Swfa thoughts and magnification

[boyguan]

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.

[Kwikvette]

If you make it out to Metcalf, I'll let you get behind some Nightforce scopes, Bushnell, and whatever else I've got laying around.

[boyguan]

If you make it out to Metcalf, I'll let you get behind some Nightforce scopes, Bushnell, and whatever else I've got laying around.

Metcalf is no problem. I really want to try their 200 yard range. Something like they are open every last Sunday or something

[89LT1]

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

Honestly i haven't been behind any high end scopes I could buy one but then not afford any ammo with my gun budget. I have run my 1st Gen Primary Arms 1-6 scope out to 600 yards. It is a fun little plinker that wont break the bank and has the marks for bullet drop so you don't have to touch the turrets. That is how they can make a cheapo scope accurate, once you touch the turrets all bets are off.

Again i think it depends on what you are trying to do at that range. If your trying to get your holes as close together as possible then its not what it is for. If you are aiming for minute of man at 6 hundered then it is good.

The 10XSWFA is easier, but the rifle and the rounds are much more accurate than the 1-6 with Nato 5.56 rounds.

[Ki6vsm]

I like the reticle on the SWFA SS 10x MOA-Quad scope. I think it'd be great for 1000 yds because the lines are very fine and it has that tiny dot in the center. I think they're almost too fine for some jobs, but 1000-yd prone shooting I will bet it'd be great.

One minor error in this diagram is that there are no dots inside the 10-MOA diamonds with the 10x MOA-Quad. I'm surprised they got it wrong here.

[TheReluctantCraftstronaut]

I thought I had decided on the Falcon M18 for a budget/entry-level long range scope, because I really want the lower powers for hunting and a bit more than x10 for 1000 yards. This thread has me nearly back to wanting the SWFA x10.

[boyguan]

I thought I had decided on the Falcon M18 for a budget/entry-level long range scope, because I really want the lower powers for hunting and a bit more than x10 for 1000 yards. This thread has me nearly back to wanting the SWFA x10.

[vpravada]

you could can always sell it if you don't like it. looks like you can get at least half your money back.

[89LT1]

I like the reticle on the SWFA SS 10x MOA-Quad scope. I think it'd be great for 1000 yds because the lines are very fine and it has that tiny dot in the center. I think they're almost too fine for some jobs, but 1000-yd prone shooting I will bet it'd be great.[/IMG]

I have the exact same on mine. It is fantastic.

very fine lines may make it hard to see around dusk but they are crisp. I really like it. Its almost like it appears when you look for it. If your are spinning caps and just using the center then that's all a really see if i wanted to throw in some kentucky windage when I start looking for the lines they come into focus.

[michaelthepsycho]

Get a 36x Weaver for 1k then.

You won't notice the need for variable at 12x, because it's still easy to look around at 12x. but once you get into 30+, you might wish for a variable, because it gets a bit more difficult to pan around. YMMV

[koshkin]

I have used SWFA 10x and 12x scope out to 1000 yards and they worked just fine. Generally, I prefer the 10x since it is a little more forgiving, but both work and have very good adjustment accuracy which is key.

There are several FFP variables in this basic price range and, IMO, none of them are worth buying. They look good on paper, but for actual shooting, you need good fundamentals and that is where they all suffer.

In terms of ascending price level this is roughly how it goes based on my experience:

SWFA Classic 10x42 (and other SWFA fixed power scopes)
SWFA SS HD 3-9x42
SWFA SS Classic 3-15x42
Athlon Ares 4.5-27x50
Vortex PST Gen 2 3-15x44 or 5-25x50

There are several new scopes in the $700 range going after the same market, but they are new, so I do not have an opinion on them yet.

ILya

https://www.darklordofoptics.com

[boyguan]

I have used SWFA 10x and 12x scope out to 1000 yards and they worked just fine. Generally, I prefer the 10x since it is a little more forgiving, but both work and have very good adjustment accuracy which is key.

There are several FFP variables in this basic price range and, IMO, none of them are worth buying. They look good on paper, but for actual shooting, you need good fundamentals and that is where they all suffer.

In terms of ascending price level this is roughly how it goes based on my experience:

SWFA Classic 10x42 (and other SWFA fixed power scopes)
SWFA SS HD 3-9x42
SWFA SS Classic 3-15x42
Athlon Ares 4.5-27x50
Vortex PST Gen 2 3-15x44 or 5-25x50

There are several new scopes in the $700 range going after the same market, but they are new, so I do not have an opinion on them yet.

ILya
www.darklordofoptics.com

So in this list you say the pst is better than the swfa?

I looked through a pst 3-15 and it was very clear at max magnification

[koshkin]

Yes and no

So in this list you say the pst is better than the swfa?

I looked through a pst 3-15 and it was very clear at max magnification

I sorted them by price. Of the scopes in this list, SWFA has by far the longest track record and that is also important.

Optically, SWFA Classic is somewhere between PST Gen 1 and PST Gen 2, closer to Gen 2.

PST Gen 2 scopes are a lot more full featured with zero stop and illumination, so you get a lot for your money.

Generally, every scope line has differences between models. For example with PST Gen 1, the little 2.5-10x32 was clearly the best of the line-up. With PST Gen 2, it seems to be the 3-15x42.

With Burris XTR II, I really like the 1-8x24 and 2-10x42 models.

With SWFA scopes, there are fewer models, so it is not easy to compare. For general purpose use, I really like the 3-9x42 which easily doubles as a hunting/DMR scope. For more of a dedicated range use, the 3-15x42 FFP is a really nice option since side-focus comes in helpful.

PST Gen 2 3-15x44 (I am wrapping up with my test of it) seems a touch better optically than the SWFA, but it is more expensive and you get more features.

In the end, you kinda have to decide how much you are willing to spend and work off of that.

ILya

https://www.darklordofoptics.com

https://fb.me/darklordofoptics

[Ki6vsm]

For more of a dedicated range use, the 3-15x42 FFP is a really nice option since side-focus comes in helpful.

I sure wish someone would make a "switchview" type throw-lever for the 10x rear-focus SS scopes. I bought one because it was $100 less expensive than the side focus and I was also hoping that it'd be simpler and therefore optically clearer than the side-focus version. But dang that rear focus knob is kinda hard to deal with while looking through the scope! These fixed power SS scopes cry out for a nice throw-lever. I can't be the first person to say that.

I put on one of those bulky plastic cat-tail things on the ring, and while it is a big improvement for fine-focusing, the cat-tail sure makes the scope a bit clunkier.