Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics SWFA 3-9 HD or 3-15

I am thinking about getting one of these for a 243. I have never seen either. Is the extra magnification worth the lower quality glass? Is the AO worth it on the 3-15? What's the opinions on these for a hunting rifle.

I like the 3-15s, and having the AO is handy at the range, and in the field at higher magnifications.

I have the 3-9s on my hunting rifles and much prefer those to the 3-15 for that application.

My eyes don't see a big difference in the glass between the two.

I have a 3-9 in a .243. For hunting it is plenty. I have not seen a 3-15x, but unless you are hunting small animals at extreme ranges, the AO is probably not needed.
the glass is the 3-9 is close or on par with a 3-9 Zeiss I have.

If you are scoping a light weight rifle, it'll probably feel top-heavy to some with either scope.

The weight difference is about 5 oz between the two scopes, and the 3-9 is not much smaller in bulk than the 3-15.

As far as glass in HD or not on these, between mine, I've reached the age where the difference is somewhat mute.

You'll have to decide if you're shooting far enough to need the extra magnification, but for hunting, you're probably not.

I like the SWFA scopes, in fixed and variable, and wouldn't hesitate to use either one.

The 3-15 is my favorite prairie dog scope.

I have both and like them a lot, I actually chose the 3-9 over a Nightforce SHV. I think it depends on what you’re doing with the 243.

My plans are a deer rifle, little woods work, might shoot a groundhog at 3-400 yards. Nothing to wild, simple, versatile, and works.

I would go with the 3-9x for that situation, and enjoy the HD glass for what its worth with a bit lighter weight.

Kind of what I have been thinking, but since I haven't seen either I thought I would ask folk with hands on experience. I'm in no rush rush right now and might wait for the black Friday / cyber Monday sale because I'm cheap.

The 3-9 would be my pick for those purposes.

Never had a 3-15 but love the 3-9 I have . No hang ups with it , it just works.

I have both. Can't tell much difference in the glass. The 3-15 is a bit hard to get behind above 12 power and the turrets on the 3-9 are lower profile along with not having the parallax knob of the 3-15. Love them both and my choice between the two would come down to how obtrusive of turrets I would allow on a particular rifle.

I think it depends on your use of the scopes. if you are mostly shooting at the range, I think the 3-15 is the best. I love the 3-15 power range, but out of all the SWFA line the 3-15's reticle choices are my least liked. The SFP reticle is too fine in that model. I bought one and sent it back because of it. The FFP model is ok if you run the scope on higher powers, ie above 9-10x most of the time. so if it range use, get the FFP 3-15 model. The 3-9 isn't bad, the FFP reticle is still useable on low power although I haven't shot one in field conditions on low power. but it looked pretty good on the dreary day I stopped in to SWFA and looked at all of them. I sure wished they made a second focal plane 3-9, probably would buy 3 if they did. I still want to buy one even though FFP is far from my choice on that power range scope.

I have both and use the 3x15 the most, but for your purposes, the 3x9 would probably be the best. The turrets on the 3x9 are definitely better. They are smaller and stiffer, which prevent accidental turning which can occur with the 3x 15. Once you get used to the mil quad reticle you will love it. It's an excellent all around reticle.

I really like the 3-9, I have a few of them. The 3-15 are nice too but I prefer the 3-9, the glass seems nicer and I like the turrets better.

Get the 3-9. Trust me.

It's not often on a message board there seems to be such a consensus. I will take that as a sign. Looks like a SS 3-9HD is in my future.

Does the zero stop shims kits work on the 3-9? He might look into some of those if he goes this route.

Yes

Make sure you hear from Tim before sending payment. There’s a few of us on Sniper’s Hide who are stumped as to what’s going on with him at the moment. He’s been on the site recently but a few of us have paid over 3 weeks ago and tried to contacting him multiple times to no avail.

Edit - He just emailed me, all is well.