Sightron SIII vs Huskemaw or SWFA HD

[CleanShot]

Hi

I know were talking DOUBLE the price here but still in the low end of the scope spectrum. I bought a Sightron SIII 5-24x50 that was supposed to go on my 243. But as it turns out being a newbie I put a SWFA SS 3-15x42 on my 7RM and it seems like I'm better off doing a swap. I think I really should have bought the SWFA SS 5-20x50 HD and I wouldn't have been in this mess to begin with but I was hoping not to spend this much. Now here I am.

So here are my options in increasing expense:
1) Move the SWFA 3-15 to the 243 and just put the Sightron on the 7RM
2) Move the SWFA 3-15 to the 243, return the Sightron and get a SWFA 5-20 or a Haskemaw 5-20 for the 7RM
3) Move the SWFA 3-15 to the closet, keep the Sightron on the 243, get a 5-20 scope for the 7RM

I live on the East Coast so I'm not sure how many long distance trips I'll make in a year and there aren't many places to practice past 300 yards. That can mean either it's not worth spending a lot of money on a scope or that I better make my trips count. But either way I'm not sure how to sort this mess out.

Most of my usage is hunting.

Any thoughts?

Thanks
Sam

PS I'm open to options other than the Haskemaw and SWFA but they seem to give you a lot for the dollars. But maybe a Nightforce NSX would fit the bill as well.

 

[Letschangeyourusername]

I love my swfa 5-20hd, so any option that gets you into one of those sounds good to me! I have been looking at the 3-15 as an option for my next build.

 

[Senderofan]

I think your list is all very viable for what you want to do. One thing to consider....having the ability to stretch ones range in the future....so the higher mag range might just be worth having and not using right away.

Another option to throw out to you is the NightForce SHV:

http://nightforceoptics.com/shv/5-20×56

I believe NightForce listened to their customers and built a scope more oriented to the hunter. The NXS is an awesome scope....but probably over built ( and heavier ) as well as having features you might not need ( cost you extra money ) if you are almost exclusively hunting. The NXS would shine if you often hunt in very remote and rugged back country.....where a scope might be subject to damage.

I've never experienced a Huskemaw...so can't comment on them. I've owned several Sightrons and a couple of NightForce........ and met several people with SWFA's. Any of these would serve you well. I'd say do a little more research and you'll find your answer.

Good Luck,

Wayne

 

[Greyfox]

Also living in the east, I think that making the shot count is clearly a top priority under any circumstances. I have no experience with the Sightron scopes but have four years of LR hunting use with "equally featured", NSX 5.5x22x50, ZS, ST, and a Huskemaw 5x20x50 on my go to 6.5x284 rifles. Both have proven to be excellent scopes in terms of optical quality, turret accuracy/reproducibility, and durability. At 40-50% lower cost, I think the Huskemaw is an excellent value.

 

[FEENIX]

My vote is for option #3, save SWFA 3-15 for future gun purchase/project. My SWFA SS 5-20x50 HD far exceeded my expectations.

 

[Senderofan]

So, as you can see from the replies so far, the scopes you list are all very qualified candidates. It ends up being a personal choice...meaning you'll have to decide which reticle and features match your needs.

Good Luck,

Wayne

 

[CleanShot]

The only thing I have against the Huskemaw is I believe it's SFP whereas the rest are all FFP.

I'm wondering if I can get away with the Sightron on the 7RM and SWFA 3-15 on the 243 ntil I get to be a more proficient shooter. Take the 7RM with the Sightron on my elk hunt this fall. Then get a nicer scope around November and move the scopes around at that point. At least that dulls the pain a bit!

 

[ohiohunter]

I'd say 15x is plenty of magnification for an elk. Depending on your terrain you may appreciate the smaller (and possibly lighter) scope.

 

[CleanShot]

I'd say 15x is plenty of magnification for an elk. Depending on your terrain you may appreciate the smaller (and possibly lighter) scope.

So you would just keep the SWFA on the 7RM?

 

[ohiohunter]

double

 

[ohiohunter]

So you would just keep the SWFA on the 7RM?

I would. Even more so if the SWFA has covered turrets.

Elk are big critters. You should have no problem taking one at 1k w/ 15x.