Is SWFA the best bang for the buck

[roosiebull]

Swaro Z3 is garbage.

But the internals are 100% recyclable if that’s important to you

 

[SIP]

Only you can decide if it is a problem for you, but it hasn’t been a problem for me. It takes some getting used to the look, but function over form every time.

My rifles fit in the cheap old hard cases I use for a trip to the range or the 4-hour roadtrip to the farm. The kind that still have the $11.99 Walmart stickers on them from 2005. I’d probably get better cases and go for a better fit if I was putting them on an airplane.

I’ll happily admit that there are better scopes than an SWFA, but every purchase is a compromise. And for the money, there is no better option. For me, the touchstone for every scope purchase is, “How is this option better than a $350 dollar SWFA 6x gen2? Am I willing to pay for the things this option does better?” Sometimes the answer is “yes” and sometimes it is “no.”

My thinking is also a function of what I own. At present, I have a dozen bolt action hunting rifles. Even if I sell four of them, as I plan to do, I will still have a “First World problem” - too many rifles. You can go broke buying good deals. I can’t afford to put $1000-3000 optics on each one. But even if I only had one rifle, my touchstone would be the same. I am not a sniper. I am a rifle hunter. I’m not looking through the scope for hours. I’m not shooting at night. I need a reliable sight which works well to confirm PID and place the shot precisely during legal shooting hours, at a normal range of 60-300 yards, and out to an extreme range of 600 yards.

I certainly agree with what you say and seeing that this is a budget rifle build, I don't want to spend much more on optics than I did for gun. I do believe wholeheartedly in putting good glass on a gun, because you can't shoot what you can't accurately see. After reading the feedback I've received here, l'm very likely to give the SWFA a try over the Maven. The RS.2 is noticeably lighter but it would seem the 3x9 is built better to justify the weight.

 

[nm.otter]

If you get the chance, buy a 6x MQ Gen2 and give it a try. It really does cover 90+% of actual hunting needs.

In the event you need/want more, it will be right at home on a backup, truck, or loaner rifle. Also easy to sell for at least what you paid for it.

 

[SIP]

If you get the chance, buy a 6x MQ Gen2 and give it a try. It really does cover 90+% of actual hunting needs.

In the event you need/want more, it will be right at home on a backup, truck, or loaner rifle. Also easy to sell for at least what you paid for it.

That's a big help when you can sell it for near what you paid for it!

 

[minas stiris]

The SWFA 10x is built much much better than a Chinese scope. While the Athlon is a newer design, you could take the SWFA and beat the Athlon into pieces with it, bolt it back on the gun and it would hold zero.

I say the SWFA is the best built scope in the price range. It will be limited by the simple yet very useable reticle.

but again, this is my opinion. I’ll always own a fixed power SWFA.

 

[SIP]

The SWFA 10x is built much much better than a Chinese scope. While the Athlon is a newer design, you could take the SWFA and beat the Athlon into pieces with it, bolt it back on the gun and it would hold zero.

I say the SWFA is the best built scope in the price range. It will be limited by the simple yet very useable reticle.

but again, this is my opinion. I’ll always own a fixed power SWFA.

Sounds like the build quality is well more than worth what the scope sells for. I'm sold now.

 

[Rich M]

I just bought avtrijicon huron 3-9x for less than $350. Can see reticle and background 30 minutes after sunset on clear day. Form says nice stuff about them.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

I just bought avtrijicon huron 3-9x for less than $350. Can see reticle and background 30 minutes after sunset on clear day. Form says nice stuff about them.

Those are very nice scopes too.

 

[SIP]

I do see a lot of suggestions for Trijicon but always put those off as more of a tactical use brand.

 

[AZ Gator]

Quick question on the eye relief for the 3-9…SWFA lists a difference of just over an inch from 3X to 9x; while the 3-15 lists a 0.4” difference.

That seems like a pretty substantial difference to me. Any input on that experience?

 

[String Bean]

Trijicon claims to have built the Huron for the whitetail hunter My 3-12 is very nice and the glass is as good or maybe a little better than my SWFA. My Huron is a SFP vs the FFP SWFA. For what it is worth. All that said I am still looking for a 6x SWFA.

 

[rickyw]

Quick question on the eye relief for the 3-9…SWFA lists a difference of just over an inch from 3X to 9x; while the 3-15 lists a 0.4” difference.

That seems like a pretty substantial difference to me. Any input on that experience?

I have both. If you don’t set the scope back far enough, you will have to creep up a bit on the stock at 9x on the 3-9 to get the full picture. Hardly or not at all on the 3-15. 3-9 is still quite nice to use regardless.

 

[AZ Gator]

I have both. If you don’t set the scope back far enough, you will have to creep up a bit on the stock at 9x on the 3-9 to get the full picture. Hardly or not at all on the 3-15. 3-9 is still quite nice to use regardless.

Thanks. That’s about what I was figuring.

 

[JackButler]

If you get the chance, buy a 6x MQ Gen2 and give it a try. It really does cover 90+% of actual hunting needs.

In the event you need/want more, it will be right at home on a backup, truck, or loaner rifle. Also easy to sell for at least what you paid for it.

Yep. My hunting rig has a leupold Mark4m5 4.5-14 on it. Last 2 elk and 3 deer I shot the scope was dialed to 5x.

 

[diverc18]

Anybody have any idea on when the next drop is for the 6xs?

 

[waterlogged]

Is everyone sticking with FFP scopes across brands or are you looking at other specs beyond FFP and SFP when comparing like the 3-9s from trijicon and swfa?

 

[Matt5266]

Im a FFP only kinda guy....

 

[igethangry]

Anybody have any idea on when the next drop is for the 6xs?

I emailed them the other day and they said no ETA

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Anybody have any idea on when the next drop is for the 6xs?

No. They keep the cost low by only having them made during the slow periods in LOW’s production cycle.

Your best bet is to watch this thread:

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/topic?share_fid=45046&share_tid=401968&url=https://www.rokslide.com/forums/index.php?threads/SWFA-Gen-2-Fixed-6---when%3F%3F-.401968/&share_type=t&link_source=app

Some kind soul usually posts there whenever they drop and they sell out quickly once posted. Some of those then end up in the classifieds here at a markup.

 

[Speaks]

I dont know of any scope high enough reliability for me to consider putting on a rifle that is anywhere in the ballpark price range of the SWFA 6x. I have both a gen 1 and a gen 2 and wish I had bought at least 2 if no 3 more of the gen 2s on the last drop. A buddy of mine recently bought a used Tikka 223 that had one on it and was asking me if it was any good. I immediately offered him $450 for it but he declined, I guess my excitement answered his question....

Also like the 3-9 and if I need a scope and the 6 isnt available I will order one. It will generally live around 6x anyway.

OP if you want a deal on a Ziess conquest 3-9 I just pulled one off my 270 on Sunday and hadnt bothered listing it yet.