Swfa thoughts and magnification

[boyguan]

Big time SWFA fan here as well, lots of value in the glass and tracking department. Really enjoyed my 5-20, 10x, and 1-6x.

I don't have any problems with my fixed 10x shooting at 1k. We generally try to punch a 12x12 steel plate at that distance, but I still prefer the option of more magnification. Shooting paper is a challenge since you dont get any feedback like you would on a steel plate.

20x is a good place to be on the top end, but i've owned scopes that range from 15x to 24x.

Reticle thickness can come into play on FFP scopes depending on what ur doing, and sometimes you need to work around that by using other parts of the reticle.

For shooting groups, ive always enjoyed having the additional magnification. Even at 100 yards I would always be at max mag.

The fixed 10x and 12x are great scopes, but if you could find a used 5-20 SWFA you would be in heaven.

You could consider a fixed 16x or 20x from SWFA as well for shooting groups if that's all you really do, but I rather push for a variable at that point.

When I hear about the 16 or 20 I hear that the glass isn't as clear as the 10 or the 12.

Has anyone ever had to warranty a swfa? Do they cover only oringal owners?

[boyguan]

Next question.

Swfa 10 or 12 or a viper pst 2 6-24?

I know it's 4 times the price but is it any better besides just magnification?

[boyguan]

I have the 20 and the 3-15, and I agree the 20 seems to be worse.
The 3-15 is clear as can be, right there with my Vortex but not Nightforce quality lol.

Would you say the glass is the same as the 10x? Which vortex are you comparing with?

[C.W.M.V.]

Would you say the glass is the same as the 10x? Which vortex are you comparing with?

The 3-15 has glass as good of better than the 10, the 20 is much, much worse. It works for making nice, small groups at 100 yards but this scope is only being used for load development.

Vortex viper PST II 2-10x32 and a Nightforce 2.5-10x24


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[anhzx]

Next question.

Swfa 10 or 12 or a viper pst 2 6-24?

I know it's 4 times the price but is it any better besides just magnification?

I don't have viper pst but looked through it once at LGS. I think its glass is oslightly better than 10 or 12x. To me, it's not much better to justify the price. I'd go with 12x or 16x. If you can wait, SWFA usually has a sale for those SS scope for around $260, sometimes even with free rings.

[Citadelgrad87]

I have a Tasco made but not branded Super Sniper (stupidest name ever) 10x from before SWFA took over, and have always been happy with it.

Ive hit a manhole cover at 800y, and had no trouble seeing it.

Recently, i set up a bolt gun for mid to long range, and had to dive back in to scopes.

http://precisionrifleblog.com/2014/09/19/tactical-scopes-field-test-results-summary/

Thats a really REALLY well thought out and explained multi approach evaluation of scopes from the $1500+ Range, all the way to 7k.

I understand that from an entry point persepctive, the SS series, at least the 10x, remains a feature packed favorite, but i wanted to step up a bit for my new rifle.

I got a Bushnell HDMR II, it was a thousand more than thst SS, but in the testing above, it came in the top 9 of 18, but it beat many scopes that were three and more times as much. Its a 3.5x21 power in a 34 mm tube.

When he evaluated on a value basis, features and quality per dollar spent, it was off the chart.

I recently had it out at Angeles, and the glass is really good for my eyes. I get thst it isnt a schmidt and bender or nightforce, but it was also far less.

I can easily see .17 holes at 100y.

I know its way above what youre looking to spend, and i respect that. As i said, i have an SS 10X On an HKSR9TC in my safe. It works well.

But you dont need to spend $3 k to get good glass. Excellent glass, sure, but really good glass is less than you think.

Ive seen the last years model, the HDMR, here for $900 used. Shooting out to 1000, i really plan to put that extra magnification to use.

[boyguan]

I don't have viper pst but looked through it once at LGS. I think its glass is oslightly better than 10 or 12x. To me, it's not much better to justify the price. I'd go with 12x or 16x. If you can wait, SWFA usually has a sale for those SS scope for around $260, sometimes even with free rings.

When do they usually run sales? I think I almost pulled the trigger during a holiday time.

[boyguan]

I have a Tasco made but not branded Super Sniper (stupidest name ever) 10x from before SWFA took over, and have always been happy with it.

Ive hit a manhole cover at 800y, and had no trouble seeing it.

Recently, i set up a bolt gun for mid to long range, and had to dive back in to scopes.

http://precisionrifleblog.com/2014/09/19/tactical-scopes-field-test-results-summary/

Thats a really REALLY well thought out and explained multi approach evaluation of scopes from the $1500+ Range, all the way to 7k.

I understand that from an entry point persepctive, the SS series, at least the 10x, remains a feature packed favorite, but i wanted to step up a bit for my new rifle.

I got a Bushnell HDMR II, it was a thousand more than thst SS, but in the testing above, it came in the top 9 of 18, but it beat many scopes that were three and more times as much. Its a 3.5x21 power in a 34 mm tube.

When he evaluated on a value basis, features and quality per dollar spent, it was off the chart.

I recently had it out at Angeles, and the glass is really good for my eyes. I get thst it isnt a schmidt and bender or nightforce, but it was also far less.

I can easily see .17 holes at 100y.

I know its way above what youre looking to spend, and i respect that. As i said, i have an SS 10X On an HKSR9TC in my safe. It works well.

But you dont need to spend $3 k to get good glass. Excellent glass, sure, but really good glass is less than you think.

Ive seen the last years model, the HDMR, here for $900 used. Shooting out to 1000, i really plan to put that extra magnification to use.

Thanks for the feedback. I need to find some places to look through some glass. It makes a big difference

[anhzx]

When do they usually run sales? I think I almost pulled the trigger during a holiday time.

Typically major holidays. If I remember correctly, they did a tax day sale before in april. You can also browse their sample list for cheaper price if you can't wait.

[89LT1]

i shoot a 1-6 an my 223 ar at 100 yards and feel it could use more.

however i use the fixed 10X SWFA MOA X MOA on my 6.5 Grendel build and am very happy. i can see tight groups at the 100 targets and have walked it out to 600 yards on steel no problem. I built this rifle to be a 1000 yard gun and this scope will take me there all the way. once you get out past the 200 yard mark for me it more about hitting the plate which i'm only aiming at a 12-18" gong, and hit/miss ratio.

Your a little far from me but i would let you try mine out at a range with some distance to it. Maybe someone in your area would do the same.

[Guns and guitars]

Its not that its $80 better than the SWFA, its that it fits his needs better. My point is why should the OP spend $300 on a scope, that he is already unsure about the magnification, when for only $80 more he can get a scope that solves that issue. Any scope under $2500 is giving up something. The cheaper you go, the more you give up. At the OP's price point he has to give something(s) up, he has to decide on what is worth giving up.
.

In my experience he would be giving up quality. The swfa is limited on magnification. But its reliable, and REPEATABLE which is the basis of ALL long range shooting.
Doping scopes is the game.
I have seen nothing but problems with the Athlon Argos scopes. But thats me.

I do agree with you on the fact that searching around you will find something.
Hell last year I got a Sig Tango 6 on a one day sale for less than $500. Which is pretty amazing since its a $2500 scope.
When I lived in Phx I used to watch the back page/sporting goods. Man there were some amazing deals that just pop up and are gone by lunch.

I wont go into the bs internet talk of long range shooting which from the sounds of it we all know but I do have to remind myself occasionally that there are competitions that shoot 1000 yards with iron sights.
I sometimes get to wrapped up in the internet mentality that if it cost more, its better, if its a higher magnification, its better or a name.

Im not alone on this. Spend time in any long range shooting class, club or comp and perhaps the one and only thing we can agree on is that the SWFA is a tough repeatable scope thats worth its $300..

[Guns and guitars]

In my experience he would be giving up quality. The swfa is limited on magnification. But its reliable, and REPEATABLE which is the basis of ALL long range shooting.
Doping scopes is the game.
I have seen nothing but problems with the Athlon Argos scopes. But thats me.

I do agree with you on the fact that searching around you will find something.
Hell last year I got a Sig Tango 6 on a one day sale for less than $500. Which is pretty amazing since its a $2500 scope.
When I lived in Phx I used to watch the back page/sporting goods. Man there were some amazing deals that just pop up and are gone by lunch.

I wont go into the bs internet talk of long range shooting which from the sounds of it we all know but I do have to remind myself occasionally that there are competitions that shoot 1000 yards with iron sights.
I sometimes get to wrapped up in the internet mentality that if it cost more, its better, if its a higher magnification, its better or a name.

Im not alone on this. Spend time in any long range shooting class, club or comp and perhaps the one and only thing we can agree on is that the SWFA is a tough repeatable scope thats worth its $300..

I should probably clarify that you DO get what you pay for to an extent so I don't get flamed.

Currently I have 2 US optics, 2 Swarovski, 2 night force and a Sig tango scope for bolt guns. When you go over $2000 the game changes drastically. I prefer 1fp for precision long range shooting and 2nd for hunting.
The SWFA does not compare to these scopes but for sub $400 I have yet to see a scope that will beat the SS.

[boyguan]

i shoot a 1-6 an my 223 ar at 100 yards and feel it could use more.

however i use the fixed 10X SWFA MOA X MOA on my 6.5 Grendel build and am very happy. i can see tight groups at the 100 targets and have walked it out to 600 yards on steel no problem. I built this rifle to be a 1000 yard gun and this scope will take me there all the way. once you get out past the 200 yard mark for me it more about hitting the plate which i'm only aiming at a 12-18" gong, and hit/miss ratio.

Your a little far from me but i would let you try mine out at a range with some distance to it. Maybe someone in your area would do the same.

I saw the other thread for sub 1000. But what would be the choice for sub 1000. I have been considering the vortex viper pst2

[ExtremeX]

When I hear about the 16 or 20 I hear that the glass isn't as clear as the 10 or the 12.

Has anyone ever had to warranty a swfa? Do they cover only oringal owners?

It's the same glass, but as you increase magnification, it easier to see any imperfections.

In addition the exit pupil is reduced as magnification increases, which makes the overall image darker.

Its still good, but the more magnification you have, the better the glass and bigger the objective you need to make it look as good as the lower magnification levels.

[ExtremeX]

Next question.

Swfa 10 or 12 or a viper pst 2 6-24?

I know it's 4 times the price but is it any better besides just magnification?

Having owned both Fixed 10x and Gen 1 PST... and removing money from the conversation, I would take the Viper PST

Two different beasts tho... I very much appreciate the size/weight of the SWFA on smaller or lighter rifles. Also appreciate the value of the PST glass/features/magnification range/ larger objective.