Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics SWAROVSKI AV

For me I've not any problems with my swaros, 2 av's and 2 Z3's. No doubt every scope maker has had problem scopes....but for now I'll keep hunting with both swaro and leupolds and be content.

I have three Swaro AV/Z3 scopes. Two 3-9x36mm and one 3-10x42mm (all with the #4 reticle). Thus far, all three have held up fine with no mechanical issues.

As far as optics go, they are to my eyes better than Leupold and even Conquest. Especially in low-light.

However, even though they tout having 3.5" ER, I personally have found the ER and "eye box" to be a little more critical than the VX3's I own.

Just my observation. YMMV

Especially at low power settings, yes.

Just to correct the earlier comment about $300 scopes vs. $1000 scopes at least in my case it was more like an $800 scope vs. a $500 scope (3-10x42 AV from Natchez at $799 vs. a 3.5-10x40 Leup for $499).

Anyway... lots of good options out there these days!

Wow 22 post since this morning,,,while I was shooting you guys were computering

Hotter than a hell but got the 3.5X10 CDS mounted up..Rifle is shooting its usual 3/8 groups with R22 and 110 AB.
On thing I did notice that for some reason the rifle seems to be shooting flatter than it was. Perhaps the heat has spooked the R22, but it took 4 less clicks to go to 300, full 6 less to 400, and 9 less clicks to get to 500. Cooled the rifle and ammo in my truck with the AC about every 10 shots.

Then disaster struck. I was shooting from concrete benches with a concrete floor underneath. I just finished shooting at 500 got up left the rifle in the bags. A older gentleman was walking by as I stepped back he went around me and the butt of his rifle caught my rear bag and dumped the rifle! Heard the clackety clack sound even through my muffs! Horizontal cap on the scope dented, occular small dent and scrapped on the side of the rifle and a pretty good ding on the end of the barrel, (not the crown) He was pretty upset...

Dusted the rifle off and cooled it down again and fired 3 at 500 and three at 300..dead nuts on.

So I have a few more scrapes in the NULA a brand new banged up scope that apparently holds zero.


BTW the Swarovoski is truly clearer and the resolution is better.......FWIW

Lefty C

Ah, Jeff, you already said they two you sent back were:

Every scope has issues. I have 3 AV's. One is new in the box and yet to be put on a rifle. It is a 6X18. I paid $869 for that scope with a Ballistic Turret.

I also have two 3X10's that I paid a littler over $700 for. Not $1,000. Both are on rifles. One is on an Encore 30-06 that is my go to deer rifle. Been on that rifle for well over 10 years. I only adjustd the scope once. Have never touched it since. The other is on a rifle I do not use alot so that is not a real experience with the optics.

Lightweight rifles are extra hard on all scopes. Not just AV's. You just don't hear about alot of failures of cheaper scopes because people don't put cheaper priced scopes on rifles that cost $2,000+. However light weight rifles along with shorter actions so the scope rings are not farther apart are very very very hard on scopes.

Also as stated, the closer the mounts are together-the worse effects from the harmonics on the scope as well. Watch a scope during firing and watch the harmonics of the scope. It will shock you how much force the scope actually takes. And then is compounded by a lighter weight, and shorter base rifle.

Sorry you had problems with such a fine scope. But I will gladly buy it if you want to get rid of that piece of junk. Please price it. Same as any Leupold someone thinks is trash. I will buy those also. Tom.

I don't think that anyone called one "TRASH" or anything along those lines. I think when you start pricing scopes in that price range that people tend to get more demanding of their products. I would buy another Swaro but I doubt it would be a 4-12x50. I really like the 3.5-10x42. Again the MAP price on the last few years of the AV production were 999.99 and 1099 for the TDS reticle.

Agreed!

Right. Two different things.

Earlier, you mentioned something about were my scopes I'd sent back to Leup VX3's, so I clarified what they were.

But as far as a price comparison, to me it seems most meaningful to compare similar scopes- hence the 3-10x42 Swaro v. 3.5-10x40 Leup. Plus the 3.5-10 Leup is what I would have bought, if not for Hogghead telling me about the cheap AV's at Natchez.

At least that's what I was intending to reply to and communicate on this end. It's possible I misunderstood you along the way somewhere?

All you guys offerng to buy that POS Swarovoski...I am just overwelmed with your kindness and willingness to help

Lefty C

The comment was made as to the scopes which had been sent back to the manufacturer, in this thread.

How much?

I had a 4-12x50 swaro, that was a clear bright scope that was very light for its size. it also failed miserably at holding zero. my cs expierience was not what I would call good. I almost forgot I owned that scope they had it so long. I like my swaro bino's.....but I will not own another a line scope.

Not for sale...will get it fixed and then on my .223.

LC

How about trading it for a POS Leupold? I'll send the Swaro back for repair and you get a Leupold 2.5-8x36 VX3?

^ solid trade, especially since Swaro are "junk."

My 3-10x42 Swaro AV SR has been great on my 300Roy. About 40 odd rounds through it too. With a nice stout load, from 92-98 grains of R25, but settled on 96.5
So far all good here.

Heck, I put another 40-odd rounds of 7 WSM "through" my AV just today!

I'm rootin' for it to hold up; it sure is a good fit for that rifle (Kimber Montana).

Today I checked zero at 100, shot it to 475 for a while, then checked zero on the way home again (had to check out another rifle anyway; my Sendero has been acting up). Anyway all was well. Just dial in the distance on that neat little stock turret, shoot, and wait for the "WHOP!" sound to come back.

No problems with my AV3-9 on sub 8lb 338WM after some 300 rounds. So impressed with the scope bought another 2 Z3's to replace a couple of my Leupolds.

I use mine to pound stakes, clear drains, as a traction device, both a prybar AND chisel, and I'm not afraid to spindle and mutilate it.

It has survived droughts, floods, famines, my mother in law (twice), plagues of locusts, and neither moth nor rust, doth decay.

It can see better, brighter, clearer, and with more alacrity than all them other weak-livered, crosseyed, harebrained, half-baked excuses for scopes out there.

It can do, has done, has been, will be, shall, and most certainly will continue to, whup ass.

Plus, it's light and trim.