Optics suggestion for M1A NM

[Soginator]

Currently leaning towards an SWFA HD 5-20.

I don't shoot this rifle very often, so I don't want to break the bank. However, I like buy once cry once, so if there is something really worth the money I could go with that.

[Ki6vsm]

"Don't want to break the bank"? Aren't all those HD 5-20x's well over $1000? Sounds like you have some money to play with there, so lots of choices among many brands. The SWFA straight 10x would save you money and still be nice. If the rifles is just going to be in the safe most of the time, I personally don't know the sense of spending extra money on something that won't get used very often. (Unless we're talking fire extinguishers here, then it's a $$$ halon all the way! LOL).

When you do occasionally use this rifle, how will you be using it? At a range, at 100-300yd targets? Out in the fields shooting at distant gongs? Hunting?

I get the appeal of the 5-20x though; it seems more versatile. But a 10x has a slight coolness factor, since it's military spec. And they are used on our military M14 sharp-shooter rifles. I like this guy's story, from the SWFA web site:

http://swfa.com/ContestViewCustomer.aspx?entry=1312

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[Soginator]

When I said I don't want to break the bank, that was the reason I was hesitating on the SWFA. Realistically, I would buy the PA 4-14 and call it a day, but I don't think that scope does an M1A justice.

[Ki6vsm]

I see. From your post it sounded like you are seriously considering that HD 5-20x, but don't want to 'break the bank' by going BEYOND that $1200-1500 unless something not too far beyond that is really worth the extra expense. That's how I took it anyway.

Since the DOD is using the SS HD 10x scopes (quite a bit less expensive at $800!) on their M14 DMRs, I figure that's do your M1a justice in a way that few other scopes can. But that's just me. And SWFA also makes an SS HD in a 3-9x for only $600.

That PA is probably great for your needs and will cost way less of course. So are the Vortex Viper scopes and many, many others for under $600. That's all i can say about it. I am no expert at all.