SWFA 3-9 or Nightforce SHV 3-10?

[Fartrell Cluggins]

Just got another rifle, a Bergara B-14 Hunter 6.5CM, just for fun, might use for blacktail deer, normally I’m a Tikka guy. Picked this rifle off the shelf for giggles. Usually run a fixed 6x SWFA on all my rigs. But have narrowed my choices down to a Nightforce SHV 3-10x42 or SWFA 3-9..

Both have pros and cons. But both seem to hold zero better than anything else…. Which would you use?

Does availability factor into the equation?

 

[AlpineAssassin907]

Does availability factor into the equation?

I got one in hand at the moment from a family member so no. I do know they are hard to get and back orders take forever LOL

 

[TxxAgg]

I don’t plan on dialing often with this set up. So I was leaning toward the “set and forget” route had a trijicon accupoint 3-9 in mind as well forgot to throw that out there on this thread. I am a big SWFA guy though. But I am Leaning toward the nightforce on this rig

If you aren't dialing, grab the Trijicon.

 

[AlpineAssassin907]

If you aren't dialing, grab the Trijicon.

It’s between the Nightforce 3-10 & trijicon 3-9, would save a ton of weight with the trijicon

 

[SouthPaw]

I've owned both, and currently still have 2x of the 3-9 on my hunting rifles. The SWFA is FFP and has a far better reticle for general hunting. It also costs less. A bit of a no-brainer for me.

 

[2-Stix]

NXS 2.5-10

 

[PlumberED]

NXS 2.5-10

The NXS 2.5-10 is my favorite hunting scope.

 

[dårlig jeger]

Bringing this back up as the shv is set to be discontinued.

I have a few swfa 3-9 and I am a big fan. But I don't have a set-and-forget, duplex scope. Is the forceplex reticle good in low light, dark timber without using illume?

Anyone make the swap from swfa 3-9 to shv 3-10 and regret it?

 

[Formidilosus]

Bringing this back up as the shv is set to be discontinued.

I have a few swfa 3-9 and I am a big fan. But I don't have a set-and-forget, duplex scope. Is the forceplex reticle good in low light, dark timber without using illume?

It’s as good as any other duplex SFP reticle.

Anyone make the swap from swfa 3-9 to shv 3-10 and regret it?

Not really the same scopes.

 

[SDHNTR]

To me, the SWFA, while very functional, was just obnoxiously big and unnecessarily cumbersome. The SHV is a more user friendly scope for a hunter as I don’t mind SFP in this power range. The forceplex reticle is just fine on a shorter range gun. And with the illumination, it’s great.

If for whatever reason you must have FFP, then the SWFA is a good choice as long as you don’t mind its size and ridiculous turrets.

 

[BAKPAKR]

Bringing this back up as the shv is set to be discontinued.

I have a few swfa 3-9 and I am a big fan. But I don't have a set-and-forget, duplex scope. Is the forceplex reticle good in low light, dark timber without using illume?

Anyone make the swap from swfa 3-9 to shv 3-10 and regret it?

For a set and forget scope, the Trijicon 3-9 Accupoint works well for me. It is quite a bit lighter than the SHV 3-10.

 

[Formidilosus]

To me, the SWFA, while very functional, was just obnoxiously big and unnecessarily cumbersome. The SHV is a more user friendly scope for a hunter as I don’t mind SFP in this power range. The forceplex reticle is just fine on a shorter range gun. And with the illumination, it’s great.

If for whatever reason you must have FFP, then the SWFA is a good choice as long as you don’t mind its size and ridiculous turrets.

The SWFA 3-9x is the same functional size as the 3-10x SHV. The turrets are about .25” taller.

 

[SDHNTR]

The SWFA 3-9x is the same functional size as the 3-10x SHV. The turrets are about .25” taller.

Not in my book! Not even close.

 

[Terrapin]

I use both scopes side by side… completely different animals. The SWFA 3-9 is first focal plane & designed for constant dialing. The optical quality is just barely good enough for my eyes. It does well (for me) on a rifle that gets frequently dialed for moderate distance. It’s currently on a fairly heavy fast twist 223 bolt that I use to shoot (a lot) from 100 to 600 yards.

My 3-10 SHV is second focal plane and has capped turrets. I’ve used it for testing on a dozen different rifles & accuracy testing crossbows. While I do occasionally use it for dialing, it is more frequently used as a set & forget scope (capped turrets and no zero stop). The optics are better for my eyes and I feel like I can resolve better detail at longer ranges. I sometimes wish it was FFP, but I really like a SFP reticle on a hunting scope.

Neither scope has ever failed me in any regard… which is saying something because both have had a hard life.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Kyguy]

I just bought another SHV 3-10 Force Plex...... foolishly sold a couple last year and regretted it. Probably going to buy a couple more. To MY eyes, the SHV is better optically than the SWFA
3-9. I sold my SWFA 3-9's last fall. I had trouble getting the diopter focused properly on the them. When the image was good, the reticle was not, and vice versa. It was pretty annoying... I've not had that issue with ANY other scope, regardless of price.

I've had several Trijicon Huron and Credo 3-9.... They're very good scopes, but the SHV is absolutely a step above and worth with the extra 5-6 oz. Plus the SHV pretty much has consistent eye relief across the whole range, which has not been my experience with the Trijicon scopes.