Rifle Scopes Shopping for an Optic

[kegger22]

I am getting ready to start getting all the pieces together to build my first long range rifle and I am a little up in the air about what optic to shop for. I am considering the SWFA SS 10x side focus with mil/mil turrets/reticle SWFA SS 10x42M Tactical Riflescope, or the VIPER PST 6-24X50 RIFLESCOPE — First Focal Plane.

I was looking at the swfa because it seems to be very well built with good glass and reliable tracking, but then I starting looking at the vortex scopes and came across the PST, which will stretch my budget, but is still do able. I just don't know a whole lot about the PST. I have seen a lot of reviews and it seems like most people are impressed with the clarity of the glass and the durability, but I haven't been able to find much about the tracking of the reticle. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Bender]

Shopping for an Optic

I just ordered the basic SWFA 10x42. From my weeks of reading both companies make great scopes. From what I have read the Vortex is slightly less robust in build than the SWFA. I chose the SWFA for features I wanted. Had I more of a budget I would choose the 3-15x42 SWFA over the PST as well. Both companies have great warranties. I would choose the one that has the features you seek.

 

[Metal Gear]

I can't speak for the quality of SWFA as I have never owned or used one. I currently have a Vortex Viper 6.5-20x50mm mil dot on my Savage in 308 and I have been happy with it. A friend of mine has a Viper PST on a 300 Win Mag and has been very pleased with it for a couple years too. I think the clarity of the glass on both Vortex scopes is great, and the turrets track very accurately for me in the short time I have used mine. I hear good things about the SWFA lineup too so I guess it is just personal preference, seems like you are looking in the right direction with either option but I personally would want a variable magnification and not the fixed 10 power.

 

[TheGerman]

You NEED a USO 1-8

 

[Crosshair]

Most guys prefer the rear focus on the swfa 10x. It's $100 cheaper and overall a more efficient design.

The PST is one of the most popular variables out there, as is the SS 10x the most popular fixed. Either will serve you fine. There are several other great options in the price range of the FFP vortex ($950ish) and under. Others to look at under $1k:

SS 3-15x42
Weaver Tactical 3-15x50
Sightron SIII 3.5-10x44 or 6-24x50
Bushnell Elite 3.5-21x50 (on sale now places online)
Burris XTR II 2-10x42
Vortex HS-T 4-16x44
Nightforce SHV 4-14x56

 

[mmar6326]

First hand experince get the swfa I have the straight 12x power do long range mule deer hunting in NE. and last year that scope dropped a 15 point mule deer at 632 yards and 3 doe at 412 yards great scope and if you buy a straight power scope you will save a ton of money. Remember they want you to spend big money save it for your gun build and you will have a winner. I went with a 12 x because my bino's are 12x so my eyes don't have to re adjust. I also choose a MRAD over MIL DOT less clickes when shooting long range

 

[slm9s]

You say "long range" but don't specify what your definition of that is. Or what the purpose of the rifle is. Long range elk hunting? Steel at 1200 yards? Deer at 500 yards? Or a 1 gun "everything" rifle.

For long range, a 10x is acceptable, but I much prefer more mag.

Decide whether you want FFP or SFP first.

Will you be shooting steel, or tiny groups on paper? Hunting varmints or moose? A 4-16 or 6-24 is better IMO than a 10x for mosts tasks.

 

[kegger22]

I should have been more specific in my opening post. I am looking for a scope to mount on a remington 700 xcr tactical in .300 win mag.

I intend to use the rifle for target shooting either on paper or steel. Not necessarily teeny tiny groups, just solid hits on a target that is around 2' x 2'.

I eventually want to shoot out to 1000 yards or maybe more, but I think I am going to spend a lot of time at 5-600 yards to get started, since I have never done much beyond 300.

I do want to be able to use the mil dot reticle to range targets and not have to worry about being at a certain magnification so I am for either ffp or the fixed power scope.

 

[lash]

... I also choose a MRAD over MIL DOT less clickes when shooting long range

????

Did you mean MOA vs Mil-dot? Because MRAD stands for millradian = mil-dot = mil.

And...there are fewer clicks using MOA?

 

[mmar6326]

SWFA SS 12x42 Tactical Riflescope
Stock # - SS12X42MQ
Matte Finish
Patented Mil-Quad Reticle
30mm Tube
Rear Focus
OK for .50 cal
.10 Mrad
$299.95


this is what I have on 3 of my 300 win mag's 2 are custom's and the 3rd is a sig 970hr that is not made any more all 3 rifles have taken deer over 600 yards over the years with this scope with 180 or 190gr hand loads

 

[Alexr451]

I would recommend Going with a variable scope, say 6-18x but if you are planing on mounting it o na semi-auto platform you may want to retain the ability to use your rifle at close quarters. Which is why i am a big fan of mounting the reflex sites on the top of your rifle or getting side angle red dot then you really have the best of both world.

If you compare that to some of the new VCOGs or Leopold mark 6 1-6x those are great. the the problem is that you don't have the long range capability that you might want, sure 6x is fine for hiting targets out to 400 or 500 yards but lets say you want to hit targets out to 800 or 1000 yard, you are going to feel much more comfortable with a 18x or 20x magnification.

 

[lash]

I should have been more specific in my opening post. I am looking for a scope to mount on a remington 700 xcr tactical in .300 win mag.

I intend to use the rifle for target shooting either on paper or steel. Not necessarily teeny tiny groups, just solid hits on a target that is around 2' x 2'.

I eventually want to shoot out to 1000 yards or maybe more, but I think I am going to spend a lot of time at 5-600 yards to get started, since I have never done much beyond 300.

I do want to be able to use the mil dot reticle to range targets and not have to worry about being at a certain magnification so I am for either ffp or the fixed power scope.

Just get the SWFA 10X and save some money for practice ammo for now...you'll need it. Then, once you've been at it for a while and have some experience under your belt, you'll also have met others and seen and/or gotten behind their set-ups. At that time, if you are still only shooting .300 win mag, you will have a much better idea of what new optic you want and you'll have had time to save up (yeah right) for the optic you really want.

In the end, the SWFA is a great scope for the money and can always be sold for decent $ or sent to the minors and used on another rifle. Mine currently sits on a Savage Mark IV .22, where it is happy and I am too.