The price of the scope is not due to the scarcity or rarity of the scope.
(...)
now the smaller quantities that they buy the castings are more expensive.
Well this was my point really but I articulated myself poorly. The point was that to my knowledge SSG-P are made in small batches, which always brings up the price. Admittedly I'm not an expert on the business side of scopes so I probably should've just shut up.
the image quality is on par with any of our other 56mm scopes, the 72mm scope is in a league by itself.
It's been a while since I last looked through a SSG-P but as far as I know/remember, the laser filter coating is integral, which invariably leads to a brownish tint. The same effect can be noticed in the Zeiss Diavari 3-12x56T "Finndot" that was made by Hensoldt to fill a custom order for the Finnish 8.6 KIV 2000 sniper rifles ( Sako TRG-42 338LM ) . It is not a big deal but still a slight step down from typical Victory Diavari optical quality.
The Hensoldt ZF line carries the laser filters as external accessories, can't remember the part no off the top of my head, though. But the ZFs' optical quality is second to none, including the S&Bs.
I've been around SSG-P's for years. They're honestly not my cup of tea but carry some innovations that would've prevented a whole lot of headaches, were they implemented in some more conventional scopes. Outside the mil world the index reticle, laser filters, AA battery compartment and night vision compatibility make for little to no use, the elevation travel is really limited ( my custom "double turn" Zeiss Diavari can outdo that ) , and the weight / bulk is a bit much for 3-12x.
BUT, a main tube integral picatinny mount should really be the ONLY way to mount ANY scope on a rifle, also all controls should always be ( at least as an option ) on the right hand side because when prone, you can remove your firing hand without disturbing your position, the same cannot be said for the support hand.