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Rifle Scopes The $3000 question... PR LT + ARC1600 binos or S&B

CMonty256

CMonty256

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
May 18, 2010
254
3
37
Fort Campbell, KY
#1
Ok guys, I have $3k to spend on shooting accessories and i have come to the following 2 options. Im looking to replace the glass on my Crusader and I'm stuck between getting a Premier Light Tac 3-15 GEN2 XRor going all out and buying a Schmidt and Bender 5-25 H2CMR.

IMO a PR LT would be sufficient for the application (308 shooting </= 1000yds) and is significantly less expensive than the S&B. The S&B would be slightly "overkill" for my 308, however time and time again I have heard that the S&B 5-25 is the benchmark by with scopes are judged, and this would be the only opportunity I'll have to buy one before this next deployment.

That being said, with the money left over from buying the PR over the S&B i could pick up a pair of Bushnell Fusion ARC 1600 10x42 LRF Binos. Considering i have no LRF at all it would be a useful addition.

So the question is... Should I seize the opportunity to purchase a S&B 5-25x56 H2CMR and have a great scope, OR purchase the PR LT 3-15 for my Crusader and have the funds left over to buy a set of Fusion ARC 1600 binos.
 
#2
Re: The $3000 question... PR LT + ARC1600 binos or S&B

Whatever you decide, don't get the gen2 xr reticle in a 3-15. The normal gen2 is much better suited for that scope. The xr reticle is basically useless under 8 power. Trust me on this one, been there and done that.
 
#4
Re: The $3000 question... PR LT + ARC1600 binos or S&B

Or at least don't get the XR if going non-illuminated. Even with, I prefer the Gen II. A couple thoughts on the binos, 10X can be a little much on the magnification, also cutting down on FOV. I wouldn't mind having a pair of Geovids or the like, but have found I've gotten really good results just carrying the 11 oz. Zeiss 8x26 PRF around. It has ranged out to 1300+.

Depends how much glassing you want to do. Monoculars are not great for that.
 
#6
Re: The $3000 question... PR LT + ARC1600 binos or S&B

IDK about a razor, granted I've never actually looked through one, however i do have a 5-20 HD and have heard that it is comparable. Im really looking to step up to the highest quality of glass that are provided by the likes of Schmidt & Bender and Premier.
 
#8
Re: The $3000 question... PR LT + ARC1600 binos or S&B

I currently run the LT with a Gen2 reticle and i really love the scope. Im not a scope expert but the clarity of the glass, field of view and tracking are all very good. Its also only 26 oz. compared to 38 for the S&B.

I too am looking to add LRF and or binos to my toolbox for observing and getting ranges to target.
 
#10
Re: The $3000 question... PR LT + ARC1600 binos or S&B

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Truckman11</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you've got the money " Buy once cry once" Go with the S&B</div></div> Thats what I'm thinking. You only get so many "buy what ever you want" passes from the wife... and I'm currently holding one.
 
#12
Re: The $3000 question... PR LT + ARC1600 binos or S&B

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CMonty</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Truckman11</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you've got the money " Buy once cry once" Go with the S&B</div></div> Thats what I'm thinking. You only get so many "buy what ever you want" passes from the wife... and I'm currently holding one. </div></div>

I Had one of those passes last month. I went with the new Tan S&B 5-25
 
#17
Re: The $3000 question... PR LT + ARC1600 binos or S&B

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CMonty</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Truckman11</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you've got the money " Buy once cry once" Go with the S&B</div></div> Thats what I'm thinking. You only get so many "buy what ever you want" passes from the wife... and I'm currently holding one. </div></div>

Good opportunity! Sounds like you've pre-judged the S&B as the superior scope. I would buy the S&B because if it ends up being too much scope, your wife will be receptive to you selling the S&B, buying the cheaper PR LT and recouping $ in the process. She won't be receptive to your "what if" urges if you go the other way.
 
#19
Re: The $3000 question... PR LT + ARC1600 binos or S&B

Btw, I'm shooting a USO SN3 3.2-17 on my Crusader and looking to try both a Premier Heritage 3-15 and S&B 4-16 to truly to A-B-C tests and determine which one I like for my own reasons.

The extra magnification question entered my mind--what are the reasons you ended up going with the 5-25 range?
 
#20
Re: The $3000 question... PR LT + ARC1600 binos or S&B

or pick up the USO SN3 5x25 I have for sale, bnib. It'll save you a couple of hundred. I'm a mag whore on every rifle, but that's just me.
 
#21
Re: The $3000 question... PR LT + ARC1600 binos or S&B

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: marco90</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I currently run the LT with a Gen2 reticle and i really love the scope. Im not a scope expert but the clarity of the glass, field of view and tracking are all very good. Its also only 26 oz. compared to 38 for the S&B.</div></div>

Same goes for the LT vs. the Premier Heritage. I ran the Heritage and liked several of its features, but realized I didn't need the uber-elevation for a .308 and the weight was a real deterrent to hunting with it. Shaving off 12+ oz. makes the LT an ideal .308 Win scope.
 
#22
Re: The $3000 question... PR LT + ARC1600 binos or S&B

25x surely isn't needed for a 308. Sometimes it makes a target look totally hittable when it's not. The 1760 target at TVP *looks* in range. It's not.

That said, Ill give up the 3-5 power range in exchange for the 15-25 range ANY DAY for any long range rifle intended to hit targets primarily at 150yards and beyond. Closer than that and I just assume have a set of irons.
 
#23
Re: The $3000 question... PR LT + ARC1600 binos or S&B

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: netranger6</div><div class="ubbcode-body">or pick up the USO SN3 5x25 I have for sale, bnib. It'll save you a couple of hundred. I'm a mag whore on every rifle, but that's just me. </div></div>

Don't tempt me! Both my USO 3-17x are 30mm, and it crossed my mind that to truly do a fair A-B-C test for myself, I may have to pony up for a USO with 34/35mm tube.

Btw random question for OP: is the 5-20 HD you mentioned above what you're currently shooting on your GAP, or are you replacing a different scope?
 
#24
Re: The $3000 question... PR LT + ARC1600 binos or S&B

no brainer get the s&b!!! mind you this is coming from a guy who has the s&b and bushnell binos. i love them both but the s&b can be hard to find sometimes and if you see the one you want just buy it!!!
 
#25
Re: The $3000 question... PR LT + ARC1600 binos or S&B

I originally had the SS HD on my gap, inherited a Barrett 98B w/ Leupold Mk 4. Sold the Mk4, moved the SS HD to the 98B, leaving the GAP open. Ideally, the 5-25 will stay on my GAP until after the deployment when 3-20s should be available. At that time ill buy a 3-20 H2CMR for the GAP and move the 5-25 to the 98B.

As far as the mag goes... Im generally shooting out to 700M. 15x is doable, however I liked the 20x offered by my SS HD (granted glass quality between a Super Sniper and a Schmidt and Bender will be significantly better). The 5-25 will be more than needed for my 308, however when it gets moved over to the 98B it will be a perfect match.

Goes back to the old saying, something about needing and not having versus having and not needing =p
 
#26
Re: The $3000 question... PR LT + ARC1600 binos or S&B

Now that I've laid out my scheme of maneuver... Execution took place this afternoon. I was in contact with the Mil/Leo sales manager for S&B and she informed me that while I qualified for the discount, all 5-25s were sold out. If i wanted to secure one at the price offered it would take 10-12 weeks for delivery.

Looking to do some shooting before my NTC rotation later this winter, I went to the Hide dealers looking for one similar. Ideally wanting a H2CMR i was willing to accept the P4F which has been pretty standard equipment for all S&Bs out there.

After multiple PMs, emails, and phone calls, I ended up buying a 5-25x56 LP P4F DT CCW MTC from OpticsSpecialist, A Hide vendor, of sportoptics.com. It was a flawless transaction and the sales staff was very knowledgable and took care of the process swiftly. Looks like Santa will be arriving on Tuesday the 20th instead of the 25th this year!
 
#27
Re: The $3000 question... PR LT + ARC1600 binos or S&B

You sir, are a man of action! Deal closed less than 24 hours after initial thread. As the Stranger says in The Big Lebowski, "I like your style, Dude."

Now I feel pumped up and may have to get myself one!
 
#28
Re: The $3000 question... PR LT + ARC1600 binos or S&B

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hamstur</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You sir, are a man of action! Deal closed less than 24 hours after initial thread. As the Stranger says in The Big Lebowski, "I like your style, Dude."

Now I feel pumped up and may have to get myself one! </div></div>

"I like yours, too, man...Got the whole cowboy thing going on"
 
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