Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Swarovski Z5 review

Considering purchasing a z5 3.5x18x44 for a new ultra light arms I have ordered.

Any thoughts or experiences?

Large scope for an ultra lite rifle.

More info on rifle and what you are planning for it.

DF

Model 24 30/06 .. general hunting everything from deer to elk...

Are you hunting out west where you can anticipate some long shots?

Good scope , I have two with the 4w reticle and ballistic turrets. I believe the 18x is about 17oz, I wouldn't worry about the weight. I had a nightforce shv on a Nula that balanced perfect.

I wish they would make a z5 3.5-12x42 or a 3.5-14x42 I think these would be a prefect hunting scope.

Anyone compared NF SHV glass with Z5 glass.

DF

There is a Bushnell 4 1/2-30X50 (22oz) on my 5lb 11oz Weatherby Mark V six lug ultralight. Balances just fine. Like nick54 says, balance won't be a problem.

My 24B 30-06 wears a Z3 3-10x42 BRH and it is a sweet handling gun, would not want a heavier scope on it.

I’ve got a couple of these. Great glass, particularly for low light. I wouldn’t trust the ballistic turret for doing lots of twisting, but I’m very high on it for a set and forget. To put in perspective the quality of glass, I traded off a Z6 because I felt like it didn’t offer enough of and upgrade to justify the bulk/weight.

I will second the ballistic turret is definitely not good for twisting a lot. My z5 went back twice and both times it needed a new erector. It was fine for set and forget, though.

I have a 3.5X18 on a .300 mag. Rifle is about 8 lbs all up. Judging by empty bullet boxes I have about 400 rounds through it. With 180 BT it gets me to 650 yards. The last triangle on the turret to 600 and the reaming clicks to 650.

I have a big round rock 650 yards off my deck that I periodically shoot and it has stayed zeroed and returns back to my 250 yard zero. So good so far.

The optics are incredible.


Lefty C

Dirt farmer

I have both scopes and they are both VG, but the Z5 is in a class by itself. It just pops WOW every time you look through it. Some of it may be because the Z5 has a duplex reticle vs. the somewhat cluttered MOAR reticle of the NF.

Thanks, Lefty. That's about what I've heard.

I have a couple of VX-6 2-12x42 with CDS. Like JG, I don't do a lot of turret twisting, but do like VX-6 glass. I find it about as good as the Z5 and like the VX-6 duplex better than the Z5 #4, for sure better than the Z5 duplex.

Those who use them both, the VX-6 and Z5, how to the turrets compare? I hear negative stuff about Leupold, haven't personally seen that. I guess the Z5 is better, just haven't experienced what I hear about turret failure.

NF has better turret reviews, not sure the SHV glass is in the same class with VX-6 and Z5. Do I go with a heavier scope with lesser glass and better turrets? Haven't so far, just thinking.

DF

A lot of twisting?? NF is in a class of it's own.


Lefty

I think I made a good choice in this scope selection based on the reviews above...

Agree.

What reticle did you get?

I like mine a lot, great glass quality..

DF

My experience has been the opposite. Mine twists perfectly.

Mule Deer has also posted here how much Eileen likes hers as well.

A wonderful scope. I currently have 3 which sit on a 7mm Rem Mag, .264 Win Mag, and a 7mm STW

No dog in this fight, but do know of a couple of local guys who have shed theirs due to tracking and zero retention issues. Great glass....just wont dial or survive a tumble.

Mine went back to repair the plastic retainers that hold the elevation turret. They broke when I was replacing the turret, probably my fault, but not the most sturdy set up.

If you building them light, those things happen. I think with the trade off of tough vs. light weight, I prefer light weight.

Build them like a tank, they get heavy. I don't need a heavy tank of a scope.

DF