Tasco's SS10X42M Mil-Dot Sniper Scope (quick reveiw).

Commander Fan · March 22, 2002, 05:11 AM

I had been reading about this model on the sniper boards for a couple years now, and dicided to check one out for myself. The SS(Super Sniper) series are the scopes that were awarded US Navy contract #N00164-93-C-205, with 35% of prouction sales going to civilians.

I went to S.W.F.A.'s website yesterday morning and placed the order online. I first chose to have it shipped Second-Day-Air, so I'd have it by this weekend, then I seen that Overnight-Air was only +$10, so I splurged. It arrived at 7:59am this morning. Texas to Minnesota in 19 hours!

Although the price of the rear-parallex focus is $299 for the 10X, 16X, and 20X, I paid the extra $100 for the side-focus 10X "M" model. I also ordered the Buttler-Creek flip-up lens covers and the 2 1/2" sunshade extension.

The temperature this morning was -3 below zero, and the scope felt around the same temperature when I removed it from the box. This was probably due to the ride in the rear of the UPS truck and flight. I immediatly started glassing through my living-room window and didn't even realize it at first, but I had just exposed it to a humid 72 degree environment, with absolutely no signs of fogging.

The resolution was VERY good, with the parallex calibrations seeming right on with my Leica rangfinder and eyes. The 30mm tube is of one-piece design, with a weight of around 1 2/3 lbs. It really feels like a rugged chunk of metal. I gave it a few good hits onto the dining-room table, just to make sure no internals were ready to come loose. If Schmidt & Bender can do this 10,000 times before allowing a scope to leave the factory, I figured 10 wouldn't harm anything.

Of course, nothing can be perfect. And although the Elevation turret had the same audible 'click' sound in both directions(up & down), the left Windage audible is more of a muffled 'clop' sound. The right Windage sounds just like both Elevation movements though. This will have no effect on the function of the scope, I just cant see why 1-of-4 had to sound different.

Being the curious bastard I am, I began shining a flashlight into the 42mm objective end of the scope. I could see 2 GIANT brass 'turret pushers' working against the reticle tube. These are the largest I've ever seen withing a scope tube before. I'm sure it's due to the larger 30mm tube size, giving the tube's tracking system the ability to maintain a right-angle throughout the entire MOA range. If they were too small, the circular shape of the reticle tube would cause an 'arc' patterned POI during come-ups & come-downs. This won't be happening with this design.

I mounted the scope onto a Les Baer flat-top using Les Baer 30mm rings, with the rings mounted at the front & rear extreames of the receiver. The entire rifle system looks kinda 'mean' looking now, and the heavy scope doesn't really look oversized for the rifle either.

The box also contained one of those see-through lens covering rigs. The kind with the 2 stretching cords mounted 180 degrees apart, with 1 amber & 1 clear colored lens. There were no instructions within the box, only a warrenty card provided by Tasco. I should also add that this is not an ordinary Tasco scope. This was a model submitted into testing to replace the Mk4 Leupold, until Leu decided to keep their sniper-scope line in production. It seems that only the US Navy placed any large scale orders.

I'll try getting to the range this weekend to do some 'tracking' testing, but all the previous reports that I've read have been very positive. At this point, I'm thinking it was well worth the $399 price-tag. I also forgot to mention the multi-coated lenses above.

There were complaints about the earlier models' lenses being right at the end of the objective tube, but the newer models have them set back into the objective's bell, just like a standard scope. The Navy had ordered them the previous way so operators could clean off muddy lenses more easily in the field. Now they all incorperate a built-in sun-shade design.

The range-finding mil-dot reticle is of the 'dot' design(not the Marine's football), with each dot being an exact MOA, and 10MOA between each dot. If I can get familiar with this ranging system again, I'll probably start leaving the laser Leica a home. I had a similar Steiner system while in the Cavalry, and got to be pretty accurate after some practice in the Desert. The Steiner reticle was a horizontal-line ranging system though.

Well, that's about all I got for now. It's 3:45 in the morning, and the scope still transmits VERY WELL outside, dispite the low exit-pupil-diameter of 4.2mm. I guess that's the downside of a fixed power 10X42 scope, since the 'Magic 7'(EPD) would require a 70mm lens, but this will be used mostly for target work anyway. I also have several other low-light/night scopes to choose from.

That's all.

If interested, there are links to much more detailed reviews at SWFA's website. I finally found out that the "FA" stands for "Firearms Accesories". I'm guessing the "SW" is "South West"(?).

maze51 · March 22, 2002, 08:37 AM

Thanks for posting this info on the Tasco scope. I just ordered one for myself after reading your post. I have been looking and researching scopes for some time, and this really looks like the one to fit the bill with out spending a $1000. I have the AR/15 Colt H/Bar elite with a 24in. barrel and I am anxious to shoot this new scope. I will remove the Burris 3X12 I have on the rifle now and mount that on the new Weatherby Mark V that I just bought. I'm glad my wife can't get into my gun safe, she would kill me if she new what I spend on this addiction.

hksigwalther · March 22, 2002, 09:10 AM

An excellent preliminary report. I've always heard of good things about Tasco's current SS models and would like to see how your's works out.

IIRC, SW does mean South West (sic).

SIC TRANSIT GLORIA MUNDI · March 22, 2002, 10:50 PM

Thanks a lot! You had to go and show me that deal, now I'm going to be out another $300 plus. I don't even know which rifle I'm going to put it on!

yankytrash · March 23, 2002, 06:14 AM

maze -

Just blame it on Commander if the wifey finds out. I know I will!

AR-10 · March 23, 2002, 06:25 AM

I've been looking real hard at getting one for my AR-10. Can't decide between the rear focus and the side focus. Thinking about getting the 16 power.

Scopes are a much more complicated decision than firearms for me. Looking forward to your range report.

Schmit · March 23, 2002, 07:52 AM

AR,

Get the side focus! I never worked with one until I got my Mark 4... all AOs should be side focus IMHO now. It is soooo much easier and more convient.

trapshooter · March 23, 2002, 10:18 PM

Well, I got the 20x for the really long range rifle, as the 10x just didn't seem like enough. I can't remember if the side adj. was available on the 20x or not. In any case, I didn't get it. The rear works fine, better than a couple other scopes I have. Also, it seems to be calibrated pretty well. Says the right yardage when I'm on that range.

I took a chance on this one, as the viable alternatives all cost 700-900 dollars more than this scope. If it works, I win big. If not, what the heck, it was worth a shot. I figured that if Tasco had one great scope in the line, this one would be it, as they really wanted that Navy contract. (Would have guaranteed at least a high percentage of Mall-Ninja sales).

blackamos · March 27, 2002, 10:35 PM

I love mine. I got the $299 10x model and could not be happier with it.

March 22, 2002, 05:11 AM	#1
Commander Fan Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2002 Posts: 234	Tasco's SS10X42M Mil-Dot Sniper Scope (quick reveiw). I had been reading about this model on the sniper boards for a couple years now, and dicided to check one out for myself. The SS(Super Sniper) series are the scopes that were awarded US Navy contract #N00164-93-C-205, with 35% of prouction sales going to civilians. I went to S.W.F.A.'s website yesterday morning and placed the order online. I first chose to have it shipped Second-Day-Air, so I'd have it by this weekend, then I seen that Overnight-Air was only +$10, so I splurged. It arrived at 7:59am this morning. Texas to Minnesota in 19 hours! Although the price of the rear-parallex focus is $299 for the 10X, 16X, and 20X, I paid the extra $100 for the side-focus 10X "M" model. I also ordered the Buttler-Creek flip-up lens covers and the 2 1/2" sunshade extension. The temperature this morning was -3 below zero, and the scope felt around the same temperature when I removed it from the box. This was probably due to the ride in the rear of the UPS truck and flight. I immediatly started glassing through my living-room window and didn't even realize it at first, but I had just exposed it to a humid 72 degree environment, with absolutely no signs of fogging. The resolution was VERY good, with the parallex calibrations seeming right on with my Leica rangfinder and eyes. The 30mm tube is of one-piece design, with a weight of around 1 2/3 lbs. It really feels like a rugged chunk of metal. I gave it a few good hits onto the dining-room table, just to make sure no internals were ready to come loose. If Schmidt & Bender can do this 10,000 times before allowing a scope to leave the factory, I figured 10 wouldn't harm anything. Of course, nothing can be perfect. And although the Elevation turret had the same audible 'click' sound in both directions(up & down), the left Windage audible is more of a muffled 'clop' sound. The right Windage sounds just like both Elevation movements though. This will have no effect on the function of the scope, I just cant see why 1-of-4 had to sound different. Being the curious bastard I am, I began shining a flashlight into the 42mm objective end of the scope. I could see 2 GIANT brass 'turret pushers' working against the reticle tube. These are the largest I've ever seen withing a scope tube before. I'm sure it's due to the larger 30mm tube size, giving the tube's tracking system the ability to maintain a right-angle throughout the entire MOA range. If they were too small, the circular shape of the reticle tube would cause an 'arc' patterned POI during come-ups & come-downs. This won't be happening with this design. I mounted the scope onto a Les Baer flat-top using Les Baer 30mm rings, with the rings mounted at the front & rear extreames of the receiver. The entire rifle system looks kinda 'mean' looking now, and the heavy scope doesn't really look oversized for the rifle either. The box also contained one of those see-through lens covering rigs. The kind with the 2 stretching cords mounted 180 degrees apart, with 1 amber & 1 clear colored lens. There were no instructions within the box, only a warrenty card provided by Tasco. I should also add that this is not an ordinary Tasco scope. This was a model submitted into testing to replace the Mk4 Leupold, until Leu decided to keep their sniper-scope line in production. It seems that only the US Navy placed any large scale orders. I'll try getting to the range this weekend to do some 'tracking' testing, but all the previous reports that I've read have been very positive. At this point, I'm thinking it was well worth the $399 price-tag. I also forgot to mention the multi-coated lenses above. There were complaints about the earlier models' lenses being right at the end of the objective tube, but the newer models have them set back into the objective's bell, just like a standard scope. The Navy had ordered them the previous way so operators could clean off muddy lenses more easily in the field. Now they all incorperate a built-in sun-shade design. The range-finding mil-dot reticle is of the 'dot' design(not the Marine's football), with each dot being an exact MOA, and 10MOA between each dot. If I can get familiar with this ranging system again, I'll probably start leaving the laser Leica a home. I had a similar Steiner system while in the Cavalry, and got to be pretty accurate after some practice in the Desert. The Steiner reticle was a horizontal-line ranging system though. Well, that's about all I got for now. It's 3:45 in the morning, and the scope still transmits VERY WELL outside, dispite the low exit-pupil-diameter of 4.2mm. I guess that's the downside of a fixed power 10X42 scope, since the 'Magic 7'(EPD) would require a 70mm lens, but this will be used mostly for target work anyway. I also have several other low-light/night scopes to choose from. That's all. If interested, there are links to much more detailed reviews at SWFA's website. I finally found out that the "FA" stands for "Firearms Accesories". I'm guessing the "SW" is "South West"(?).

March 22, 2002, 09:10 AM	#3
hksigwalther Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 1998 Location: NE OH, USA Posts: 3,202	An excellent preliminary report. I've always heard of good things about Tasco's current SS models and would like to see how your's works out. IIRC, SW does mean South West (sic). __________________ - Ron V.

March 23, 2002, 06:14 AM	#5
yankytrash Senior Member Join Date: April 17, 2001 Location: Farnham, Va Posts: 2,176	maze - Just blame it on Commander if the wifey finds out. I know I will! __________________ Right turn, Clyde.

March 23, 2002, 07:52 AM	#7
Schmit Staff Alumnus Join Date: March 11, 1999 Location: Masquito infested flatlands of Mid-FL Posts: 1,858	AR, Get the side focus! I never worked with one until I got my Mark 4... all AOs should be side focus IMHO now. It is soooo much easier and more convient. __________________ Schmit GySgt, USMC(Ret) "Notoriety is fleeting, Anonymity is forever!"

March 27, 2002, 10:35 PM	#9
blackamos Senior Member Join Date: August 19, 2000 Location: Michigan Posts: 301	I love mine. I got the $299 10x model and could not be happier with it. __________________ Know of that you speak, Amos

March 22, 2002, 08:37 AM	#2
maze51 Member Join Date: March 3, 2002 Location: sacramento Posts: 69	Thanks for posting this info on the Tasco scope. I just ordered one for myself after reading your post. I have been looking and researching scopes for some time, and this really looks like the one to fit the bill with out spending a $1000. I have the AR/15 Colt H/Bar elite with a 24in. barrel and I am anxious to shoot this new scope. I will remove the Burris 3X12 I have on the rifle now and mount that on the new Weatherby Mark V that I just bought. I'm glad my wife can't get into my gun safe, she would kill me if she new what I spend on this addiction.

March 22, 2002, 10:50 PM	#4
SIC TRANSIT GLORIA MUNDI Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2001 Location: The Third World Socialist Paradise of Kalifornia Posts: 269	Thanks a lot! You had to go and show me that deal, now I'm going to be out another $300 plus. I don't even know which rifle I'm going to put it on!

March 23, 2002, 06:25 AM	#6
AR-10 Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2001 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,184	I've been looking real hard at getting one for my AR-10. Can't decide between the rear focus and the side focus. Thinking about getting the 16 power. Scopes are a much more complicated decision than firearms for me. Looking forward to your range report.

March 23, 2002, 10:18 PM	#8
trapshooter Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2002 Location: Missouri Posts: 905	Well, I got the 20x for the really long range rifle, as the 10x just didn't seem like enough. I can't remember if the side adj. was available on the 20x or not. In any case, I didn't get it. The rear works fine, better than a couple other scopes I have. Also, it seems to be calibrated pretty well. Says the right yardage when I'm on that range. I took a chance on this one, as the viable alternatives all cost 700-900 dollars more than this scope. If it works, I win big. If not, what the heck, it was worth a shot. I figured that if Tasco had one great scope in the line, this one would be it, as they really wanted that Navy contract. (Would have guaranteed at least a high percentage of Mall-Ninja sales).