Sightron SIII 8x32x56

[sparky123321]

I have 5 10-50x SIII's right now and have had 4 or 5 others throughout the years(sold with the guns they were on). I've owned pretty much every other highend scope out, except for March, and I now only own Sightron 10-50x SIII's. I've never had a problem with a single one. I've shot prairie dogs out past 800 yards and was able to see my misses(dust). NF's are great, but not worth the money in my opinion. I actually returned one I purchased and bought my first SIII. My biggest pet peeve is when people compare scope clarity and light gathering at different powers. If you want to compare a 10-50x to a 24x please dial the 10-50x down to 24x. I normally pay $800-$850 for my brand new 10-50x SIII's. Kills me when I see people here paying more than that for used ones. If you decide to buy send me a PM and I'll direct you to a couple sites where you can buy them very reasonably.

 

[fdshuster]

snakepit: I experienced the same with Tony's neoprene lens caps: air will get trapped when pushing them on, but rather than drill a hole in them I just pick up a small section of the cover after sliding it on & the trapped air escapes.

They are great for quickly covering the objective lens when doing a quick cleaning at the range. Keeps the splatter from getting on the objective lens. They also serve to provide extra protection from accidental bumps and scrapes. On and off in the blink of an eye when not shooting between relays.

I even use them for all my Nightforce scopes as double protection overtop of the screw-on lens caps, that come with the benchrest models.

And, yes, the "lens covers" that Sightron includes with the 10-50x gives new meaning to the term "Made in China". The eyepiece cover would not even fit, too small !

 

[ShootDots]

FD Shuster and SnakePit, I used a camera lens cover for the objective bell. It goes on and off in less than 2 seconds and is water tight>>>at least as far as rain is concerned.. Then I use a Butler Creek for the Ocular lens.. You have to get the correct size for the lens>>> I took my scope into the camera store and they knew right away what was the correct size! It is perfect!!

 

[fdshuster]

Ben: Another way of arriving at the same conclusion.

 

[Gman]

I have 5 10-50x SIII's right now and have had 4 or 5 others throughout the years(sold with the guns they were on). I've owned pretty much every other highend scope out, except for March, and I now only own Sightron 10-50x SIII's. I've never had a problem with a single one. I've shot prairie dogs out past 800 yards and was able to see my misses(dust). NF's are great, but not worth the money in my opinion. I actually returned one I purchased and bought my first SIII. My biggest pet peeve is when people compare scope clarity and light gathering at different powers. If you want to compare a 10-50x to a 24x please dial the 10-50x down to 24x. I normally pay $800-$850 for my brand new 10-50x SIII's. Kills me when I see people here paying more than that for used ones. If you decide to buy send me a PM and I'll direct you to a couple sites where you can buy them very reasonably.

I own a 8-32x 50mm SIII (fine cross-hair) which sits atop of a live ground-hog rifle, and I think that it is an excellent scope for that application. But Sightron doesn't offer the reticle choices that NF does, so on my paper varmint rifle sits a NF BR with the CH-3, which is the perfect reticle for my target application.

 

[MikeMcCasland]

A note I posted on a hunting forum this week.

Just to follow-up, I ended up purchasing one of the 8-32x56 LRMOA scopes with 1/4" adjustments. I managed to mount it up on my 260 and go out to the range this past weekend. I'm happy to report I wasn't disappointed with it's performance. I compared it side by side with a Leupold VX3 6.5-20x50 and I'd say the resolution/clarity is better on the Sightron by a decent amount (to my eyes). If I had to put a number to it, I'd say 15%-20% better at equal magnification.

I was only shooting at 100 yards, but the tracking seemed consistent and the adjustments were audible/crisp. I'll report back if that changes when I take out to the thousand yard range.

The reticle is both good and bad in my opinion. If I were to do it again (and I will) I'd buy the illuminated model. The reticle is OUTSTANDING if it's bright outside, but when you're shooting against a dark target in less than optimal conditions, I could see it getting lost against a dark background. It's also quite thin (again good for target shooters).

Sightron Pros:
Image Quality
Tracking Consistency
Exposed Target Knobs
Turret rotation labeling (goes from 2-1-0-1-2) so while not a zero stop, much better than how some label their turret adjustments, and in practice it's as good as zero stops for my purposes.
MOA2 Reticle


Cons:
Parallax Adjustment/Side focus is very sensitive; 1/20th a turn can bring an image in and out of focus.
Scope Finish/Lettering engraving looks cheaper than Leupold or Vortex IMO.
Turret locking system could be better (it's easy to knock the turret off zero when trying to zero them; go figure).
Reticle (if you're planning to shoot in inclement weather or low light, go illuminated)

Neutral:
It's a big scope, but you knew that already if you were looking at an 8-32x56.

I hope others can benefit from this review; I'm really happy with the scope despite some of my nit-picking on the cons listed. I'll probably slowly replace my leupolds with Sightrons going forward.

 

[Corvette0096]

I have one under warranty repair right now.. I will let you know. it's a 36 Power with parallax issues.

 

[Send One Lambert]

Thanks to all, I appreciate all of your comments. I believe you guys settled it on the brand, I just need to decide on which power range will suit me best.

 

[Gina1]

I own a Sightron 10x50xx60 scope. Great scope. Better yet, lost the front lens cap at a match a few weeks ago. Called up sightron to order a replacement, they sent out both a new front and rear lens caps. NO Charge !!! Can't beat that.

 

[Half Scale]

I have to echo what everyone else has said. About a year ago I wanted a new scope (SIII 10-50X60) but didn't know anything about the Sightron except what I read in various reviews. Went to a local gun shop to order it and their reaction was "you want a what? never heard of it!"

When the scope arrived and I went to pick it up of course everyone wanted me to open it up so they could check it out. The reaction from everyone was the same......total surprise in the quality for the price.

After a year with the 10-50 i ordered another one last week. In my opinion, they are hard to beat for the price you pay.

 

[Duster_360]

Not sure how I missed seeing this thread until now, but it sounds like I made a good decision, my SIII 10-50 arrived yesterday. I found a good price on a NIB one on the forums here.

Its an impressive looking scope, can't wait to get it mounted and head to the range.

And a big thanks for the link to those scope caps from TonyinKY.....

 

[fdshuster]

To anyone considering the lens caps from TonyinKy: For $10, shipping included, they are well worth it.

When I spoke about added protection from damage: After cleaning one of my very heavy BR rifles, and carrying it in the vertical position, barrel up, it slide out of my left hand (I had just put a fresh coat of stock wax on the forend & underside of the walnut stock), it crashed to the concrete basement floor with the rubber butt pad hitting, then fell over onto the left side.

A minor mark on the stock, easily repaired, and a concrete smudge on the neoprene lens cover, left side of the objective bell of my NF BR 12-42x. Both screw-on lens caps were in place with the neoprene's on top. If not for the neoprene cover, the front of the objective would have taken a hit and likely the threaded section would have had a serious dent, so the screw-on lens cap would not be removable---- back to NF for $$$$$ repairs. As it was, no permanent damage.

Lesson learned? I now carry my heavy rifles in the horizontal position.

 

[PhulesAu]

I would have voted for, no more wax!!! ;D

 

[JamesnTN]

For those who have this scope and have used the newer scopes with HD glass how does it compare optically and with light transition?
I'm wanting to add one to my AR so right now my other option is the new NF ATACR
So what are pros and cons between the 8-32 and the 10-50?
I'm eyeing a NIB 10-50 with illuminated MOA-2 reticle with the tactical knobs.