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Has anyone tried both the SWFA 10x scopes, the Classic vs. the HD versions?

Is the HD a lot better? Is it worth the money over the Classic? What other differences are there beside glass?

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I’ve used both. Glass is noticeably better on HD. Clicks are a little better on HD. HD turrets are splined instead of set screws. Parallax focuses closer on non-hd. Both track like they are supposed to. I got a good price on a used HD so it was worth it to me. SWFA’s Black Friday sale price makes it worthwhile too.

John


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I don't own a 10x. I have just purchased a 3-9x with HD glass. I am impressed. I hope to use it on a heavy barrel 223 before the end of the month. My initial impressions from comparing the scopes I have on hand: gazing off the porch at various objects at varying times of the morning, noon, and late afternoon...noticeable difference in optical quality between it and all of my variations of Leupolds.

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The Classic on sale is $200
The HD on sale is $600

I'm trying to figure out whether there is enough difference to make it worth 3x more.

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Originally Posted by DakotaDeer
The Classic on sale is $200
The HD on sale is $600

I'm trying to figure out whether there is enough difference to make it worth 3x more.


Why not get a way more versatile scope in the HD 3-9x42 for $449?
I would not pay $600 for a fixed 10x of any make/model

On a side note for $199....the 10x classic is awesome

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My 3-9X42 came in a few days ago. I also have a fixed 6X in the Classic. I haven't had time to mount it on a rifle, but I'm thinking that for $450 it is a bargain.


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Not trying to hijack as these 2 are in my cart right now. Only getting one today as xmas is here but the HD seems a no brainer. I'm not missing something elsewhere in market for comparable glass price?


"I would build one again, if it were not for my 350RM (grin)."

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If the HD is $600 I would lean towards the non-HD for $200. Otherwise I would spend a bit more for a Bushy LRTS 3-12.

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3x9 HD on sale for 450. Sorry Dakota. I thought you were looking at the 3x9. After rereading realised that was in comments.

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Last edited by woofer; 12/06/19.

"I would build one again, if it were not for my 350RM (grin)."

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How about a comparison to the fixed 6 in any terms. Shouldn't have to mount it to be able to compare.

Hurry before the sale ends!

Thank you.

Last edited by AnsonRogers; 12/06/19.
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We've discussed this many times. The 3-9 is optically better (VX3+) but the 6x is pretty darned good (VX2+, IMO), slimmer, has lower-profile turrets that are firmer and splined. The 3-9x is more svelte. The fixed 6x has adjustable parallax and a larger range of erector travel.

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[quote=Jordan Smith]We've discussed this many times. The 3-9 is optically better (VX3+) but the 6x is pretty darned good (VX2+, IMO), slimmer, has lower-profile turrets that are firmer and splined. The 3-9x is more svelte. The fixed 6x has adjustable parallax and a larger range of erector travel.[/quote

It never hurts to hear from someone new. I asked about the comparison to the 6x because he has one.

Mr. Smith, how about compared to the 10MQ especially in low light. I have a 6 and a 10 and have had some difficulty finding coyotes in early am and pm with the 10. Trying to determine if the 3-9 is enough better to justify the cost or just stick with the fixed 6. There are times when a little more scope power would be nice.

Thanks

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Originally Posted by AnsonRogers
[quote=Jordan Smith]We've discussed this many times. The 3-9 is optically better (VX3+) but the 6x is pretty darned good (VX2+, IMO), slimmer, has lower-profile turrets that are firmer and splined. The 3-9x is more svelte. The fixed 6x has adjustable parallax and a larger range of erector travel.[/quote

It never hurts to hear from someone new. I asked about the comparison to the 6x because he has one.

Mr. Smith, how about compared to the 10MQ especially in low light. I have a 6 and a 10 and have had some difficulty finding coyotes in early am and pm with the 10. Trying to determine if the 3-9 is enough better to justify the cost or just stick with the fixed 6. There are times when a little more scope power would be nice.

Thanks


Not Mr. Smith, and he has a lot more rounds and time thru SS than I do, but I have a 6MQ, 10MQ and 3-9MQ.
Only the variable is HD. I have not hunted the 6x or 10x, but have been afield with the variable and it was clear enough that I would have bee able to shoots 45min prior to sunrise in the piney forest I was 2 weeks ago. I was able to see the full reticle at 6x by shooting time in a cloudy day, coming off a near moonless night.

It is easier to get behind the 6 and 3-9 than the 10 (no surprise there, but not a major event to get behind the 10x either). Even on sunny days the 3-9x is clearer. Enough to warrant $250 more? It was to me, so I got another one, that will go on a 7mmRM. The low power for darker/closer shots in timber made the decision easy for me.
At the range the 3-9x Zeiss Conquest is marginally clearer (and has a bolder reticle), but would not allow me to make a shot that the 3-9 couldn't.


Last edited by Sponxx; 12/06/19.
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Quote
It never hurts to hear from someone new. I asked about the comparison to the 6x because he has one.


Honestly, it is too early to say for sure. It came in a few days ago and I've spent less than 5 minutes with it in my hands looking through it indoors. It was after dark and I've not even had a chance yet to look through it in daylight. But 1st impressions are very favorable.

. I bought the 6X during the Labor Day sale for $239 and have been very pleased with it. It is good for a range scope, I've shot out to 600 yards with it at a range. And in certain parts of the country would be a good choice for hunting. But 6X is pushing things for shots at 600+, and is really too much for most of the places where I hunt here in GA.

I debated getting a 10X for $200, but when the 3-9X42 shows up at $450 I knew that is what I wanted. A fixed 10X would be even less versatile to me than 6X. My local range only goes to 300 yards and I don't get to shoot farther very often. It should be a better scope, and 9X gives me the magnification I want for shots past 300 yards while 3X would work if I decide to use it for hunting.


Most people don't really want the truth.

They just want constant reassurance that what they believe is the truth.
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Originally Posted by AnsonRogers
[quote=Jordan Smith]We've discussed this many times. The 3-9 is optically better (VX3+) but the 6x is pretty darned good (VX2+, IMO), slimmer, has lower-profile turrets that are firmer and splined. The 3-9x is more svelte. The fixed 6x has adjustable parallax and a larger range of erector travel.[/quote

It never hurts to hear from someone new. I asked about the comparison to the 6x because he has one.

Mr. Smith, how about compared to the 10MQ especially in low light. I have a 6 and a 10 and have had some difficulty finding coyotes in early am and pm with the 10. Trying to determine if the 3-9 is enough better to justify the cost or just stick with the fixed 6. There are times when a little more scope power would be nice.

Thanks

Sorry, I didn't mean to come across as irritated. I was just trying to suggest that you can find a bunch of info on the comparison if you search the forum.

The reticle in the 3-9x has the same subtensions and design as that in the 6x MQ, which is a bolder design than the reticle in the 10x. The glass quality combined with the bolder reticle make the 3-9x a better tool than the 10x MQ for low-light work. Whether the 3-9x is enough better than the 6x in low light to justify the cost is a personal decision, but IMO it is enough better all around that I prefer it over the 6x if adjustable parallax and maximum erector range aren't top priorities for a given rig.

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Thanks Sponxx. Good info.


Thanks JMR40. Did you consider a regular 3-9 since you will mostly hunt with it? I don't need the dialing ability really , just dependable adjustments and zero holding ability. That rules out Leupold from personal experience. Right now, I'm trying a Burris Fullfield E1 3-9 on the coyote gun. So far so good.

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No offense taken. I haven't had much luck with the search function here so have stopped trying to use it.

What non dialing scope, fixed or variable would be comparable to the SWFA 3-9HD? Has to have dependable adjustments and hold zero. A bolder reticle, like a standard duplex would be a plus for me, I think. My 6MQ SWFA is pretty thin in some conditions.

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NF SHV 3-10x Forceplex.

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Quote
Thanks JMR40. Did you consider a regular 3-9 since you will mostly hunt with it? I don't need the dialing ability really , just dependable adjustments and zero holding ability. That rules out Leupold from personal experience. Right now, I'm trying a Burris Fullfield E1 3-9 on the coyote gun. So far so good.


I already have several hunting rifles with good quality 3-9X40's on them. I have one of the origianl Zeiss Conquest 3-9X40's. I also picked up a couple of the Cabelas' Euro Instinct scopes when Cabelas was closing them out at $250. Same scope, different badges. Those are on my go-to hunting rifles and I like them a lot.

But I also have 2-3 other rifles that I only play with at the range including a Tikka CTR. I have the fixed 6X on it right now and wanted some more magnification for the times I get a chance to shoot past 300 yards. The fixed 10X @ $200 would have done that. But down the road I could see me hunting with the CTR and having the versatility of 3X on the low end is appealing. Who knows, after using it I may like it enough to buy another to use on one of my hunting rifles. But that is not the plan for now.


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10x Classic vs the 10x HD = picture everything you like about the 3-9HD (including the bolder reticle) add parrallax adjustment and you have the 10x HD.

I've had a few 10 and 6 classics and they are great on a rimfire due to the closer parrallax adjustment but they can't touch the HD versions in my opinion.

That said, I have 3-9's and sent the 10x HD back cause I had it on a calling rifle and it was a bit much up close.

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