Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Dial scopes

I've compared the SS 3-9x42 to many scopes on a tripod, side by side, comparing resolution,contrast,colors, field of view, "(tunneling/lack of tunneling) etc.......for hours on end, from ranges 20 yards to 1100 yards.

I've yet to find anything other than the Steiner P4xi 4-16x56 that is as "good" in all regards, Steiner is better. The Steiner is pretty incredible, next level.

However, comparing the SWFA 3-9x42 HD against........ several Bushnell LRTS 3-12x44, Vortex Razor HD LH 1.5x32 and 2-10x40, Sightron big sky 3-12x42, Zeiss V4 3-12x44, Leupold VX 3 4.5-14x, Burris FourX 3-12x56, Trijicon Accupower 3-9x40, Meopta Meopro 4.5-14x44, SWFA SS 6x and 10x, Tract Toric 2-10x, Weaver Grand Slam (New Re-Designed model) 4-16x44..............etc......I'm sure I'[m missing a few.

Nothing comes close the the quality of glass in the SWFA 3-9x42 HD for my eyes (and anyone else who's compared side by side with me), EXCEPT the Vortex Razor HD LH scopes and the Weaver Grand Slam (New Design).........FYI, I think the Grand Slam and the Vortex have the same glass prescription......(both made at LOW).

Take that for what it's worth.

None of the scopes I listed above, regardless of glass quality(or lackthereof in comparison to the SWFA) are as robust and proven as the SWFA 3-9x anyway. That is most important. However, the quality of glass in the 3-9 is way above the price of $599 and particularly the Mid $400 black friday specials.

I find the glass incredible from 4-9x..........3x is rubbish, horrible tunneling. So, as many have said before, It's basically a 4x-9x.
The SWFA 3-9x on 3x is about like the Tract Toric on 2-10x on all powers........what a tunneling, small field of view POS, that Tract is.

You start comparing scopes like your at the "eye doctor", on a steady tripod with both scopes mounted solid so you can switch instantly back and forth from one to another, and you quickly learn a lot.

The FFP MQ reticle would send me to the SS 3-9x42 every time, for my uses.

Well, the LRTS and SWFA fixed powers are, but in general I agree with you.

Yes it was a Black Friday order.

Oops...you are correct Jordan. I misspoke there for sure. The LRTS is very proven as are the fixed SWFA "classics"

Tract Toric as good as anything out there and well under a grand

Tract Toric if weight is a concern or a Steiner P4xi from Doug. Just got my p4 and it's an awesome scope for 800$

I ordered one of the Bushnell LRTS from Doug as several here thought it was a screaming bargain. I know its heavy, but it's an introduction to dial scopes and can be put on my open country rifle. I will try to wait for the SWFA sale and hopefully pick up a 3x9 for the sheep and high country rig. Thanks to all who replied. I know buying two scopes takes me to $1100.00 but it seemed to be a better path than a $1600.00 Nightforce for my needs.

Okay, the scope came in and I have it mounted, and have taken a look or two through it but no shooting, yet. I'll probably fix that next weekend.

My impressions are that the glass is certainly good enough, it doesn't seem to be quite as good as my VX-5hd but on par with my Nightforces.

The reticle is mighty small on 3 power and may be hard to use in the woods, I can't say for certain but it isn't as hard to use with clutter as I thought it may be. If I used it on a hunting rifle, that would be important because the vast majority of the hunting I do is Easter Woods hunting at short distances.

The turrets feel great and so far, with the limited tests I've done, it's tracking correctly. I simply will have to shoot the gun to find out any more, but the only reservation I might have would be the reticle on low power in a "woods" situation. It could use a zero stop and I know where to go for that.

The scope went on an AR set up in an SPR configuration with the idea of shooting groundhogs, and for that it will be excellent, but I suspect it could be used on a rifle that sees "woods" use. .223 is not legal in Virginia, so I may just try it on my .458 SOCOM this deer season.

All in all, I'm liking it.

Is it necessary to mount a scope with dials on a rail or will normal mounts such as Weaver or Leupold work? Intention is to dial for shots to 500 yds.

Dials don’t change your mounting options

Quality two piece bases and rings are fine, no need to have a rail if your situation doesn't require it. I prefer not to have a rail on most of my hunting rifles because they restrict access to the loading port.