50 Riflescope Right Wind Turret Z182001(MPCT-1) / Z182002(MPCT-2) The Zero Compromise Optic (ZCO) ZC420 is the ultimate solution for all your target engagement requirements. With a generous low end of 4X...

www.cstactical.com

 

[Luvman]

I used a 3-20US for this role for the last 3+ years. It was my own scope.

I'm rural and rarely needed magnification past 12x. I spent more time on bino's if I needed better image. It's nice to have 20x but the big, expensive 3-27x is overkill for you...and you have added length and bulk along with the money (of which your dept. must be loaded).

I had the MSR and I like it a lot (updated to MSR2) it's a little thin and I would not go thinner (P4F, H2CMR, Gen 2 XR).
You're not a Mil sniper; you're not a PRS competitor.

I’m not a sniper nor did I stay at a holiday inn express.....well ever. I do run a S&B 3-20 with MSR2. Its on the thin side but still usable at 3X

Pic is at dusk on 3X with illumination the berm is about 120yds. I wouldn’t have a problem taking a shot at game.

 

[Glassaholic]

I had the Schmidt US 3-20 with the MSR2 last year, great scope but the 18 mil turrets were trash. Just did a review last year of the alpha ultra shorts (link is in my signature), ZCO ZC420, Schmidt 3-20 and 5-20, Kahles K318i. The ZCO was the most impressive optically and mechanically, yes Schmidt has wider FOV and greater mag range, but the ZCO is better optically at the top end so I'd go that route based on your situation. My review has shots through the scope of all the reticles throughout various mag settings to give you an idea.

If you'll be doing NVD, then you'll thank yourself for getting the shorter scopes.

One thing I would comment upon with regard to both near and far is that you want a FFP scope and when you get into such high erectors as the Schmidt 3-27x56 you sacrifice reticle usability at the extremes, so at 3x it might be too tiny and at 27x it might be really thick. That may not affect you but something to consider.