SWFA SS vs Bushnell Elite Tactical

[LBDamned]

a scope shopper should realize (biiiiggggg yyyaaahhhhnnnnn).....

Bushnell (and SWFA) have fan base...

IMHO, anyone on an internet forum insisting (or implying) their choice is better (without reference) should be ignored.

There are plenty of real world resources to make an informed decision.

[jason8055]

ok guys, I'm also fixin on getting a Bushnell 3-12x44, or should I spend the extra $100 for the 6-24x50 ??? Can you all tell me the difference, obviously longer distance, but it seems like its almost double the distance? Sorry long distance glass noob here!

[bombadillo]

I always like the extra magnification for longer distances any day of the week. It definitely makes a difference for me, but its just a personal opinion. Lots of guys get a 3-15 or 4-16 and have no issues at all.

[CK_32]

Anyone know a cheap spot to get a 3-15 42mm FFP SWFA in the next month?

Ganna be in the market in about a week or 2 havnt found any real deals yet.

[ExtremeX]

Anyone know a cheap spot to get a 3-15 42mm FFP SWFA in the next month?

Ganna be in the market in about a week or 2 havnt found any real deals yet.

[CK_32]

Ohhhhh yea that explains a lot. Kinda glad I missed it. It was either $700 in LR308 parts for 10% off at RG or the scope. Figure the scope will be on sale more often then the parts.8 hope your right and they do to on sale around Xmas time would be perfect

[Calplinker]

Glass

I've owned the SWFA SS 5-20 FFP and the Bushnell Elite Tactical 6-24 FFP as well as the Vortex Viper 6-24 FFP. Of the three, the SWFA has the best glass, hands down.

The Viper is second and not really all that far behind the SWFA. I'd rate the Bushnell third out of these particular models. For turret design, use and feel, I feel that the Vortex takes this easily. The other two work well, but just don't have the tactile feel of the Vortex which I really like.

Magnification adjustment knob on the SWFA is hard to turn and requires the cat tail to make turning manageable, particularly with gloves. The Vortex with it's rubber ring makes moving the magnification ring easy, so no cat tail needed The rubber ring is nicely adhered to the body and doesn't slip around when you dial the magnification up and down. Nicely done. Bushnell was in the middle and I got by without a cat tail.

Wound up selling the Bushnell and keeping the other two.

These are just my opinions and I am by no means a optics expert. Most of my use of these high power scopes is bench target shooting to 600 yards. Hits with any of them is boringly easy once zero'd, even with my old eyes.

[KING_PALM]

Anyone looking for glass and isn't scared to buy used should be lurking gear exchange on snipers hide.

[jason8055]

Just found me a new bushnell 1-6 for only 775!! (no paperwork tho). SWFA does have a SLIGHTLY better glass quality but barley noticeable. I sold my SWFA and bought this baby, I dont really like SWFA's 1-6 reticle its too thick. And my 1x FFP is badass reminds me of an eotech dot

[mariley85]

i have 2 Bushnell Elite scopes. a 3-12x44ffp and a new 3.5-21x50 ERS. love them would buy again in an instant. only reason i would buy another brand is for the sake of just having something different, even then i'm sure i would miss the G2DMR reticle.

[6mmintl]

Sbj269 is correct. Turret tracking trumps glass clarity and reticle design. I have fixed 10x42 SWFA Scopes on all of my rigs. The next best scope overall is a fixed zoom US Optics. None of the variables are as strong lot reliable as their fixed counterparts. Your fancy reticle and fancy glass will not help you when you adjust for elevation and a bit of wind only to miss a long shot by a couple feet.

SWFA had a black Friday deal for $259.99 you get a scope, bubble level, and a set of rings.

I find it interesting that the need to mimic military snipers with Mil/Mil FFP exotic reticle high power variable scopes as opposed to fixed medium power mil dot MOA knob scopes hinges on the need for supposed ranging expertise for warfare/unknown distance shooting that we are not engaged in as civilians.

It seems to me medium power 10-15x fixed or variable and mildot reticle is the easiest way for newcomers to experience known distance and unknown distance shooting at distance, learn ballistics, and experience shooting until such time as they want to learn tactical skillsets/mindset for that big unknown apocalypse.

There are many ways to get there without bankrupting yourself to join a shooting venue/skillset out the gate, going slowly gives you the experience and equipment knowledge you need to make informed decisions down the road.

[Calplinker]

I find it interesting that the need to mimic military snipers with Mil/Mil FFP exotic reticle high power variable scopes as opposed to fixed medium power mil dot MOA knob scopes hinges on the need for supposed ranging expertise for warfare/unknown distance shooting that we are not engaged in as civilians.
.

Really? Ever been to a high power competition? Every one I've ever attended has us shooting at targets at unknown ranges. Part of the course of fire is estimating range using your reticle, then placing shots as close to target center (and each other) as possible.

[1911ShooterPhil]

Fixed power scopes are just fine...

I find it interesting that the need to mimic military snipers with Mil/Mil FFP exotic reticle high power variable scopes as opposed to fixed medium power mil dot MOA knob scopes hinges on the need for supposed ranging expertise for warfare/unknown distance shooting that we are not engaged in as civilians.

It seems to me medium power 10-15x fixed or variable and mildot reticle is the easiest way for newcomers to experience known distance and unknown distance shooting at distance, learn ballistics, and experience shooting until such time as they want to learn tactical skillsets/mindset for that big unknown apocalypse.

There are many ways to get there without bankrupting yourself to join a shooting venue/skillset out the gate, going slowly gives you the experience and equipment knowledge you need to make informed decisions down the road.

Just saying...in my military days, and during my contracting days (2001-2010)...mostly what we had was MILDOT scopes which had [1/4] MOA adjustments and were fixed power. Specifically: UNERTL 10x42, SWFA 10x42 (at the time, made by Tasco, under Navy contract), Bushnell 10x40 (at the time, Japanese made); and then there were the exotic European-made stuff, too. Fixed power scopes were simple and they worked: 1) the ballistic math was easier, 2) the parallax was less, 3) the field of view was more, and 4) they were rugged since they had a simpler design than variable scopes. Through the beginning years of the GWOT, most MIL units issued fixed 10x scopes (even on rifles as powerful as the M82 .50 BMG). It wasn't 'til recently that the Big Green military machine caught up to what LEO's already knew: variable power scopes have their place too in field optics. It just took time for everyone to get onto the same page is all.

That being said though, on my field rifles, I'd still pick a fixed power scope. Not because that's what the "big boys" are using, but because that's what I was introduced to early on, and that's what I became proficient with through practice...so, that's what I decided to put on my weapons. I have used the Bushnell 10x40 (http://swfa.com/Bushnell-10x40-Elite...pe-P48273.aspx) scopes with great effect. On a former work rifle (a custom 5.56mm SPR), I put a Bushnell 10x40. It was great. Then again, I have a buddy who swears by the SWFA 10x42 (http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-10x42-Tactic...cope-P499.aspx). On my coyote rifle, I have a Sightmark 6x42 (out of production). There's nothing wrong with fixed power optics in my mind.

But, like others have said, everyone has an opinion. For my uses, they worked for me just fine. Will that combo work for you? Maybe, maybe not. Try it & find out. The only way to find out is when the rubber hits the road, dude. Cheers! --1911ShooterPhil

[Troy35]

I've spent some time searching and I thought I'd try to bring an old thread back to life.

I recently purchased a 700 AAC and I would like to push it out to 1000 yards. In the sub $2000 market are the SWFA SS HD 5-20x50 and the Bushnell Elite Tactical 3.5-21x50 with the G2 still the ways to go?

I know I want FFP and matching mil/mil. I also want variable power.

I know these subjects can get a little out of hand, but like the other guys on here this will be a major purchase for me and I very much want to choose wisely. I've searched and watched videos on the two scopes. Honestly, I don't know if I can go wrong with either although I know in my price range I am not getting a premier scope, but I just want to do as well as possible.

Thanks!

[hoss_hk]

Thread from the dead!
I have the SWFA 5-20 HD non-illuminated. Great glass.
Vortex Razor HD is better glass, illuminated, comes with a bubble level, sunshade and caps. They're being closed out right now. I actually got mine from SWFA, but they sold out several models. EuroOptic has some.

http://www.eurooptic.com/vortex-razor-hd-5-20x50-scope-buy-out.aspx