Knocked over my Rifle with Swarovski Z3

[Salberta69]

Pulled a bonehead move the other day and knocked my rifle over when it was resting against the wall. Fell on its side with a pretty loud bang on the wood floor. Just bought this Swarovski Z3 4-12x50 a few weeks ago so I’m very stressed that I might’ve broken it. Majority of the impact was on the bikini scope cap lenses, bipod, talley rings and rifle barrel. There is no visible damage to the scope, scope is still mounted steadily in the rings, magnification, turret clicks, clarity, diopter, eye relief and reticle are all normal with no shift. Should I be super worried about major damage to the erector system? I fully expect it to be off the original zero but I’m concerned about long term damage. Any advice and personal experiences would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Team4LongGun]

Shoot it, check zero.

Do a tracking test, dialing full mils several times, does it return dial properly, and return to zero?

If so, your good.

 

[tstowater]

I would call that an involuntary personal drop test. I would agree with the previous post and check zero, tracking and return to zero. If it doesn't, then you need to decide if you want/ need a more reliable scope.

 

[IAM_TONTO]

Check Zero bro. Better safe than sorry

 

[Mtndawger]

Several years ago second day of rifle season in Colorado, a guy showed up at the range to check zero on his Z3 3-9. He had fallen while stepping over a wet log. His scope was totally broken. It was able to hit on paper but unable to adjust the reticle for zero. He went home to remount it with new loctite and torque settings but still no luck. I had seriously considered this very scope but that sealed the deal for me to take it off the list.

 

[elkguide]

Welcome to the forum.
Shoot it. Enjoy it. Be more careful.

 

[Soj51hopeful]

Don’t worry about it! Stick it back in the gun safe and forget about it until this coming fall.

 

[huntsman22]

Do you really think it worked right, before the fall?

 

[need4sneed]

Here’s my experience with an older Z series

Tube wall was thin and the elevation and wind adjustments seemed to be affected by the interface of the rings to the scope. As in things would bind up completely if rings were too tight (>20”lbs). Elevation and wind adjustments would slip routinely.
I would recommend to practice dialing up a few clicks and then back down to your intended hold - maybe tap turret a couple times also.

I wouldn’t run a full gauntlet tracking test unless you’re prepared to fry the scope completely.

“What are you using it for” should factor into how much you feel you have to torture test it.
It’s an amazing optical view with outrageous light gathering. Solid tree stand use type scope if you check zero routinely.
YES, check zero every time it gets a hard hit.

I would not recommend it for modern long range shooting/hunting where the dial is used consistently.

 

[MuleyFever]

Any advice and personal experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Buy a more durable scope.

 

[JGRaider]

Me and my hunting buddy both had 1" tube Swaro's fail n the field hunting mule deer, apparently from riding miles upon miles in a gun boot on an ATV. Swaro fixed them and we sold them. I'm not a fan of any Swaro scope personally.

 

[Salberta69]

Buy a more durable scope.

What brands would you recommend that aren’t unbelievably heavy? I understand that Night Force is top tier but putting a 30oz scope on a basic hunting rifle that I hike hours with seems ridiculous to me.

 

[1000yards]

What brands would you recommend that aren’t unbelievably heavy? I understand that Night Force is top tier but putting a 30oz scope on a basic hunting rifle that I hike hours with seems ridiculous to me.

SWFA 3-9 is 20 oz. Trijicon Credo 3-9 is 17 oz. Those are the two I would recommend. Also the Trijicon Huron 3-9 is 16 oz.

 

[24valve]

What brands would you recommend that aren’t unbelievably heavy? I understand that Night Force is top tier but putting a 30oz scope on a basic hunting rifle that I hike hours with seems ridiculous to me.

Start by reading this: https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/scope-field-eval-explanation-and-standards.246775/

Then look through some of the evaluations here: https://rokslide.com/forums/forums/rifle-scope-field-evaluations.133/

 

[Salberta69]

Start by reading this: https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/scope-field-eval-explanation-and-standards.246775/

Then look through some of the evaluations here: https://rokslide.com/forums/forums/rifle-scope-field-evaluations.133/

Thank you

 

[MuleyFever]

What brands would you recommend that aren’t unbelievably heavy? I understand that Night Force is top tier but putting a 30oz scope on a basic hunting rifle that I hike hours with seems ridiculous to me.

Putting a scope that is known to be undurable and hiking for hours with it where you depend on it to work seems ridiculous to me. Ill gladly carry a few ounces.

 

[4th_point]

Just go check zero. I wouldn't worry about it.

If something shifted, it's a blessing in disguise.

 

[Kurts86]

Go buy a Nightforce like the NXS 2.5-10 or the NX6 2-12. Those are 20-23 oz and will hold zero. I love Swarovski for observation optics but they do not make a durable scope. I went from a Swarovski Z5 to Nightforce 5 years ago and I haven’t looked back.

 

[onlybrowning]

Start by reading this: https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/scope-field-eval-explanation-and-standards.246775/

Then look through some of the evaluations here: https://rokslide.com/forums/forums/rifle-scope-field-evaluations.133/

Good advice here. If you want a set it and forget it, second focal plane scope, and want it to be lightweight, take a look at the Trijicon Huron and AccuPoints. I am not saying you need to replace that scope because of what happened, just offering a suggestion since you asked.

 

[SomeJackassOnAForum]

If it's a capped turret model and you haven't adjusted it in a while, don't forget that extending the turret disengages it from the internals, and it will click and spin forever without the scope doing anything. Clicks need to be made with the dials in the down position.

It's probably fine, but if you're worried about it bring it on your next range day and check your zero.