I took my new Siii 20x42 out a few weekends ago, and I shot it side by side with my brother's MKIV Leupold. With the Leupold set at 20 power the SIII was just slightly darker, but seemed to be just as crisp.
It was kind of hard to get the focus just right at 100yrds, but further out at 200 and 300 the SIII's picture was easier to get focused correctly. The focus/parallax ring is located in the rear of the scope. This is usually where the variable power knob is on those types of scopes. The area is easaly reachable, but you need to break cheek weld to see the yardage markings.
The turrets are light and easy to turn, but the clicks are very crisp. I got zeroed up at 100 then dialed up for the steel plate at 220, banged that a couple times, next dialed in 320 hit that plate a few times, then back to the 100 yrd zero, right on the money.
Mil dots with the half hash marks looked clean. I used them to hold off at 200 and 300 and they seemed to be accurate.
All in all I didn't get to do too much testing on that day though.
I took the Sightron SIII 20x42 fixed power out Saturday to a practice match, and I got to shoot with it at 200, 500, 600 yards.
I can say that I was impressed by this scope.
On the first day of testing I had ordered a weaver type rail for the 30mm rings(which are picatinny). So, I had to order up the correct one piece mount, a
Weaver 1-Piece Extended Multi-Slot Tactical Picatinny-Style Base. As a result I did not get a chance to rezero after mounting the scope to my rifle. So I did a quick bore sight, and I was able to get on the X ring in three rounds! The 1/4 moa clicks were very precise.
I then proceeded to murder the spotter (a white disk that the target puller places on the target to show where you hit) at 200 yards. I could see it very easily and had no trouble knocking it through the target board.
At 500 X ring and spotter were still very clear, and had no trouble holding many X's and ten's. 600 was just as clear, but the mirage started picking up and the wind started acting squirly. (gotta work on my wind skills).
Even though the turrets are quite easy to turn, I did not have any problems with it changing during movements to different yard lines. I just tossed the rifle in my drag bag and humped to the next firing point. I think for quick moving tactical matches the turrets may pose a problem with getting bumped. I really like the 15moa adjustment per revolution on this scope. From a 200 yard zero to 600 is less than one revolution with my current load of 155 Amax moving at about 2800fps. For 1000 yards it would be a little over two revolutions, and with an advertised 150 minutes of elevation I'd have way more elevation to spare. No need for 20moa rail!
The half mil hash marks were great help in holding off with switches in the wind.
There are better, clearer, blighter scopes out there, but I have to say, I think this scope, for the price, was worth it! It's not quite as bright as the MKiv at 20x, but it cost half as much. In my book it gives you a good bang for your buck. $549.99 on MidwayUSA
Other accessories I had to purchase:
| Butler Creek Flip-Up Rifle Scope Lens Cover #16 Eyepiece (Rear) | | | | $8.99
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| Barska 30mm Heavy Duty Tactical Weaver-Style Rings with 1" Inserts Matte Low | | | | $24.99
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| Butler Creek Flip-Up Rifle Scope Lens Cover #30 Objective (Front) | | | | $8.99
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| Vortex Bubble Level Anti-Cant Device for 30mm Scope Matte | | | | $34.99
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| Weaver 1-Piece Extended Multi-Slot Tactical Picatinny-Style Base Remington 700 Long Action Matte | | | | $34.99
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Those Barska ring are kinda crappy, but they do their job. If you get those don't over tighten them, or you'll strip them out.
Hope you enjoyed!
B
