Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Thoughts on Swarovski Z3 3-10x42

Looking at swapping out my Leupold FX3 6x42 on my M70 FWT 270 win for one of them. Just wondering if they are reliable and worth the upgrade?

Very nice light compact scope. I would not use on a thumper 300 win mag or above but for a 270-06-7mm rem should be about perfect. Worth the upgrade? Only your eyes can tell.

I have them on several rifles and have been very happy with them. Please note I am a set and forget guy, the one on my 7 3/4 lbs. M70 300 H&H has been there for many years and has needed very little adjustment from season to season.
To my eyes the optics are quite a step up from the VX3 's I have and the swaro also sports my favorite reticle, 4a.

With my old eyes and my Swarovski Z3 3x9, I can see 22 and 6mm bullets holes in the targets out to 150 yards. I cannot do that consistently with other 4x12 scopes including Leupold .

I have 3 3x9 1 2x10 and 1 4x12 . I will have more

I have 8 of the 3-10x42’s, about half are AV’s & the others are Z3’s. I have been elated with them once I quit using Leupold’s. Lightweight, very high level in optic clarity & acuity. I have had zero-shift with a couple of the AV’s, which is a known issue. Swarovski repaired them & I returned them to service without reserve.

The Z3’s were improved to address that. I use them without reserve & buy them used every chance I get. Probably will continue to use them exclusively. I have about 12 total.

I only have 7 or so but have been very pleased with the performance and reliability

No problem with Z3's on my WSM or any other gun and it is definitely much brighter than my FX-3 that I put on my 358 WIN.!

I've got the Z3 3-10X42 mounted on my Barrett Fieldcraft in 6.5 X 55. I think it's probably my best scope. I own several Leupolds, a Zeiss, and a Sig BDX as well.

I have one on a Ruger 77 300 Win mag. This rifle gets used hard by myself , and clients. Lots of saddle scabbard miles, some hard falls, and a drop or 2. It has held zero in temps from well below 0, to the summer heat. Haven't re zeroed it in 4 yrs. I like it !

We sell a ton of Z3's and for the money for a hunting scope, they are tough to beat

Ordered one so hope it works out!

You’ll love it. If not, others here will.

I use a Z3 3-10x42 plex reticle on my 7mm-08. Great glass, very pleased with it.

I was talked into a Swaro Z3 3x10x42 when I ordered my Cooper Excaliber in 257 Roberts several years ago. I was hesitant to spend that much on a scope. When I received it and got it set up I tested it at dusk one evening looking at my goats about 80 yards away through cleared hardwoods. Versus a Sightron S2, Burris FF2 and Leupold VX3 the Swaro was far and away the winner. I love this scope and in the following years bought another to put on my 2nd favorite deer rifle!! You wont be disappointed!

I do not have a Z3, but I do have a Z5 on my Win 70 .270. I recommend getting the personalized ballistic cam (PBC) if you can for a Z3. Great glass, couldn't be happier with Swarovski.

Ordered with the 4A reticle. Thought I would try something different from the regular duplex I’ve been using

I had one thar came on a C-grade Remington 700. It was a very nice scope.

Like has been said only your eyes can tell optically. I really wanted one until I compared it side by side with a Leupold VX 3. The Leupold won out.

Well mounted it up last night and sighted in today. I have to say I was left a little underwhelmed by it. My expectations were higher. I’ll run this fall and maybe switch it out for next year and try a NF SHV 3-10x42.

I do like the 4A reticle however

what about it disappointed you?