Anyone have or used an SWFA 3-15X?
I have one on my 18" gun mounted in a Bobro mount. Looking for anything specific? I’m not hardly as qualified to answer as most here, but I do have one.
I don’t have one, but I’m interested. Here’s a review from a blog I’m a fan of: http://artoftherifle.com/1402/2014/09/1402.html
I was interested in using it in a 14.5" AR, as my dedicated 5.56 precision rifle. There are lots of choices I know!
Anything more specific? What you are comparing it to? I like the scope so far. I can’t really compare it to the VX-R as it was a 1.1-4 or whatever, but the eyebox and glass is better than the Burris I had a decade ago, best I can remember. I did shoot a vortex 2.5-10 on a friends scar 17.
It’s not illuminated, but everything else about it seems solid for the money. I’m just jumping in to longer range shooting so I can’t be taken too seriously. I guess my main point regarding the scope is this: When I bought the scope I did’t know what I wanted let alone what I actually needed. This scope covers what I “need” right now and is good enough quality that I’m not looking through the glass of some guys wal-mart special saying, “wow I could have saved a lot of money.”
If you have any specific questions I’ll do what I can to give you an answer, but like I said a lot of people on here know more than I do and have more exp with different scopes.
I’m comparing it to smaller scopes. I had a NF 2.5-10X32 and liked it, but think the price has gotten too high to get another. The Vortex PST 2.5-10X32 is also an option.
Too bad you missed out on my pristine NF 2.5-10x32 I just sold for $920.
I had the 3-15 SWFA for a bit. I think it’s a very good buy for the asking price, but it’s not without fault. The mil-quad reticle layout is too fine to be used at lower powers- probably 6-7x or less and effectively becomes a duplex for me. Per the link above, I agree that it’s easy to get lost amongst busy backgrounds such as woodlands or heavily vegetated areas. I’d prefer a heavier mildot reticle. The glass is okay. It’s certainly not ED glass (nor advertised as such) and I’d put it on par with Bushnell’s midline of optics. For not too much more, I’d recommend the Weaver 3-15 FFP Tactical which does employ ED glass from LOW Japan. Rumor has it that Nightforce uses the same glass as well as a few other fine optics companies from the East. In fact, the Weaver replaced my SWFA. Having stated that, however, you won’t miss a target due to the glass. The reticle is the bigger factor IMO.
As an experiment, I went with a 3-15 optic thinking that I wouldn’t miss the 0.5x on the lower end and would benefit from the higher power on top. Now one can certainly use 10 power to engage big target at 800+ yards, but I lean toward smaller targets and precision-type shooting. After moving to a higher powered optic, I don’t think I’ll go back. I also discovered that both the SWFA and Weaver had a more generous eye box which is less fatiguing for me. The only downside I see is that these scopes are bigger and heavier than the Nightforce Compact or Vortex and probably won’t take a bullet like the NF.
The 2.5-10 Vortex is a good optic for the money too and I have the SFP model on another rifle. I feel it’s 95% of the Nightforce (with zerostop) at a little over a third of the price. For 1/2 of the Nightforce, you can get that in FFP, but I don’t think Vortex’s EBR-1 reticle is that great either at < 6x power in this configuration. Also check out the Burris XTR IIs and Bushnell Elite Tactical lines. They use better glass in these lines and have gotten very good reviews.
This guy does great optics reviews and has 2 videos on the 3-15x42 FFP scope
John McQuay also reviewed.