Rifle Scopes SIAP. S&B 5-45, Tangent Theta 5-25, Z-comp 5-27

[Tx-Ag2010]

Im looking at getting a new scope for my Desert Tech SRS .338 Lapua and was wanting some input on the different alpha scopes.

I have a S&B on my Tac-Ops Xray 51 (purchased in 2013) but would like to upgrade the 4-32x56 Riton on my SRS to a legit scope.

I have seen that Tangent Theta has the best glass on a 5-25 comparison but im curious if that outweighs the utility of the 5-45x of the Schmidt and bender?

Money is not a serious concern but I don't want to spent a ton for something that can be had cheaper.

 

[gebhardt02]

You definitely have three of the best scopes listed there. Most folks would say to choose the reticle that most appeals to you at this point. I'd also suggest looking at the various features that you may require as well. If I can answer any questions about the ZCO products, I'd be more than happy to do so.

 

[Long Range 338]

These high end scopes are all really nice so its not like one is head & shoulder above the others. Pick the most important feature and go from there. They are all going to track and will have a little plus here and a little con there (personal opinions). Reticle choice has become my main factor in top tier scopes. If you want the best glass, turrets, internal travel, whatever floats your boat... All good choices and the only wrong choice is not making your own decision.

 

[Tx-Ag2010]

Thanks for the reply’s.

 

[canezach]

I have no experience with the ZCO, but I do have a Tangent Theta on my AI, had a S&B on my Desert Tech, and replaced it with a NF 7-35 ATACR. To me, the most important feature is the reticle (tracking should be a given at this level), so find which one works best for your needs.

 

[chrome]

Im looking at getting a new scope for my Desert Tech SRS .338 Lapua and was wanting some input on the different alpha scopes.

I have a S&B on my Tac-Ops Xray 51 (purchased in 2013) but would like to upgrade the 4-32x56 Riton on my SRS to a legit scope.

I have seen that Tangent Theta has the best glass on a 5-25 comparison but im curious if that outweighs the utility of the 5-45x of the Schmidt and bender?

Money is not a serious concern but I don't want to spent a ton for something that can be had cheaper.

I am a peasant and do not shoot magnum calibers so can't speak directly to your needs/uses. But own the TT and S&B (ultra short) currently, and I'd bet a case of ammo you'll be really happy with either. You received sage advice above from @gebhardt02 as well regarding pick the reticle that will service your needs.

And literally as I typed this Mile High Shooting sent an email with an amazing scope + mount deal: Buy a ZCO and get a free spuhr mount. That is fucking hotness right there.

 

[brianf]

i dont have a TT, or a ACO...yet

but i do have the 5-45 SB

its a large scope if that bothers you, some guys like the look of short scopes on top

glass is excellent as could be expected, it does loose some brightness above 40 but that is to be expected

its a little brighter than my march 10-60 high master and my Kahles 10-50 MOAK (kahles is the darkest of all)

because its a large scope its also on the heavy side but im not taking that one on a mountain hunt anyway

if weather permits, shooting at the upper magnification is like cheating

one has the T3 (ive actually come to like it, dont kill me) and the other has the LLR ret, which is really nice

 

[Tx-Ag2010]

i dont have a TT, or a ACO...yet

but i do have the 5-45 SB

its a large scope if that bothers you, some guys like the look of short scopes on top

glass is excellent as could be expected, it does loose some brightness above 40 but that is to be expected

its a little brighter than my march 10-60 high master and my Kahles 10-50 MOAK (kahles is the darkest of all)

because its a large scope its also on the heavy side but im not taking that one on a mountain hunt anyway

if weather permits, shooting at the upper magnification is like cheating

one has the T3 (ive actually come to like it, dont kill me) and the other has the LLR ret, which is really nice

I like the look of that LRR-MIL reticle. I would be using this at the range mostly but would also do some hunting with it. I like the open center and the small dot as well as a few of its other features but am concerned that it might be too thin at lower magnifications to use well in a hunting scenario. Does the illumination help identify the center well enough in daylight conditions at the lower magnifications?

 

[brianf]

the Illumination is nice.
It is a “finer” ret but if your using 5x your in so close (distance wise) that the ret looks like a old school crosshairs.
Check YouTube there are 1-2 guys who zoom through the full range of mag on a target.

 

[Tx-Ag2010]

Thanks. Just pulled the trigger.

 

[Bb214]

Which one did you go with

 

[Tx-Ag2010]

Which one did you go with

I ended up going with the Schmidt and Bender 5-45x56 MT II LRR-MIL. The reticle and extra magnification ended up being the deciding factors.

 

[Gilly]

I’ve had Schmidt 3-37 hi power and a buddy had 5-45 also had a TT at the same time then ZCO came out and I currently just received my third ZCO with mpct3 reticle. They are all great it’s personal preference. ZCO and TT have better glass than the 5-45 I got to use a few times, just my opinion. Between those two decide on reticle and turrets locking or not. I’m not saying it’s better but for some reason I prefer the ZCO glass over the Tangent.

 

[Tx-Ag2010]

Not sure if this is the right forum but I am looking at upgrading to a set of Sphur rings for my 5-45 S&B.

**DISCONTINUED**Spuhr SP-4808: Picatinny Mount 34mm 44.4 MOA - 1.73"

Spuhr SP-4808: A 34mm Picatinny mount (44.4 MOA) with 1.73" height. Designed for durability, with grooved rings, and 7 mounting placements for accessories.

www.milehighshooting.com

Looking for any suggestions as to the recommended height of the rings.

TIA

 

[deersniper]

Is your rifle traditional or is it full length picatinny rail like a AR or AIAX?


Here’s a 5-45x56 in 1.375 Mount. I couldn’t mount it any lower if I wanted too because the ocular is huge and the 90* bolt will hit it.

Here’s a x56 in a 1.375 20 moa Mount

And a x50 in -.375 rings

 

[Tx-Ag2010]

Is your rifle traditional or is it full length picatinny rail like a AR or AIAX?


Here’s a 5-45x56 in 1.375 Mount. I couldn’t mount it any lower if I wanted too because the ocular is huge and the 90* bolt will hit it.
View attachment 7312933

Here’s a x56 in a 1.375 20 moa Mount
View attachment 7312934

And a x50 in -.375 rings
View attachment 7312935

It’s a desert tech SRS A1, but I am toying with the idea of upgrading the chassis to the A2

 

[deersniper]

I think you will find a 1.5 mount to be most comfortable. 1.375 is almost too low for good cheek weld.

 

[Tx-Ag2010]

I think you will find a 1.5 mount to be most comfortable. 1.375 is almost too low for good cheek weld.

Thanks

 

[MysizeisMAGNUM]

For switch barrel rifles the TT is super nice to have. Log your POI offsets and simply re set your tool less turrets to have true zeros. The TT is awesome on Desert Tech rifles.

 

[chrome]

For switch barrel rifles the TT is super nice to have. Log your POI offsets and simply re set your tool less turrets to have true zeros. The TT is awesome on Desert Tech rifles.

^this. I truly do appreciate the tool-less zero. Have a TT on a vector action where I jump between .308/6.5/.223 through out the year.

 

[MysizeisMAGNUM]

^this. I truly do appreciate the tool-less zero. Have a TT on a vector action where I jump between .308/6.5/.223 through out the year.

I can’t believe nobody mentioned it, I guess everyone just says what they have is the best
S&B’s are my favorite, best value in optics (if you want the first class section). PERIOD. But sometimes scope features make them stand out and switch barrel rifles with tool-less zero feature is the decision maker for me with TT and these particular rifles.
Gen 3 XR is so awesome too

 

[Glassaholic]

I have the Schmidt 5-45 with LRR-Mil along with March 5-42 High Master, I consider both these scopes to be more geared toward ELR and/or rimfire. Atmospherics on most days will never allow you to use above 18-20x anyway at longer ranges, heck sometimes even at shorter ranges. March has better center resolution but Schmidt has better edge to edge sharpness and more forgiving DOF but not surprising when the March is 3 inches shorter. I also felt the LRR-Mil reticle was extremely thin, even at 30x I could not find the dot when looking through in the bush at 1000 yards. Again, ELR at 1 mile and more it may be beneficial especially with large steel plates. For quickness I prefer .1 mil turrets so feel the .05 mil turrets on the 5-45 again are better suited for ELR where finer clicks can help at extreme distances. It should be noted the 5-45 only has 27 mil of elevation while the March has 40 and ZCO has 35. If true ELR neither will get you there without a Charlie Tarac but the extra travel is nice for 1.5 miles or so depending on your ballistics.

I am not an ELR shooter so selling the Schmidt, I’m sure it will be gone this weekend so let me know if you’d like me to test anything with it. I would not consider the LRR-Mil reticle good for hunting because of how it gets lost, but the FML-TR1 in the March is my new favorite. Also the DTII + turrets are the real deal, my favorite turrets from Schmidt yet.

 

[deersniper]

 

[Tx-Ag2010]

View attachment 7314272View attachment 7314273

Just my luck. I ordered the 5-45x56 with MTII and the LRR-MIL reticle. Should be in on Monday. I am starting to have second thoughts and might exchange it for the TT 5-25 with either the Tremor 3 or Gen 3XR reticle. Those tool-less turrets would come in really handy swapping between my barrels.