Optics Review for the newer Precision Shooter

Nice review. I was a Bushnell guy for a long time, but found my last Elite 4200 6-24x50 ran out of elevation, even with my 20 MOA rail. I recently went with the Sightron SIII 6-24x50 LRMD. I really like it, cross hairs a bit thick, but overall great scope for the money. They also use a copper colouring for the turret markings which I found hard to see as well, not as bad as the green on the bushnells. With a little acrylic paint and q-tips and varsol, I painted them out in white, and drew an arrow to remind me which way is up... Now it's all good..
 
Excellent article! Like you, I expect I will follow the same path and do the up-the-anti routine of buying progressively more expensive scopes. This article may allow for skipping a step or two.

For the record, I have a Sightron and a Bushnell 4200. The Sightron is noticably better to my eye and does not have the thick-as-a-post crosshair found on the 4200. I also appreciate the 1/8 MOA adjustment found on the Sightron. 1/4 MOA just doesn't make the grade at 500 metres.

Based on your article, my next step will skip the NF and go straight to the SB.

Thanks!
 
You won't be disappointed with the S+B but neither will you be disappointed with Sightron + NF. The only thing I will say is this - don't spend much time behind a S+B unless you really plan on buying one. If you do, you will be spoiled.
 
I put an S&B on my Lapua and after that I was no longer satisfied with my Nightforce scopes. If your the type of guy who appreciates the finer things in life, they are worth every penny. Don't try unless your ready to buy.

Tomochan said:
You won't be disappointed with the S+B but neither will you be disappointed with Sightron + NF. The only thing I will say is this - don't spend much time behind a S+B unless you really plan on buying one. If you do, you will be spoiled.
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datatools said:
I put an S&B on my Lapua and after that I was no longer satisfied with my Nightforce scopes. If your the type of guy who appreciates the finer things in life, they are worth every penny. Don't try unless your ready to buy.
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After I looked through a buddies S&B, I was sold................

Sold off my custom M14 shorty and my RRA 9mm Carbine to by the 5 - 25 X 56 mm PMII that sits on top of my AI-700............I do miss those two guns, but I do not regret selling them for the S&B....... ;)
 
Excellent Write up. I really enjoy getting a good cross section of product write ups. Thanks

Regarding scopes I've had in the past, I've loosened up probably 4 bushnell & Tasco scope on my AR before investing in a MK4 a long time ago. Like you, I finally invested my hard earned money to buy a Nightforce 8-32x56 NPR-1 and I've never looked back. Now I have three Nightforce scopes in varying powers with one being the 2.5-10x32, which is trasferable to any one of my guns since they all have pic rails.

What I came to the conclusion of was that there was a $700 difference between buying a Sightron and a Nightforce and saving for another couple months or putting something on kijiji in order to afford that scope I really wanted was a small price to pay for not regretting my purchase. To me personally, the Sightron outwardly has a similar look to the others while Nightforce and S & B has a look of there own in terms of engraving and the clarity of markings and writing. A couple years ago I saw Rick Timmins's
338LM IA get knocked off a table by a kid with roller shoes cruising around the tables. The 20+ pound gun landed right on the elevation turret and when it hit the concrete, everyone went silent. That gun was worth clost to $9,000 with scope and when Rick tested the scope for damage by running it up the range and back again without issue, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, including the father of the kid. I was truly impressed!!

A lot of what we look towards buying is purchaseable and if we work on a plan to save up to buy what we really want, we can have exactly that. None of us have to settle for 2nd best. My two cents.
 
Mystic Precision said:
Please note that Tomochan is likely refering to older 4200's. I have also had a love affair with these scopes and were by goto 1" tube scope for years (see my website). The front AO versions 6-24 and 8-32 were great. Not much for elevation adj but that could be dealt with using careful shimming.


Jerry
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Hi Jerry,

when you say older 4200s. The scopes I am talking about are the front AO versions but they are only around 3 years old. I was actually comparing my 8-32 4200 and 8-32 SIII yesterday. I was only shooting to 300 yards. Visibility was not perfect. It was a heavily overcast day with light and blowing snow.

I have to say that the SIII glass is better than than the 4200. No surprises there. But to be honest, in terms of glass clarity, I don't think there is much you could do with the SIII that you could not do with the Bushnell. With some canted rings/bases the 4200 would still get someone into the game ( I only play with myself :D) and for at least $350 less. I think the 8-32 4200 is one of my better value choices since I started pouring all my available funds into my poor attempt to become an accurate shooter.

So I think we are talking about the same thing? :)
 
Excellent write up.

A couple of things I'd like to add. Watch out for the old Sightron SIII scopes. They have glass that isn't up to the ones from the last couple of years. There was a major upgrade a couple of years ago. Beware buying used.

Also Falcon scopes went through a glass upgrade. The newer ones are all 94% light transmission. The older ones such as the fixed 10x were 92%. The 1.5-5x is 94%. Worth noting if you're buying second hand. Personally I like the FFP 4-14x. I use them on 22LR semi autos and my Mini14 target model. It's a one piece tube unlike the 4.5-18x 56mm which I also have. They may have also changed this in new models. I know the FFP 5-25x is one piece.
 
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You're making my decision to pick up a NF 5.5-22 x 56 NXS a little easier to swallow :p can hardly wait for it to get here (on top of a new 700p from ATRS)
 
Thanks again for another great evaluation and tutorial... !! Very informative and your collection is outstanding ;)

STICKIE >>>>
 
Great read!

I agree whole-heartedly with the Leupold assessment, as well as the Elite 4200 "bang for buck"
I love my PMii 5-25x56, only problem is, I either have to put pic rails on all my rifles ( the S&B wears an Alpha mount from NEAR) or start picking up more S&Bs!V:I:
 
For those who are crazy spenders, here is a scope system for about $12k. I've put this scope down range and I see why it costs so much. Built in Iluminated HUD. Is it needed? Depends who's asking.

http://www.finnaccuracy.com/data_files/hensoldt/53_0710e_ZF6_24x72_SAM.pdf

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rVNQjFBGO8&feature=youtube_gdata_player

S&B my second choice
Night Force third
I have nothing to say about other scopes due to the lessons I've learned and base everything on glass quality. For hunting and basic requirements, I like the leopold and would recommend them to anyone.

I made many mistakes in my life but one. I buy once. It's cheaper that way!
 
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