Need advice for <$500 scope.

[bruce_ventura]

You should reconsider the Hawke scope. All the Hawke Sidewinders I've evaluated had their reticles vertically offset by about 5 MOA. That is, there was 5 MOA more up adjustment, and 5 MOA less down, from the the optical center. You can expect the Hawke to have at least 36 MOA up adjustment, which is equivalent to at least 72 MOA of total adjustment on most other scopes.

The Sidewinders I've evaluated have had very good contrast, especially in the 20-24X magnification range.

[barnesuser28]

Do the sidewinders have a zero stop?

[bruce_ventura]

No zero stop. That can be reset to zero, though.

[barnesuser28]

ill keep hawke in mind but i am really leaning towards the pst.

[bigngreen]

Windage knob looks like it only counts in one direction on the Hawke as well.

[barnesuser28]

Our leupold mark 4 only counts one direction for windage and I don't find it much of a hassle as I tell the correction in clicks.