Bushnell LRHSi 4.5-18x and SWFA SS 3-15x

[Lonewolf72]

At risk of beating a dead horse, I have some questions about the above listed scopes, which I own. I often hear the SWFA 3-9x and Bushnell LRHS 3-12x being preached as tough and reliable scopes for hunters that like to dial. But I rarely hear about the higher magnification options like the Bushnell 4.5-18x and SWFA 3-15x being recommended. Are these higher magnification scopes built any different or less reliable than the lower magnification versions, or just spec'd in such a way as to make them less useful to the typical hunter?

After dabbling with a variety of rifles and optics over the last few years, I caught the long range bug and drank a lot of Kool-Aid. I acquired a bunch of rifles and optics that were on the heavy side. What I have come to realize is that I really like to shoot and carry my Tikkas (I have several) over other rifles, and based on the kind of hunting I do, I prefer simple, tough and reliable optics and rifles. I am considering simplifying my arsenal and optics, spending less time on handloading and fiddling with optics, and focusing on putting more lead downrange with proven rifles and optics that "just work". I find myself gravitating back towards my Tikkas and solid optics. Do any of you have this problem? LOL!

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[Lonewolf72]

BTW...I already have a Nightforce SHV 3-10x. I really like that scope so I'm keeping it. One of the issues that has driven me to "retool" is that I initially invested heavily in magnum rifles (28 Nos, 300WM, 300WSM 7RM), but realized how effective short action and standard long action cartridges were, so I'd like to put more time behind 30-06, 308, 6.5CM and 7-08. Maybe I'm getting old, but I spend a lot of time shooting and I'm tired of getting beat up!

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[matthewmt]

Tagged for interest, I have a lrhs 4.5x18 but haven't spent much time with it. It's currently riding on a Tikka compact t3x in 308.

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[huntsman22]

I prefer the low profile 10mil/rev turrets on the LRHS

 

[Wrench]

I have all the scopes you mentioned, minus the 3-15 ss which I recently sold.

The lower powered lrhs has more forgiving eye box than the big brother. It's lighter, more compact and has enough horsepower to shoot farther than most people will believe. It simply crushes the 3-9 swfa (which is a great scope) in every way.

 

[Lonewolf72]

OK...looks like the 3-12 LRHS is about 2 oz lighter and about an inch shorter than the 4.5-18x. That might not mean much to most, but a more forgiving eye box would.

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[204guy]

The 3-15 swfa is from the non HD line. So same glass and turrets as the standard fixed powers, which is adequate and proven. It's just bigger and bulkier than the 3-9 and I prefer the HD style turrets on the 3-9. I don't see a need for 15x top end for most big game hunting.

I have both the of the LRHS's, I haven't used the 4.5-18 nearly as much but both are solid scopes. As Wrench said the eyebox on the 4.5-18 is less forgiving though it hasn't been an issue. The 3-12 just fits big game and predator usage better for me. Honestly any of the 4 would work fine for the vast majority of my uses.

 

[Lawnboi]

Little off topic.... but sounds like you need an 223 rem 8 twist t3x lite....

It’s lot easier to shoot a lot when it’s only costing you 8 bucks a box, for good ammo.

 

[Lonewolf72]

Little off topic.... but sounds like you need an 223 rem 8 twist t3x lite....

It’s lot easier to shoot a lot when it’s only costing you 8 bucks a box, for good ammo.

A Tikka in .223 is definitely on my short list of purchases. Gotta sell a few things before I can retool . Should've done this awhile ago. I bought a T1x 1st.

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[Lawnboi]

A Tikka in .223 is definitely on my short list of purchases. Gotta sell a few things before I can retool . Should've done this awhile ago. I bought a T1x 1st.

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T1x is on my list too.

The 223 was the best thing Iv done for my shooting

 

[Lonewolf72]

You will love the T1x...it's like a "baby T3x"...same stock and trigger...and I foresee an ability to customize more and more. 1st photo is T1x next to my CTR. 2nd photo was after dropping into KRG Bravo.

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[coues32]

Little off topic.... but sounds like you need an 223 rem 8 twist t3x lite....

It’s lot easier to shoot a lot when it’s only costing you 8 bucks a box, for good ammo.

What is the good ammo?

 

[Luvbowhuntn]

If one of you guys with a LRHSi would like to sell one I'd be interested. I've got one but need another for another bare rifle in the safe

 

[Lawnboi]

What is the good ammo?

Norma match 77smk
Hornady Black 75bthp
Hornady match 73 eldm

If your patient and keep an eye out good deals can be had

 

[coues32]

Norma match 77smk
Hornady Black 75bthp
Hornady match 73 eldm

If your patient and keep an eye out good deals can be had

Thanks, picked up a tikka sl x3 sportsmatch, putting a swfa 3x9 on soon!

 

[Lawnboi]

Thanks, picked up a tikka sl x3 sportsmatch, putting a swfa 3x9 on soon!

Black Friday can save you some on the scope, and likely some ammo too.

 

[TREE ‘EM]

Have you considered rebarreling a Tikka with a 5R .270 Win as a primary hunting rifle?
How far are you shooting?
I’m not a knob twister and I have no trouble making hits on the 12” gong out to 600 yards by simply learning how much holdover I need.
My .270’s have Leupold VX3 2.5-8x36, 3.5-10x40, VXR 3-9x40 and Swarovski Habicht 3-9x36

All seem to work well for me. I practice to 600 yards but hunt at 400 or less...Preferably much, much less.

 

[coues32]

Black Friday can save you some on the scope, and likely some ammo too.

Yep that's why it has a bushy elite on it now

 

[Lonewolf72]

Have you considered rebarreling a Tikka with a 5R .270 Win as a primary hunting rifle?
How far are you shooting?
I’m not a knob twister and I have no trouble making hits on the 12” gong out to 600 yards by simply learning how much holdover I need.
My .270’s have Leupold VX3 2.5-8x36, 3.5-10x40, VXR 3-9x40 and Swarovski Habicht 3-9x36

All seem to work well for me. I practice to 600 yards but hunt at 400 or less...Preferably much, much less.

Although I have a lot of respect for the .270 Win, I have chosen not to go that route and prefer to stock .30, 6.5mm, 7mm and .223 caliber projectiles. My shot opportunities are generally under 300 yards where I hunt, but I would like to work on my precision shooting, so I am selling off a lot of my basic scopes (mostly Leupold) and buying dialers. I live in UT, so really the sky is the limit on shot distance. I however prefer to shoot game within my capabilities, but work at constantly improving on that. I have an Elite DMR scope on a CTR that I enjoy, but that thing is a tank for hunting IMHO.

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[Lonewolf72]

The urge to buy a Bushnell LRTS 3-12x44 grows strong...

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