Review: Sightron S-TAC 3-16 x 42mm Rifle Scope “A Big Surprise”

Review: Sightron S-TAC 3-16 x 42mm Rifle Scope “A Big Surprise”

What happened to Sightron? I've taken more big game animals with Sightron scopes over the last twenty years than any other brand. However, my favorite Sightron scopes from times past are no more.

At one time, something like 80% of Sightron's U.S. sales were hunting scopes. Today, though, the situation is reversed: Sightron has gained great traction in the target scope marketplace, and their current offerings reflect that. So, something in the area of 80-90% of Sightron's sales are target scopes.

Specifications
Magnification:	3-16x
Objective Lens (mm):	42
Field of View (ft @ 100yds):	32.3 - 6.1
Eye Relief (in):	3.8 - 4.1
Reticle Type:	Duplex
Click Value (@ 100yds):	1/4 MOA
Minutes Per Revolution:	15 MOA
W/E Travel (@ 100yds):	70 MOA
Knob Style:	Target (Resettable)
Parallax:	9 yards to infinity
Finish:	Matte Black
Waterproof:	Yes
Fully Multi Coated:	Yes (Zact-7 TM 7-Layer)
Weight (oz):	23.3
Length (in):	12.9
Tube Diameter:	30mm

This 30mm tube scope has generous and closely held eye relief, from 3.8 – 4.1 inches, side-focus, and a huge magnification range of from 3x to 16x. The scope I chose is the “keep it simple, stupid” duplex reticle favored by many hunters who don't care for any clutter in the image. If you prefer a ballistic reticle, this same scope is available with the “MOA-3” reticle as well. The internal adjustment range of 70 MOA is good for a scope that tops out at 16 times magnification.

This Sightron has a very good additional feature I've not seen before, a fold-up zoom ring lever. This makes it easy to change the magnification with very cold or wet gloved hands. It is unobtrusive, for if you don't care to use it, you'd never know it was there.

As this Sightron S-TAC has raised, tactical/target turrets, you can easily move your point of impact in the field, if you wish. The click adjustments are ¼ MOA, one Minute of Angle is about 1.047 inches at 100 yards, or 10.47 inches at 1000 yards.

In my low-light tests, this scope came out in a dead heat for the brightest scope I've recently tested, during the end of evening civil twilight hours. Surprisingly, this scope sells for a lot less than I expected, about $380 street price. At 23.3 ounces, it is hardly a flyweight scope, but it isn't a two-pounder, either. The strong 30mm tube and a lot of glass prohibits a ultra-lightweight package.

Based on the many features such as side-focus, quick eyebell focus, the extremely consistent eye relief (varying just 0.3 inch) throughout the zoom range, the massive zoom range of 3x-16x, the strong 30mm tube, and the exceptional low-light performance this scope is highly recommended. This Sightron S-TAC is not just an exceptionally good, versatile riflescope, but it is the most optic you can obtain for under $400.

The Sightron "Limited Lifetime USA Warranty" covers all Sightron Products sold and shipped within the 50 states of the United States.

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