Opinions - swaro z3 scope selection

MT_Wyatt

WKR
Joined
Aug 20, 2014
Messages
1,920
Location
Montana
Interested in hearing current opinions on a new scope, specifically which power range - I’m very much a bow hunter, so rifles are a bit out of my wheelhouse. I’m pretty well dead set on the swaro z3. Going on Kimber Hunter in 6.5 Creedmoor.

3-9 vs 3.3-10 vs 4-12. Which one would you suggest for backcountry rifle? Deer, goats, occasional antelope is target. Not dialing. I was thinking the 3.3-10x42 was good for balance of weight, power and getting the BRH reticle for holdovers.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts! If I wanted to buy the z5 sheep hunter I realize this would be a moot point.....not sure I want to drop that coin on a scope, although I’m not totally opposed to it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

robby denning

Administrator
Staff member
Joined
Feb 25, 2012
Messages
14,994
Location
SE Idaho
3-9 will take great care of you unless it’s heavier than the 3.3-10


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

LightFoot

WKR
Joined
Feb 21, 2016
Messages
1,361
Location
Texas
I had the Z3 3-9x36 on a lightweight 6.5 CM and I didn't like it. The eye box seemed small and I felt like I needed "more scope."

I had a Z3 4-12x50 on a 7mm with the ballistic turret. I felt like it needed side-parallax adjustment.

I had a Z5 3.5-18x44 which was nearly perfect. Didn't like the reticle, though.

My 6.5 Creedmoor now wears a Vortex Razor HD LH 3-15x42.

I think the Z3 3-10x42 is well set in the middle. You will not be disappointed with Swaro glass.

ae5eab68d18bcf9399d87398d4b67303.jpg


Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
 

Boreal

WKR
Joined
Nov 11, 2013
Messages
356
Location
Anchorage, AK
I’ve got the Swaro Z3 3-9 on my Kimber Montana 6.5CM, and the Z3 4-12 on my Kimber MA 280AI. Got a great deal on both of them, but if I were to buy now knowing what I do, I’d select the 3-9 for both. Smaller profile, very lightweight, and superb glass. The 4-12 is my first BT scope, and I like the turret, but not entirely sure how much I’ll use the turret. Might be that I decide I can’t live without it, but for now the 3-9 is exactly what I wanted in a light, bright mountain rifle scope.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

handwerk

WKR
Joined
Jun 14, 2013
Messages
1,798
Location
N.E. Mn. / Mt.
I've got several rifles with the 3-9x36 and 3-10x42 both great scopes, there is hardly any weight gained going to the 3-10x42, also make sure to look at the 4A reticle, my all time fav.
 
OP
MT_Wyatt

MT_Wyatt

WKR
Joined
Aug 20, 2014
Messages
1,920
Location
Montana
I've got several rifles with the 3-9x36 and 3-10x42 both great scopes, there is hardly any weight gained going to the 3-10x42, also make sure to look at the 4A reticle, my all time fav.

I really like that one as well, but was thinking about the BRH to help stretch it out a bit. I haven’t been able to find one to actually look through and compare through.

Thanks everyone so far, really appreciate your thoughts.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

PredatorX

WKR
Joined
Aug 16, 2015
Messages
789
I had the Z3 3-9x36 on a lightweight 6.5 CM and I didn't like it. The eye box seemed small and I felt like I needed "more scope."

I had a Z3 4-12x50 on a 7mm with the ballistic turret. I felt like it needed side-parallax adjustment.

I had a Z5 3.5-18x44 which was nearly perfect. Didn't like the reticle, though.

My 6.5 Creedmoor now wears a Vortex Razor HD LH 3-15x42.

I think the Z3 3-10x42 is well set in the middle. You will not be disappointed with Swaro glass.

ae5eab68d18bcf9399d87398d4b67303.jpg


Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
That looks like a nice, light setup. What is that rifle?

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
 

Brendan

WKR
Joined
Aug 27, 2013
Messages
3,871
Location
Massachusetts
Love my Swaro Z3 with the BRH. Mounted on a Kimber Adirondack:

Empty:
f5756cb9c94e19b0cb30679f533d3017.jpg


Loaded Weight:
99c183f21ffe7cdeb53d22093c330dc7.jpg


Loaded weight plus 6 spares:
bbc03ec6a268212b53a13c8b319167c7.jpg
 

LightFoot

WKR
Joined
Feb 21, 2016
Messages
1,361
Location
Texas
That looks like a nice, light setup. What is that rifle?

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
New Ultra Light Arms Model 20
6.5 Creedmoor
22" bbl, 14" LOP

It is not my most accurate rifle, but it is the lightest. Shoots MOA, but I am still looking for that 1/2" load.


This is how it sits now:
6428decb2dafcbf2c711250de417867a.jpg


Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
 

PredatorX

WKR
Joined
Aug 16, 2015
Messages
789
Sorry to derail the thread but isn't Melvin the godfather of UL rifles? I love the look of that stock. It has the look of "I've seen some $#!@."

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
 
OP
MT_Wyatt

MT_Wyatt

WKR
Joined
Aug 20, 2014
Messages
1,920
Location
Montana
So I ended up getting the z3 3-10x42 to top off the Kimber :)

I held the Z5 sheep hunter but somehow controlled myself. Thanks all who commented and posted up pictures!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
OP
MT_Wyatt

MT_Wyatt

WKR
Joined
Aug 20, 2014
Messages
1,920
Location
Montana
Sorry to derail the thread but isn't Melvin the godfather of UL rifles? I love the look of that stock. It has the look of "I've seen some $#!@."

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

Derail away, it’s all good :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
OP
MT_Wyatt

MT_Wyatt

WKR
Joined
Aug 20, 2014
Messages
1,920
Location
Montana
Those would be the lows. Love the rig.

Hey sorry to bug you again - I’ve had people tell me medium rings are what is best for Kimbers, and obviously lows are working for you. I bought the same scope as you have. Any issues with bolt throw? I assume not. I put a message into Talley as well to see what they thought.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Brendan

WKR
Joined
Aug 27, 2013
Messages
3,871
Location
Massachusetts
Hey sorry to bug you again - I’ve had people tell me medium rings are what is best for Kimbers, and obviously lows are working for you. I bought the same scope as you have. Any issues with bolt throw? I assume not. I put a message into Talley as well to see what they thought.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It's close, real close, but it works. you do have to be a little careful how you grip the bolt handle, but to be honest, I've never noticed it until I just walked downstairs to take pictures.
c9c722e532a598ee4909a680f901e6e4.jpg

ba07aca1ba3c9d635a73532e2eb63706.jpg

cf9f18fac7bed8177010518653b4d809.jpg

8208191e9f6b3e115cca43293f957489.jpg

ea11ff48c0b9616dd5e53e65c65d9942.jpg
 
Top