Talk me out of the S&B PMII 5-20 Ultra Short please!

[bug_eyedmonster]

Hey All,


I had my heart set on the Nightforce ATACR 5-25 F1 Mil-R... and then stumbled across the S&B PMII 5-20 Ultra Short with P4L illuminated, FFP reticle. This is going on my new hunting rifle chambered in 7mm rem mag. I wanted something lightweight, but the ATACR made me think that I was cutting weight on the rifle to afford the weight of the heavy optic. I've read the reviews on both, but haven't seen either in person. The S&B is double the price of the NF, but it's shorter and lighter.


Jerry

[HK Dave]

What are you hunting that you need these monster scopes?

There are not a whole of reports out on the 5-20 ultra short... but it looks like it locks up well so might be well suited for a hunt... the magnification though is a different factor imo.

[bug_eyedmonster]

What are you hunting that you need these monster scopes?

There are not a whole of reports out on the 5-20 ultra short... but it looks like it locks up well so might be well suited for a hunt... the magnification though is a different factor imo.

I hunt all along the western US, so deer, elk, sheep and pigs. I currently have three rifles that I change between for the listed animals, and would like to narrow it down to two if not one. I like the compactness/weight of the S&B compared to other more tactical options, and want something that will give me the versatility. I hate caps on the vert knob, but windage isn't an issue with a cap. The rifle I'm building is a 26 inch lightweight rifle (rifle will be under seven pounds before optic), still about a year out of being completed with Spartan, so I have time to figure this out and shop around.


Jerry

[Fjold]

If you want to save weight go with a smaller scope. You need 20X on a hunting gun like a turtle needs an afterburner. Go with 2-3 power low end variable up through 8 - 12 power on the high end with a 40 mm - 44 mm objective lens.

[bug_eyedmonster]

If you want to save weight go with a smaller scope. You need 20X on a hunting gun like a turtle needs an afterburner. Go with 2-3 power low end variable up through 8 - 12 power on the high end with a 40 mm - 44 mm objective lens.

I agree with you 98%, I feel that I'd rarely need full magnification of a x20 optic, but it would be nice to have to help identify or clarify from time to time. Turtles may want that extra boost on occasion as well!


Jerry

[Fjold]

The problem you will have is the low end will have to small of a field of view and it will be difficult to find the animals in the scope at 100 yards or less and impossible to shoot anything moving at short range. The 5X or higher low end will work on antelope and other open ground species but forget it for anything that lives in the brush.

You will miss more shot opportunities because of the small field of view than you will ever get using the 20X power on your scope.

[bug_eyedmonster]

Hmm... I never thought about the field of view at close range as an issue, very good point. I guess I'm going to have to start over with research!


Jerry

[bug_eyedmonster]

Thank you for the insight, by the way!

[Roddd]

Why not pick up one of the S&B 3-12 classic hunter scopes? If the scope is going on a dedicated hunting rifle, I think that would be a good choice. Keep the PM2 line for tactical rifles and the ultra short for a big block AR.