Super Sniper or Sightmark?

[Wyatt Earp]

I have a .308 that I want to shoot out to 1000 yards. I currently have a Super Sniper 10x42 on it.

What I was wondering is which would be better:

Super Sniper 10x42
http://www.swfa.com/pc-4304-231-super-sniper-10x42-30mm-rifle-scope.aspx

or

Sightmark 8.5-25x50
http://www.opticsale.com/sightmark-tactical-8pt5-25x50-sf-ir-sm13011-side-focus-infrared-riflescopes.html?source=froogle&kw=033-008-SM13011

I have shot out to 500 yards with the SS but I would like more magnification for further out. I know, people shoot out to 1000 yards with less than 10x, but I want to be able to see the target better.

Is the Sightmark comparable to the SS as far as being repeatable and durable. Also, is the Sightmark First Focal Plane (FFP)? Which has better glass? Does the Sightmark have as much adjustment as the SS?

Thanks for the help, Wyatt

[Bogie]

more magnification means more mirage.

For really NICE glass, take a look at March scopes.

[Scorch]

Of the two, the Super Sniper 10X is far and away the better of the two scopes (even though it has fewer knobs on it and it's not "infrared"). If you really want more magnification, look at Konus scopes. They have a first-plane etched reticle, and are quite a value for the money.
http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=10186_12467_12468_12536&products_id=94280

[sholling]

I've read good things about Super Snipers but have never gotten to try one. These two long distance scopes I have used. At the low end is the Mueller Eradicator (http://www.swfa.com/pc-10579-1508-mueller-85-25x50-eraticator-riflescope.aspx). This is actually a dang good scope for under $300 ($230) and I have one on one of my target rifles. Muellers are a paradox because they are inexpensive and yet use good quality Japanese glass. The only downsides the size, the medium (3/8 MOA) target dot, and the little tiny (< 2mm) exit pupil at high magnification. Buy it from Mizzoumule Guns (http://www.mizzoumuleguns.com/id12.html) and get free shipping and a free sun shade. I've done business with them.

What I really recommend is the pricey but well worth it Bushnell Elite 4200 Tactical 6-24x50 (http://www.swfa.com/pc-9847-185-bushnell-6-24x50-elite-4200-30mm-rifle-scope.aspx) w/30mm tube. I have one on my varmint rifle and it's just simply amazing. Bright and clear and the 24x exit pupil is a generous 2.1mm.

In the middle I'd look at Weaver V (http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=874924&t=11082005) series scopes as well as their Grand Slam scopes. These run $300-500.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/recommended_riflescopes.htm

[Stephanie B]

10x scope on sniper rifle? Bah! Lazy imperialists! 3.5x PU scope good enough for Vasilii Zaitsev and other glorious snipers of Red Army, they kill many Fascists, is good enough for you!



:D

[Horseman]

I got my Super Sniper 20x this week and I'm happy with it. It's the real deal IMO. The adjustments were very precise and the optics are acceptable. It's noticeably less clear than my VXIII Long Range. But I expected that since the VXIII was almost 3x as much.

I don't have any experience with the other scopes mentioned but the Super Sniper will probably not dissapoint. Worst case scenario you could easily get most of your money back on Ebay. Proportionally the Super Sniper just looks right to me. The fit and finish is excellent, the mil-dot is good with a thin center for finer target aquisition(I shoot mostly bullseye targets), and the adjustments are crisp and precise.

[shooter_john]

If I not badly mistaken, Sightmark is about on par with Leapers, Barska, Famous Maker, etc, I'd problably steer clear of that one. I've read a lot of things about the Super Snipers, but have no experience with them.

[ahankster]

John,
I wouldn't put the Sightmark down at the level of " Leapers, Barska, Famous Maker, etc, " but I wouldn't put it up to the quality of a SS either though.

I have the scope, sightmark,you are looking at on a DPMS LR 308. I bought it on a whim while I am waiting on a Nikon Tactical for the gun. Basically, it does what it is supposed to do. Holds zero and is repeatable. I have only shot it to 300 yards, but it consistanly keeps the gun well under MOA. It is dependable and when you dial 8 clicks, it is going to move the poi an inch every time, no start and stop, no jerks, no "settling in" shots. I have allot of rounds through it so far, and I'll admit the 308 doesn't have a dramatic recoil, but I have not had any problems so far. It will never be up to the quality of a leupold or Nikon (I only put Nikon scopes on guns I hunt or compete with) but it didn't cost nearly a grand either. For me, it has served it's purpose as a temp placeholder until I get exactly the glass I want.

If you are looking for a great "bang for the buck" scope, I have a Mueller 4x16 by 50 on a RRA Varmint and I really like this scope. Costs around 200 bucks, but sports a glass etched reticle and I am very impressed by the quality. I came by the scope in a trade, it was new in the box, and swapped out my 4x14 Nikon to compare . I have been very pleasantly suprised. It is clear, tight and very repeatable. The glass etched reticle is very sharp. I may put it on one of my kids guns or a truck gun to see how it holds up. I would put it well above the Sightmark, and above many of the Burris and Bushnell upper end scopes as well, but not to the level of a Nikon Monarch or Tactical.

My personal favorite scope power is 4x14. It works well to 300 yards. But, depending on the size of the target, you might have problems masking w/ the crosshairs out past 300. I have some 2 inch square steel plate shapes we plink at out to 300, out past that, you start needing more than 14x (I do anyway, can't hit what you can't see!)

So, you might be happy with the Sightmark, but there are other alternatives out there.
Hank

[shooter_john]

ahankster... Thanks for that info, always nice to see first hand intel. I based my comment on the fact that I have only seen Sightmark in the pages of Sportsmans Guide, Cheaper Than Dirt, and other similar 'outlets'.

There are several scope reviews scopeson the front page of snipercentral.com, and they are not bank breakers, but seem to be good optics. I was almost decided on one of the Millet tactical scopes a while back until I got a call from a buddy at Academy Sports, so I ended up getting a SWEET deal on a Nikon Monarch. Based on the research I did, the Millet (TRSII???) and the Mueller scopes seem to be great deals for the money.

[hogdogs]

Does Zeiss make a scope for that kind of range? If they do I bet it would just be a great humdinger! Leupold tho impressed me when a hog hunting buddy let me look thru his 50mm objective equipped scope in the middle of the night and the moon and stars provided enough light that it was much brighter thru the scope than naked eye:eek: To watch this guy whacking runners at 2am with a scoped rifle is just fun... I enjoyed riding around drinkin' beer and keeping count of "Black Hog Down" calls!:D
Brent

[Wyatt Earp]

Which do you think is better:

1)Super Sniper 10x42mm
http://www.swfa.com/pc-4304-231-super-sniper-10x42-30mm-rifle-scope.aspx

2)Falcon Optics 4-14x44mm
http://www.snipercentral.com/menace4.htm

3)Falcon Optics 4.5-18x56mm
http://www.snipercentral.com/menace45.htm

Of the two Falcons the writer at snipercentral.com seemed to like the 4-14x44mm better. 56mm seems pretty big to me. Also the 44mm one has FFP.

Correct me if I'm wrong but with FFP you can make adjustments on the scope at any magnification and they will be the same? The POI will not change?

I could not find much info on the Falcons so I thought I would see if any of you know much about them. Thanks for the help, Wyatt