Rifle Scopes Which should I get - Falcon-Super Sniper-Vortex ?

[cswann]

Hello everyone,

I've been reading sometime now and am in the market for my first scope for my first .308 which I recently bought from Mark at ShortActionCustoms. It's a suped up remington 700 barrell/bolt on a Mcree chasis sytem. None the less I'm looking for an enrty level scope to shoot at my range and be able to hunt varment and white tail with in the future. The range I shoot at has a 300 yard line to shoot paper at. but does hold various matches, which I may like to enter later.

Through my readings I've decided that I would like to go with a FFP MOA scope in the 4-16 magnification range. I've read alot of reviews on the Vortex PST's and was sold but now I am looking at the weaver, Falcon, and Super sniper line. Origanlly I was going to go with the Vortex PST 4-16 but since several reviews have come about which tell of its poor optics I am now looking for other options. There is the Vortex 6-24FFP, but Ive been told that magnification version maybe a bit to much to start and cost a bit more.

So out of the later scopes which models would you sugest or pick? Or should I stick with the PST 4-16? I am on a budget and still learning to shoot so as far as price keep this in mind.

Thank, Chris.

 

[Glocksteady]

Re: Which should I get - Falcon-Super Sniper-Vortex ?

I love my 6-24 PST but I read those 4-16 PST reviews and they would make me think twice as well. The SS has great glass and is built very solid. At, 300 yards, they will all work great. I will say the 24x makes it easy to see .308 holes. This would eliminate the need for a spotting scope.

Oh! Welcome aboard as well.

 

[fdkay]

Re: Which should I get - Falcon-Super Sniper-Vortex ?

First:
The Falcon is a mil/mil scope, they do not make an moa/moa scope.

Second:
You are taking three price levels here.

The Falcon 4-14 is about 385, the SS 3-9 is 600, the Weaver is 700-750 and the PST is around 800.

The PST is the ONLY one available in moa/moa.

I have a Falcon and have been very happy with it, the glass is surprisingly good, but it is not illuminated. This would present a problem in low light hunting. They DO make a 5.5-25 with illumination.

I think the SS3-9 is an excellent scope for tactical shooting and hunting, though it too lacks illumination. I think for target shooting, a bit more magnification is needed.

I recently looked through a PST 4-16. I was impressed with the package, the reticle was awesome. I was NOT impressed with the glass, however, I am spoiled by an IOR 3-18.

I have not had an opportunity to look through the Weaver yet, but all reports indicate superior glass and made in Japan quality.

If you are truly budget limited, the Falcon would serve you very well as an interim scope. If you can afford the Weaver, that would be my primary choice. It comes in less than the PST, though it does not include a sunshade. The PST comes with a sunshade, so the overall price is a wash.

My feeling is this, if you have a rifle from Mark, you will eventually upgrade above the viper or weaver anyway.

 

[cswann]

Re: Which should I get - Falcon-Super Sniper-Vortex ?

Great Input. And yes Marks rifle is a beaut! Is the glass on the PST really not worth the price? I was originally priceing in the PST SFP range. But like the sound of the FFP..so was planing on saving for it. Then the poor reviews of how the glass is made me think twice. My only issue with the 6-24 is that if I decide to hunt... It may be to much for close range shots. So I have 2 options. Find a scope that is in the 3,4-15-16 magnification with good glass and doesnt break the bank. Or by 2 scopes one for the range (6-24mag ffp vortex) and then when I decide to hunt, if I do, get a smaller magnification. This though, doesnt seem efficient to me. After the reviews I think the Weaver would be my next choice. If I went SS, which model.

 

[Glocksteady]

Re: Which should I get - Falcon-Super Sniper-Vortex ?

I don't hunt but it seems most of the hunting scopes start at 4. I don't think going to 6 would make that much difference, outside of 100 yards. If you do go with the 6-24, make sure you tighten the battery cap all the way down until it stops. It will drive you nuts thinking the battery is dead if you don't. I'm sure a hunter will give some input in a second. I do really like the 6-24 PST. I think you would too.

 

[jimmykm21]

Re: Which should I get - Falcon-Super Sniper-Vortex ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cswann</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Great Input. And yes Marks rifle is a beaut! Is the glass on the PST really not worth the price? I was originally priceing in the PST SFP range. But like the sound of the FFP..so was planing on saving for it. Then the poor reviews of how the glass is made me think twice. My only issue with the 6-24 is that if I decide to hunt... It may be to much for close range shots. So I have 2 options. Find a scope that is in the 3,4-15-16 magnification with good glass and doesnt break the bank. Or by 2 scopes one for the range (6-24mag ffp vortex) and then when I decide to hunt, if I do, get a smaller magnification. This though, doesnt seem efficient to me. After the reviews I think the Weaver would be my next choice. If I went SS, which model. </div></div>


You have to decide what is the main thing you're looking for.

Clarity and resolution at the top of your list or a scope that is more of a tactical nature.


For a hunting scope that you can also use at the range.
You could look at a trigicon accupoint 3 - 9 , really nice glass or you could look at a Zeiss conquest

Both of those have really nice clarity and resolution .

As to the SS you only have the 3- 9 to choose from unless you want to get into the $1300 to $1500 price.

You also want a hunting scope so you don't want a 10 power fixed or a 16

 

[elk addict]

Re: Which should I get - Falcon-Super Sniper-Vortex ?

I've hunted a lot with a loopy 6-18. I've killed elk & deer from 35-423yards with it & never had much trouble with target acquisition. 6 works fine for a low end on a hunting rig.

 

[fdkay]

Re: Which should I get - Falcon-Super Sniper-Vortex ?

Burris has a new, mid-priced tactical scope.

It is, however 2nd FP. It does not have illume, but it is less of an issue with a 2nd FP. It has an AO not side focus, while I like SF, it adds another piece of glass and something else to fail. There is nothing wrong with a good AO, they are more robust and do an excellent job of removing parallax.
The reticle appears a bit thick, but it looks quite usefull.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/935341/...t-reticle-matte

 

[cswann]

Re: Which should I get - Falcon-Super Sniper-Vortex ?

I think I may just save a bit more and go with the Vortex 6-24 PST FFP. Nothing but good reviews on it. If I have an issue with it, if and when I decide to get into hunting.. I'll get a smaller magnification then. But before I purchase it,are there any scopes other than the weaver in the 4-16ish/~$600-700 range I should look at in case I go cheap.

( I'd also preder smothing smaller than 50mm, but it seems there arnt alot of FFP 40,42,44mm meeting my price range)

 

[Glocksteady]

Re: Which should I get - Falcon-Super Sniper-Vortex ?

Nikon scopes are nice. I had a buckmaster in the $300 category, 4.5-14, moa moa, nice glass. Problem is it has 1" tube so you would need to get new rings for the 30mm tubes when you upgrade. It will work very well to get you started and, it has caps for the turrets so they don't accidentally change on you while you're out going through the brush.

 

[z71rat]

Re: Which should I get - Falcon-Super Sniper-Vortex ?

MidwayUSA Vortex 5-15x44MM for a $399 price tag... I love mine!!

DK

 

[Hooker308]

Re: Which should I get - Falcon-Super Sniper-Vortex ?

Most of the PST reviews are from early on in production. I love my brand new one. Of course it is my first higher end scope. Maybe I would crap my pants with a S&B but with my funds, I will probably never get the chance.