Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Thoughts on Swarovski Z3 3-9X36 or 3-10X42

If you speak to swaro directly, they will tell you the Z3 line was never intended to be on heavy recoiling rifles. I ran one on a light weight 300 wsm with no issue though. The Z5 has much better internals for heavy recoil. The glass on the Z3s and 5s are unreal. I still have not found glass more pleasing to my eyes. 3-10x42 gets my vote every time and the 4A reticle is the best for hunting. No way you would be unhappy with that setup.

Can't go wrong with either. Personally I like to bump up to the z5's.

I have a Swaro Z3 @ Swarovski right now having the parallax adjusted down to 50yds. Gonna put it in a 22LR. Would have liked to go lower, but that's as far as they go. I know, Swaro on a 22LR - overkill, but what they heck, loonies gotta be loonie!

Back on topic, I have several Z3s. Awesome glass. The Z3 was my introduction to the Swaro world. Since then the number of Swaro's I own out numbers any other brand 2-1. As another poster states, the ZZ (and up) are better suited to heavy recoiling guns, or those with a sharp or snappy recoil. The higher end (Z5 - up) have a much more robust erector. Some will never have a problem with the Z3 and recoils. Others will piss and moan because the Z3 they have on their XXX 'loud-n - boomer' failed on them XX times, even though they may have been forewarned.

I have the Z3 3-10x42 on my 7mm-08 and the Z3 3-9x36 on my 223 Rem. Great glass, very glad I was "talked" into them. Lightweight, clear, sharp, bright, trackable... absolutely no complaints with either one.

I have the Z3 3-10x42 on my Sako 85 Finnlight 7mm-08 and 30-06 both with the BRH, just mounted a Z3 3-9x36 on my Tikka 338 Federal it gives that rifle a nice balance. Lightweight and bright they are great scopes.

I mounted the Z3 3-9 X 36 in Talley Lows last night. Ended up being a good fit for me. A little lower might be better. I'd still like to try the modified Talleys if Whittaker's runs some more one day.

Had a great trip to the range today. Took 2 shots at 50 yds, made an adjustment, and shot 3 factory Hornady 150gn Interlocks into a tiny little group @ 100 yds. Not quite .5 moa, but close. Never even knew I could shoot like that!

Nice looking rig, you mount your scope way further back than me.....Enjoy!....Hb