Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Thoughts on a Target Scope

Another vote for the SS 10x. Brightness, ER, image, are all better with the 10x than the higher mag versions, and 10x is plenty of magnification for 500+ yards. The Leupold is not designed for reliable and accurate turret adjustments.

Mil-quad. MRAD is simpler and more intuitive to use than MOA.

I'm using the mil-quad.

Ok...I get what all is being said. I was actually looking into a swfa fixed for a different gun. But maybe I'll go fixed for this gun as well.

Jordan...what you mean by ER?

Eye relief. I'm talking about the ease of use in getting behind the scope and getting a full field of view.

That's a GREAT scope for seeing targets. I love the 6's but the 10 should be great for paper punching.

I have a Sightron SIII 8-32x56 on my 6.5 Creedmoor benchrest rifle. It is a great scope for the money and works well. That said, I think I would have been completely satisfied with an SWFA 10x on this rifle. I have one on my 300 win Mag and, based on what I see (literally), it would have worked equally well. I also have an SWFA 6x on a smaller caliber hunting rifle and it is a great match what I need. I really like these scopes and think their MOA reticle is easy to use and works well for both hunting and at the range. If you like dialing, I don't think you will find a better scope for the money.

I had 2 of the older vari xII scopes with target turrets. The glass was good but they were no reliable to dial. I had one on a 243, and another on a 30 06. After about 250 rounds they would not reliably return to zero. Both scopes went back to leupold 3 times. The erector springs inside were not stout enough for continuous use. The new ones would work OK for a while, and then get weak. I sold them both and went to swfa scopes. We have 2 3x15, and 2. 3 x 9s. They are all rock solid dependable. I will never look back. As mentioned above,whatever your decision, get a 30mm tube.

Well, alright... Great info all. Definitely going to order one. Is their website the only place you can order them?

I've had the SWFA SS 16x. The mechanics were excellent just like all from SWFA, but the eye box was VERY critical and glare with the sun low over the horizon was really bad.

I currently have the 10x and 10x HD and they are worlds ahead of the 16x in optical quality. Of course the mechanics are superb as well. For what you're describing, I highly recommend the SWFA SS 10x.

John

CJC73: I do not have or have any experience with the Sightron 4x20 variable scopes - I do have two Sightron 6x24 variables and have been quite happy with them for Colony Varmint Hunting in spring and summer.
I have a bunch of Leupold 6x18 variables and have been using them hard and year round (including winters here in Montana) for MANY years now - never a problem or an issue even, with these.
I would go with the Leupold 6x18 and if you look around carefully for a used Leupold 6.5x20 variable that would suit you even better, I am sure.
Best of luck to you with whichever you choose.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

You can get them off Amazon as well.

I doubt you'll be disappointed for the money spent.

Details on hard use?

Leupolds can hold zero fine once set, but to recommend one to a guy that wants to dial is just cruel.


The couple Sightrons I've been around tracked well and had good glass and pretty useable reticles honestly.

The SWFA with it's awesome Mil Quad reticle, spot on tracking, crazy amount of elevation travel, zero stopable turrets and ability to take abuse buries a lot of the competition at a rather remarkable price point.

CJ, you'd have to spend a lot more money to get a scope that is better, for what you describe, than a 10x SWFA.