Advice..Vortex vs SWFA

[ddnk909]

Hello fellow Calgunners

First off sorry if this is a repetitive question. I have searched the internet and could not find what I was looking for. All I could find were comparison from the non HD model swfa scope.

Question: I have a Vortex Viper PST 4-16x FFP scope(MOA/MOA). I have been thinking about replacing it with the SWFA 10x42 HD(mil/mil). I am a fan of vortex but I am looking for better clarity then that scope offers without spending more. I have the chance to basically trade straight up. I am shooting a REM 700 5r .308 WIN and I am pretty new to distance shooting.

Does anyone actually have experience with the 2 scopes listed above?
Is the Clarity of the SWFA HD worth it?
How is SWFA tracking and repeatability vs Vortex?

Again I apologize if this has already been discussed somewhere on Calguns but I could not find any info. Just looking for some guidance from those who have more experience.

Thanks
Ian

[ExtremeX]

I have two Vortex PST (Viper PST 1-4x and 4-16) scopes and two SWFA HD scope (1-6x and 5-20)...

The glass quality on the SWFA HD scopes are a substantial upgrade from what’s in the PST. I was very impressed at the level of glass and build quality you get for the money. It’s about on par with the Vortex Razor IMO if you wanted to compare it to something in the Vortex series.

[Treadstone]

I really like my Vortex Razor HD scope. Works well for me from 10 - 1000 yards!

[ddnk909]

Extremex thank you for the info! So would your recommend SWFA over the the PST? For my application of shooting (.308) would the extra clerity out weight the higher magnification?

Treadstone I bet! I like vortex but the razor hd is out of my price range for now.

[Calplinker]

I have a Vortex Viper 6-24 PST FFP and a SWFA 5-20 HD and like them both. Honestly, the glass on the SWFA is a bit better but not by all that much, at least in my opinion.

My eyes need the magnification, so I wouldn't give up 16x for 10x unless the clarity was orders of magnitude better, which I don't feel it is.

[ExtremeX]

For some reason the 6-24 PST has an optical edge over its 4-16 brother… I found a noticeable optical difference between the 4-16 and my 5-20 SWFA HD. Less difference between the 6-24 and SWFA HD.
I think the OP would be in for a bigger optical upgrade than he thinks considering we are also comparing variables to fixed max scopes.

It’s still going to be a balancing act between magnification and resolution / resolving powder of the scope. Personally I like a lot of magnification, but most of my rigs are range paper punchers… Plus I like variable optics so I can always back it off.

[ddnk909]

I thank all of you for your input...I think I will have to try out the SWFA unless I relax my cheeks and give up the extra green to pop for 5-20 HD lol...