Budget turret scope: SWFA, Maven CRS 3, etc.

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Jul 4, 2018
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Hey everyone, looking to get a scope to replace my vortex viper that does not have turrets. That scope is going to end up on my back up gun. I’m on a relatively limited budget because of my career but that same career gets me some pro deals/discounts on certain products and brands. That being said, until perusing this forum, I had never even heard of SWFA scopes and now seeing the price tag, I’m very intrigued. The Maven CS 1.2 is another scope I’m intrigued by and happens to be one I can get at a slight discount through GovX. Anyone have any suggestions or thoughts on this? Also are there any other scopes you would recommend to open up options? I have had a Diamondback tactical that I borrowed one year but it lost zero a couple times which has ruled it out for me. My criteria are in order here:

1) turret system
2) Holds zero reasonably (if I accidentally drop the gun, I want it to hold but ultimately it’s on me for dropping it or banging it on something)
3) minimum 3x (would like 3 for timber hunting when I do it)
4) maximum 16x (anywhere between 9 and 16 would likely fit my use case)
5) Glass quality is not a concern since I won’t be judging animals or anything, just hoping to be able to spot shots if possible.

Appreciate all the info you all are putting out on scopes, really helps open up the options for all of us which I find extremely helpful.
 
What's the actual budget?

There's a few 6X SWFAs on the classifieds here, those would be good choices at ~$400. Or wait to see if any come in stock. A SWFA fixed 10x is drastically better than a poor performing variable of any price range...

Alternatively, the 3-9 or 3-15 meet your criteria. I don't think anything else "budget" is worth considering unless you dig into some of the Trijicon models and find a used/sale.

Beyond that, the ~$1200 range holds the rs1.2, NF shv, Tenmile, LRHS2 scopes that are "budget" in the sense that they are lifetime purchases that won't leave you wasting ammunition chasing your tail.
 
Swfa, Lrhs of some variety, Helos btr, are top choices. You have several good options. I will say this, buy what you want the first time. Avoids upgrading later.
 
What's the actual budget?

There's a few 6X SWFAs on the classifieds here, those would be good choices at ~$400. Or wait to see if any come in stock. A SWFA fixed 10x is drastically better than a poor performing variable of any price range...

Alternatively, the 3-9 or 3-15 meet your criteria. I don't think anything else "budget" is worth considering unless you dig into some of the Trijicon models and find a used/sale.

Beyond that, the ~$1200 range holds the rs1.2, NF shv, Tenmile, LRHS2 scopes that are "budget" in the sense that they are lifetime purchases that won't leave you wasting ammunition chasing your tail.
Let’s say somewhere in the $700 range would be the highest I could afford but given I have a discount on the CRS 3, it’s closer to $550 what I am looking at right now. Sorry for the confusion the scope is the CRS 3 from Maven.
 
Let’s say somewhere in the $700 range would be the highest I could afford but given I have a discount on the CRS 3, it’s closer to $550 what I am looking at right now. Sorry for the confusion the scope is the CRS 3 from Maven.
There is a thread in here about the CRS3. @sndmn11 did a drop test on it you can look at in there. I’ve had mine since November and I haven’t had a problem with zero retention yet. I think it comes down to if you can get by without a zero stop or not. Personally, I like the scope but I would say its unproven yet
 
Let’s say somewhere in the $700 range would be the highest I could afford but given I have a discount on the CRS 3, it’s closer to $550 what I am looking at right now. Sorry for the confusion the scope is the CRS 3 from Maven.
I did a quick zero retention run with a crs3 here https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/maven-crs-3-newest-new-model.377852/post-3925867

I wouldn't trust that scope like I do others for a while. I have the luxury of a surplus of individually proven scopes to where I can screw around with unknowns when they get sent to me. EVERY hunter needs one dead nuts reliable scope, and I think you would be best served with a $400 SWFA fixed that you can keep forever, and continue adding funds to the remaining budget to hit the $1200 winners. Just because something is discounted doesn't make it a deal, and just because something has more "features" doesn't make it better.

Athlon was mentioned twice above, and specifically the HelosBTR, they are trash.

Hey everyone, looking to get a scope to replace my vortex viper that does not have turrets. That scope is going to end up on my back up gun.

1) turret system
2) Holds zero reasonably (if I accidentally drop the gun, I want it to hold but ultimately it’s on me for dropping it or banging it on something)
3) minimum 3x (would like 3 for timber hunting when I do it)
4) maximum 16x (anywhere between 9 and 16 would likely fit my use case)
5) Glass quality is not a concern since I won’t be judging animals or anything, just hoping to be able to spot shots if possible.


3) Allows me more funds for either a) the same scope on my backup rifle because if my backup rifle loses zero it is equally as worthless as whatever happened to my primary rifle to make me pick up my backup rifle. and/or b) allows me more funds to shoot more and drive to places to scout.
 
EVERY hunter needs one dead nuts reliable scope, and I think you would be best served with a $400 SWFA fixed that you can keep forever.
Alright, it’s been a long time since I shot a fixed power scope. How does it work out without parallax? I like the idea of how light the scope is without the zoom and how simple it looks especially under shots that happen fast, but the lack of parallax is interesting.

I’ve heard major props for SWFA given the price points. Is there a reason that brand is not out in the mainstream hunting space, like are they primarily a precision shooting/tactical company and hunters outside of rokslide just aren’t using them?
 
Alright, it’s been a long time since I shot a fixed power scope. How does it work out without parallax? I like the idea of how light the scope is without the zoom and how simple it looks especially under shots that happen fast, but the lack of parallax is interesting.

I’ve heard major props for SWFA given the price points. Is there a reason that brand is not out in the mainstream hunting space, like are they primarily a precision shooting/tactical company and hunters outside of rokslide just aren’t using them?

Buy this before someone else does:

 
For me, and the hunting I do, I think the SWFA 3-9 is the best hunting scope regardless of price.
I agree. I recently picked up one and it does everything needed . Bullet proof and I have 0 issues with the glass….and that’s comparing it to my Triji credos, maven rs1.2 and NF nx8s… to be honest off all the scopes listed , the Nx8s are my least favorite
 
Alright, it’s been a long time since I shot a fixed power scope. How does it work out without parallax? I like the idea of how light the scope is without the zoom and how simple it looks especially under shots that happen fast, but the lack of parallax is interesting.

I’ve heard major props for SWFA given the price points. Is there a reason that brand is not out in the mainstream hunting space, like are they primarily a precision shooting/tactical company and hunters outside of rokslide just aren’t using them?
The parallax is adjustable, there is a side focus model and an ocular focus model.

They are a 90s design, look unattractive, and are "featureless". They are also inexpensive. All of those things leave people who shop on paper the space to believe everything else is an upgrade.

 
When on a budget but wanting a good product it's hard to beat swfa. I have a fixed 10x from them that's been a workhorse. Mounted a 3-15x42 on a new build and shot it yesterday. Tracked true and clicks feel nice. Glass is fine for hunting, can pick out rocks at 900+ yds. Eyebox is tight at full mag but that's not a bad thing for keeping my cheek in the same spot.
 
Buy this before someone else does:

I'm Broccoli Rob and I endorse this message.
 
I got my first precision (ish) rifle in 2010. At the time THE budget optic was an SWFA 10x. Slap that bad boy on a Rem 700 SPS Varnint and that was the budget set up.

Scopes have changed a lot since 2010. Lots of new wiz bang "features". One thing that hasnt changed is the stupid reliability of the SWFA. They just work.

I have bought and played with a few other budget scopes. Still own a couple but honestly they suck. Glass sucks, zero retention sucks, in some cases customer service sucks. Sure they all have a feature I enjoy. I do regret not buy 8 or 9 SWFA 3-15 back in 2017. They were dirt cheap.
 
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