Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics 10x scopes

I need a scope that tops out at 10x and the few I'm considering are:

1. S&B PM II 10x42mm (probably used): good glass, shortish and light, good FOV, but backwards elevation with simple MRAD reticles. I generally am not a huge S&B PM II fan (used 4-16x and 5-25x and don't love them) but this scope has a very good reputation.

2. NF NXS 2.5-10x42mm: short, light, adjustable parallax and illum, but SFP and only has MIL-R. I like that I can lock the diopter. I have had both the smaller objective models and regret selling them. I wouldn't even be making this post if I still had the 32mm. If it were FFP with a tree I also wouldn't be asking about anything else. I'm admittedly a NF fan.

3. EOTech Vudu 2.5-10x44mm: same size and weight as my NX8 4-32x (so it's really too big for a 10x) but is on the list because I can get it with H59 reticle. I know some don't like the reticle and I don't care, I do like it. I care what you think of the scope in general because I've not seen one.

4. SWFA SS HD 3-9x42mm: short, light, and generally held as a lot of scope for the money. I've used various SS models here and there and I like the Mil-Quad. They always track but I've never been blown away by the glass in the classic line. That said, I've never used their HD line except a 5-25x I tested for a friend.

If you have experience with these, good or bad, I'm all ears. Better yet would be if you have used two or more and can compare them. I like FFP but it isn't a deal breaker or the NF wouldn't be on the table. I don't require a tree but if the Vudu is a good scope the H59 could seal the deal for me. I don't care about illuminated reticles. I need a mid range optic for a .233 gasser that has good glass, good depth of focus, tracks since I may dial it, and is easy to get behind. I don't really care about the low end mag as I only use it to get on target then I mag in. It's going to have a RDS for anything close and fast.

What's up for discussion is up top; I'm not getting a Burris/Vortex/Athlon/etc 2.5-10x. I've had and like some Trijicon but not sold on the Credo (but might consider a compelling argument because I can get a tree) and I'm not getting any 1-10x. It also can't be something over 10x.

I have a SWFA 10X on a couple rifles and I like it a lot. Glass obviously isn't going to be Alpha glass but it is very good in my experience. The tree on them is excellent for long range sighting and the reticle adjustments are also excellent and right on the money...

I would give the SWFA 10x a shot. Good scopes that are rugged and perform.

1) Schit erector travel,schit reticle and no parallax. Hint.

2) SFP and schit reticle. Hint.

3) Never shot one,so can't know. Hint.

4) No parallax and I cain't LOVE it. Hint.


Fhuqk the RDS and go 2-12x BTR Gen2 Lit Bitch. Locking turrets,parallax,FFP,KILLING reticle,zero stop,huge erector travel and amazingly adept and versatile. Hint.







Just sayin'.

Thank me later.

Hint..............

I generally don't agree with Stick on things, and his wording of his opinions. But, As a Swfa fanboy my self the scopes he are proposing make a interesting case. The reticle looks very usable and all the features look good.

Can't be over 10x, hint.

KchuntHecticPeeformance,

Your HILARIOUS Fhuqktard "stipulations" have less than ZERO bearing on Reality...you "lucky" kchunt. Hint. Congratulations?!?

Not that I don't enjoy your Dumbfhuqktitude,if only because you are assuredly doing the "BEST" that you can,with what Amazingly little you "have" to "work" with. You CLUELESS Droolers are a hoot! Hint.



Fhuqking LAUGHING!.................

When you are the match director you can remove the stipulations, hint.

KchuntHecticPeeformance,

You AMAZINGLY Stupid Fhuqk,choices are easy,when there are none...you "lucky" kchunt". Hint. Congratulations?!?

10x MQ by fhuqking lightyears. Hint.



Fhuqking LAUGHING!..................

My preferred scope is the SWFA 10x, mil,mil. I have several of them and have used them early, late, near and far.

Stick, I take it you have tested and seem to like the Athlon? I might have to try one of those. I love the performance of the SWFAs, but don't like the bulk. The BTR looks a little more compact.

Stick is that a Mod 70? Knowing your fondness of said platform I was just curious.

You'd consider a fixed ten, but not a SFP ten? That's strange. Why can it not be over 10x? If you'll settle for a fixed 10x, but not a FFP variable that goes above ten? That doesn't make sense. Expand your list.

I did consider a SFP 10x: the NXS is SFP. As stated above, the rules of the match stipulate 10x. I know the rules, I shoot a lot and understand what I need, I need some experience based evaluations of optics that meet my needs.

I didn't see where you stated it was for a specific match with rules requiring 10x. My mistake if you stated that in the OP. The reality is with a ten, you're not really going to use it at less than ten for holds. 10x FFP can result in a unusable reticle at lower powers. It can get plain hard to see the sub-tensions.

I just sold my PM II 10x42 to buy another NXS Compact- they have become my favorite hunting scope and work well for my style of hunting. I have one older one with a mil-dot reticle that has racked up a number of dead critters. Also have a couple with the MOAR reticle that I also like for my hunting needs.

As far as glass, when I compared the S&B to the Compact for my eyes anyway I really couldn't see a difference. And at 20 ozs with all it offers, there is a lot to like about the NXS Compact.

what is the match your shooting?

I ask because a match of various yardage targets that is a timed course of fire might bite you if you need to adjust focus (parallax) during timed fire.

That's any match. There are a couple here that require 10x or less and one is the big show. If you know, you know.

I have an SWFA 10X Mil Mil on an accurate AR-15 that I have used in matches to 600 yards. It worked pretty well for me in that context but I'm not really a long range shooter. The glass is decent but not equal to high end scopes. Dialing has been reliable for me. I think it's a good scope for what it is. Reticle is fine for targets which is what I have used it for. For hunting I would want a variable, because if an animal pops up at 20 yards you need to find the target quickly.

That it's a "shooting" scope and not a hunting scope makes a big difference.

From your list I'd go with #4 for the reliable adjustments, excellent reticle, and FFP.

I use a 6x42 PMII a lot but haven't used the 10x version. For a hunting scope, the 6x PMII is my favorite and first choice for hunting.....for a "shooting" scope I'd take the 6x SWFA over it any day. The .5 mil holdoffs are worth it when shooting. I'd have to guess the same would hold for the 10x versions. ...so I'd go outside your list with the SWFA 10x. Parallax, reliable adjustments, and excellent reticle. Simple and likely the best fit.