Thinking about SWFA 3-15x42

[Dead*Reckoned]

Hey everyone, I've been researching optics again for the past couple days, I'm building up a spr type ar15. I hope to be using this for mid range plink to a about 800-1000 yards. I have shot 10x at that distance before and would prefer to go for something with a little more magnification especially for small targets @500 yards.

I think the swfa meets my requirements perfectly, but I'm definitely open to any suggestions. I've read about the bushnell line, and I just can't get over in my mind that bushnell is associated with crap products. Also, I'm definitely gonna need a mil/mil reticle because I don't wish to take the time to move all my data over to moa moa.

http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-3-15x42-Tactical-Rifle-Scope-P62238.aspx

What you guys think? Let me know if you need any more information on requirements and what not.

[JMP]

It's a good little scope. At the price point, it makes it perfect for an entry level scope that has all the necessary features, or for a scope where you just don't need that much scope.

I am not aware of a scope that provides a 5x zoom multiple, FFP, matching turrets and reticle, and is of sufficient quality to be usable that is less in price that the SWFA 3-15.

The weak point is the glass; it uses glass from the "classic" series. It isn't that it is unusable; however, it is not nearly as good as what SWFA uses in its HD line, which is another great scope for the price point. Obviously, even the classic line is infinitely better in glass than the cheap Chinese stuff, and they are sufficiently reliable where the cheaper scopes are not. I haven't heard of SWFAs have issues with holding zero or other malfunctions like you will see in the very low grade Chinese optics that cost a bit less.

Then, the fit and finish isn't that nice as you'll find things like the parallax adjustment and zoom, which aren't smooth at all (too much tension). The turrets aren't great, but they are to be expected and are reasonable for the price.

Also, the reticle may leave a lot to be desired as it's certainly not a precision reticle as the cross hairs and subtensions are very thick and can obscure very small targets. But, if that's the price range, I'd say go for it; it will work. Obviously, you can always find something a little better for a little more, but if you go down that path, soon you'll be looking at a scope that costs thousands.

Having said that, while Bushnell has always been known for making really low-end optics, they have come a long ways. The Bushnell 3.5-21x are pretty darn good scopes for the money, but that is in a higher price category, so it would not be a fair comparison to the SWFA 3-15. I'd certainly avoid the top of the line Bushnell, which is 4.5-30x50 as it simply isn't worth it. They've added a view things, but in my opinion, the scopes geometry doesn't support the higher magnification that they offer. Some of the Bushnells certainly have merit, but I'd stick with the 3.5-21s on a Bushnell.

[Dead*Reckoned]

Thanks a bunch for the info jmp, the main thing that bugs me is the fact that this model uses the classic turrets like you said, but if their are no issues with it in any other way, it seems like a good value!

[osis32]

What's the warranty on it? I'd look at vortex at that price point. I paid 770 for my vortex pst 6-24 for and it came with a sunshade and the unlimited warranty.

[firemanjoe]

Swfa has a great customer service and an outstanding lifetime warranty!

[Dead*Reckoned]

What's the warranty on it? I'd look at vortex at that price point. I paid 770 for my vortex pst 6-24 for and it came with a sunshade and the unlimited warranty.

Yeah lifetime warranty on the swfa scopes. Some of the reviews I've read have said that swfa's 3-15x outperforms the vortex glass at low light conditions, would a a plus for me, I'm also a big fan of getting down to just 3x power.

I'm going to wait to see if there is a 4th of july sale @ swfa, if not I may just go with the steiner 3-12x50 for only 300 dollars more, seem like a good idea?

[Dead*Reckoned]

Okay, no I lied I just bought the steiner 3-12x50 G2 mildot blah blah for 1k wow what a smoking deal at europtics

[JMP]

What's the warranty on it? I'd look at vortex at that price point. I paid 770 for my vortex pst 6-24 for and it came with a sunshade and the unlimited warranty.

If you got it new, that's a SFP model, which is different story.

Thanks a bunch for the info jmp, the main thing that bugs me is the fact that this model uses the classic turrets like you said, but if their are no issues with it in any other way, it seems like a good value!

My issues are also the glass, the reticle, the tension of the parallax, etc. But, for the price, you can't do much more

Okay, no I lied I just bought the steiner 3-12x50 G2 mildot blah blah for 1k wow what a smoking deal at europtics

The Steiner will be a much nicer step up. In that type of heavier scope, the 3-12 magnfication is a bit low for my taste. Glasswise, you'll be halfway in between a SWFA classic and the higher end glass. The fit and finish is much nicer on the Steiner. The turrets are much better than the SWFA, but they are mushy compared to the nice mechanical feeling clicks on a better scope so again, in between. You get a real zero stop that's easy to use, not one of those hokey shim stops. I believe it is a 20 Mil double turn without as much adjustment as most 34s so 18 or 20 MOA in the base will be about right. Of course, it will be much much more sturdy than a SWFA. I think that Steiners are sort of in between the entry level scopes like a Vortex PST or SWFA 3-15, but they are not near something like a Schmidt & Bender. The initial MSRPs they put on those Steiners were ridiculous, but at $1k, they are hard to beat. I have a 4-16x version, and it's definitely a usable piece of hardware.

[osis32]

No it's not sfp it's ffp. I purchased it from someone here who sells vortex optics wholesale. I used it at sac valley last year even. Thanks for that though

[JMP]

No it's not sfp it's ffp. I purchased it from someone here who sells vortex optics wholesale. I used it at sac valley last year even. Thanks for that though

New, 6-24x50 Vortex PST, FFP for $770. Please share a link as for $770, I'd highly recommend it as a starters scope if you aren't shooting too far (you run out of elevation, but it's good to 1k).

[ColdDeadHands1]

Here is a 3-12x42 I am looking at right now for my AR-10. The Nikon MONARCH 3 Rifle Scope.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/840740/nikon-monarch-3-rifle-scope-3-12x-42mm-matte?cm_vc=ProductFinding

[osis32]

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=561811

There you go smart guy. I know it's good to 1k because I took it to 1k at lanes clinic at sac valley last year. Enjoy your crow.

[Arnelcheeze]

running one on my LR308 bench rifle, great optic for the price, FFP is a great thing to have. Glass is clear and crisp, turrets have a good firm click - just make sure you threadlock the set screws that hold the turrets in place.

found this review online, pretty interesting.

https://youtu.be/9fe4l_CAthI?list=FLF2-hOrzR-nCRQS-IOftJHw

[Cypriss32]

I just picked one up. Seems like a great scope for the $$$. I've had a few 10x scope and never had issues with anything swfa. I bought my 3-15 slightly used for 500.00.

[JMP]

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=561811

There you go smart guy. I know it's good to 1k because I took it to 1k at lanes clinic at sac valley last year. Enjoy your crow.

That's a good price for a NIB, which makes me feel better that the used one I sold to another member for $550 was fairly priced. I have one other in MOA/MOA that I was going to sell, but I am now thinking that I will use it on a .22lr. No crow here, I am glad you got a good deal, and you should share the link up front rather than just talking as it could have been of a good value to the OP as most vendors want $900. For shooting close up, they are just fine scopes.

I just picked one up. Seems like a great scope for the $$$. I've had a few 10x scope and never had issues with anything swfa. I bought my 3-15 slightly used for 500.00.

The SWFAs are fine. The one thing that they have is better glass and more elevation than the cheap Vortex. The Vortex PSTs are great learning scopes, but they don't have enough elevation to shoot that far. I am very impressed, however, with the Gen II razors.

Obviously, the 30mm SWFAs are not tracking great and get some distortion at very long range distances, but I have been successful with repeated hits on a 1 MOA target at a mile with a just a cheap SWFA. Normally, the cheap 30mm scopes that give you that much travel won't return to zero, but the SWFA does a pretty darn good job with repeatability. You do, however, need to put a big old cant into one of those to get the elevation. It's just the way they are set up.

I have never seen a SWFA product that was a piece of crap for what you pay. I think they are great scopes for starting out, or if it is just a rifle where you don't need that much scope. They are a little rough around the edges with no frills, but that's how they keep the price down.