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Rifle Scopes SS 10x42 or SS 10x42HD

RollinCoal11

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Nov 28, 2010
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Hey guys, Im gonna end up getting one of these two scopes for my SPS tactical.
I'm just wondering is the glass in the HD that much better then the regular 10x42. $799 vs $299
It will be used for punching paper and banging steel at 300yrds
 
Re: SS 10x42 or SS 10x42HD

If you are getting an "in the meantime" scope looking to upgrade later, get the old school and live with mil/moa for the money.

If you are going to be keeping it on the rifle for any length of time, and its not a "backup" rifle go ahead and get the HD.

If the latter is the case, I'd eat ramen a few more weeks and get a USO ST10....
 
Re: SS 10x42 or SS 10x42HD

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Re: SS 10x42 or SS 10x42HD

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sobrbiker883</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Dang J!! Who makes that badass mat? </div></div>

It's my tactical moving blanket....

Seriously though, SWFA sent me a couple of these SS's to do a review on. I've had them a few weeks now and this 10x is really impressing me.
 
Re: SS 10x42 or SS 10x42HD

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sobrbiker883</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Dang J!! Who makes that badass mat? </div></div>

Who cares about the mat, I'm all over those JC Penny shades...
 
Re: SS 10x42 or SS 10x42HD

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JRose</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sobrbiker883</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Dang J!! Who makes that badass mat? </div></div>

It's my tactical moving blanket....

Seriously though, SWFA sent me a couple of these SS's to do a review on. I've had them a few weeks now and this 10x is really impressing me. </div></div>

What distances/caliber are you working with? Reloads or factory?

I dont plan on spending 800+ on a scope, anytime soon, so I think the normal 10x might be game for me.
 
Re: SS 10x42 or SS 10x42HD



<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CleanMoostang</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sobrbiker883</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Dang J!! Who makes that badass mat? </div></div>

Who cares about the mat, I'm all over those JC Penny shades... </div></div>

LOL those are actually Costa Del Mar's...
laugh.gif




<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CleanMoostang</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JRose</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sobrbiker883</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Dang J!! Who makes that badass mat? </div></div>

It's my tactical moving blanket....

Seriously though, SWFA sent me a couple of these SS's to do a review on. I've had them a few weeks now and this 10x is really impressing me. </div></div>

What distances/caliber are you working with? Reloads or factory?

I dont plan on spending 800+ on a scope, anytime soon, so I think the normal 10x might be game for me. </div></div>

I just put this scope on the .50 to punish it a bit, I've been moving it around between a few guns.

It doesn't matter what distance you plan on shooting, quality is quality, and the $250 Super Sniper just doesn't have it, this new one does.

Spend your money how you see fit, but I've played the cheap scope game before, and have actually owned one of those old style SS's... My advice, get the new one if you're even slightly serious about what your doing. You can do what you want with that advice though...
 
Re: SS 10x42 or SS 10x42HD

My experiance with the HD line of SWFA Scopes is limitted to the 1-4 SS HD. However, I own two of the SS 3-9X42 and one of the older orignal SS 10X scopes. There is a world of differance between the orignal SS 10X and the SS HD line. If you can afford the HD buy all means get it. Both scopes hold their value ao you won't go wrong either way. The two SS 1-4 HD scopes I used are much higher quality than the orignal. It's like comparing a Leupold VXI to a MK4.
 
Re: SS 10x42 or SS 10x42HD

My vote would be the HD for the mil/mil simplicity and better glass.

If it's really worth the $500 difference, that's a buyer's decision.
 
Re: SS 10x42 or SS 10x42HD

the only problem really is being able to afford that type of scope. Im not the type of person who can afford to go out and drop money on rifles and scopes that are ridiculously high, even if they are quality.

I just got my rem700 sps the other day out of lay away which it had been sitting for around 2 months and that was with using Christmas money/Lots of overtime at work.

I want to start shooting soon, so I figured for my first budget optic I wanted to spend around $400...give or take.
 
Re: SS 10x42 or SS 10x42HD

There is quite literally no comparison between the two scopes. The HD is in a completely different league. The HD is an outstanding scope. IMO it is a bargain at SWFAs price. In fact, were I in the market for a fixed 10x scope, I would look no further than the 10x HD. Its that good....
 
Re: SS 10x42 or SS 10x42HD

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CleanMoostang</div><div class="ubbcode-body">the only problem really is being able to afford that type of scope. Im not the type of person who can afford to go out and drop money on rifles and scopes that are ridiculously high, even if they are quality.

I just got my rem700 sps the other day out of lay away which it had been sitting for around 2 months and that was with using Christmas money/Lots of overtime at work.

I want to start shooting soon, so I figured for my first budget optic I wanted to spend around $400...give or take.


</div></div>

There is a Hide discount of 10% using the code SSHIDE on the HD model. All the SWFA SS scopes are bargins because you are buying from a manufacture who has comparatively low overhead and no middleman markups. The HD model will searve you for the rest of your life in style. Prorate the differance in cost over the next 20 years and see what it cost to hunt with high quality per hunt.
 
Re: SS 10x42 or SS 10x42HD

I have the HD model and did have the original 10x42 and there really is no comparison. The HD model is really nice. Fit and finish, durability, and repeatability is all top notch. I am really happy with my HD model.
 
Re: SS 10x42 or SS 10x42HD

Just to help you out. If you don't have the coin to drop on the HD model and can only get the older version of the SS, Go for it.

But from that time forward, save your money and when you get the difference saved up, sell your older one and move up to the HD.

That's just how some of us have to do things.
 
Re: SS 10x42 or SS 10x42HD

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Michael Aos</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The Bushnell 3-12x FFP mil/mil is ~$500ish on closeout right now. </div></div>

I was going to suggest this as well, nice scope for the cash, FFP and mil......
I am running the 6-24 and am impressed thus far FWIW......
 
Re: SS 10x42 or SS 10x42HD

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: flyboy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just to help you out. If you don't have the coin to drop on the HD model and can only get the older version of the SS, Go for it.

But from that time forward, save your money and when you get the difference saved up, sell your older one and move up to the HD. </div></div>

I have more than a dozen old scopes laying around that I've purchased over the last ~20yrs. Most are a plain duplex reticle. Covered knobs. 2nd focal plane. Even some mixed-units from Leupold. Just gathering dust now.

Looking back, I've spent thousands on "cheap" scopes.

A lot of this stuff wasn't available when I was just starting out. Or at least I wasn't aware of it.

Now I've got both the SS 3-9x HD and 10x HD and while honestly I find myself wishing for a little more magnification they really do work great and should continue to provide value for a long time.

The 3-9x is enough to shoot static clay pigeons @ 300yds. With the 10x I can see a 4" square steel target @ 300yds. Haven't tried either past that.
 
Re: SS 10x42 or SS 10x42HD

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BCP</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you're on a budget get the 10X bushnell mil mil. They are on sale right now for 150 or so bucks and will do what you want.</div></div>

I haven't tried the Bushnell 10x. The more I shoot with the SS 10x HD, the more I like it, but I do kind of wonder if the Bushnell wouldn't be "good enough".

I'm currently of the opinion that mixed-units are bad, bad, bad, so I'd be inclined to pick the Bushnell over the mixed-unit Super Sniper.

MidwayUSA has the Bushnell Elite 3200 Tactical 10x 40mm 1/10 mil for ~$175 right now.
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Re: SS 10x42 or SS 10x42HD

I have decided tonight I will start with the SWFA SS non-HD model. Looks like a great starter scope that will last me a long time and I wouldnt care to throw on my next project to begin with.

One day i will update just will have to settle with this for now.

Is the 16x version just as good as the 10x???
 
Re: SS 10x42 or SS 10x42HD

I have them both and I have to say the 16x is not as clear or bright. It IS a lot more magnification and for old eyes that might make the difference. It does for me, past 300 I just can't do very well with 10x but I'm an old fart with old eyes.

YMMV
 
Re: SS 10x42 or SS 10x42HD

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MontanaMarine</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Unless you want mil/mil, I'd go for the $299 rear focus model. </div></div>I agree.
 
Re: SS 10x42 or SS 10x42HD

Well I dont have a problem seeing, but why settle with a 10x when a 16x is available and can help out further when it comes to identifying a target.

But if its more blurry, dark, etc., then the 10 is the way to go.
 
Re: SS 10x42 or SS 10x42HD

ive got 3 old style and 1 hd, all 10x. ive had a few of the budget priced bells and whistles scopes, all have failed. either super sniper will work, probably forever. yep the HD is that much better, but u wont be disappointed in the old 10x either. it was with much pain and sorrow that i finally removed my first trusty 10x from my regular shooter 308 to install my premier, although that 10x rf got installed on my 338 for load development and testing.

doesnt matter which way u go, u got the right scope.
 
Re: SS 10x42 or SS 10x42HD

Im trying to work a deal out with the gentleman who has a HD for sale, hope it works out for the both of us. If not, I will just order the regular 10x with lens kit, shade, and mildot master and call it a day.

Like i said, its just a starter scope, and one day i will move up to a NF or something equal.