Sightron STAC Opinions?

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coleman1495

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Hello,

I am in the market for a new scope for my trustee rifle(7mm-08). I currently have a Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 mounted on it. The Zeiss is a great little scope but I would like to upgrade to something that allows me to do longer range shooting. It lacks the magnification to take full advantage of the rifle. It also requires removal of the scope caps for adjustment and does not have adjustable objective lense.

Ideally I would like something that allow me to play out in the 400-500 yard range. The rifle is not only for moderate target shooting but is also my main hunting rifle. Whatever I go with also has to function as a hunting scope.

I have been looking at the Sightron STAC 4-20x50 as it seems to have all the features I would desire. I am a bit of a glass snob and would rather spend a few extra bucks on something that works well. Clarity is definitely a concern. Parallax is also a concern. Would a moderate glass snob be happy with the STAC line?
 
I took delivery of the stac 4-20 about a month ago, been to the range a couple of times and once out in the field with it.

I think it's a great scope in that price bracket.

The glass is quite good for the price point. I've never personally owned a Conquest, but have looked through them several times and I don't think you'll be giving up anything in that department.

The scope is solid, the built-in switch throw lever is a nifty touch.

As for drawbacks, most reviews mention the 'sharp edges' on the scope.. I see what they mean, but I don't know if that's necessarily a drawback, just something I noticed.

The turrets are capped but are a 'tactical style' when the caps are off. The turrets are not going to compare to a true tactical scope, they are bang on in adjustments but there is a bit of play between each click.
 
I had a stac 3-16, I found it all right. Probably a better hunting scope , more so than a target scope.
I didn't find the glass to be the clearest.
I guess its about what's to be expected for a $700 scope
Found it similar to a Bushnell 6500 2-5-16, that I had.
 
I had an STAC 4-16 and it was ok. No real complaints for the money but I also had an S2 BigSky and it was much nicer glass. I also wasn't a fan of the reticle on the STAC.. It was too busy for hunting in my opinion.

EDIT: I believe it was the HHR
 
Last edited:
wheels said:
I took delivery of the stac 4-20 about a month ago, been to the range a couple of times and once out in the field with it.

I think it's a great scope in that price bracket.

The glass is quite good for the price point. I've never personally owned a Conquest, but have looked through them several times and I don't think you'll be giving up anything in that department.

The scope is solid, the built-in switch throw lever is a nifty touch.

As for drawbacks, most reviews mention the 'sharp edges' on the scope.. I see what they mean, but I don't know if that's necessarily a drawback, just something I noticed.

The turrets are capped but are a 'tactical style' when the caps are off. The turrets are not going to compare to a true tactical scope, they are bang on in adjustments but there is a bit of play between each click.
Click to expand...

Oops I missed the turrets being capped. They looked like they were adjustable without removal of any caps. I guess it doesn't really matter as I adjust my hold point typically for hunting. I almost never have a chance to shoot at stuff beyond 300yds with the exception of elk maybe. When you say "great scope in that price bracket" what am I missing buying this scope compared to lets say a ~1500$ scope in your opinion?
 
Brianma65 said:
It's a great scope, very clear..
Click to expand...

A little bit of research indicates that it is up there in the Swarovski Z5 price range. It is lacking a bit of magnification for what I think I would need to play in the 400-500 yard range. Would you be able to lets say make out a baseball at 400 yards reasonably clear?
 
coleman1495 said:
Oops I missed the turrets being capped. They looked like they were adjustable without removal of any caps. I guess it doesn't really matter as I adjust my hold point typically for hunting. I almost never have a chance to shoot at stuff beyond 300yds with the exception of elk maybe. When you say "great scope in that price bracket" what am I missing buying this scope compared to lets say a ~1500$ scope in your opinion?
Click to expand...

Better glass uncapped turrets zero stop maybe illuminated reticle
 
I've been tempted by the sightron scopes but their warranty doesn't sit well with me. If you break it during use it seems like they won't cover that but if it's defective from factory it will be covered whereas leupold will cover your scope of you run over it with your truck.

From what I understand anyway.
 
coleman1495 said:
A little bit of research indicates that it is up there in the Swarovski Z5 price range. It is lacking a bit of magnification for what I think I would need to play in the 400-500 yard range. Would you be able to lets say make out a baseball at 400 yards reasonably clear?
Click to expand...

There is a 4.5-18x available.
 
coleman1495 said:
Oops I missed the turrets being capped. They looked like they were adjustable without removal of any caps. I guess it doesn't really matter as I adjust my hold point typically for hunting. I almost never have a chance to shoot at stuff beyond 300yds with the exception of elk maybe. When you say "great scope in that price bracket" what am I missing buying this scope compared to lets say a ~1500$ scope in your opinion?
Click to expand...

Well, compared to a couple of true tactical scopes that I have (Nightforce NXS & Burris XTR II) it's mostly the turrets that you really notice the difference. Both of those have very robust turrets with very positive clicks.. then there's things like Zero-stops, illuminated reticle, etc.
 
coleman1495 said:
Hello,

I am in the market for a new scope for my trustee rifle(7mm-08). I currently have a Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 mounted on it. The Zeiss is a great little scope but I would like to upgrade to something that allows me to do longer range shooting. It lacks the magnification to take full advantage of the rifle. It also requires removal of the scope caps for adjustment and does not have adjustable objective lense.

Ideally I would like something that allow me to play out in the 400-500 yard range. The rifle is not only for moderate target shooting but is also my main hunting rifle. Whatever I go with also has to function as a hunting scope.

I have been looking at the Sightron STAC 4-20x50 as it seems to have all the features I would desire. I am a bit of a glass snob and would rather spend a few extra bucks on something that works well. Clarity is definitely a concern. Parallax is also a concern. Would a moderate glass snob be happy with the STAC line?
Click to expand...

What does good glass mean to you?

Is the STAC in the TT and S&B arena... not in your life. Will it give scopes costing twice as much a run, YES...

As I mentioned in my review, the new STACs are behind the Sightron SIIIs. Similar to your VXIII's and current gen Elites... Very useable glass but there is certainly better but nothing even remotely close for the price of these STACs.

I have a 3-16X42 mounted on my PRS type rifle. At 250yds, I can just make out 6mm holes in the white. No problem putting the dot on an exterior door knob at 1000yds. Not bad at all for a 16X scope under $700

At 3X, I can aim clearly across a room so for uesage at very close range, it will also work.

The features and performance offer shooters a very useable product all at a great price...... no more... no less.

Jerry
 
Mystic Precision said:
What does good glass mean to you?

Is the STAC in the TT and S&B arena... not in your life. Will it give scopes costing twice as much a run, YES...

As I mentioned in my review, the new STACs are behind the Sightron SIIIs. Similar to your VXIII's and current gen Elites... Very useable glass but there is certainly better but nothing even remotely close for the price of these STACs.

I have a 3-16X42 mounted on my PRS type rifle. At 250yds, I can just make out 6mm holes in the white. No problem putting the dot on an exterior door knob at 1000yds. Not bad at all for a 16X scope under $700

At 3X, I can aim clearly across a room so for uesage at very close range, it will also work.

The features and performance offer shooters a very useable product all at a great price...... no more... no less.

Jerry
Click to expand...
So your saying the $700 Stac is as good as the $1450LHRS or the $1500 SHV?
Your STAC 1-7 was awesome though:)
 
I've been very happy with my STAC 4-20x. Been using it all summer for service rifle competitions from 100-600m with no issues. In both rainy and sunny conditions its performed flawlessly. The glass quality is great all the way to 20x for 600m and can see the shot indicators clearly. Mechanically and optically its a great buy and see no need to upgrade unless I need more magnification. Locking turrets without caps would be great but training myself to verify the turrets before shooting is a good thing to do anyway. The only thing I'd like improved would be durability of the finish, after several matches of running and gunning with frequent walks back and forth from the target butts the finish looks pretty beat rubbing against slings, mags, buckles. It is my fault but I never had this much finish damage on my previous vortex scopes used in the same conditions. Having said that, most people would not be treating their STAC like a rubber armored elcan scope like I do and would probably be okay with the finish durability.
 
Brianma65 said:
So your saying the $700 Stac is as good as the $1450LHRS or the $1500 SHV?
Your STAC 1-7 was awesome though:)
Click to expand...

For a fair fight, I would put the SIII's against either scope.. less money, I say better glass.

STAC 3-16 and 4-20 are behind the SIII's wrt to glass (said many times)... as I just posted, similar to the VXIII. Some say the VXIII is awesome, some say.. not so awesome. How does the VXIII compare to the LHRS and SHV? How much do VXIII's cost?

(The STAC1-7 used SIII type lenses why they are quite a bit more money then these new upstarts..)

For tracking, the STACs work so is that better, worst or the same?

The finish is not as durable... as I reviewed. Whether that changes or not, I cannot say but for most shooters, it will be plenty good.

Jerry
 
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