U.S. Optics vs. Vortex Razor HD

[young_gun15]

Hey guys I need help deciding between either :
USO ST-10 TPAL 10x or the Vortex Razor HD 5-20

This will be for a Remington 700 AAC-SD, any experience on either scope or opinions on fixed vs variable scopes would be helpful, thank you.

[rero360]

I don't have either of those scopes, but I do have the USO TPAL 5-25, 1.8-10, and the Vortex Razor 1-6.

Honestly, fixed power scopes really limit you, however they do tend to have clearer glass (less lenses) and are lighter in weight. I have found shooting out to 1K that for me anything above 17 power is detrimental especially here in SoCal due to the mirage from the heat.

If I could do it again, and something you should look at, is the USO 3-17 power scopes, seems like a great compromise to me.

Really though, what type of shooting and at what distances will matter most.

Can't go wrong with either company though.

[Sir Toast]

Depends on what you're going to use it for. The fact that it's going on a Remmy 700 AAC-SD tells me its probably going to be mainly used for target shooting and punching paper, quite accurately I might add. Still good for hunting though, depending on the setup and stock. That being said, you're fine with either.

If you're going to use it in the field where it could take a beating or if you use it with a caliber with high recoil, go with the USO. Generally, the Vortex seems to be very well liked. I haven't used a USO, so I can't vouch for it. I have a Vortex and love it. From what I've heard, the Vortex glass is better.

You can't lose with either one. Both have great quality. I own a Vortex, but if it were up to me, I'd go with the USO, again depending on what you need it for. Nightforce is my favorite though. You can get great deals on used Nightforce scopes. Awesome scope for the price.

[young_gun15]

.

If I could do it again, and something you should look at, is the USO 3-17 power scopes, seems like a great compromise to me.

Really though, what type of shooting and at what distances will matter most.

I looked at that 3.2-17 scope but the price

This will mostly be for target shooting out to 600yds and maybe a class down the road

[Sir Toast]

Then either will do you fine. Having an adjustable scope is advantageous. I'd go with the Vortex. You won't be too disappointed.

[young_gun15]

Then either will do you fine. Having an adjustable scope is advantageous. I'd go with the Vortex. You won't be too disappointed.

Thanks for the advice i was mostly trying to make sure there weren't any quality issues with the glass of the Vortex since there was a really good deal on one.

[JMP]

Both are respectable. It's a question of fixed vs. variable. The USO fixed will have a better picture at 10x than the Gen 1 Vortex. But, the Vortex glass should be plenty for a 700-AAC. The closeout deals on the Gen1 Vortex provide a great deal.

[Sir Toast]

Thanks for the advice i was mostly trying to make sure there weren't any quality issues with the glass of the Vortex since there was a really good deal on one.

Vortex glass is excellent. No worries there. Vortex released a new line of scopes so they are having good sales on other lines. Same with Nightforce with the BEAST.

[robertsma]

I can't speak for the gen I vortex glass but the gen II is comparable to any high end scope on the market. Huge magnification range (4.5-27) and all the features you could ever ask for. don't forget their amazing warranty as well! IF you can wait and have the budget, take a serious look at the gen II 3-18.

[HK Dave]

Without question, i'd go with the Razor.

If you were comparing an SFP scope and the fixed 10x... i might actually have considered the 10x... but given that the Razor is FFP, there is absolutely no reason to limit yourself to a fixed 10x scope.

[l8apex]

Of the 2 you mentioned. Vortex. Having looked through and shot both, the Vortex would be my pick. Personally had a problem with a US Optics scope that I owned and it was resolved very, very, very poorly - I'll never spend money there again. That's my experience and others may be positive. Now I choose Night Force every time.

[spamsucker]

The 2 scopes you note have completely different sorts of use cases. The ST-10 (I have 2 of them) are ultra rugged and the glass is other-worldly. It's a fixed 10x though. It's great from 30yrds to 1500 but gets to be a little slender on the magnification at the long end of that. I use one on a .308 and the other on a 7mag.

The razor you note is variable and with 20x on tap you can well deck out something with real range like a .338LM.

You mention limiting your shots to probably 600m and maybe taking a class and the rifle you're putting it on is a .308 with a practical range limitation out at 1000-1100m. That puts the ST-10 as being a perfect scope for it as far as capabilities go. You're not buying any features you don't need. The Razor on the other hand has so many more features than you need that it's a little odd to see it juxtaposed against an ST-10 like this.

The razor has a 35mm tube and 20x mag on tap. That's great for seriously long range but IMO not necessarily for fiddle-farting around at what are nothing more than the upper limits of hunting distances. Too much magnification is an addiction that has never helped anyone shoot better and usually just makes it harder.

What you get is up to you but I think you might want to consider not just spending as much as you can on awesome glass but deciding what feature set your glass needs. I wanted exactly world class glass, fixed 10x, 30mm tube, 100MOA elevation range and non-illum reticle. The ST-10's were perfect for that. They also came with the EREK knob which I love and USO ruggedness which is handy since I'm a clutz of the highest order sometimes.

I think a more just comparison of scopes that are not too much scope for your purposes would be SWFA 10x HD, USO ST-10, IOR 10x42, IOR 10x56, Leupold Mk4 10x M1, or if you wanted to get a variable then the USO MR-10 which is a 1.8-10x version of the ST-10 might be a consideration.

Take the above with a grain of salt. I like to keep my magnification on the low side and I hate variables. All variables do is add cost and complexity, reduce reliability and adjustment range and make matters harder to decide. Fixed power has so little to go wrong and nothing it doesn't need.