I thought Strike Eagle was low/mid priced scope? Don't know a thing about Hawke. Couldn't you find Germans in that price range? Don't get me wrong I got several Vortex scopes. So I'm no snob. I suppose if all things are "equal" go with the better features and warranty. I don't know if I'd cheap out just because I don't want to buy a new set of rings.

Now me I'd look on the used market for something in the 650/1000Euro range.

 

Thanks! Vortex released that scope with multiple premium feateries in its Strike Eagle lineup at affordable price range. Don’t know why, maybe due to commercial decisions, probably the Viper-PST-Diamondback are intended to be priced on a more expensive level.
I don’t trust a lot used optics, since here we don’t have the lifetime warranty policy of USA but only some years, Many times first owner only, so that’s why I prefer to buy new stuff.
Into the 34mm range the rings and mounts are very expensive, that’s why I was looking to the Hawke also, due to its 30mm tube. Not an easy decision! ;-)

 

I have a Vortex Viper PST 3-15x44 on my EBR. It has a 30mm tube and I am satisfied.

 

Vortex is a good company and they back their products. I sent them a Viper scope that the previous owner had broken one of the turrets on. They replaced the turret and did other work on the scope; practically made it a brand new scope. Didn't cost me anything other than shipping one way and about 10 days of waiting.

 

Personally I'd choose a Sadlak side mount rather than a cantilever mount. Recoil forces are pretty heavy with a M1A rifle and a cantilever mount is like a force multiplier. A scope on a standard mount, with two or more points of contact, has to withstand a couple thousand pound of force under recoil. A cantilever mount only attaches at one point and the length of the mount multiplies the force (it's a lever) so both the rail and the scope take more of a beating.

Beyond that I have no experience with a Hawke scope, I do have a lot of experience with Vortex scopes. I have several Viper PST II scopes and really like them. The Strike Eagle scope is OK but it's not something I'd use simply because it's not the quality level I like. Vortex generally has four tiers of quality, Crossfire, Diamondback, Viper, and Razor. The Strike Eagle is basically a low end Viper quality scope, just barely the quality that I prefer to use. Don't get me wrong, it's a good scope if it has the features like but I prefer a more robust scope.

 

I would go with vortex. just so youre aware, the very high magnification scopes, unless theyre on the high end of optics, will amplify the mirage seen on the higher powers. for me it irritates me to see that much mirage. enough to where I power down to around 16x anyway.

 

Thanks for your kind suggestions, I think I will go on with the Vortex project, eventually saving more to afford a Viper. I saw personally a Gen2 and it looked great in terms of build and optics quality.

 

Hey Danthman114...new member here....not sure, is there a way to click a private "send message" to you vs posting a comment here....is there an email address to reach you...got a couple questions after reading your message postings here...thanks. Lou