TexasCHLforum.com

The Vortex my vendor is offering for $750 is FFP, but it is used. He tells me that he sold and mounted it for another customer who decided that it was too much magnification for his purposes and traded it back soon after for a 2.5X10 PST. It looks really clean and I have a great relationship with the shop owner so I know he will take care of me if there is a problem. I feel confident purchasing it, but I am trying to make a final decision before I make a purchase this weekend.

I almost bought the Sadlak mount as it seems really solid but I ended up opting for the Bassett mount. The installation is cake as you don't have to remove the stripper clip guide and I have heard good things about it. If it doesn't live up to expectations, I will definitely report back. My pictures aren't all that great, but they'll give an idea of what it looks like.

The Annoyed Man wrote:

karder wrote:There is a part of me that wants to go for the SWFA 5-20X50 but at $1,500 I think the misses would take a frying pan to my head (might be worth it though).

I actually have that 5-20x SWFA on my Remington 700, and it is a fine scope. The HD glass can't be beat, and compared to my 4-16x PST, the SWFA scope is a LOT more rugged. But, price is price, and $900-$1000 is a lot easier on the wallet than $1500.......

I met I guy at the range last week using the 5-20x SWFA on a Sig716. He let me check it out and I was really impressed. The glass was great, the scope was rugged, I like everything about it. The guy at my favorite gun store will give me the Viper PST 6-24X50 for $750, so the SWFA would be twice as much. If the price was closer I would go with the SWFA. Still I might get the fixed 10X from SWFA. Decisions decisions.

SRO1911, I have heard that the recoil impulse on the M1 is hard on scopes and that the Leupold and Swfa hold up to it better than most. I wasn't sure how true that was but now that your are confirming it, that will be a strong factor to consider. Thanks.

TAM, I remember seeing your M1A awhile back and I loved how you built your system. In fact, it really got me itching to build my own. I only have Leupold in my collection but I have heard such great things about SWFA. One of my best friends was a long time sniper on the SWAT team in El Paso, and a DMR in the military. He is a huge M1A enthusiast who recommends the Leupold fixed. Still, I think I am beginning to sway towards the Vortex due to the endorsements from you and Bitter Clinger. The price is right, I like the flexibility of having a variable scope and the lifetime warranty is reassuring. There is a part of me that wants to go for the SWFA 5-20X50 but at $1,500 I think the misses would take a frying pan to my head (might be worth it though).

I am about ready to purchase a scope for my M1A and would be interested in some opinions from you folks who are better versed in optics than I. I have researched my options and I think I am narrowed down to either a SWFA HD 10X42, or a Leupold 10X40 Mark 4. I had strongly considered the IOR 10X56 but have seen a few negative reviews mixed in with many highly positive reviews. I have experience with Leupold so I trust that brand and have only heard positive reviews on SWFA, so I don't think I can go wrong with one of those.

Do any of you folks have opinions on these? Also, I am a bit concerned that I am limiting myself by not using a variable scope, but I am trying build a really tough battle rifle with fewer points of failure and fixed glass seems to fit the bill. Vortex has a PST, FFP model in 4-16X50 that is really tempting me. I am mounting to a bassett mount so I will have co-witness sights. I am trying to put together a 500-1000 meter battle rifle capable of engaging man-sized targets at that range with a good milrad reticle that will allow me to range accurately.

I know there are some very knowledgeable folks on this forum. I appreciate your help!

edited to add I would like to keep the cost on the south side of the $1,000 range. Otherwise I would go Nightforce B.E.A.S.T. and call it a day.