Considering new scope
- Thread starter ranger3
- Start date
R.Morehouse
Gold $$ Contributor
Magnification is your friend.....You can always turn it down if you don't need it....But
Turbulent Turtle
F-TR competitor
Not sure why you're considering fixed magnification scopes with such small objective lenses.
Power variable 8 to 32 and 5 to 25
Turbulent Turtle
F-TR competitor
Ok, let me see if I can explain this properly. When describing a riflescope, there are two pieces of information that immediately tell the astute knowledgeable reader most of the information he or she should know in order to understand what you are saying. These two pieces of information are separated by a X sign. On the left side, you specify the magnification and on the right, you specify the diameter of the objective lens in millimeter.
If you only give the magnification like 8X, we have no clue of the capabilities of the scope. It's like when you talk about bullets and you only give the caliber and do not tell us the weight of the bullet. That would make the discussions pretty short and meaningless.
So, when you post that you are looking at an 8X32, I take it to mean an 8 power scope with a 32mm objective. A fairly boring riflescope, good for plinking.
If you want to tell use that you are looking at a variable, you would say an 8-32X something. At the moment, we still have no clue what size scope you're considering; some of us suspect it has a fairly large objective lens, but that could be a 40, 44, 48, 52 or 56mm lens. We do not know and therefore we have nothing to carry on a conversation.
It's the same thing in photography, were you describe a lens using its magnification and its maximum aperture as per this example: 50mm f/1.4. With that, I know your talking about a fast standard lens.
If you only give the magnification like 8X, we have no clue of the capabilities of the scope. It's like when you talk about bullets and you only give the caliber and do not tell us the weight of the bullet. That would make the discussions pretty short and meaningless.
So, when you post that you are looking at an 8X32, I take it to mean an 8 power scope with a 32mm objective. A fairly boring riflescope, good for plinking.
If you want to tell use that you are looking at a variable, you would say an 8-32X something. At the moment, we still have no clue what size scope you're considering; some of us suspect it has a fairly large objective lens, but that could be a 40, 44, 48, 52 or 56mm lens. We do not know and therefore we have nothing to carry on a conversation.
It's the same thing in photography, were you describe a lens using its magnification and its maximum aperture as per this example: 50mm f/1.4. With that, I know your talking about a fast standard lens.
SIII 10-50x. Best bang for $$. The golden eagle by vortex is nice. Think it is actually better than the SIII as far as glass and solidness. I can see bullet holes and little better visibility in bad mirage with my Vortex Golden Eagle vs SIII
ttfreestyle
Silver $$ Contributor
Where's the popcorn?
Turbulent Turtle
F-TR competitor
I have it, get your own.
One question for you with this experience. Was it just the glass or was part of it the magnification?
For me I believe it's the glass.
I was shooting at 330 yards so I didn't use all the magnification on the GE. I was at around 45x and the picture was more vivid compared to the SIII at 32x.
These were not my scopes so this is a limited comparison to say the least.
There are several good scopes on your list, and you can't go wrong with most of them. The MAIN THING you will want to do is look at the reticle that each manufacturer has available in the scopes you are interested in...that, alone just may make your decision for you as having a reticle that suits you and your shooting style just may be one of the VERY most important things right behind optical clarity, repeatability, having the vertical/horizontal calibrations (Ie: MOA vs. MRAD) that suit you, whether the scope has a ZERO stop available or not, can be had in first focal plane or not and the size/feel of the knobs and graduations/clicks. As you can see, scope selection can be complex if you consider all the angles and is a very PERSONAL thing----is strongly dependent upon the mission you have in mind for it. Not to mention that if you, somehow, wind up with a reticle you JUST CAN'T LIVE WITH, you've just wasted your money no matter how good everything else about the scope is!! Asking someone else to pick out/recommend a scope FOR YOU is kinda like asking some other guy to pick out a spouse for you.....yes----POSSIBLE, but not likely to be what you really wanted! I'd recommend going to an event similar to the one you want to shoot and looking through all the scopes you can (most guys are happy to let you do that), go to all the sporting goods stores that sell scopes and looking through the ones they offer and also just plain old research on the internet where most manufacturers have pictures of their reticles on their scope/sales sites.
slm9s
Gold $$ Contributor
I switched several rifles from Nightforce BR and NXS models to Sightron SIIIs several years ago. I love the MOA2 reticle and I've never had a tracking issue. In my mind it was 95% of the performance for 60% or the cost. I think I have 8, 6 8-32s and 2 10-50s. About 4 months ago I ordered a Golden Eagle so see if it would edge out a SIII 10-50 for a LR Dasher. I sent the Vortex back. I agree with a poster above, the $2500+ Vortex scopes are amazing, the lesser scopes are clearly beaten by Sightron SIIIs. You mileage may vary.
I own several Vortex, a SIII 8-32x56 and a Leupold 8.5-25x50 V3i LRP and althouth the SIII is a fantastic scope for the money the Leupold is crisper and clearer (in my eyes).
Picked up the LRP nib for $765. OTD and for the money its a good deal.
Cant comment on the GE as I have never used one.
Best of luck in your decision.
Picked up the LRP nib for $765. OTD and for the money its a good deal.
Cant comment on the GE as I have never used one.
Best of luck in your decision.
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