Rifle Scopes swfa 10x or 16x?

NY700

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Minuteman
May 23, 2009
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Dallas
Hey guys looking to get a new scope. Wondering from first hand users what the clarity fall of is between the SS 10x and the 16x! Just want to make the right choice. Thanks
 
Re: swfa 10x or 16x?

I prefer the 16X's personally. Its been so long since I've had a 10XSS that I can't really comment on them.
The 16X I have now is pretty much a tossup with the 16X MK4 I have.
 
Re: swfa 10x or 16x?

None if you ask me. It is up to you how you focus it for your eyes. I have owned a few, and all have been good producers. It is really just up to you and your application as to which one to choose.

They are really good scopes for the money. Resale is good too.

DK
 
Re: swfa 10x or 16x?

Right now I'm shooting to a max of 500 yds with a 6.5x284. I'm used to a high mag scope 24x but want to scale it back a bit I'm just worried about underscoping with the 10x fixed and am a little worried with the budget SS that I may loose a lot of clarity with the 16x
 
Re: swfa 10x or 16x?

I like the 10x SS better: more because of the size of the Mil dots at 10x than for anything else.

But, side-by-side for brightness with the 16x SS, the 10x SS gets the nod.

Add the eye relief issues mentioned above and, again, the 10x SS wins.

And for 500 yards 10x magnification is just fine.

In fact, for the few times that I shoot a standard rifle beyond 1000 yards I'm seriously thinking that my next scope will be a fixed 10x (but not a Super Sniper).
 
Re: swfa 10x or 16x?

It depends if you want or need Mil knobs, and what you intend to do with it.

I have a 10x SS, and I like it: good value, but MOA knobs only. The bare bones ST-10's with Mil knobs are good, too, but I have only kept one USO and it's not an ST-10.

If you want to spend between $500 and $1000 for a hunting scope there's no need to stick with a fixed 10x, as the 3.5-10x Sightron SIII Mil Dot is quite good, but again MOA knobs.

I am still, even with everything new out there, partial to NF and S&B: NF is where the value is; and S&B has most of what I like in a scope. But what I look for in a scope may not be what you want.

I know that both are over your limit, but I do like the new NF 2.5-10x, and I want a 10x S&B PMII P3 Mil, will probably eventually get one, maybe a used one.

But if you intend to shoot paper on the range at 1000 or less, or use hold-overs to 500 yards, a 10x Super Sniper is just fine.
 
Re: swfa 10x or 16x?

I have a 16x & my friend has the 20x both are the older original ones not by SWFA. Clarity on both is good but can't compare to my S&B or my friends NF. Can't comment on the 10x SWFA ones all i have in 10x is a Leupold MK4 M3
 
Re: swfa 10x or 16x?

The new Super Sniper 10x HD is the bomb, check it out too. It is a huge step up optically from the old SS and it has mil knobs too. Yes it cost $800 but I bet you will have a hard time finding a 10x scope that is better that is under $1500. Optically it compares to IOR scopes, it really is a dandy scope.

I have both the old 10x and the new 10x HD and in my opinion it is very much worth the $500 more. http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-10x42-Tactical-Riflescope-P42527.aspx
 
Re: swfa 10x or 16x?

Really interesting thread, I have a heavy barrel DPMS 223 that I need to get scoped up and have been wavering on scopes for months, I have often thought about the SS but have never used a mildot scope before, lots of good info in here Thanks.
 
Re: swfa 10x or 16x?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TiroFijo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">They are both fine optics for their price range

General use I would use the SS 10X

Precision shooting (small targets at short range, or ranges >400 m), from fixed positions, the 16X </div></div>

This is what I think. I found the 10x to be very practical and plenty of magnification for most things. 16x is way too much. 2 of my friends have 16x and for most things besides going to the range, i don't think it's useful.
 
Re: swfa 10x or 16x?

Funny, when shooting comps from all different positons at multiple targets my USO and Premier are rarely below 15X and usually around 17X, so I have no problem with my 16X's. As TiroFijo pointed out, if you may encounter precision targets you may want more than 10X.

The only way I'd prefer lower mag would be in a hunting rifle, and then I wouldn't want to be stuck with 10X either.....
 
Re: swfa 10x or 16x?

First off, the mission must be stated. As most guys are saying, a lower powered scope is more desirable for hunting while higher mag is definitely a plus for precision target shooting.

I've found that for precision target shooting that I prefer 3x-3.5x per 100yds. So if I'm planning on shooting 300-600yds (AR platform) I'd want a variable power scope somewhere in the range of 9x-21x. Now, I'm also considering a fixed power 16x SS simply for the cost savings and the fact that the scope won't be getting too much use until I build up my bolt gun.