If you measure rifle scopes by optical quality and light weight, there isn't much to get excited about - SWFA SS's are heavy and there glass/coatings are middle of the pack for the price point.
If you measure optics by durability, retained zero, returning to zero, accurate reticles turrets that track reliably over and over again, and range of tracking, then SWFA SS's are about the best bargain available.
David
Are you saying that holds over all the SS price points which do vary quite a bit?
I haven't seen every scope they make, but in general, yes I think it's true. Top quality glass and coatings are very expensive, often only providing minor incremental improvements in optic quality - that's not where SWFA spent their money.
I'm not saying their glass sucks, its pretty good. But if you had $600 to spend and want the best glass you can get in a 3-9x42, the SWFA SS isn't it. Same is true for their 3-15x42. I haven't looked through their 5-20x50. I hear the glass is quite good, but again, I'm betting that if you spent that kind of money and were only concerned with optical quality you could do slightly better for the money.
David
