Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Swarovski Z3 4-12X50 BT

Who out there has this scope with the Ballistic Turret? I am seriously considering purchasing a demo model at a screaming good price. I want a hunting scope first that can be dialed to longer ranges (5-600 max) when needed in a pinch. My main focus would be clear top notch optics which I feel this scope would offer as well as something light - I think this scope is advertised at 14.5oz. This would also have a basic plex reticle which I prefer for a hunting scope. This scope would be going on a lighter-weight mountain gun that as I mentioned earlier should mainly be a set it and forget it for shots to 300ish - BUT still have the ability to go long if needed in a pinch without "aiming for air"

Thoughts?

Exact same intent I had when I bought the SWAROVSKI Z5 3.5-18x44mm Matte BT 4W Reticle. It works great. Love it.

I like mine.

You can write yardages on the aluminum discs with Sharpy, erase with acetone.

Cheaper than a dedicated turret from Kenton, etc. Not enough colored dots on Swaro factory discs.

BTW, the rifle is a 26 Nosler with 26" Shilen SS tube. Gun was a 700 BDL 7RM, smoke damaged in a fire. Now has Timney 510 trigger, pillared, glassed, free floated. Scope is a nice match for that round and this rifle.

This is not a mtn. rifle. Not sure I'd put it on a LW mtn. rifle. It's a 50mm, but pretty sleek and not that heavy. But, on a mtn. rifle, I'd probably go with a VX-3i 3-9x40 CDS.

DF

Probably best available scope in that price range for purpose described. Lightest, most compact 50mm.

I generally don't like big 50mm scopes, but this is the only Z3 with BT.

It's not that heavy, is pretty sleek and streamline.

I like it. But not sure about using on a mtn. rifle.

DF

Not a dedicated mountain rifle, just a 6.5# tikka that I hike around with in 6-9000' mountains here in idaho

I just sold mine , never an issue with it . Had I kept it going to put the sportsmans turrett on it .

Here's the Sportsmans turret on a Z5.

DF

jump on it, the bt system is so simple and easy, I use it on 2 rifles, one z6i and one z5, can't go wring with it

I did - like new demo for $800 to my door.

Great price. I think you'll like it.

DF

I've got one and am sending it in for repairs (turrets don't track). With unreliable turrets, the ballistic turret is worthless. I've got swarms (Z3, Z5 andZ6) that track flawlessly. Maybe I got a lemon.....

Swaro CS is great, bad to have to use it.

My Swaros track great. I've sent the Z5 BT back twice, once for a broken plastic retainer piece on the elevation turret and when I first got it, to retrofit a #4 for the ultra fine duplex.

The Z5 duplex at that time was just about too fine for hunting, I think they've corrected that since then.

The Z3 has a better duplex, at least you can see it in dim light. But, to me it's not as good as the VX-6 or Conquest. Duplex reticles on those two are about ideal for my use.

Swaro glass is great, can't say better than the VX-6, maybe not as good. Probably a hair better than the Conquest. I don't have a Z6.

DF

My swaro came in yesterday. I haven't had a chance to mount it yet, as the gun its going on is getting bedded at the gunsmiths right now. I did take it out at evening on my back porch and compare the optics with two other scopes I had handy - A 2-7x33 Leupold VXR and a 3-9x40 Zeiss conquest. To be fair I put all three scopes on 7x power. The swarovski does have a better/clearer view than the zeiss, but not by a whole bunch. At full retail of $1199 vs $399 - I don't think there is that much justfiable $$$ difference. (Luckily I dont ever pay full retail for optics..lol) To my eye, the leupold was lagging behind the most, but to be fair it has a 33mm objective.

So far very pleased with the optics of the z3 and the clicks feel really crisp and sharp. I hope to have the rifle back in hand next week to mount up the scope and test her out at the range.

I've heard that VX-R glass is about VX-2 quality.

Conquest will better a VX-2, runs with, maybe ahead of the VX-3.

And a Z3 will beat them both.

DF