Are you using one? What do you think of it?

I had two and liked them very much. I got an Outdoorsmans MOA cover for the BT so it was like a typical turret with MOA spacing. My scope had the 4W reticle which I liked. The turret was twisted alot and always did what it was supposed to do. Only reason I sold it was the limit of 13.25 MOA of travel on the turret. It was plenty for hunting but I like to shoot further at steel and other targets the rest of the year so it got sent down the road. My buddy just got a 4-12x50 with the BT and 4W reticle, For the price I thought it was a terrific scope for hunting.

Here's a Z3 with Outdoorsmans turret.



And a Z5 with the three discs.



Here's the Z3 on another gun, this time, I went back to the three discs and used a Sharpie to write in the settings. I sorta like this the best, as one can use acetone to erase the markings and start over. I did a 200 yd. zero and have the first dot (which one can feel in low light) set at 400. 300 is marked as are 50 yd increments.

These scopes seem to track well and I like them.

DirtFarmer,
Many thanks for your efforts. That's the input I am looking for.


So, with your method, can you crank it up to 500 or 600 yards or any point in between?

With zero stop and only one turn of the turret, there are limitations regarding max range. Using a 200 yd. zero and with a flat shooting round, like my 26 Nos (third photo), it'll max out at nearly 700 yds. I don't usually shoot much over 400, but it's nice to know what the gun will do at longer ranges. And, yes, I can dial in any range from 200 to 650-700 yds. I've found the computer generated models, like the Hornady Ballistics Calculator, to be pretty close. Of course, getting out to the range and confirming that data is always a good idea.

DF

Yardage specific Outdoormans turret, Z5 3.5-18x44 BT, for 6.5-284 load of 140 Hunting VLD's at around 3K fps using 48 gr. RL-17. This gun weighs around 10#'s all up and is a sweet shooter, heavy enough for me to see bullet strikes at 400 yds. thru the Z5 at 18X. My last 400 yd., three shot bench rest group was 1.7".

Can't see bullet strikes with the 26 Nos. It doesn't kick very hard, but enough to move the scope off target. That's the price one pays for a 300 fps bonus and the extra 75-100 yds of turret range. But, it only shoots 2 1/2", 400 yd. groups...

DF

These are only on Swarovski BT models correct?

I haven't seen anyone make an aftermarket turret for standard models.

I have had one on my .260 for about 4 years. Zeroed at 100 it will get me to 550 with 120 grain bullets. Have moved it back and forth several times and it has always returned to zero. Actually I don't think I have re zeroed the rifle since I got it.
Of course the optics are crystal clear and it's nice to use with a uncluttered reticule.
I will probably get another one for my .264

Lefty

Yes, only for the BT models.

I would think you have have to return the scope to Swaro for a BT upgrade. I know Leupold will add a CDS and Zeiss will retrofit an elevation turret. Never sent a Swaro back for BT retrofit, not sure about that. You'd have to give them a call.

Kenton Ind. makes turrets for a lot of different scopes. Check their web site.

http://kentonindustries.com/category/custom-turrets

DF

They work perfectly and are simple to set up, I love them. Have them on two of my rifles.

The low light performance is outstanding.

DF,

I sent my Z-5 with a BRH ballistic reticle back for a turret retrofit. I had them leave the ballistic reticle in the scope. I'm probably the only guy in the country with a Z-5 that has both.

I know the turrets are not tactical but how good are the internals?Hold zero and spot on with bc dial?

At one time, Swarovski would add the BT to the Z3, but only the 4-12 model and not the 3-10. Not sure why but that was their policy.

This is great input. Thanks to all. My decision is confirmed. Will go with the 3.5-18 Z5.

Also considering the 4W reticle, any input on that?

I guess that makes sense, as the 4-12x50 is the only Z3 that can be ordered with the BT. I'm not much on 50 mm scopes, but wanted the BT, otherwise would have gotten the 3-10. This scope seems pretty sleek and streamline for a 50 mm and isn't that heavy for a big scope. I like it. The duplex could be a bit heavier, but this one seems to work even in low light.

DF

I'm not a target or LR shooter, just a hunter. For that use, these turrets seem spot on and the settings predictable. And, they're simple for us simple guys...

DF

That's new and I haven't seen one. It does seem like a good idea, not too unlike what John Burns offers with his turret/windage Leupolds and sorta like the Huskemaw concept. Except those scopes have more than one turn of the elevation turret and are set up for very LR shooting.

Where I mostly hunt, LR shooting and doping wind isn't that big an issue. Out West, I can see the windage reticle combined with an elevation turret to be a great combo. Now, learning how to use all that technology will be the challenge...

DF

I'm like you. Not a big fan of 50mm hunting scopes but the Z3 seems pretty good for it's size.

Simply a consideration ONLY based upon what I've read. Have yet to put any concerted effort into long range shooting. My farthest whack job to date is 400 yds. I would simply like to shoot confidently out to 500 yards, a self imposed limitation. So, I don't really know what I need. But, I believe the Swarovski 3-18x44 BT is a good starting point.

They seem to have out leupoled leupold with the size and weight dimensions. They are great in lowlight , I shot a nice buck in Bama Feb 3 at 5:40 PM and he was lit up like a Xmas tree at 220 yards.

Yes, I love the superior optics they offer. I also believe they slayed the POI shift dragon with the new design of the Z series.

From CameraLand Doug's report from the Shot Show:

The other item we discussed was their Custom BT available for Z6, Z5 or Z3 riflescopes with a Ballistic Turret (BT)
The Custom BT was designed for the SWAROVSKI OPTIK Ballistic Turret riflescope series.
It is a customized ring that can replace the 3 color coded distance rings that come with every SWAROVSKI OPTIK BT riflescope. The custom BT is an elevation turret that shows multiple down range distances in yards, rather than just the 3 color coded distance rings that currently come with each BT riflescope. It is an intuitive, user friendly method of �dialing in�, or
setting the distance, with the elevation turret that any given shot requires.
The turret ring will be custom engraved by SWAROVSKI OPTIK to consumer ballistic
specifications, based upon a zero setting (i.e. 100, 200, 300 yards) chosen by the consumer.
Precise laser engraved settings will be in 50 yard increments. Maximum distances are
dependent upon the cartridge, zero setting and individual riflescope.
KEY FEATURES
The downrange yardage markings will be shown in more intuitive 50 and 100 yard
increments.
Customized for individual factory rifle cartridges or hand loads.
Atmospheric Conditions can be customized to the turret ring.
Simply choose a zero distance, zero your rifle, and the turret will do the rest.
This will allow for many more yardage settings that will not have to be memorized.
The shooter will be able to simply range to the target, Ex: 550 yards, set his customized ring
to the 550 yard position, and shoot.

Seems I read somewhere that Outdoorsmans makes the Swaro custom turret. As you can see from my photos, the custom turret covers the bottom ring, the top two rings aren't used. It's prettier than using a Sharpie to mark the aluminum discs, but doesn't work any better. And, it costs around $100, at least the Outdoorsmans.

DF

Nah, I had issues with mine until it got sent back and it came back GTG

Well, let's hope that was a remote occurrence.

I never had a problem after they fixed my AV 4-12x50 the first time

My wife and I and some companions used several Swarovski scopes, mostly Z5 3.5-18's, for some long-range and other practice over a couple of days last June, with no malfunctions that I can recall. Eileen was so impressed she got one for her favorite .243 Winchester.

MD,
There is a difference in construction between the Z3 and Z5 , I would look at a Z5 as well next time. Unless something drastic happens this will be my last Z3

I own Habichts - What are the construction flaws with the Z3? I am considering a Z6 with BT and 3-18… Just curious.

I will speak for my own experiences of owning just 2 of this particular model Z3 and AV. The 4-12x50, first 20 rounds of ammo they break and scatter shots in both instances. In once case the scope was mounted in Sako optilock mounts and in the other talley screw lock rings. They are sent back to Swarovski , parts are replaced and everything is good from that point forward. They have a single leaf holding the erector tube in that model, the Z5 has 2 coil springs holding the erector tube in place and never owned a Z6 just the older 30mm models so do not know what type of spring is in those scopes.