Rifle Scopes Which scope for AIAW SM in 300winmag?

[mako15]

What would you guys recommend for an AIAW SM in 300winmag?

Looking at S&B 5-25 and 3-20. If I had it in 338Laupa, I would go just go with the 5-25, but for 300winmag, not sure which.

Also deciding between MSR and H2CMR reticles, but leaning towards MSR.

Rangewise, it would be used from 100-1000 yards. More often than not though, it would be used at the lower end (200yds), given the distance to the greater ranges. Nonetheless, would like to cover 100-1000 as best as possible.

I was waiting for the new Hensoldt, but with the new pricing after the buyout, well it's quite ridiculous.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance for your reply.

BTW, I tried searching, including a Google search with Snipershide and the relevant parameters and I guess my GoogleFu is not as strong as it could be

Sincerely,
Mako15

 

[Crosshair]

With the S&B budget it puts you in the running for the best scopes made. For the Big Boys (56mm), I'd look into each one of these. All the following are FFP :
S&B 5-25x56
Premier Heritage 5-25x56
Steiner Military 5-25x56
Kahles 6-24x56
USO 5-25x58
Leupold Mark 8 3.5-25x56 (with illum H-58)
S&B 3-20x50
Nightforce F1 3.5-15x50
Hensoldt 4-16x56
Nightforce Beast 5-25x56

In SFP:
Nightforce ATACR 5-25x56
March 2.5-25x42

For smaller, lighter FFP options you could look into the:
Leupold Mark 6 3-18x42
Premier LT 3-15x50
March 3-24x42

Any of these are world class scopes, just depends on features and weight.

 

[Bruno]

I would decide what features are most important to you. Magnification range, focal plane, reticle, illumination, zero stop, MTC, size, weight, and price are just some of the features. That will help to narrow down the excellent list provided by Crosshair.

 

[mako15]

Hi Guys,

Thank you very much for the responses.

Yes, I need to decide on further features. Definitely want FFP.

Do you think there is a disadvantage going with 3-20 in that caliber? Yes, I know the Bundeswher scoped there AIAW SM 300winmags in 3-12 (Hensoldt SSG). However, I need more than 12 on the top end for distance. Question is, at 1000 yards, is 20 enough? Field of view is also important, so I am not sure if 5 on the low end is too high.

The more I think about it, a 3-20 for that caliber seems appropriate for field of view plus top end, since 20 is certainly much greater than 12x.

Sucks that the new Hensoldt is so high in $$$. To me, Hensoldts have a better eyebox and better optics than a S&B. However, I have to rule out the current ones (e.g., 4x16, which I seriously considered), due to the lower range of magnification compared to the S&Bs (e.g., 16/4=4 versus 20/3=6.6667 or versus 25/5=5)

I notice S&B lists a 3-27, but if that takes as long to be released as the short dot 1-8 (still waiting btw), I can't wait years.

Just thinking out loud.



Best regards,
Mako

 

[blair]

With the S&B budget it puts you in the running for the best scopes made. For the Big Boys (56mm), I'd look into each one of these. All the following are FFP :
S&B 5-25x56
Premier Heritage 5-25x56
Steiner Military 5-25x56
Kahles 6-24x56
USO 5-25x58
Leupold Mark 8 3.5-25x56 (with illum H-58)
S&B 3-20x50
Nightforce F1 3.5-15x50
Hensoldt 4-16x56
Nightforce Beast 5-25x56

In SFP:
Nightforce ATACR 5-25x56
March 2.5-25x42

For smaller, lighter FFP options you could look into the:
Leupold Mark 6 3-18x42
Premier LT 3-15x50
March 3-24x42

Any of these are world class scopes, just depends on features and weight.

Ditto on this excellent layout of choices. In regards to your latest question, I would select the 25 power, over the 20. If you need it you have it.

 

[HogBoss]

I was in a similar positions recently. I had it narrowed down to S&B PMII 5-25 and PMII 3-20. I went with the 5-25 for a number of reasons:

1) The MTC knobs are not particularly popular - I wanted DT and you can't get those with the PMII 3-20 right now
2) Price - for the price of a 3-20 w/ MTC knobs, I could get 5-25 w/ DT knobs
3) Extended long range potential - the 5-25X has a lot more of it
4) The 5-25x has been around longer / more "tried and true"
5) There are plenty of cheaper 3x-? options for hunting that I'd be more comfortable with getting banged up in the woods

I'm running my 5-25x on a .30-06 and don't even have the reach of your 300 Win Mag. Overscoped? yeah, but I've got all the room in the world to grow for longer ranges and new rifles.

 

[mako15]

Thanks for the further replies. Really good points.

Just when I thought I had my mind made up - now my head just exploded

I will keep thinking, but many good points and options to consider. Also, while only 5mm, the larger objective on the 5-25x56 could theoretically help see better when it starts getting dark.

To further tilt the scales away from 3-20, I note the following from Jerry Ricker, S&B scopesmith:
thread -> http://www.snipershide.com/shooting/snipers-hide-rifle-scopes/191324-s-b-ultra-short.html

Statement -> "Personally, I believe the 3-20 lacks a few qualities that the 5-25 has although it is a great scope."


Mako