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Sightron vs Vortex

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Skytrash View Drop Down
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    Posted: October/07/2014 at 16:02

Hello! I've been on this forum many times, and am now a registered member Yippee

I'm currently in the market for a 3-9x40 ish hunting scope to go on a .308 mauser type rifle. I am looking at a $200-$300 budget. The Sightron SII is @ the top of my list, but I am also considering the Vortex Viper. I already have an SII 6x42, and think highly of it, but I hear good things about the Vortex glass.

I would appreciate any opinions and insight on these products.


Thanks

Walt

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bugsNbows Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/07/2014 at 16:25
IMO, both are rather dandy and would be fine.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote LRSMike Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/08/2014 at 08:28
+1. And welcome to the OT!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Skytrash Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/08/2014 at 08:59

I figured that there would be a fanboy of one or the other here. Maybe it's that optics junkies are much more mature and objective then they are on the gun-forums.

I was really hoping to get some more/better feedback on the Viper, and how it stacks up to scopes I have the most experience with (SII's & VXIII's). 


Thanks for the responses.


Walt

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SVT_Tactical Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/08/2014 at 09:34
I've had several vortex scopes, been happy with all of them and their customer services is second to none if you have an issue.  I've only delt with a couple sightrons but what I have use have been fantastic. 

Glass wise I think youre probably looking at a wash. 
 
Another option if your open to demo/used is SWFA's samplelist -
http://www.samplelist.com/Riflescopes-C3391.aspx
 
Here is a SII Big Sky, which would have better optics -
SPL19658 Sightron 3-9x42 SII Big Sky Rifle Scope DEMO-B
SIIB3942HHR, Matte, Hunter Holdover Reticle
$379.95
or even this Zeiss
SPL20896 Zeiss 3-9x42 Terra Rifle Scope DEMO-B
5227019979, Matte, RZ6, 1"
$359.95
both slightly above the budget but not by much but both have better optical properties.
 
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/08/2014 at 09:48
Welcome to Optics Talk. Love The Deliverance picture. 

 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tip69 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/08/2014 at 10:15
Great... now I'll have dueling banjo's running thru my head all day!  Big Grin
take em!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Skytrash Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/08/2014 at 12:04
Originally posted by SVT_Tactical SVT_Tactical wrote:

I've had several vortex scopes, been happy with all of them and their customer services is second to none if you have an issue.  I've only delt with a couple sightrons but what I have use have been fantastic. 

Glass wise I think youre probably looking at a wash. 
 
Another option if your open to demo/used is SWFA's samplelist -
http://www.samplelist.com/Riflescopes-C3391.aspx
 
Here is a SII Big Sky, which would have better optics -
SPL19658 Sightron 3-9x42 SII Big Sky Rifle Scope DEMO-B
SIIB3942HHR, Matte, Hunter Holdover Reticle
$379.95
or even this Zeiss
SPL20896 Zeiss 3-9x42 Terra Rifle Scope DEMO-B
5227019979, Matte, RZ6, 1"
$359.95
both slightly above the budget but not by much but both have better optical properties.
 
 

Wow!   I wish I had more money. That's kind of how it goes with optics, for $50-$100 you can get this. The next thing you know you've $50 dollered yourself up to a Leica's or Nightforce.

Thanks

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Skytrash Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/08/2014 at 15:40
"SVT_Tactical"


You planted a bug in my brain with that "Big Sky" link you sent me.  I just got through ordering an SIIB 3.5-10x42. I'm a happy camper.

Thanks & Cheers!




  

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SVT_Tactical Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/08/2014 at 15:51
Excellent
I think you'll be happy
 
 
 
PS -
Hopefully you purchased from SWFA!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/08/2014 at 16:16
Viper is a touch better optically than current production SII.
SII Big Sky is a little better than the Viper.

All three are better than Zeiss Terra, for what it is worth.

ILya
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote eas Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/08/2014 at 18:21
I agree with Koshkin on all 3 listed...

Big Sky = Best
Viper = Better
SII = Good

The Big Sky is an exceptional scope for the money. Glass is nearly equal to my Z3's and a touch better than the conquest line. Plus they are lightweight, nice adjustments and very bright. Not the greatest reticles but everything else is pretty awesome. I really love my Big Sky! PLUS the Big Sky has hydrophobic coatings!!!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 338LAPUASLAP Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/08/2014 at 18:29
This doesn't add much since you purchased...

I have downgraded some uber optics and have not found myself to be missing many things for the Sightrons SIII and SII Big Skys that I replaced the uber optics with.

While they might not have the turrets or feel they have the tracking.

They are seemingly bright and crisp with little distortion or whiting effects at the higher magnifications. 

This alone speaks volumes to me...

a 3.5-10 is just a near perfect scope for any situation!!!

No one
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Skytrash Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/09/2014 at 08:21

Thanks for all the feed back.  I should be ready to go for the start of the November whitetail season.


I'm also looking @ an AR varmint setup, and will be looking harder @ the Viper, or maybe even an SIII. (next year)

We have some "Goliath Squirrels" that are getting out of control, is .223 going to be big enough?




 

 


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Lennyo3034 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/17/2014 at 10:03
I'm a big fan of the Sightron SIII line. Glass and tracking are far above it's price range in my opinion.
 
However, I bought a SII big sky last year for a hunting rifle, and am not a fan of it at all. Glass quality is good. I've never had it side by side with the SIII, but I would say it's close. However my complaint is the reticle design (hunter holdover) and turrets.
 
The hunter holdover has two hash marks at 2.5 MOA and 5.5 MOA at highest magnification. I would have much rather preferred 2.0 MOA and 4.5-5.0 as that would better match the 200 yard and 300 yard drop of many common hunting cartridges. It's not a huge concern, more of an annoyance.
 
What's a much bigger concern is the turrets. I understand these are not target turrets and are not meant to be cranked often like the SIII series. However, they still feel incredibly cheap. In fact, just this week when I was sighting and reseting them, I broke the elevation turret when I pulled up on it too much. I think I got it back together ok, but this is just something that I shouldn't have to deal with.
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