Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Failures & known issues -- SWFA SS scopes

I've owned a couple dozen Leupolds in my life.... and I can remember sending 8 or 9 of them back for something or other (some, multiple times for the same thing).

Bought my first SWFA 10x in 2005, and have had another dozen or so (of all flavors). I saw the side-focus knob come completely off a 3-15 once... that's it, and it was replaced in days.

If you're running a piece of mechanical equipment, and you don't think you're going to eventually see it break due to: wear, defect, or pure human error.... then you're just plain stupid.

I've switched to iron sights on everything. All sights are screwed and soldered to the rifle

You think that's going to be reliable? Sheeit, your sights need to be integral, machined from the barrel blank itself.

Would have to be a cut rifled bbl....

Have to be made of unobtanium too, otherwise it may change zero if bumped and thus increase bench shooting group size by .012" thus rendering it ineffective for elk in the woods. Seriously though, for shooting out to the ranges typically encountered, they are the most dependable solution.

Related note: While I admit there are advantages to scopes, I really want a nice wood stocked, iron sighted, hunting rifle. I saw a Sako Arctos and someday will own one!

They are made from Titanium. I tested them on a hydraulic press, the barrels bent well before any damage to the sights.

Cryogenically relieved...

I know a guy whose ex was so cold that when he did get nookie to completion he could be called cryogenically relieved.

Did a light come on when she spread her legs?

Remember the Ron Mexico a/k/a/ Michael Vick hotel register incident? After that hit the news someone made up a Ron Mexico name generator and put it on the internet. Type in your name and it spit out your undercover Ron Mexico name. Well, her name got typed in and the generator output was Maria Antarctica. Too perfect!

I had a 3-9 where the turret caps (part that has the lines that shows how many turns you've made) came loose on the elevation and windage turrets. I bought the unit second hand. Sent it in and got my new one back yesterday. Great customer service. Also, on the new box there's a logo that says "4 Life Warranty".

I look forward to trying the 6x. Anyone used the MIL-Quad reticle in the woods? Easy enough to find center against dark backgrounds?

It can be a little tough to pick up in thick stuff in dimmer light. If the light is good it's not an issue. I've killed several deer, coyotes, and fox with it in woods with no problem as long as there is good light.

Last year I shot a running buck in pretty dark conditions. Not even a slight issue. But I wasn't trying to find hashmarks, just the center.

Outright failures on mine: 0
Usage of them: Long-range precision rifle competitions, with some plinking and playing around.

Things I'd like to see improved:
My 10x had noticeable fish-eye, and I never could get sharp focus across the field of view.
My 10x's turrets were mushy enough that I had to switch focus and stare at them to count marks when dialing, because if I tried to just count clicks, I'd often miss one or two right at the start of adjustment.
My 3-15's turrets are mushier than they should be at the price, but acceptable once they've been adjusted the first time each day (or stage, if there's been a long delay).
My 3-15's adjustments are all too stiff, even after quite a lot of use.
All the turrets are too tall and spin-able for anything but competition work (yes, I've had turrets on them turned by accident or without me knowing it until I looked at them).

So, no major gripes with the 3-15 and no outright failures. For a competition scope on a Nat'l Rifle League style gun, I find the 3-15 is the best choice at the price point. For hunting, I find the Weaver Tactical (illum. EMDR) the best choice in FFP scopes at the price point.

A good friend bought a 3-15 last year that wouldn't track or zero right out of the box. Only failure I've heard of.

Shot a buck 15 min or so after sundown last year in fairly dark woods. No problem seeing the reticle but the hash marks weren't distinguishable, not that they were needed.

Thanks for your rant. Hope you feel better.

Jason

Now that's interesting! It would be truly extraordinary if that was the only one of all the gears coming off the part manufacturing line that had the wrong pitch. Wonder where all the others went...

Rant? Just reiterating the posted facts and my own current choice for scopes. Anyway, thanks for the thought. Appreciate it.

(Post something I agree with and I'll give you a positive response, since you seem to disperately need reinforcement.)