Deciding on a pricey new scope. Leupold, Sightron or ?

I sold several scopes on ebay this week and I'm looking to invest in some really good glass. At this time it'll be going on a heavy varmint gun chambered in 220 Swift, but I tend to buy and sell a lot of guns, so it'll probably end up on something else that I'll use for long range at some point.

Currently the two that I'm looking at are the Leupold #172340 VX3i LRP 30mm tube 6-20x50 side focus with the TMOA reticle and the Sightron SIII tactical 30mm tube 6-24x50 side focus with the MOA2 reticle.

They're roughly the same price and seem to both get good reviews. I have more experience with Leupolds, but personally have never owned a Sightron.

Just wondering if anyone has experience with either of these or has a recommendation for something else in that price range. I'm looking at the $900-1100 range.

Originally I was going to put my VX3i 30mm 4-14x50 on this rifle, but it turned out to be a little too short and I couldn't get the eye relief I needed. I decided to move that one to another gun and sell several others that I really didn't have any use for. They totaled up to a bit over $900 so I figure I'd get something high quality rather than skimping and wishing later I'd spent more money. The Sightron and Leupold LRP both should fit just fine. The 24x and 20x offered by these two are honestly a little more than I'll probably need, but that added length of the scope is kinda something I need.

Also wondering now if I should be looking for something with a first focal plane?

I haven't really looked at the Vortexes too much this time around. One of the scopes I sold on ebay was a Diamondback HP 4-16x42 that I had used for a while. It was alright but I didn't think great. It seems like people are divided on Vortex. Some swear by them and others don't like them. I guess I was kind of middle of the road with what I had.

I wish I had a local shop that carried lots of scopes. I actually did order up the Sightron but then started second guessing myself. I'm tempted to just go ahead and order a backup option (The Leupold) and send back whichever one I like less. That way I can compare side by side and if I do send one back not be scopeless for a couple weeks while they process the return and do an exchange.

Yeah I think either one will probably be just fine. I bit the bullet and ordered a VX3i LRP 30mm 6.5-20x50mm FFP also. I'm going to compare and see which I like better.

cdb1 said:

What make and model of rifle is your 220 swift?

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It's an Ruger M77 tang safety model with the heavy varmint barrel.

cdb1 said:

So it doesn't take bases, just rings?

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Yeah that's the only bad thing about it