Help.  I am thinking about purchasing a SS scope to sit on top of my SPRish most recent build.  It's a CMMG 18" 1/8 twist barrel that I currently have 0'd at 100yds.  My question is which of the SS scopes should I be looking at?  10x42, 16x42 or 20x42?  The 20x is on sale for $279 right now while the other two are $319.  Is 20x too much glass for 200-300 yds?  I was shooting 3 round groups at 100yds that were one ragged hold with 55gr Hornady ammo and the poopoo BSA scope that I have on the rifle now.  

Any insight or recommendation would be appreciated.

What magnification scope you buy depends on what you plan to use it for.



I have the 10x Bushnell Elite wanna-be sniper scope.  For a fixed power scope, 10x is the highest I'd go for use in the real world.  It's enough to comfortably hit a popcan sized target at 300 yards, but will allow for use as close as 15 yards or so.



Any more power and mirage will become an issue in the summer.



ZM

10x

While more magnification is nice when benchrested and shooting at 500 yards or more, the narrow field of view wiil make quick shots all but impossibe with a 16x or 20x.

I say 10x.  I have a 16x on my 50 BMG and sometimes I really wish it was a 10x.

I have the SS 10X on an 18" SPR and am very pleased with it. My research before I bought it showed the 10X as the most recommended. They don't last long on EE.

Gentleman, thanks for your input. As luck would have it there is a 10x on the EE right now that I will have shortly.  I am taking your recommendation and jumped on it for $260 shipped. Hopefully it will be just what I need. If not it looks like they hold their value pretty well if I need to find her a new home.  

I saw that on there.  I am looking for an Aimpoint right now.  That is a good deal on that SS.

Its not the question you asked, but I love my Millett TRS-1and I find 4-16x50 to be a good magnification range for engaging small targets at extended distances for a .223. It also has a detent at 10x for true mildot ranging, but it seems a little easier on 16x for the math. You just figure 2 1/2" instead of 3.6" per 100 yards. And of course its considerably faster on 4x, though not nearly CQB fast.

For the SS, I would definitely go with the 10X.

SWFA has the new SS 3-9x42 now available. That may take care of the magnification for you unless you need more than 9x.