Is SWFA the best bang for the buck

[Q_Sertorius]

That would fit the bill for much of what I'm looking for in a scope, but as you mentioned those turrets hanging up on something concern me.

Only you can decide if it is a problem for you, but it hasn’t been a problem for me. It takes some getting used to the look, but function over form every time.

My rifles fit in the cheap old hard cases I use for a trip to the range or the 4-hour roadtrip to the farm. The kind that still have the $11.99 Walmart stickers on them from 2005. I’d probably get better cases and go for a better fit if I was putting them on an airplane.

I’ll happily admit that there are better scopes than an SWFA, but every purchase is a compromise. And for the money, there is no better option. For me, the touchstone for every scope purchase is, “How is this option better than a $350 dollar SWFA 6x gen2? Am I willing to pay for the things this option does better?” Sometimes the answer is “yes” and sometimes it is “no.”

My thinking is also a function of what I own. At present, I have a dozen bolt action hunting rifles. Even if I sell four of them, as I plan to do, I will still have a “First World problem” - too many rifles. You can go broke buying good deals. I can’t afford to put $1000-3000 optics on each one. But even if I only had one rifle, my touchstone would be the same. I am not a sniper. I am a rifle hunter. I’m not looking through the scope for hours. I’m not shooting at night. I need a reliable sight which works well to confirm PID and place the shot precisely during legal shooting hours, at a normal range of 60-300 yards, and out to an extreme range of 600 yards.

 

[roosiebull]

Swaro Z3 is garbage.

But the internals are 100% recyclable if that’s important to you

 

[SIP]

Only you can decide if it is a problem for you, but it hasn’t been a problem for me. It takes some getting used to the look, but function over form every time.

My rifles fit in the cheap old hard cases I use for a trip to the range or the 4-hour roadtrip to the farm. The kind that still have the $11.99 Walmart stickers on them from 2005. I’d probably get better cases and go for a better fit if I was putting them on an airplane.

I’ll happily admit that there are better scopes than an SWFA, but every purchase is a compromise. And for the money, there is no better option. For me, the touchstone for every scope purchase is, “How is this option better than a $350 dollar SWFA 6x gen2? Am I willing to pay for the things this option does better?” Sometimes the answer is “yes” and sometimes it is “no.”

My thinking is also a function of what I own. At present, I have a dozen bolt action hunting rifles. Even if I sell four of them, as I plan to do, I will still have a “First World problem” - too many rifles. You can go broke buying good deals. I can’t afford to put $1000-3000 optics on each one. But even if I only had one rifle, my touchstone would be the same. I am not a sniper. I am a rifle hunter. I’m not looking through the scope for hours. I’m not shooting at night. I need a reliable sight which works well to confirm PID and place the shot precisely during legal shooting hours, at a normal range of 60-300 yards, and out to an extreme range of 600 yards.

I certainly agree with what you say and seeing that this is a budget rifle build, I don't want to spend much more on optics than I did for gun. I do believe wholeheartedly in putting good glass on a gun, because you can't shoot what you can't accurately see. After reading the feedback I've received here, l'm very likely to give the SWFA a try over the Maven. The RS.2 is noticeably lighter but it would seem the 3x9 is built better to justify the weight.

 

[nm.otter]

If you get the chance, buy a 6x MQ Gen2 and give it a try. It really does cover 90+% of actual hunting needs.

In the event you need/want more, it will be right at home on a backup, truck, or loaner rifle. Also easy to sell for at least what you paid for it.

 

[SIP]

If you get the chance, buy a 6x MQ Gen2 and give it a try. It really does cover 90+% of actual hunting needs.

In the event you need/want more, it will be right at home on a backup, truck, or loaner rifle. Also easy to sell for at least what you paid for it.

That's a big help when you can sell it for near what you paid for it!

 

[minas stiris]

The SWFA 10x is built much much better than a Chinese scope. While the Athlon is a newer design, you could take the SWFA and beat the Athlon into pieces with it, bolt it back on the gun and it would hold zero.

I say the SWFA is the best built scope in the price range. It will be limited by the simple yet very useable reticle.

but again, this is my opinion. I’ll always own a fixed power SWFA.

 

[SIP]

The SWFA 10x is built much much better than a Chinese scope. While the Athlon is a newer design, you could take the SWFA and beat the Athlon into pieces with it, bolt it back on the gun and it would hold zero.

I say the SWFA is the best built scope in the price range. It will be limited by the simple yet very useable reticle.

but again, this is my opinion. I’ll always own a fixed power SWFA.

Sounds like the build quality is well more than worth what the scope sells for. I'm sold now.