Swaro vs Nightforce out to 500 yards

[irf1983]

For hunting big game, shooting out to 500 yards, weight is not a huge factor, prefer dialing rather than holdover:

Swaro z6 5-30x50 BT or the NX8 4-32x50

Thanks in advance

 

[TX_Diver]

I have no experience with either but both of those seem like a lot of scope for 500 yards. Somewhere in the 10x-12x w/ a lower power bottom end magnification would probably be my preference.

I don't do a whole lot of rifle hunting generally though so others may have better recommendations.

 

[Lawnboi]

I have no experience with the z6, but do a z5 and 3.
If you’re going to dial get a nightforce. The nx8 is a nice scope but has some downsides, being a reliable dialer is not one of them, nor is holding zero.

Your limit on shot has nothing to do with my decision. 500 yards is a long shot that’s easy to mess up. I want absolute repeatability and the ability to hold a zero. If the scope can’t do that the I have no interest in it’s other attributes.

 

[LightFoot]

I have no experience with the z6, but do a z5 and 3.
If you’re going to dial get a nightforce. The nx8 is a nice scope but has some downsides, being a reliable dialer is not one of them, nor is holding zero.

Your limit on shot has nothing to do with my decision. 500 yards is a long shot that’s easy to mess up. I want absolute repeatability and the ability to hold a zero. If the scope can’t do that the I have no interest in it’s other attributes.

Interested to hear your downsides to the NX8. I am considering a similar pair to OP for a 338.

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[Lawnboi]

Interested to hear your downsides to the NX8. I am considering a similar pair to OP for a 338.

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It’s currently on my match rifle and is getting pulled after this season to go on a hunting rifle. Mine is a 4-32 FFP, mil xt reticle.

I still think it’s a great scope, and seems like it’s about right for a hunting rifle being fairly light and compact.

After 500+ long range on the clock rounds my biggest complaints are finicky parralax and tight eye box. Both are not the biggest problem for hunting, but when I only have 90 seconds to get off 10 shots at a match, dinking with parralax isn’t an option, nor is searching for the eye box in an odd position. Both are finicky enough to be a burden for a steel match IMO.

That said. It’s a compact scope, awesome features for a hunter, is light enough, personally I like high power for animal ID. I won’t be getting rid of the scope, I just want something easier to get behind and less finicky for the match environment. Not at all surprised that glass snobs have problems with them

 

[Bater]

Of the two scopes mentioned NX8 all day long. My 4-32 is about the best long range hunting scope I’ve found when keeping weight under 30oz. Solid internals that you won’t have to worry about. Like mentioned above I’ve had no issues with parallax/eye box in hunting situations but could understand seeing them when on the clock.

 

[Fourteen]

For hunting big game, shooting out to 500 yards, weight is not a huge factor, prefer dialing rather than holdover:

Swaro z6 5-30x50 BT or the NX8 4-32x50

Thanks in advance

I own the exact Swaro you mentioned and it’s great IMO. The turret dial is so easy once set up for your needed ranges. Only problem is the 5-30 has less vertical adjustment than the 5-18 option. At times I wish I had the 5-18 but never needed the extra adjustment. I’m still super happy with the 5-30. I have no experience with NX8


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[Castle Rock]

Neither for hunting out to 600 m

 

[eric1115]

Between those two, NF hands down for dialing and zero retention is going to be better than the Swaro. It's an aiming device first and foremost, not an observation device, so all the clarity and brightness in the world doesn't do you any good if the crosshairs are not where they are supposed to be when you turn the turret (up or down - tracking tests are great, but RTZ and zero retention under recoil and drops/impacts are paramount).

I would second (third?) the suggestion that either one is a lot of scope for 500 yard hunting. 30x is a massive amount of magnification to be using at those ranges! I much prefer to be around 8x to 10x for that sort of distance.

To me 30x is primarily useful for 100 yard to 300 yard load development on paper. Or a 25lb 6mm comp gun with no recoil so I can still see impacts.

Truthfully, for the use case you're describing, a NXS 2.5-10x42 would be my pick. Maybe a Mk5 3.6-18. Kahles 318 if you're feeling fancy.

Full disclosure, I have never actually shot any of these, as I'm on a much tighter budget than they allow. But I've followed the principles above at my price point and have ended up at a Bushy LRHS on top of my long range hunting rifle. Dead solid dialing and repeatability, good enough glass, and 18x top magnification (even this is a touch more than I'd like or probably ever use on game, but with FFP it doesn't hurt me to have it). Much more useful than the 25x scopes I've shot doing load development and such.

 

[kcm2]

The difference, if any, is insignificant. You can't hold tighter than the difference.

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

I second the NF NXS 2.5-10x42 rather than a higher magnification scope. It only weighs 21 oz as well. I have real world experience of taking game at over 500 yards with my 32 mil version of that scope with no issues at all.


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