Rifle Scopes SWFA SS 10x42, 16x42 or 20x42?

[Mark-Smith]

I've been looking for scopes in the $300ish range for my 'within a sane budget' 1,000 yard rifle.

The rifle is a Savage 12 LRP in Remington .260. Looking around at a lot of scopes in that range, there seem to be few tactical ones with exposed turrets and mil-dot reticles anywhere near $300.

I've heard good things about the SWFA SS line of scopes, and it looks like the fixed power ones are right in that price range and have all the desired features.

What I don't know is how well they'll work at shorter ranges - 100 yards for the local range, 50-300 yards for hunting and 1,000 yards for target shooting.

Given that the SWFA SS 10x42, 16x42 and 20x42 are all $300, which one would you go for with the above applications in mind?

Would 20x42 be too much for targets at 100 yards and hunting?

 

[mwroseberry]

Re: SWFA SS 10x42, 16x42 or 20x42?

Yes 20x is too much for hunting. Infact 16x is also too much for hunting anything under 100 yards and really is better suited for 250yards and out. I had the 16x and loved it. Infact I only upgraded this past week to a USO ST-10. I think there is that big of a gap (IMO any of the Standard SS then to SSHD 10x then to USO). Those I believe are the jumps in the fixed power game that need to be made when budget allows.

If I was you and only wanted to shoot at 1k a few times a month but most engagements were at 300 and in I'd actually go 6x. Here is how I break it down.

If a majority of your shooting is done in these ranges this is the route I'd go if I was you. Assuming you have very good eyes.

50-400 6x42
100-1000 10x42
300-1300 16x42
350-1600 20x42

I went to a 10x fixed on my USO but I don't plan to hunt with it. If I would have planned to hunt with it I'd have gotten the 1.5-10x USO. If you can deal with a fuzzy image at 50 yards then go 10x and you'll be fine.

Good luck,
Merritt

 

[Mark-Smith]

Re: SWFA SS 10x42, 16x42 or 20x42?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mwroseberry</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yes 20x is too much for hunting. Infact 16x is also too much for hunting anything under 100 yards and really is better suited for 250yards and out. I had the 16x and loved it. Infact I only upgraded this past week to a USO ST-10. I think there is that big of a gap (IMO any of the Standard SS then to SSHD 10x then to USO). Those I believe are the jumps in the fixed power game that need to be made when budget allows.

If I was you and only wanted to shoot at 1k a few times a month but most engagements were at 300 and in I'd actually go 6x. Here is how I break it down.

If a majority of your shooting is done in these ranges this is the route I'd go if I was you. Assuming you have very good eyes.

50-400 6x42
100-1000 10x42
300-1300 16x42
350-1600 20x42

I went to a 10x fixed on my USO but I don't plan to hunt with it. If I would have planned to hunt with it I'd have gotten the 1.5-10x USO. If you can deal with a fuzzy image at 50 yards then go 10x and you'll be fine.

Good luck,
Merritt</div></div>

Is there anything out there that shows how targets would look (apparent size) at various ranges with various power scopes?

 

[steve123]

Re: SWFA SS 10x42, 16x42 or 20x42?

I think 10x is too high for hunting.

How about looking at the Weaver 3-10 mil/mil SFP?

 

[fastbs]

Re: SWFA SS 10x42, 16x42 or 20x42?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: steve123</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I think 10x is too high for hunting.

How about looking at the Weaver 3-10 mil/mil SFP? </div></div>
+1
If you only hunt fields the fixed 10x would be ok and it's kinda nice to not have the extra adjustment to fiddle with, but if you get in the woods it's a pain.

 

[Niles Coyote]

Re: SWFA SS 10x42, 16x42 or 20x42?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mark-Smith</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Is there anything out there that shows how targets would look (apparent size) at various ranges with various power scopes? </div></div>

Not quite what you want but it my help ya, the PST in this is a FFP the others are SFP.

last set of targets are 1000y with 500y in the middle and just a few showing of the 600y

At 1000 from left to right are 36”, 24”, 12” with a prairie dog barely visible next to the IPSC target on the right. Plates at 500, I believe, are 10” 6” and 4” another prairie dog and a 10” above a 20”, I think, that large plate may be 18” it has been awhile since I measured it.

 

[Niles Coyote]

Re: SWFA SS 10x42, 16x42 or 20x42?

Another with the SS 5-20x at 20 and 1000y, new targets to the right of the ipsc are 36" 24" 26"

and 5x

 

[Graham]

Re: SWFA SS 10x42, 16x42 or 20x42?

With the fixed Super Snipers the 10x is the most useful. And the 16x and 20x that I saw were both too dark for my liking.

 

[Mark-Smith]

Re: SWFA SS 10x42, 16x42 or 20x42?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Graham</div><div class="ubbcode-body">With the fixed Super Snipers the 10x is the most useful. And the 16x and 20x that I saw were both too dark for my liking.</div></div>

Good to know!