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.

Don’t leave out the SWFA 10x HD.

John

I would take a look at the SWFA SS 10x42. Its also offered in a side focus for $100 more. You dont stand to lose much if you are not happy with the $300 10x42. If i had one major complaint it would be the windage turret is rather long.
https://www.swfa.com/swfa-ss-10x42-tactical-30mm-riflescope-3.html?___SID=U

The HD model is more than twice the price and back ordered until who knows when.

I've considered the SS HD 10x42mm but I don't usually go into backordering $500 scopes when I'm at the cutoff for ordering a NF to have it in time.

I’d go SS 3-9x or 10x, depending on how exactly you’ll use it. I also really like the Trijicon Accupower/Credo 1-8x, which could replace the RDS, as well, but again I’m not sure exactly how the scope will be used so it’s tough to give a good recommendation.

Any opinion on the trijicon credo hx 2.5x10x56?

It'll be used for shooting anything, day or night, from 100-700m. It is more important to me that it performs at the high end than the low end because I'll shoot a RDS or laser for close stuff. It'll maintain a RDS regardless for shooting under tubes. I would prefer a FFP variable because I may need to be a little under 10x with a clip-on but can live with a fixed 10x or SFP; they are what I started on, not ideal but workable. At this point I'm inclined to go with the SS or Vudu (I'll get hands on one this weekend). Ultimately, like I said before, I am looking for a scope with good glass, good depth of focus, and mechanically sound.

What kind of matches you shooting?? NRA high power? PRS?

Get a 6x SWFA my daughter held her own in a 1000yd match last year shooting a AR platform with the F class guys (nightforce scopes, 2-3k dollar rifles) I also run 10x swfa as well on our midrange setups. No issues whatsoever.

The SS 3-9 actually has pretty decent glass. I like te glass on the 3-9 much better than the 10x but you do give up parallax which is a no go fir some set ups. Also I've toasted I think 5 or 6 of the SS 3-9 models over the last dozen years and I've never broke a fixed 6 or fixed 10.

The SS fixed 6 is my favorite as far as the fixed ones go. I've got some 10x models but I just don't love them. I was just looking at my 6.5 grendel last night to figure out what scope to put on it when I take the 10x off. The 3-9 ss has been on backorder forever. I've been waiting for 1 replacement for over a year and just sent another in for repair last month.

I need to find me a new favorite sub $1000 scope. I've given up finding anymore bushnell 3-12 LRHS models and need something similar. I put one of those athelon 2-12s on my 22 Creedmoor and it's decent. Glass could be a bit better and I'd prefer a slightly finer dot but it's got most things right feature wise and is sized right. I just put one of their tac 4-16 models on a 300 win that I need to get out and shoot but it seems decent so far too.

Bb

Whats breaking on the SS 3-9x?

I will use it for various field matches where I have to shoot a .223 carbine and am limited to 10x on the scope. I generally use an ATACR 7-35x for PRS, Mammoth, SUC, RWSC, etc

I have one that I use for some hunting and used on a rimfire trainer for 100-300yds for years. It's a decent scope but not enough mag for me to feel good about PID or milling and shooting.

I am not sure what match your are shooting, but as much as I like the PMII, lack of parallax might be an issue, depending on what exactly the match is.

The most full featured fixed 10x on the market is probably US Optics FDN FX10. US Optics has gone through some changes in recent years, but since things have stabilized a bit after the move and ownership change I have been very happy with their products. On balance, it is probably the best fixed power 10x on the market, but you pay for that. It is not cheap.

I have the SWFA SS 10x42HD. Mine is from the very first batch they made with the Mil-Quad and given how many scopes go through my hands, it probably says something that this one is still here for all these years.

Then there is SWFA SS Classic 10x42 with Side Focus that is probably the best bang for the buck of all of these, but you did say you are looking at something higher end.

With variables that top out at 10x, Nightforce is a really nice package and if you can swing it, there isn't much out there that's better except, perhaps, for the even more expensive US Optics FDN 1.8-10x42. It is going through a bit of a re-design, after which I'll pick one up.

Aside from that, there really isn't much that tops out at 10x and has an exposed turret (assuming that is what you need) aside from the 2-10x36 and 2.5-10x56 Trijicon Credo.

If it was my money, and looking at what is actually in stock, I'd probably be tempted to either go all the way and pick up a fixed power US Optics, or the 2-10x36 Trijicon Credo as the likely best bang for the buck among the variables or the SWFA Classic 10x42 as the best bang for the buck among the fixed power options.

ILya

The dark lord has spoken^^^

I will add Unertl/USO 10x to the mix. Coarse adjustment, semi fixed parallax, tough and amazing optics.

Second hand market only now.

I have a friend with the USO and he really liked it last time I ran into him carrying it. I had forgotten about it too be honest. I can get it with the H425 also.

That's exactly what I have: FX10 with H425. It is the only Horus reticle I kinda like.

ILya

I would like to know this as well

SWFA SS 10x w/side focus on my Bergara B14R is the cats azz for 300-400 yard iron fun.

My first foray into dialing at longer distances and this scope has exceeded all expectations.

Having a fixed power instead of variable is perfect for me in this application because it's one less thing to deal with and WIND is the only thing you should be worried about when shooting rimfire this far!

Good luck, hope this helps.

BBQ

I've had 2 of them that the windage knob stopped going in one direction for the most part. It would dial plenty say to the right but barely go left of center. Neither started that way so something internal must of went out. The others all started to move around and not hold zero. Approximately 1/2 moa rifles all the sudden became 2-3 moa shooters.

My fieldcraft 7-08 with the 18" barrel has killed 2 different SS 3-9 scopes in the last year and a half or so. It's also killed a vx-3 3.5-10 and a vortex razor hd lh.

Bb

Anyone have the USO FDN 10X ?