R700 scope and mounting selection

[JMP]

I have one, IMO, WELL worth the extra $200 for a used 5-20, to the point where its a no brainer. I do agree with what JMP says about the stiff parallax knob, but at that price, you cant have it all.

While I agree with you, the tough thing about scopes is that you must draw the line somewhere or you'll always find something better until you are spending thousands.

For a .308 tactical, the 3-15x would probably still be a solid choice for a starter's scope. Anyone who is serious enough to buy a reasonable entry level scope for $700-$1,000 WILL be getting more scopes in the future.

At some point weight becomes a concern. My long range scopes would not be acceptable to me on a short action rifle.

[roc_my_tims]

Tag

[peacedivision]

If you go with SWFA make sure you call or email before you order.

Their inventory is not live, and they will sell you an out of stock/backordered scope with no heads up on the website.

I learned this the hard way

Thankfully their service is good and they are quick to respond to any issues.

[Justintoxicated]

Correct... its the same glass, at least that's what SWFA has told me in the past, so I would also give an optical edge to the fixed 10. That said, I haven't used the 3-15, but I do have a classic 10x and a buddy with the 10x HD.

The 5-20x50 HD mentioned above is a huge step up from the classic line... I know you have a strict budget mentioned above, but if you plan on spending $700 for a new 3-15x, I would also keep an eye out on the used market for that 5-20x50.

One listed here on calguns...

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1016936

I have one, IMO, WELL worth the extra $200 for a used 5-20, to the point where its a no brainer. I do agree with what JMP says about the stiff parallax knob, but at that price, you cant have it all.

Unless you are doing a serious side by side, I can't tell a difference between the Vortex Gen I glass. If anything, my eye actually agrees with the SWFA optic a little more. Seems to provide a little bump in edge sharpness and color saturation which gives it a nice POP.

The 12x or 10x swfa scope is $300, even that used scope is $900, 3x the price and already over the OP's budget for scope, mount and rings. Remember he needs $700 total, not just for the scope

[tuncas]

Actually, I can see how it's not that clear because I asked about a scope and rings/mounts, but my budget of 700 is for scope only. I know I'm gonna spend about 150-200 on mount/rings in addition.


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[Justintoxicated]

Actually, I can see how it's not that clear because I asked about a scope and rings/mounts, but my budget of 700 is for scope only. I know I'm gonna spend about 150-200 on mount/rings in addition.


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In that case, spend the extra $200

If you don't want to buy used, this might be a good option (shop around) (the SWFA HD might have better glass though)

http://www.opticsplanet.com/bushnell-elite-tactical-6-24x50mm-rifle-scope.html

http://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-Tactical-Reticle-Riflescope-6-24x50mm/dp/B006UKMDFO

Actually I was going to get one to replace the scope I pulled off my LR308, but I already bought an expensive JP one piece scope mount for a 34mm tube, and once I consider replacing the mount I'm only a couple hundred away from the G2DRM which will probably be my next big purchase so I can start shooting the 308 again.

http://www.opticsplanet.com/bushnell-elite-tactical-3-5-21x50mm-rifle-scope.html

Or maybe just save up and get a razor HD Gen II 27x, but I'll have to come up on some cash to try one of those.

[ExtremeX]

While I agree with you, the tough thing about scopes is that you must draw the line somewhere or you'll always find something better until you are spending thousands.

For a .308 tactical, the 3-15x would probably still be a solid choice for a starter's scope. Anyone who is serious enough to buy a reasonable entry level scope for $700-$1,000 WILL be getting more scopes in the future.

At some point weight becomes a concern. My long range scopes would not be acceptable to me on a short action rifle.

Point taken... it is easy to let it get out of control when you start playing the "well for a little extra I can get" game.

If the OP needs to adhere to a strict budget of $700 and wants to buy new, then the 3-15x is a fine choice as the value is there. OP, do keep a look out for used scopes, even if its for the 3-15x, at least there is money to be saved.

And I agree, anyone who is serious enough, will sooner or later end up with another scope or an upgrade. I am on what appears to be my 3rd buy once cry once...

[weaverftw]

If you go with SWFA make sure you call or email before you order.

Their inventory is not live, and they will sell you an out of stock/backordered scope with no heads up on the website.

I learned this the hard way

Thankfully their service is good and they are quick to respond to any issues.

This. I bought a scope that was "in-stock" on the website, then got an email saying it was backordered after placing the order. Two weeks later, I got a shopping notification, but the scope never showed up. Called SWFA, they said they shipped it... called UPS, they said they never got a package. SWFA was not exactly proactive about getting the mix up taken care of. I had to contact UPS several times over a 3 week period to keep the claim process moving along, and they said they had been trying to get ahold of SWFA but weren't able to get anyone who could give them the invoice from my order. I had to play middle man between SWFA/UPS for another week or so and finally got SWFA to ship out another package. I understand that things go wrong, but SWFA handled the situation terribly. More than one of the people I spoke to treated me as though they thought I had gotten the package and was trying to get a second scope for free... very frustrating to say the least.

Anyways, sorry for the rant LOL but my point is make sure you call SWFA to confirm the item you want is in stock, make sure the package is insured, and require a signature if possible. I was very surprised at the lack of customer service since they are well known to excel in that area. I am extremely happy with their product so far, but they won't be getting my business in the future when I upgrade to a tier 1 optic. I'm sure the experience I had with them is uncommon, but it really soured my taste buds.

[Rickmcu]

Unless you are doing a serious side by side, I can't tell a difference between the Vortex Gen I glass. If anything, my eye actually agrees with the SWFA optic a little more. Seems to provide a little bump in edge sharpness and color saturation which gives it a nice POP.

I agree. I had a chance to shoot though a gen 1 razor the other day and and if anything I was more amazed by how good the optical clarity on my swfa 10x was . I felt the same about the USO ER-25

[Karuption]

I have the PA 4-14X FFP with Burris XTR rings and a 20MOA mount from Larue Tactical on my 308 SPS Tactical. Its been a great setup and I routinely hit targets out to 1000 yards. Take the money you save with the scope and buy ammo.

Edit: Also ironically I had the swfa 10x before I sold it for the PA. Both are great scopes but I wanted the FFP with a little more magnification.

I was wanting to go out that far and just wondering what your barrel length is

[Justintoxicated]

I agree. I had a chance to shoot though a gen 1 razor the other day and and if anything I was more amazed by how good the optical clarity on my swfa 10x was . I felt the same about the USO ER-25

How was the optical clarity at 10x though? I would imagine it would be even better, but I have never looked through one (only the PST) myself.

[ExtremeX]

The SWFA 10X also comes in the HD flavor... not really sure which 10x Rickmcu is comparing it to.

The optical performance of a Gen1 Razor @10x is a pretty big step up from the SWFA Classic fixed 10x....

The Classic fixed 10x glass has more in common with the PST than it does with the Razor Gen1 or SWFA HD line.

[Rickmcu]

Yes I did try the gen 1 razor at 10X. I guess what I was trying to say was that with a vortex razer you KNOW your getting a great scope. But with the SWFA 10X non HD, I was very surprised how well it looked in relation to the vortex. One thing I really loved about the razor was the EBR 2 reticle though

[Karuption]

Regular mil dot

I was looking at that for my scope option on a r 700 sps tac. How high should I get rings for it with a 20 moa base? Also, take it to the range a lot?

[tuncas]

So I ended up getting a vortex viper PST 4-16 x 50.
I had a hard time finding a lot of scopes in stock near me to physically look through. I did find a viper pst but it was a lower magnification. Based off how that scope looked though, when I found a great deal on this one, I jumped on it. It is mil/mil and second focal plane.

I think this will be a good start. Just need rings now. Does anyone know if low rings will clear the 50mm objective?

Thanks for all the replies and education.


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