Need a new scope-can't decide

[C.W.M.V.]

I'm building a 16 inch ARP barreled upper to shoot my 75-77gr handloads. I'd like to be able to fully utilize the range capabilities of the heavier bullets, though I'm not sure exactly how far that is.

Purpose for the rifle is to primarily place precision fire on two legged targets. Something like a SDM rifle.

I have a Nightforce 2.5-10x24 on my Grendel SPR build. It's great! Love it! But don't want to spend that much money again!

I've been very close to buying the swfa 10x SS scope. Before I do I'd love to hear other recommendations for a scope for the above rifle, staying south of $1000.

Also-I have a spare RMR that I was going to mount on this rifle in addition to the scope to make it capable up close, thus not opposed to a fixed power scope.

[Droppin Deuces]

That bullet(77SMK) will get you past 900 easy in a 20" barrel. I hate telling people I shoot 1000 with it because many don't believe me and I have nothing to prove to them. Anyway...
I don't know if a 16" barrel is going to give you the kind of velocity you need to get that far, however. 16" with that bullet will leave you wanting a little, I think.
I can tell you I use a gen 1 PST Viper 2.5-10x32 on that particular rifle, and it's enough to do the job, depending on target size, obviously. I hear the Gen 2 with the tree reticle is a noticeable improvement on what was already a good scope for the money.

[C.W.M.V.]

That bullet(77SMK) will get you past 900 easy in a 20" barrel. I hate telling people I shoot 1000 with it because many don't believe me and I have nothing to prove to them. Anyway...
I don't know if a 16" barrel is going to give you the kind of velocity you need to get that far, however. 16" with that bullet will leave you wanting a little, I think.
I can tell you I use a gen 1 PST Viper 2.5-10x32 on that particular rifle, and it's enough to do the job, depending on target size, obviously. I hear the Gen 2 with the tree reticle is a noticeable improvement on what was already a good scope for the money.

I figured as much.
I have the grendel for longer ranges but 600 seems reasonable to me out of this rifle.

Thanks for the recommendation! Seems it's disconnected though?
And what would the vortex offer over the SWFA 10x other than the variable mag?

I should add MOA scopes only. I already understand MOA, all my other guns shoot MOA scopes, not interested in mils.

[Droppin Deuces]

I figured as much.
I have the grendel for longer ranges but 600 seems reasonable to me out of this rifle.

Thanks for the recommendation! Seems it's disconnected though?
And what would the vortex offer over the SWFA 10x other than the variable mag?

I should add MOA scopes only. I already understand MOA, all my other guns shoot MOA scopes, not interested in mils.

It should do 600 easy. What's disconnected?

That scope is available in both MOA and MIL. As far as advantages go. Well, you'll have a much better reticle(in my opinion) than the SWFA. And the glass in the SWFA fixed optics isn't great. It's usable, but you will be majorly disappointed if you're hoping for anything close to your NF. The Vortex will be close.

[C.W.M.V.]

To be very honest with you the NF is my first scope more powerful than 4x-so you're right I may be very disappointed.

I meant to type discontinued, but iPhone autocorrect got me.
I search for that scope but it comes up discontinued or oos.

[FMJBT]

The Burris XTR II 2-10X42 would probably work pretty well for your application. Oddly, it specs out a bit lighter than the Gen II PST 2-10X32 despite having a 34mm tube and larger objective. I have one of the older 2-10X42 XTR II scopes when they were not yet illuminated and only had the G2 mil dot reticle. It's a very solid scope with decent glass and excellent tracking/repeatability. Very solidly built, you definitely get the impression that it would do fine in a combat environment. New versions of the scope are available with an illuminated SCR-MOA reticle:

http://www.burrisoptics.com/scopes/xtr-ii-riflescopes-series/xtr-ii-riflescope-2-10x42mm

[Droppin Deuces]

To be very honest with you the NF is my first scope more powerful than 4x-so you're right I may be very disappointed.

I meant to type discontinued, but iPhone autocorrect got me.
I search for that scope but it comes up discontinued or oos.

Oh, yeah. Search Vortex Viper PST Gen II 2-10x32. That's going to be a hard one to find as it's in pretty high demand since it's new. The Burris that FMJBT mentioned is pretty much a direct competitor with the Vortex, so between the two it just comes down to which features you like best.

And what looks cooler. Because that matters, too

[C.W.M.V.]

Ok if we're going on cool the Burris wins lol! It looks like a freaking tank and the reviews are great.

I always thought Burris was a cheap walmart brand. Didn't realize they made good scopes.

[Droppin Deuces]

Ok if we're going on cool the Burris wins lol! It looks like a freaking tank and the reviews are great.

I always thought Burris was a cheap walmart brand. Didn't realize they made good scopes.

How dare you?!

Haha. It is a nice looking scope.

[Cody]

Just out of curiosity, what is the twist rate of that barrel?

[C.W.M.V.]

Just out of curiosity, what is the twist rate of that barrel?

http://ar15performance.com/inc/sdetail/38007/4307

1:7.7

[Guns and guitars]

Ive got two SS scopes. One a 10x the other 16x. Both fixed.

They are good scopes, and don't get me wrong as they are totally worth the money. I use mine as either loaners or scopes on bolt guns that I haven't scoped yet. Durable, dependable and most importantly they are repeatable.

The only thing about the SS on a 16 inch AR is the eye relief isn't all that great.
I too would agree with the Vortex or a Mark series Leopold, or Sig scope all around that $1000 range with nice "non bench" eye relief.

That or stay with Nightforce but go with their SHV series. Ive seen them right around 1000. And the first focal plane makes DM style shooting far easier than a 2nd.


That Burris does look interesting though....And for that cost downright affordable too....

[C.W.M.V.]

Worse come to worse I can put the Nightforce on my 16 inch gun and use a bigger scope on my grendel.

The thing that keeps pulling me back to the SWFA is the price and what you get for it, though that Burris...damn fine looking.

[FMJBT]

The SWFA 3-15X42 would be a good option too. About 2 ounces heavier than the Burris at 24 oz. but the extra magnification might be worth it depending on your needs. I wish they had an illuminated version of it though. I rarely ever use the illumination on my scopes, but there are rare circumstances when shooting in failing light or at targets against dark backgrounds or shadows where the feature really is useful.

https://swfa.com/catalog/product/view/id/113813/

[PaperPuncher]

I have a similar set-up with Leupold Mark VI 1-6 and love it. Lite weight and very versatile optic. It is a bit bulky on the AR15 with the 34mm tube but at 17oz. it makes no difference in the balance of the rifle. Highly recommend it.