Optics: SWFA SS vs Vortex PST

[Mariley85]

As it stands now, all I need is a barrel and a scope to finish my 18" 5.56 rifle. Snce barrels are on order, I'm getting the scope first.

SWFA SS 3-15x42 vs. Vortex PST 4-16x50

Both FFP, SWFA is 700, no zero stops and PST is 900 with zero stops.

is it worth the extra $200? it seems so menial when I put it like that, but $100 here, $100 there, another $250 there, pretty soon we're talking about some real money. nowhatimean?

thanks.

[ra2bach]

no experience with either but the Vortex is described as a great scope with maybe not so great glass. it doesn't seem to be up to the standards of the rest of the PST line.

SWFA is not using their HD glass in the 3-15 and they use the old style turrets that are 5mil instead of 10. also, this scope is on backorder so among other issues, you may want to consider how soon you want a scope...

[1slow01Z71]

The vortex also has an illuminated reticle. The newer FFP 4-16s supposedly have better glass.

[ra2bach]

The vortex also has an illuminated reticle. The newer FFP 4-16s supposedly have better glass.

forgot the illum, thanks.

better glass? can you confirm that?..

[Jippo]

forgot the illum, thanks.

better glass? can you confirm that?..

I have a PST 4-16x and I can't figure what should be wrong with the class. I can spot bullet holes effortlessly at 150 meters.

[Mariley85]

sounds like the vortex is the scope for the job.

thanks, fellas.

[1slow01Z71]

forgot the illum, thanks.

better glass? can you confirm that?..

Not firsthand on the 4-16, just that people on the hide seem to be much happier with the FFP 4-16 glass than the older SFP scopes. Dont know if the newer SFPs are better than the older too. Ive just read pretty much all the 4-16 threads over there as I'd like one for my 308 5r.

I can say that 2.5-10x44 sfp I had isnt nearly as clear as the 2.5-10x32 ffp I now have.

[austinN4]

I have not compared the PST v SWFA hands on. I do have the PST 4-16x50 FFP and I am very happy with it, except that I wish I had gotten the 6-24x50 FFP instead.

Not because of the glass, but because of my eyes. I could use the additional magnification and 6 is just not that different from 4 at the low end. Something to think about.

[ra2bach]

Not firsthand on the 4-16, just that people on the hide seem to be much happier with the FFP 4-16 glass than the older SFP scopes. Dont know if the newer SFPs are better than the older too. Ive just read pretty much all the 4-16 threads over there as I'd like one for my 308 5r.

I can say that 2.5-10x44 sfp I had isnt nearly as clear as the 2.5-10x32 ffp I now have.

no that's not what I meant. compared to other FFP scopes in the PST line the glass on the 4-16 has been been criticized as not up to the standard of the others.

I don't know, don't own one, but the complaints I have seen make me feel that the criticism comes mostly from those used to upper end optics. that's not unfair but unless the OP has strict resolution standards, the other features would seem to make it more desirable than the 3-15 SWFA...

[SomeOtherGuy]

I currently own the Vortex Viper PST 2.5-10x32 FFP. I think it's a great scope, so far. The glass quality is terrific - I can't find much if any fault in it at 10x vs. my Sightron SIII scopes or Nightforce NXS. (I am not claiming it's as good as a Nightforce in durability, however.)

I have previously owned three other Viper PST scopes and all disappointed me for the same reason: glass quality. The 2.5-10x44 SFP, the 4-16x50 FFP and 4-16x50 SFP. The SFP 2.5-10x is just mediocre all around. The 4-16x50 scopes were fine up to about 13 or 14x and went muddy quickly above that. Some of it is an eye position issue - they have a tiny eyebox fore-aft where you get an OK (not great) view at 16x - but they just aren't great when compared to some other scopes in the price range.

Bushnell makes an Elite Tactical 3-12x44 that has terrific glass quality and a nice reticle (G2 DMR, first focal) for $700-800.

The SWFA SS 3-9x42 FFP is a great scope for just $600. I would look seriously at that one also. It is fixed focus/parallax but I've played with it a lot looking at targets from 50 to 900 yards and find no parallax issues from about 100 to 500 yards, and minor parallax issues beyond that.

I would recommend the Viper PST 2.5-10x32 FFP, Elite 3-12x44, and SS 3-9x42 as good options. I have no experience with the SS 3-15x and can't really recommend the PST 4-16x.